UFC 101 took place in Philadelphia on Saturday night. Shawn M. Smith of Inside Fights was blogging LIVE from the Wachovia Center.
Main card
B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian
Round 1
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Huge ovation for Penn while Bruce Buffer goes through the intros. After the lukewarm reception for Penn at the weigh-in, one doesn't know what to expect, however, this should be a phenomenal treat. First strike to Florian who gets the push kick. Penn with a short right hook to stagger Florian, but he circles away and the fighters take the center of the cage. The big ovation for Penn begins as Florian circles and shoots in to grab underhooks. Dirty boxing gets bodyshots for both men. It's obvious that while Florian made references to wanting to end this fight early, he wants to press Penn into later rounds and challenge the motor. Right uppercut gets Florian backing away and we're tied up in the cage. Penn lets Florian off the cage after six or seven knees to the inside of his thigh against the cage. Florian fights for a takedown that isn't going to happen and the crowd shows appreciation for a solid four minutes. Florian is the aggressor and shoots for a takedown, getting Penn against the cage door. Florian misses a huge hook and Penn counters with a flying knee to end the round.
Round 2
Florian looks confident after a strong opening round. Penn takes a deep inside leg kick and waits for an opening to strike. Florian shoots and drives Penn to the cage wall, leaning on him. Both fighters circle and look for an opening; Florian seems content to press for takedowns and get the advantage by working against the cage. Penn is waiting for his opening and, to his credit, seems patient and relaxed. Halfway through the second round, Penn looks up at the clock as Florian lets him go. A good exchange has Penn working off the cage wall. Both fighters move back to the center and Florian misses with three kicks. Penn takes an inside leg kick while looking for the big shot.
Round 3
Florian starts out pursuing Penn very early in the first. Penn moves well and at his angles to open yp for his big shot. Florian, instead of taking this fight to the mat, presses the action to the outer walls and looks to sweep. Florian takes a leg and attempts to get Penn off his feet, but he's eating a lot of face shots in the process. Florian drives his shoulders into Penn's midsection. Big elbow to the face of Penn as Florian lets him out. Penn is pursuing, missing an uppercut before the combatants end back in the center of the cage. Florian shoots, takes a single leg in the center of the octagon and walks Penn to the cage. Penn has recognized the game plan and is exploding faster into his opportunities to attack. Back into the cage, Florian eats a back elbow to the side of the head from Penn. Penn sweeps Florian to his knees and Florian scrambles to his feet as Penn misses with two big punches. Florian goes for two Superman punches that barely miss.
Round 4
Florian leads with an open hand that Penn finally pushes away and hits a punch that shifts him into the cage. After another missed cross, Florian pushes Penn into the cage, releasing him to land an elbow. Penn grabs a double leg and hoists Florian into the air with a big slam and promptly begins to work in the half guard. Short elbows from Penn as Florian rolls to his right side to prevent the mount that Penn is working for. Good guard defense stops Penn from a full mount and Penn almost secures the position with just over two minutes to go in the round. Seconds later, Penn takes the mount, then Florian's back and is working for the rear-naked choke. Florian rolls away to his back again and Penn continues to alternate between rear naked choke and mount attempts. Florian fights off three attempts to sink the hold before Penn sinks it deep for the submission victory.
Winner: B.J. Penn by submission (rear-naked choke) R4
Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin
Round 1
Huge introduction, damn near deafening, for Forrest during the intros. Everyone is on their feet. Split crowd for Anderson — I'm totally deaf now. I couldn't even hear the ref speak to the fighters. Griffin and Silva circle as both know the power and skill of their respective opponent. I predict leg kicks and jabs for a bit. Forrest appears to be the heavier fighter, but Anderson shows his speed by partially catching a midkick that causes a short scramble. Deflected head kick by Silva. Good head movement by Silva, and there's a big slip by Forrest near the cage. Silva is just toying with the slower Griffin. Silva's proving too fast early on with tremendous head movement and isn't even keeping his hands up. "The Spider" ducks two huge shots from Silva takes Griffin out with his hands raised in a bizarre sort of defense and this fight is over.
Winner: Anderson Silva by knockout
Postfight, Forrest storms and fights his way out of the cage and into the back before the announcements can even be made. Not sure what happened there, but he was obviously very upset about the loss.
Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
Round 1
