BJ Penn (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Following BJ Penn’s one sided, defeat to Yair Rodriguez, there’s been plenty of debate as to whether the legend should have returned to the Octagon at all. But, according to his boxing coach, Jason Parillo, ring rust played a key factor in Penn’s stoppage loss.

Penn took on Yair Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 103, and the latter punished the former lightweight and welterweight champ with kicks from the onset. After tagging Penn with a front kick in round two, Rodriguez brought about a stoppage with punches from above.

The bout marked the first time the 38 year-old fighter had competed since 2014, when he was stopped by Frankie Edgar. That fight was Penn’s first since 2012, when he lost by decision to Rory MacDonald.

Recently MMA Fighting spoke with Parillo about Penn’s performance, and here is some of what the renowned coach had to say:

“You’re going in to win no matter which way you’re looking at it,” Parillo said. “Disappointed? Yes, of course we’re disappointed. It’s just BJ figuring out what he’s gonna do from here. BJ is the type of guy that is never gonna want to not fight. BJ, he’s gonna fight until he dies. That’s where he’s gonna die — he’s gonna die in that cage.”

“Not only did he not fight in 2-1/2 years, he’s only fought once in five years,” Parillo added. “The one time he fought in five years, he lost. He got stopped. So as far as ring rust, I say 1,000 times it’s the real deal. Especially when you’ve fought once in five years, that’s just insane.”

Parillo also said that if he absolutely had to make a prediction, as to whether Penn will want to fight again, he said yes. Parillo also noted that he thinks Penn should have faced a lower ranked opponent in his return bout.