Over the weekend, B.J. Penn set an ignominious record. The former two-division UFC champion became the owner of the longest losing streak in UFC history when he dropped his seventh straight fight in a row, losing a unanimous decision to Clay Guida at UFC 237.

It’s been an unfortunate turn for Penn. The man once known as “The Prodigy” has only won once this decade, a knockout of Matt Hughes at UFC 123. He’s also had a pair of retirements that haven’t stuck and with this latest loss, fans are once again clamoring for Penn to hang up the gloves. But one of Penn’s former opponents, a fellow welterweight champion himself, understands what Penn is going through right now.

Speaking on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, Matt Serra discussed Penn’s recent bad run, saying he sympathizes with his fellow Hall of Famer.

“Dude, let me tell you, I’m 44. I fought him when I was 28. The guy has been around, man,” Serra said. “The guy has been around. It’s not about money either with B.J. I just think that guys do this for so long, when it comes down to what’s next . . . it’s just what you’re used to. It’s like a routine. It felt weird when I stopped. Like, ‘Oh I don’t have a fight coming up, even after a few months? Now what the f*ck is going on?’”

Serra’s last fight was in 2010 but he did not retire officially until 2013. Unlike Penn though, Serra has stuck to his retirement. And even though that has been the right decision for him, Serra thinks Penn’s should keep fighting if that’s what he wants to do, since he’s not getting knocked out in devastating fashion like some other former champions had happen at the end of their careers.

“I don’t know. It’s not like what’s happening to Rashad Evans or somebody like Chuck Liddell where you’re like, ‘Man, I don’t want to see him get hurt anymore,’” Serra said. “I don’t know. I’ve known B.J. for so long, I love the dude, he’s a really good person. . . The guy’s a legend. He can do whatever he wants. I wish him best. I don’t want to, I’m not sitting here saying he should retire. It’s not like he is getting destroyed, and it looked like he was having a great time, as far as leading up to it. . . And he did look good in the beginning, you know!”

Penn certainly agree with Serra. Speaking with his own website, Penn echoed Serra’s sentiments, saying he felt better on Saturday than he has in a long time and he still has the desire to compete.

“I honestly felt better than I have in a while out there,” Penn said. “I was able to find him with my punches. It was a good scrap. . .

“I know I am on a losing streak. I think they said it is the longest in UFC history or something. But that being said, I am not going out there and getting knocked unconscious. There are ton of guys, who would be considered in their prime, who still get knocked out cold – even this past weekend. I still feel good and the desire to compete is still there. It was a good scrap with Clay, who is a really tough fight for anybody at 155. You know what they say, Babe Ruth set a record for most strikeouts too right.”

To be fair, Penn did look the best he had in years on Saturday, despite losing. And his loss looked reminiscent of the numerous times he has gassed out as opposed to some of the more harrowing defeats Penn has suffered during this prolonged losing streak. Perhaps this is just the start of one of MMA’s great comeback stories. After all, who is more dangerous than Motivated B.J. Penn?

MUST-READ STORIES

Bones. Jon Jones: ‘My greatest chance of losing would be to a guy like Daniel Cormier’ at heavyweight.

USADA. Neil Magny announces failed USADA test that led to UFC Rochester withdrawal.

Spider. Anderson Silva avoids serious injury in UFC 237 loss to Jared Cannonier.

Infection. Alexander Volkanovski has ‘improved’ following treatment for infection in Chile.

Giddy. Frankie Edgar ‘giddy’ to get next title shot, says Alexander Volkanovski’s time will come.

Safe. Stephen Thompson eyes late 2019 return: ‘I want to make sure I’m 100 percent’.

VIDEO STEW

UFC Connected.

Free fight.

Free KSW fight.

Henry Cejudo with the Schmo.

Nate vs. Pretty Tony.

LISTEN UP

Eurbash. Interviews with Stephen Thompson, Michal Materla, and Brendan Loughnane.

Fights Gone By. Jack Slack discussing UFC 237 and The Slam.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Magny comments.

DC is ruthless.

Oh look, another MMA retirement gone awry.

He’s back.

Call out.

It's funny how a few hrs ago I hear "Dom has a broken nose and can't fight" now I'm reading him tweet hes looking for a fight. Look no further @DomReyes ...IM YOUR HUCKLEBERRY! If you duck anymore you might end up falling. @AliAbdelaziz00 @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite #UFC #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/QW1mchc0b6 — Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) May 15, 2019

Called up.

Big mad.

If it sounds guilty, looks around like he’s guilty, got damnnit, he must be guilty! Hey @ufc @usantidoping I’ve never heard of a male athlete/fighters T levels being “a little high” in tough training camps. I’m not scientist or Doc but Pedro looks and quacks like a duck https://t.co/zPeEtwUvRs — Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 15, 2019

Fuck all the cheaters. The sport is dangerous enough you insecure cowards. — Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 15, 2019

He makes a case.

If you aren’t taking supplements that are NSF Certified for Sport, then you’re knowingly taking products that could be contaminated. You are knowingly taking that chance. So if you pop for a SARM, some will say you aren’t a cheater but either way, you’re fucking dumb. — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 14, 2019

Askren’s top five fights fighters in UFC history.

A compliment for GSP?!@BenAskren gives his 5️⃣ best wrestlers in UFC history ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/m1CWeOhxe0 — UFC (@ufc) May 14, 2019

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Derrick Krantz (24-10) vs. Vicente Luque (15-6-1); UFC Rochester, May 18.

DeAnna Bennett (10-4-1) vs. Karina Rodriguez (7-3); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Alesha Zappitella (5-0) vs. Viviane Pereira (13-3); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Kanako Murata (9-1) vs. Liana Pirosin (7-2); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Katharina Lehner (7-1) vs. Lisa Spangler (3-0); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Kaitlin Young (9-9-1) vs. Faith McMah (6-3); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Chelsea Chandler (1-1) vs. Brittney Victoria (3-0); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Kelly D’Angelo (3-2) vs. Jillian DeCoursey (2-1); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Loma Lookboonmee (2-1) vs. Monique Adriane (4-1); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Valerie Wong (0-0) vs. Genia Goodin (0-0); Invicta FC 35, June 7.

Roosevelt Roberts (8-0) vs. Vinc Pichel (11-2); UFC Minneapolis, June 29.

Nico Montano (4-2) vs. Sara McMann (11-5); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

Darren Elkins (24-7) vs. Ryan Hall (7-1); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

Beneil Dariush (16-4-1) vs. Drakkar Klose (10-1-1); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

Cynthia Calvillo (8-1) vs. Livinha Souza (13-1); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

Karl Roberson (7-2) vs. John Phillips (21-9, 1 NC); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

Benito Lopez (9-1) vs. Martin Day (9-3); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

Cezar Ferreira (13-7) vs. Marvin Vettori (12-3-1); UFC Sacramento, July 13.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

1998: Frank Shamrock submitted Jeremy Horn with a kneebar to retain his UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 17. Also that night, Pete Williams knocked out Mark Coleman with a headkick that went on to become inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. That night was also the first evening the term “mixed martial arts” began being used, as well as the first MMA fight for Chuck Liddell. Oh, and Dan Henderson won his only gold in the UFC, claiming that evening’s middleweight tournament.

2010: Alistair Overeem knocked out Brett Rogers to retain his heavyweight title at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery.

2012: Chan Sung Jung and Dustin Poirier put on the Fight of the Year at UFC on Fuel TV 3, with Jung submitting Poirier with a d’arce choke in the fourth round.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If y’all seriously don’t think Jon is going to go to heavyweight, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll Should the UFC stop booking B.J.? This poll is closed. 74% Yes (950 votes)

25% No (333 votes) 1283 votes total Vote Now

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it! Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, and like us on Facebook!