By Mark Vester
UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes got revenge for a 2004 loss when he took out B.J. Penn in the third round of their championship fight.
A sure candidate for UFC fight of the year, Hughes was taken to the limit by Penn, and had to come from behind to win.
In the first round, Penn blocked all of Hughes' attempts to take him down and stunned the champion several times with hard standing punches, easily taking the round. In the second, Hughes took Peen down and began to unload with some elbows, but just as he was cruising - Penn got a reversal, got Hughes' back and applied a triangle armbar to for the finish. Luckily Hughes was able to escape near the end of the round, which Penn stole.
The start of the third saw a tired Penn, and a determined Hughes coming on strong. After taking Penn down, Hughes pinned him and began to unload huge punches, forcing the ref to stop the contest after Penn was unable to escape.
Mike Swick beat David Loiseau by a unanimous decision. All three judges had the contest 29-28.
Melvin Guillard stopped Gabe Ruediger by KO in the second round after a shot to the solar plexus.
Rashad Evans stopped Jason Lambert in the second round after a barrage of punches forced John McCarthy to stop it.
Joe Lauzon knocked out Jens Pulver in 48 seconds.
Roger Huerta picked up a decision over Jason Dent. Scores of 30-27 across the boards.
Eddie Sanchez beat Mario Neto by knockout in the second round.
Jorge Gurgel beat Danny Abbadi by way of split decision.
Tyson Griffin chocked out David Lee in less than two minutes.