This is the UFC 127 live blog for B.J. Penn vs. Jon Fitch, the main event of tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.The winner of Penn (16-7-1) vs. Fitch (23-3) will be next in line for a welterweight title shot depending on how Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields at UFC 129 plays out.
The live blog is below.
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Fitch walks out first to Johnny Cash's rendition of "Rusty Cage." Penn is ready to scrap as he makes his way to the sounds of Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole's "Hawaii '78."
Herb Dean is the referee for tonight's main event.
Round 1: Penn steps forward right away and shoots for the takedown. Penn grabs hold of Fitch's left leg but Fitch eventually frees it while having his back against the cage. Penn attacks with knees in clinch and Fitch responds. Fitch turns Penn against the cage at 3:51 and changes levels for a potential double-leg takedown. Fitch stays glued onto Penn and switches to Penn's left leg. Fitch lets go and fires away with a few punches to set up a takedown. Penn defends and they are back in clinch with Penn's back against the fence. Penn spins Fitch towards the cage, throws left, right, left punches and takes Fitch down. Penn soon takes control of Fitch's back with a body triangle. Fitch shrugs Penn's body triangle off but Penn eventually sneaks his hooks back in. Fitch frees himself by turning into Penn's guard at 1:14. Penn gets back to his feet and Fitch is back to work for a takedown in clinch. MMAFighting.com scores the round 10-9 for Penn.
Round 2: Fitch throws a high kick that is blocked. Penn throws a flying knee, but puts himself in a position to be taken down. Penn retreats towards the cage in an attempt to get back to his feet. Fitch blankets Penn's legs but Penn still manages to escape to his feet. Nice elbow by Fitch and he lowers again for a takedown. Penn slashes with an elbow of his own. Fitch swarms Penn against the cage as he works for a takedown. Fitch is bleeding heavily from his nose. Penn turns Fitch to the cage at the halfway mark. Fitch reverses Penn and lands with a right when they separate. Penn shoots and takes Fitch down with a double-leg. Who would have thought Penn would outwrestle Fitch? Penn again climbs the back of Fitch. Penn falls backward and Fitch turns into Penn for the same escape. Fitch works punches from inside the guard of Penn. Fitch scores points with right hands. Penn puts his right foot on Fitch's hip and then a single-butterfly. Penn escapes to his feet and the round ends. MMAFighting.com scores the second round 10-9 Fitch.
Fitch's corner is telling him he needs to "go for broke" as they don't know who's winning the fight.
Round 3: Fitch throws an overhand right and puts Penn on his back 10 seconds into the round. Fitch throws short punches before Penn kicks Fitch away. Fitch shoots again and turns around to take Penn's back, standing. Fitch pushes Penn to the ground and into Penn's halfguard then butterfly guard. Fitch scores with right punches to the body, left elbows and left punches to the body. Fitch is wearing Penn down, pressuring the former two-division champ with short elbows and punches. Say what you want about Fitch's style -- and yes, he won't be gaining any new fans after this fight -- but it's highly efficient. At the 0:41 mark, Fitch attempts, briefly, for an arm-triangle, and then back to work smothering Penn with short strikes. Penn is just stuck. MMAFighting.com scores the third round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for FItch.
Penn vs. Fitch ends in a majority draw (29-28 Fitch, 28-28 draw, 28-28 draw)
Fitch says he thought he deserved at least a split decision win. Despite not getting the win, Fitch says he's willing to continue proving himself for a title shot.
Penn admits he felt he lost the fight heading into the results announcement. He says he wasn't sure what he would do with his career had he lost, but since the "Gods were nice" to him by handing him the draw, says he's willing to fight Fitch in a rematch.
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