BJ Penn and Tito Ortiz are two of the biggest stars ever to have stepped into the UFC’s Octagon, but it seems they may both have made their minds up to bring an end to their respective careers.
Penn announced his decision in the Octagon after a loss to Nick Diaz in October of last year, but many doubted whether he really meant it, or if he was just caught up in the heat of the moment.
Six months later though it appears that Penn is content with his decision.
“At the moment I don’t have any plans to fight. I have nothing scheduled, I’m just taking it easy, kind of enjoying life. So, as of right now I’m not entering the Octagon anytime soon.”
In a separate interview Penn sounded even more set on retirement, but on the other hand while Ortiz has already declared that his next fight with Forrest Griffin at UFC 148 will be his last, he admits it’s still a decision that’s taking a while to sink in.
“Unsure,” is how he describes his feelings on retirement. “I’m not sure if I really want to hang them up, but it’s time, you know?”
Whatever happens both men seem set to continue their links to the sport. Penn is gearing up to front a new UFC gym in Hawaii, while Ortiz is hoping he can secure a job with the UFC and was recently offered a role as an MMA analyst for ESPN, though he’s not accepted that yet.
Watch the two stars being interviewed by Karyn Bryant at Saturday night’s ‘UFC On Fuel TV 2’ event in Sweden below.
BJ Penn:
Tito Ortiz:
