B.J. Penn has no foe because of no-show

Former UFC two-division champion B.J. Penn is without an opponent for UFC 137.

Carlos Condit, who was slated to fight Penn at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Oct 29, will replace Nick Diaz in the main event against welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

Diaz was a no-show at press conferences on Tuesday in Toronto and Wednesday in Las Vegas, forcing UFC President Dana White to pull him from his scheduled title fight.

"Nick Diaz has lost his opportunity at a welterweight champion and Carlos Condit gets it," said White, who announced the change at a press conference before informing Penn.

"We’re going to have one seriously (upset) Hawaiian that I’m going to have to deal with."

Penn hasn’t fought since a draw against Jon Fitch in February. The two were scheduled for a rematch this summer before both fighters pulled out with injuries.

Fitch reportedly asked to take Condit’s place against Penn, but White told a reporter following the presser that it wouldn’t happen.

"If I told you what I want to do with (the Penn) fight, you guys would go nuts," White said. "I’ll tell you if I can get it done."

White didn’t say he would release Diaz, leaving open the possibility that he could fight Penn.

Telephone calls made to the Penn camp were not returned. Penn hasn’t commented on his website, either.

Since suffering consecutive losses at lightweight to Frankie Edgar, Penn (16-7-2) has fought twice at welterweight, knocking out Matt Hughes before the draw to Fitch.

Penn returned to California for his training camp at the RVCA Gym after flying to Honolulu to watch brother Reagan Penn win his MMA debut on Aug. 27 at the Blaisdell Arena.