Open Weight Tourtument 14th fight

Sorry its taken a while, I was waiting for a mass influx of Rich fan boys.

Ok Rich Franklin came in at 210 and BJ came in at 190.

Pre match interviews

BJ:Rich Im going to try and kill you and im not joking.

Franklin: He said "Kill me?" Thats mean, im just picturing myself in a pool of blood, its unsightly.

BJ Penn vs Rich Franklin OW battle

Round 1

Here we go, The official is Dan Miragliotta they come out and touch gloves. Rich standing southpaw and using the jab to keep the distance. Good leg kick from Rich. BJ looking to come inside and close the distance but Rich is tagging him with peppering shots. Big right hand bu BJ stuns Rich, another one has him stumbling backwords and a big uppercut drops him. Big shouts by BJ as he pounds away. Rich gives up his back. BJ gets on his back, Rich trying to standup but BJ flattens him out. BJ with some big shots and looks to sink in the RnC. He has the hooks in and Rich is going red. Rich manages to pull his arm of and turn over. The round finishes with Rich in BJ's gaurd.

Excellent round by BJ showing his excellent BJJ. His striking looked great and he came very close to finishing Rich in the first round. Clear 10-9 round for BJ.

Round 2

They touch gloves as we start round 2. Franklin comes in more relaxed this time and stars off with a body kick. Left straight by Franklin. Leg kick by BJ. Both land rights on the exchange. Body kick by Franklin. Another Body kick by Franklin but its caught. BJ takes him down. BJ in guard. Good punches from the top by BJ. Franklin gets to his feet. They clinch. BJ goes for a guillotine. He drops down but Franklin slips out. Franklin mounts. Big shots by Franklin but BJ escapes to his feet. Knee to the body by Franklin as they break. BJ is bleeding from the nose. Left by Franklin. Round ends.

Close round there but I think Franklin, who looked a lot more composed there won the round, giving the more telling shots. 10-9 Franklin

Round 3

They touch gloves as we enter the third round. Leg kick by BJ. Right by Franklin, body kick by BJ. Quick exchange that Franklin wins. Right hand by BJ. Body shot by Franklin. Body kick by Franklin after a good right. Right hand drops BJ! BJ recovers quickly though. Body kick by Franklin. Just missed by both men. Left by Franklin. Right jab by Franklin after BJ swings and misses. Body kick by Franklin but BJ answers with a right. Left right by BJ. Body kick by BJ. Big right by BJ. Another right. Franklin backing up. Franklin shoves him away and then lands a big left. Head kick block by BJ. Both men look tired as the round ends.

Very close and competitive round that took its toll on both guys. Id just give the round to Franklin because he dropped BJ. 10-9 Franklin. BJs corner aren't happy.

Round 4

They come out and touch gloves. BJ with a leg kick and a big right hand. Franklin covers up as BJ throws some big shots. Nice counter punch by Franklin lands right on the button. BJ with a nice upper cut followed by a nice left hook. Jab by Franklin and a big counter right by BJ. Jab by Franklin, they clinch, short uppercuts by Penn. They clinch and big knees by Franklin. Bj goes for a body kick, but Franklin catches it, lifts BJ high into the air and hits a HUGE slam. Franklin hitting some big shots from side control but BJ works himself back to half gaurd and eventually full gaurd. Round ends with Franklin in BJ's gaurd.

Closest round so far, great start by BJ standing but he was hurt by the slam and Franklin did good damage on the ground. Toss up as to who won, im going with a 10-10.

Round 5

Here we go for the 5th and final round. They touch gloves and trade shots. Big body shot by Franklin but big right hand by BJ catches Franklin coming in. Nice combo by BJ on the feet. Nice straight left by Bj and then a big uppercut. Bj goes for a kick but Franklin catches it, lifts BJ up, runs halfway accorss the octagon and SLAMS him down to the mat. Franklin in side control. He works for a kimura, he almost has it locked in but BJ flips him over an BJ is now in side control! Amazing grappling by BJ there. He quickly moves to mount and Franklin gives up his back. He standsup with BJ still on his back. He manages to slip Bj off and they stand back up. They exchange and Bjs wins it. One last exchange that Franklin wins as the round ends.

Great, Great fight, both fighters are exahusted as they hug in the middle of the octagon. The last round was as close as any, very hard to call but BJ landed the better shots for a 10-9 IMO, its all up to the judges now.

Judges scorecard.

Judge Paddyjock scored the fight 48-47...



BJ PENN!

Judge PayneandGlory scores the fight 48-47...



RICH FRANKLIN

and Judge Manchesthair scores the fight 48-47 for the winner by Split decision...
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. And advancing to the next round............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................




BJ PENN

BJ Penn advanaces to the next round

haha Simon Cowell eat your heart out!

great write up chelsea!
i am surpsised it went to the judges though, also surpised at the number of kicks BJ threw!

Is there really any need for the next fight? Frank Trigg - Machida


I say the State commison fail to sanction this fight because its not competitive enough So Machida gets a bye into next round.

Great fight, enjoyable read! Makes me really want to see them fight now! I reckon it would be an epic!

Rich was robbed though!! this is UFC Judging gone mad again!