At UFC 80 today in Newcastle England, B. J. Penn defeated Joe "Daddy" Stevenson by second-round submission to win the vacant Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title. The Hawaiian Penn, who improved his record to 12-4-1, was fighting for the first time since beating Jens Pulver during the season finale of The Ultimate Fighter Season 5. Penn put together a dominant performance in which he opened a huge cut in Stevenson's forehead in the first round, got covered in Stevenson's blood, and then applied a rear-naked choke in the second round, causing Stevenson to tap out.
Stevenson, who is from Torrance, California, entered today's fight on a four-fight winning streak. His performance today was fine, but once the cut opened, he was out of it.
The lightweight title was vacant because UFC stripped Sean Sherk of the belt after Sherk tested positive for steroids. Sherk is currently serving a suspension and will fight Penn for the lightweight title in his first fight back.
Previously on FanHouse:
UFC 80 Live Blog: B.J. Penn-Joe Stevenson
UFC 80 Undercard Live Blog
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