Lightweight Championship Semifinals, Fight 1

[The Sandmen]

Jens Pulver (23-21) vs. B.J. Penn (75-58)



Jens Pulver doesn't look concerned about anything his opponent brings to the table.
B.J. Penn raises his fists in his corner. He seems confident.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
It's hard to say who will be winning this fight. The specialized media doesn't have a favourite either.
The referee of the bout is Dan Miragliotta.

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Round 1
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Pulver and B.J. move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!


B.J. Penn is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around his opponent.
Shovel hook by B.J. Penn
tags Pulver.


The clock says 0:20 in the 1 round
Brilliant combination from Jens Pulver
B.J. is showing some dodging skills avoiding that ones.
B.J. is trying to counter now!
B.J. launches a hook to the body
Jens Pulver moves aside looking for a counter...


Jens Pulver fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
it lands on B.J.'s chin


Jens Pulver seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Pulver fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
B.J. sprawls and remains on his feet.
B.J. is trying to counter now!
B.J. Penn moves forward looking for some grappling action
B.J. has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!


The clock says 0:55 in the 1 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
B.J. Penn postures up and launches another series of punches!
Pulver pushes his opponent forward and blocks most of B.J. Penn's offensive.


Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
B.J. pushes off of Jens Pulver and starts launching a flurry of hooks and body shots!
Pulver stumbles backwards but B.J. Penn chases him and continues the rain of blows!


The fighters are clinching.
Pulver launches a few hard punches to B.J. Penn's ribs!
B.J. Penn's ribs shows the damage! Jens Pulver is working his opponent ribs!
B.J. Penn tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
B.J. circles out and slips free of Jens Pulver's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.


Nice punches from Jens Pulver.
B.J. staggers backwards. Pulver wants to finish this and continues launching bombs!


Quick hook by Jens Pulver
Good shot! B.J. has reasons to be worried.


The clock says 1:45 in the 1 round
B.J. throws a one-two combo then fakes a move to fire a big right hand on the chin!
Pulver's defense muffles the blows.


B.J. Penn tries to show his boxing skills with a one-two combo
and those punches are landing on Pulver's face
Pulver's Mouth is beginning to swell


Good movement from Pulver
who is bobbing and weaving.
B.J. tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Crisp uppercut by B.J. followed by a hard jab
Pulver deflects the blows.


B.J. Penn is opening up on Pulver and raining down combinations!
Pulver's corner looks worried!


Jens Pulver moves forward and launches a low kick.
B.J. blocks that.
B.J. tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
B.J. feints and moves forward to hit with a hook
Pulver moves aside and dodges.


B.J. Penn has found an opening in the defense of Pulver, launching a big hook
Bang! That could break Pulver's ribs.


B.J. launches a furious hook!
That hits Pulver's chin like a wrecking ball! Pulver loses balance and goes to the mat.
Pulver has a small cut in his Chin


The clock says 2:55 in the 1 round
B.J. is standing while Pulver is on the ground on his back
B.J. launches a kick to Pulver's thigh
Loud pop!


B.J. is standing while Pulver is on the ground on his back
B.J. launches a kick to Pulver's thigh
Loud pop!


B.J. is standing while Pulver is on the ground on his back
B.J. Penn steps back and allows Pulver to get back to his feet.
Pulver climbs to his feet and is standing now.


The clock says 3:15 in the 1 round
B.J. Penn was tooling Jens Pulver for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Jens Pulver lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
B.J. begins to launch a barrage of punches over Pulver
this is getting worse and worse for Pulver
Pulver's Mouth is bruised after the punishement he's received!


B.J. Penn throws a looping left hand...
That lands on Pulver's chin! That stops Pulver in his tracks!


A shot seen throughout the arena!
Pulver stumbles back, his corner is screaming! B.J. Penn is coming in again!
Pulver crumples to the mat and B.J. moves in to finish him. The referee jumps in and stops the fight!
Pulver's Mouth is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Pulver has a small cut in his Mouth

Winner is B.J. Penn by KO (Punch) at 3:40 Round 1

Statistics: Jens Pulver
Punches 7/14 (50%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 3/4 (75%)
Takedowns 0/1 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 21 s

Statistics: B.J. Penn
Punches 14/23 (61%)
Kicks 2/2 (100%)
Clinch strikes 4/11 (36%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s

Penn took some damage.