UFC 80 Rapid Fire: BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson

At last, the UFC will have a light heavyweight title holder as BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson will fight for the vacant title. After Sean Sherk tested positive for steroids at UFC 73 Stacked, he was eventually stripped of the title. Now, the main event for UFC 80 Rapid Fire will determine the new champion.

Joe Stevenson is a no-nonsense fighter that always gives fighting and training 100% of his efforts. Stevenson's rise to fame is credited with his success on The Ultimate Fighter two. On the show, Stevenson beat Luke Cummo to win the welterweight contract. Penn, on the other hand, has not always been fully committed to fighting. The fight with George St. Pierre always sticks in my mind. He clearly won the first round but lacked the conditioning to win the fight. Now, Penn is refocused and clearly wants to be the lightweight champion.

I expect an excellent fight and I hate to pick a winner. Adding to the drama is the fact that the fight is five rounds. My new found faith in B.J. Penn makes him my pick as the new lightweight chapion. This fight goes the distance, but Penn wins via a close decision.

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