Penn: I'm moving up to 170 pounds

Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn first fought at UFC 58, more than two years ago. Penn dominated the first round but lost a close split decision to the Canadian mixed martial arts superstar. Penn confirmed to MMAWeekly that he expects to be back in the Octagon in December against the winner of St. Pierre and Jon Fitch at UFC 87.

But UFC President Dana White is not so sure.

"I don't think he'll get the winner of Fitch and G.S.P., said the UFC president. "He wants to fight G.S.P.if G.S.P.wins the title. G.S.P.has a win over him. He wants to try to beat G.S.P. I don't think he'd move up if Fitch won."

Penn disagrees, commenting, "I'd feel OK facing anyone for the welterweight title."

"Jon Fitch is a great opponent, a tough opponent, but St. Pierre brings the whole backing of Canada with him to a fight," stated Penn. "Fan base, this sport, it's entertainment. It would be great to put on a big fight with me and St. Pierre, but then again, it's about me fighting the best fighter, and if Fitch goes down and proves he's the best fighter, then he's the man."

Penn recently told MMAWeekly that he wants to bounce back and forth between the 170- and 155-pound weight divisions. "I'd like to fight welterweight and lightweight at the same time if I could," said the former welterweight champion.

"I'm moving up to the welterweight division and moving down to defend the lightweight title," stated the UFC lightweight titleholder.

Penn expects his next fight to be at welterweight and to be against the winner of St. Pierre and Fitch. "I'm looking at the [Kenny] Florian/[Roger] Huerta fight and I'm also looking and the St. Pierre-Fitch fight," stated the Hawaiian fighter.