Longtime UFC fighter Clay Guida has faced a who’s-who of top competition during his 12 years as an active member of the UFC roster but he says he can’t quite help but feel that he and his opponent at UFC 237 this weekend, BJ Penn, should have faced each other a decade ago.

Even the most ardent supporters of both men would struggle to compel others to believe that Guida (37) and Penn (40) remain as effective as they were in their respective heydays. This time ten years ago, Penn was the undisputed lightweight champion of the world and considered an elite, pound-for-pound great in mixed martial arts. He had decimated Joe Stevenson for the vacant 155-pound title, following it up with wins against Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez. Also during that time was his ill-fated move back to 170 to attempt to regain the title he has won several years prior. He was resoundingly beaten by Georges St-Pierre.

And Guida wishes to some extent that the fight between the two veterans didn’t come about when they’re both on the verge of retirement, but rather when they’re in their primes.

“The opportunity to fight B.J. Penn, we jumped right at it,” Guida said to MMA Junkie. “We were on a crash course, probably 10 years ago this fight should’ve happened. If I eked out a decision over Diego Sanchez, maybe I would’ve gotten the nod against him when B.J. was unstoppable at that time. He had just finished Sean Sherk, he beat Joe Stevenson, he manhandled Kenny Florian, and he just dismantled Diego Sanchez for the title.

“Maybe it was a little bit early for us. I think timing is everything in this sport, and the fans are going to get what they want whether it was 10 years ago or now.

“Not only is B.J. an icon in the lightweight division, but he helped pave the landscape for mixed martial arts,” Guida said. “I think he’s the only fighter to fight at five or six different weight classes. He fought at featherweight and then he fought at light heavyweight or heavyweight at one time against Lyoto Machida. The guy’s got balls. He’ll get in there against anybody, anytime, anywhere, and he’s always going to put on a show. He’s always dangerous, and we’re definitely not overlooking him, and we’re bringing these guns blazing.”