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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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