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Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn (l) lands a hard left hand to the head of challenger Diego Sanchez during their bout at UFC 107 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. Penn retained his title when the bout was stopped on cuts in the 5th round. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Covered UFC 107 for ESPN.com this past weekend at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. The main event featured the UFC Lightweight championship bout between champion “The Prodigy”, BJ Penn and challenger Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez in what was supposed to be a stern test for the champion.
So much for the test, in a dominant performance, BJ Penn battered Diego Sanchez for 4+ rounds until the octagonside doctor stopped the bout due to cuts. Saying Penn’s performance was dominant doesn’t truly tell the story, according to published fight stats, Penn was credited with landing 150 strikes to only 8 for Sanchez. Eight! Penn was also credited with stopping all 26 takedown attempts by Sanchez.
Here’s a look at the bout through some of my images…
Sanchez made his way to the octagon looking angry and psyched, while Penn was a contrast, looking very focused and calm, much like the two were at the weigh-in a day earlier.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Diego Sanchez heads to the ring for his bout against BJ Penn at UFC 107 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn makes his way to the octagon for his bout against Diego Sanchez at UFC 107 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
That was about as close as it got as Penn immediately began his assault landing strike after strike while making Sanchez swing at air.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn lands a left hook to the head of challenger Diego Sanchez during their bout at UFC 107. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn lands a right leg kick to the thigh of challenger Diego Sanchez during their bout at UFC 107. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn ducks under a left from challenger Diego Sanchez during their bout at UFC 107. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn landed strike after strike on challenger Diego Sanchez. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
The bout came to a quick end in the 5th round, when Penn landed a high right kick, and his shin connected to the forehead of Sanchez and opened up a huge gash.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Seconds after a kick opened up a cut on the head of Sanchez, he began to bleed quickly. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
The cut was so bad it quickly covered the face of Sanchez, the mat, and even the feet of BJ Penn. (inset) Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Referee Herb Dean and the octagonside doctor quickly stepped in and called a halt to the fight, sending BJ Penn into celebration, and Diego Sanchez to the hospital.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Referee Herb Dean (r) and the ring doctor call a halt to the bout due to Sanchez' cut. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn celebrates after stopping challenger Diego Sanchez during their bout at UFC 107 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN. Penn retained his title when the bout was stopped on cuts in the 5th round. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Diego Sanchez is multi-talented, but Penn is just in another world, but no one can question the heart of Sanchez, he could have easily stayed on his stool at the end of the fourth, and no one would have questioned it, but instead he got off his stool and called Penn on for more. Incredible, incredible heart.
The co-feature pitted former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir taking on Cheick Kongo, in a bout that could set up the winner for a crack at the championship. Leading up to the bout, Mir talked a lot of trash about how he would handle Kongo easily. He backed up every word, shocking Kongo. Moments into the bout Mir dropped Kongo with a left hook, and rushed in, taking advantage and sinking in a guillotine choke for the submission win.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Frank Mir goes for a guillotine choke after knocking down Cheick Kongo in the first round of their bout. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Frank Mir chokes out Cheick Kongo via guillotine in the first round of their bout. Kongo never tapped, referee Herb Dean stopped it when Kongo passed out. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Frank Mir celebrates after submitting Cheick Kongo during their bout at UFC 107. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
The entire card was action packed and there really wasn’t a dull fight on the entire card. Here are a few of my favorites from the rest of the evening.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Welterweights Jon Fitch and Mike Pierce met in a bloody battle that was won by Fitch in a decision. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Kenny Florian took on Clay Guida in a great matchup that ended when Florian sunk in a rear naked choke on a bloodied Guida.
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Lightweights Kenny Florian and Clay Guida put on an entertaining bout on the undercard ending in a Florian win via submission. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Dec 12, 2009; Memphis, TN, USA; Clay Guida is covered in blood after his bout against Kenny Florian. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
DaMarques Johnson was twisted into a pretzel by Edgar Garcia, but managed to escape and win via submission later in the round. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Had to add this one in, I don’t care if you have a cup on or not, how much does this hurt? Hell you can’t even see half of TJ Grant’s foot as he kicks Kevin Burns in the groin. Ouch!
TJ Grant strays a bit low with a kick to a personal section of Kevin Burns during their bout at UFC 107. Photo: Ed Mulholland for ESPN.com
Those are just a few of my favorites from the night, I could post a bunch more, but I’d be up all night. A few more can be seen on the MMA page at ESPN.com as well as an ESPN “The Life”gallery on the site.
For my final travel of the year it was a great trip, I love the city of Memphis, friendly people, incredible food, and nightlife and fans who love going to the fights, both boxing and UFC. On a bright note, no more travel for the year, it’s all NHL and NFL for the rest of the month and most of next month!!!
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I miss Memphis, and your post reminded me of a few reasons why I miss it. I’m planning a trip there in the spring of next year. I am so excited about it.