UFC 137 Results: Diaz overwhelmed Penn while Kongo handed Mitrione 1st Loss

BJ Penn 'The Prodigy'

         This UFC 137 episode sent 2 legendary fighter to Retirement. After nearly twenty years in comb at sports, the most prolific striker in MMA history egendary Mirko Cro Cop calls it a career. "This probably the last time you will ever see me in here," BJ Penn said after falling to 16-8-2. "I've got a daughter at home, another on the way. I don't want to go home looking like this; I'm done."  

         After 3 rounds of mostly Toe-to-Toe fight, Nick Diaz proves to be more efficient as he gave BJ Penn another sorry loss of his career. Using his reach advantage over his opponent, he made quick workout on round 2 by pressuring Penn to go on triking. Finally finding his target midway of the second round he never let go until the last horn of round 3 sounds. The result of which no one has ever seen BJ Penn being battered on striking before. Both bloodied and messed up, it shows how the Prodigy being on the latter end of the exchange. Scores were 29-28 twice and 29-27 for the former Strikeforce welterweight champion, who shook off Penn’s strong first round to dominate the next two frames. With the win, Diaz improves to 27-7 with 1 NC; Penn falls to 16-8-2.

        In defeating “The Prodigy” via unanimous decision in the UFC 137 main event Saturday night, Diaz’ first UFC bout since 2006 sent shockwaves through not only the Mandalay Bay Events Center, but through the MMA world, as he apparently retired Penn and put himself squarely in line for a shot at Georges St-Pierre’s welterweight title. “I don’t think Georges is hurt, I think he’s scared,” said Diaz, who was originally scheduled to face St-Pierre on this card before he was pulled from the bout after no-showing two press conferences to promote the fight. St-Pierre was then slated to face Carlos Condit before injuring his knee and withdrawing, pushing Diaz-Penn into the main event slot.

       

         Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione spent most of the first two rounds of their heavyweight fight being cautious. In the third, however, Kongo was able to take Mitrione to the ground and unleash on him. The late aggression would secure a unanimous decision for Kongo. The judges scored the fight 30-27, 30-28 and 29-28.

       A leaner Roy Nelson did not loss any of his punching power as he stopped Mirko Crop-Cop Filipovic at 1:30 of the third round. Nelson, who was criticized by UFC president Dana White for not being in good physical condition in May after a loss to Frank Mir, showed improved cardio against Crop-Cop. 

       Bantamweight contender Scott Jorgensen welcomed Jeff Curran back into the Octagon by putting on a wrestling display. Jorgensen took Curran to the ground several times in the bout to earn a unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

        Hatsu Hioki was able to walk away victorious in his UFC debut by defeating George Roop via split decision in a featherweight bout. Two judges scored the fight 29-28 for Hioki; the third had it for Roop 29-28.

        Donald Cerrone applied a rear-naked choke that forced Dennis Siver to tap at the 2:22 mark. "I'm just here to keep fighting," said Cerrone, who won his sixth fight in a row. 

        Bart Palaszewski, making his UFC debut after previously competing in WEC, landed a hard left hook and a right that sent Griffin to the canvas. Griffin got to his feet quickly, but was still dazed.

That's when Palaszewski jumped on him, landing several left-right combinations that knocked out Griffin at 2:45.

 

       Brandon Vera won a fight for the first time since August 2009 with a unanimous decision over fellow light heavyweight Eliot Marshall. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Vera, who improved to 12-5 (1 no contest).