Former UFC welterweight champion BJ Penn might not grace the Octagon at Dec. 29's UFC 79 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The popular Hawaiian lightweight, who once tangled with current UFC light heavyweight fighter Lyoto Machida at heavyweight in Japan's K-1 HERO'S, might be moved to fight a month later during UFC's Super Bowl weekend festivities.

Penn (11-4-1) will face either UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (31-2-1) or contender Joe Stevenson (28-7-1). On Oct. 31, Sherk appeals a yearlong suspension handed down by the California State Athletic Commission for steroid use following his successful July 7 title defense over Hermes Franca (18-6) at UFC 73 in Sacramento, Calif. If Sherk is unable to get a reduced suspension, Stevenson confirmed to The Fight Network last month that he he will step into the role if need be.