UFC 80: The Double-Champion Club

BJ Penn (Photo: thefightnation.com)

UFC 80: Rapid Fire – Newcastle, England – Metro Radio Arena – Jan. 19, 2008

BJ Penn became the second fighter to win titles in two weight classes at UFC 80.

“The Prodigy” beat TUF 2 winner Joe Stevenson win the UFC lightweight title, which Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk lost due a steroid-related suspension.

Penn, a former welterweight champion, joined Randy Couture as champs of two weight classes.

In the heavyweight co-main event, Fabricio Werdum beat Gabriel Gonzaga by TKO in Round 2.

“The Irish Hand Grenade” Marcus Davis won his 11^th fight in a row, knocking out Jess Liaudin of France in 64 seconds.

Wilson Gouveia also scored a knockout, putting Jason Lambert away early in the second round of a light heavyweight bout.

In the PPV opener, Jorge Rivera beat TUF 3 winner Kendall Grove by TKO in 80 seconds.

Antoni Hardonk only needed 17 seconds to beat Colin Robinson by TKO in a preliminary fight.

Paul Kelly debuted in the Octagon and improved to 8-0 with a unanimous decision over Paul Taylor.

In other pre-show bouts, Alessio Sakara beat James Lee by TKO in 90 seconds; and Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout moved up in the lightweight division with a unanimous decision over Sweden’s first UFC fighter, Per Eklund.