Interim or not, Hilo's BJ Penn is ready to chase a shot at mixed martial arts history.

Even if it means chasing it a long way from home.

Penn confirmed Saturday night that he will face California's Joe Stevenson for the interim lightweight world championship of the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization in January.

The bout for the top prize in the UFC's 155-pound division is scheduled for Jan. 19 at Newcastle, England. It will be the main event of the UFC 80 card.

"I was training hard all this time, but it was tough to get motivated not knowing what was going on," Penn said. "At least now I know I have to get ready for Stevenson if I want that belt."

Penn, 28, will be attempting to become the second MMA athlete to win a UFC world championship in two different weight classes. He held the welterweight (170 pounds) title in 2004.

Randy Couture — who won the light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles — is the only other athlete to win UFC world championships in two different divisions.

Penn is 11-4-1, and coming off a convincing submission victory over Jens Pulver in June. He is the only MMA athlete from Hawai'i to win a UFC world championship.

Stevenson is 32-7, including 5-1 in UFC bouts.

"Stevenson is good all-around," Penn said. "He'll come in shape, so I have to be at my best. I'm expecting a good fight."

Stevenson earned a UFC contract by winning The Ultimate Fighter 2 reality television series two years ago.

"He deserves a shot," Penn said. "I have nothing bad to say about the guy."

The bout is being called an interim championship fight because current UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk is inactive while protesting a one-year suspension for testing positive for steroids in July.

Penn was supposed to challenge Sherk for the title, but delays in the investigation apparently prompted the UFC to create the interim title bout.

"I was told four different times that it was going to be on with Sherk, and it got pushed back every time," Penn said. "I'm just happy they set something else up. I was getting tired of waiting."

Penn said he would still like to fight Sherk, but only if Sherk is cleared of the steroids charge.

"If he did win the belt by cheating, that's ridiculous," Penn said. "But he's the one who has to live with it."

Penn also joked that his bout with Stevenson would be for the "natural" lightweight championship.

"Just like bodybuilding," Penn said. "If guys are cheating, maybe there should be two divisions."

The only problem for Penn with the Jan. 19 bout may be the travel.

"I wish it were closer to home," he said. "I'll probably have to go up a day or two earlier than I normally would for a fight."

Maui's Kendall Grove is expected to fight on the undercard of the Jan. 19 event in England.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.