Should We Care?

BJ Penn vs Frankie Edgar III will take place at featherweight. Subsequently the Ultimate Fighter 19 will air with both men as coaches, concluding in a third meeting between legends. Should we care?

This is a strange match up that viewers weren't expecting. These fighters competed in back to back octagon appearances close to four years ago. In the first meeting UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn put his title on the line against Edgar. A few months later they faced off again with roles reversed, as Frankie Edgar was the champion and Penn his competition. Edgar tasted victory both times. The second competition was a decisive triumph, that left little question in viewer's minds who was the deserving title holder.

In the time that has past sense, both have taken different directions in their careers. Edgar's name will live in infamy amongst MMA fans for his last two clashes against Gray Maynard. Dropping down to featherweight when losing his title, he is apparently trying to reinvent himself as a lower weight fighter. Penn on the other hand has only competed at welterweight since 2010, semi-retiring twice over this period.

With their past history in mind, why would they be meeting again, at featherweight no less? This wouldn't be the first of questionable fights the UFC has developed in recent memory. Check out the following list.

This fight doesn't have much importance concerning title implications. It won't affect either fighters' present rankings win, lose or draw. Edgar has already defeated Penn twice, what does a third match up prove? Why is Penn jumping completely over lightweight (his bread and butter) to drop from 175 to 145 pounds?

Regardless this is a fight I want to see. These men are the cream of the crop of MMA fighters, they have fought the best, putting on some of the more memorable match ups in the sport's short history. There may not be any meaning to have a third go around, so what, I'll enjoy watching it. 

Dana White gives his reasoning here for putting the match together.

BJ Penn has a few opinions concerning the upcoming brawl and coaching stint as well.

Looks like Penn has dropped the weight already. If I didn't know he was preparing for a fight, I would have thought he was sick.

Let's not forget about Frankie Edgar.

If not for any other reason, don't we want to see BJ Penn as a TUF fighter coach again.

Or imagine a motivational speech by Edgar.

People might start watching TUF again.

These guys may not be performing at their absolute best lately, don't forget however who they are.

My only gripe with this match, is why is it taking place at featherweight? I understood why Frankie Edgar went down to the weight class originally, to face Jose Aldo. Wasn't it fantastic?

What's the reason now for keeping him there? I know he's always been small for the lightweight division, that was his charm. He was the never say die underdog, always taking on the bigger fighters, even knocking them out!

BJ Penn made his mark on the sport at lightweight. He was at his best there. So come on guys get back up to your original weight class. Make this fight appear a little more sensible.

If I had to pick a winner, I'd go with Frankie Edgar. History does repeat itself. Penn has been on a downward decline since his losses to Edgar, taking vicious beatings by welterweights such as Nick Diaz and Rory MacDonald. Edgar on the other hand has been the victim of poor judges decision. We all know he did enough to take back his title from Benson Henderson. At that point he was two down to the man. So what does he do? Edgar dropped ten pounds to fight one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, Jose Aldo, for his featherweight title. He didn't take the belt from him, but he gave him a fight and a close one at that. Edgar seems to have more tricks up his sleeve than Penn.

There isn't any denying however, that it's tough to beat a guy who can leap out of three feet of water.

Should we care? Sure we should.