By Brian Hemminger

Many thought that Diego Sanchez was the best shot any lightweight had at stopping the reign of BJ Penn as a UFC champion.  Not only did Diego get finished in his title shot, he got completely and utterly dominated.  This was the best BJ Penn has ever looked in the cage and he has solidified himself yet again as one of the greatest pound for pound fighters in the world, and by far the best lightweight in the world.

As of now, the 155 division of the UFC is in complete disarray.  BJ Penn has absolutely crushed all four of the past challengers for the lightweight crown, Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and now Diego.    So now the big question is, what will BJ do next?

At lightweight, there are currently four title contenders, but they need to sort themselves out.  Undefeated wrestler Gray Maynard is currently ahead of the pack, but I don’t think a win over his next opponent Nate Diaz is enough to give him a shot.  Kenny Florian looked absolutely incredible while dismantling Clay Guida at UFC 107, but he’s only one fight removed from getting crushed by Penn at UFC 101.  Tyson Griffin and Frankie Edgar are also both coming off impressive second round finishes, but their opponents in those fights were not nearly high enough up the lightweight food chain to make them the number one contender.

BJ has already stated he wants another chance at Georges St. Pierre and the welterweight title, but it’s not that easy.  He’s already lost to GSP twice, and he was given his shot last time because there were no top contenders at 170.  Now there are at least two, Dan Hardy is getting a title shot in March and Josh Koscheck is most likely next in line.  Dana White has already stated that BJ won’t instantly get a title shot this time, that he will have to prove himself at 170 by defeated a top contender.

There are a couple options available if he wants to go this route.  Obviously Koscheck is an interesting choice, but his teammate and former challenger Jon Fitch is also someone to consider.  While he hasn’t been the most exciting fighter, Fitch has gone 3-0 since losing his title shot to St. Pierre over a year ago.  The final option at welterweight and another intriguing matchup would be the winner of the Paul Daley/ Dustin Hazelett fight at UFC 108.  Daley is a banger who made quick work of Martin Kampmann at UFC 103, and Hazelett, even though he hasn’t fought in over a year, is coming off back to back submission of the night performances.

The case has also been made that BJ should move down to 145 and challenge Jose Aldo for the featherweight title of the WEC.  While I think this fight would be incredible, and it would bring a ton of recognition to WEC fighters who definitely deserve it, can BJ make the cut to 145?  I don’t know if he has any more weight left to lose, he looks great at 155.  Also, despite Zuffa owning both the WEC and the UFC, I’m not sure what their policy is on fighters challenging for a title in both promotions.

My thoughts?  It’s getting tougher and tougher to move up weight classes and dominate like the old days.  Even a fighter of BJ Penn’s caliber is going to have trouble at 170 against the top competition.  BJ is 11-1-1 at lightweight, and he’s avenged both his loss and draw in the division.  Yes, he won the welterweight title in 2004, but he’s only 3-4 when he moves up in weight.  You can debate that because all of his losses are against men who are, or were UFC champions that BJ should be given another shot.  I say let him fight Koscheck in the first quarter of 2010.  If he wins, he’ll have earned one last go at GSP and a chance to cement his legacy.