Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Bloody Elbow presents their UFC on Fox 5 fight card primer, previewing all the action at UFC on Fox 5 this Saturday. Here, we look at B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald.
In one of the big fights at UFC on Fox 5, former UFC Welterweight and Lightweight champion B.J. Penn (16-8-2 MMA; 12-7-2 UFC) faces Rory MacDonald (13-1 MMA; 4-1 UFC). This is the second of four main card bouts on the Fox broadcast. UFC on Fox 5 airs this Saturday night, December 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.
This is the first of two fights to feature the young lions vs. veteran format. On the veteran side you've got B.J. Penn, a true legend of the sport who debuted 11 years ago at UFC 31. He's also fighting for the first time in over a year here. Representing the new generation is Canadian Rory MacDonald, who is quickly rising up the UFC ranks. With the Welterweight title picture in a bit of a logjam, the winner here might not find himself immediately in the hunt, but this is about more than just title shots.
How do these two stack up?
Penn: 33 years old | 5'9" | 70" reach
MacDonald: 23 years old | 6'0" | 76.5" reach
What have these two done recently?
Penn: L - Nick Diaz (UD) | D - Jon Fitch (Maj. Draw) | W - Matt Hughes (KO)
MacDonald: W - Che Mills (TKO) | W - Mike Pyle (TKO) | W - Nate Diaz (UD)
How did these two get here?
"The Prodigy" B.J. Penn is an easy Hall of Fame fighter, with an incredible list of accomplishments. He's also just 1-3-1 in the last 3 years. The former champion made a return to Welterweight in 2010, but was stopped in his run to a title shot by Nick Diaz. After that fight, he retired from MMA, though it lasted only a year. He says he's in great shape, and it seems MacDonald may have lit a fire under the veteran.
Rory MacDonald has been receiving huge praise for the past few years. He's had dominating wins, with his only loss coming in a close fight against Carlos Condit. But he has not yet had a big, career making win, as his last few opponents have not been major names. The Tristar Gym trainee is in a tough spot thanks to his relationship with champion GSP, but it's clear he has a very bright future ahead of him.
Why should you care?
Veteran vs. up and comer sells me every time. This is a huge fight, reminiscent in many ways to Penn vs. GSP I back in 2006. That was great - this should be too.
More UFC on Fox 5 preview content from Bloody Elbow:
UFC on Fox 5 staff picks and predictions - Tim Burke
Dissection: B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald - Dallas Winston
Dissection: Matt Brown vs. Mike Swick - Dallas Winston
Dissection: FX prelims - Dallas Winston
Dissection: Scott Jorgensen vs. John Albert Facebook prelim - Dallas Winston
Tim Means out of Fox card after falling in sauna - Mookie Alexander
Dana White: Shogun vs. Gustafsson for #1 contender - Chris Hall
Video: UFC on Fox 5 pre-fight press conference - Tim Burke
Video: A Portrait of B.J. Penn mini-documentary - Anton Tabuena
Video: MMA Tete-A-Tete Nate & Eugene talk BJ, Shogun, Rory, Gus, more - Nate Wilcox
Edgar picks Diaz to win against Henderson - Anton Tabuena
Culinary Union asks Fox to pull Stephens - Chris Hall
UFC on Fox 5 betting lines - Tim Burke
Will Penn and Shogun Fall at UFC on Fox 5? - Fraser Coffeen
Video: Dallas and Nate preview UFC on Fox 5 - Nate Wilcox
Video: Rory MacDonald wants to 'annihilate' B.J. Penn - Chris Hall
Video: UFC on Fox 5 Road to the Octagon full video - Mookie Alexander
Will Nate Diaz face the spotlight? - Nate Wilcox
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