UFC 118 Live Blog: Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn 2 Updates

By Mike Chiappetta - Senior Writer

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BOSTON -- This is the UFC 118 live blog for Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn, the main event of tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the TD Garden.

Edgar will defend his UFC lightweight title against Penn in a rematch of their controversial fight from UFC 112 in April which Edgar won by unanimous decision. Edgar has won his last four fights.

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Penn walks slowly through the crowd on the way to the octagon, while Edgar practically sprints his way to the cage. Edgar doesn't stop moving throughout the introductions while Penn stands statue-still.

Round 1: Penn stalking Edgar early. Edgar takes him down within 15 seconds. Penn works butterfly guard from the bottom as the crowd chants for him. Edgar's offense is stifled and Penn finds his way back to his feet. Penn's got the center of the cage. In exchange, Edgar lands the crisper strikes. Edgar shoots in and slams Penn down on his back with two minutes left. Penn gets back to his feet, but not before Edgar lands a knee to the face. Another Edgar combo scores with 20 seconds left. Good action early. MMA Fighting scores the round for Edgar, 10-9.

Round 2: Penn lands a nice right for the first scoring shot of the round; Edgar answers with a left. Edgar initiates a clinch but instead of going for a takedown, he throws a strong knee to the body. Penn scores as he doubles up on the jab. Edgar drives for another takedown midway through. Edgar lands a few punches to the body before Penn wall-walks upright. Penn still owns the center of the cage, but Penn's speed and footwork make him a hard target. The rest of the round is even, but Edgar did enough to take round two, 10-9.

Round 3: Edgar's mixing up his strikes nicely; going for the body sometimes, throwing in a few kicks. Meanwhile, Penn is mostly reliant on head strikes, and Edgar's moving target is elusive. Edgar dances into a straight right two minutes in. Penn eats it without much problem but the punch stills scored. The crowd was pro-Penn when the fight started, but there are Edgar supporters who start "Frankie!" chants during the round. Edgar drives in for a takedown; this time Penn sprawls. But against the fence, Edgar lands a knee to the body and a left hook before re-setting. Another round in the books for Edgar, 10-9.

Round 4: Penn changes his strategy, taking Edgar down early in round four. Penn has him down for a minute but doesn't land much as he looks to improve position. When there's enough space, Edgar breaks free and to his feet. Penn lands a strike on the way out though. Moments later, Edgar lands a hard right, then a punch into a foot sweep puts Penn down to a gasp from the crowd. Perhaps they thought it was a clean knockdown. Edgar jumps into Penn's guard. The round is still up for grabs. Edgar lands a pair of significant overhand ground strikes with 1:40 left. Penn gets to his feet soon after. This was the most competitive round of the fight but Edgar takes it 10-9.

Round 5: Penn takes Edgar down early again. An incredible scramble ensues and Edgar somehow ends up on top. Edgar has been the faster and better man all night, but still 3:30 to go for Penn to channel his inner Anderson Silva. Edgar scores with elbows from the top. Penn gets back up but looks exhausted, his mouth open. Edgar scores with uppercuts as we near the one minute mark. Time is running out on Penn. Edgar hurt Penn with a knee to the face in the final seconds. Penn went to the ground. Edgar finished strong and that is that. Edgar will retain the belt. Edgar rubbed Penn's head and Penn went back to his corner dejectedly while Edgar's corners ran in to celebrate.

Winner: Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

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