According to reports, the UFC is targeting a featherweight contest between BJ Penn vs. Ricardo Lamas as the main event of UFC Fight Night in Manila. Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com was the first to report the news. FloCombat has since confirmed with additional sources.

Penn’s (16-10-2), who is one of only two fighters to win UFC titles in two different weight classes, has not competed since suffering third round TKO to Frankie Edgar at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale in 2014.

This marked Penn’s first foray into the UFC’s featherweight after spending most of his career competing as a member of the lightweight and welterweight division. Penn announced his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts immediately after the loss.



He was expected come out of retirement at UFC 199 in June before being pulled from the card after he disclosed his usage of a prohibited IV to the United State Anti-Doping Agency.
His opponent, Lamas (15-4), a UFC former title challenger, will be looking to get back into the win column after suffering a decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 199 in June.

UFC Fight Night 97 will go down at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines on Oct. 15. Not other fights have been announced.