BJ Penn speaks to the media during a UFC 127...

BJ Penn speaks to the media during a UFC 127 press conference at Star City in Sydney, Australia. (Dec. 14, 2010) Credit: Getty/Mark Nolan

B.J. Penn, a former UFC lightweight champion, continues his ascent in the welterweight division. He knocked out Matt Hughes in 21 seconds at UFC 123, and now stares down Jon Fitch at UFC 127 in Australia on Feb. 26.

Fitch, the No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter in our latest rankings, has won five straight fights has gone the distance in eight straight. Conventional wisdom says Fitch has the advantage in later rounds against Penn, whose conditioning and stamina has often been questioned.

In his pre-fight video, Penn suggests that may not be the best idea.

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