UFC
UFC 123 RESULTS: B.J. Penn knocks out Matt Hughes in 21 seconds in Detroit
Nov 21, 2010 - 8:45:26 AM UFC 123 RESULTS: B.J. Penn knocks out Matt Hughes in 21 seconds in Detroit

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The final chapter in the B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes trilogy took place on Saturday night in Detroit at UFC 123, and the definitive conclusion was stamped by Penn, as he knocked Hughes out just 21 seconds into the first round.

An intense and fully prepared Penn came out immediately and engaged Hughes. He landed a huge counter right that hit Hughes on the jaw and sent him to the ground. He immediately pounced and stood over Hughes, landing a series of punches that put Hughes out cold.

A fired up Penn then helped Hughes to his feet and immediately rushed out of the cage before his corner brought him back in. Hughes, meanwhile, had to ask what had just happened to him.

Penn was in great spirits after the fight and still very much on a high from the win, telling the Detroit crowd, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, Joe Rogan and everyone else he could think of to name that he loved them. He signed off by asking "Where's Edgar?" and promptly left the cage.

Hughes was crushed in defeat, and he made it clear that he doesn't know where he'll go from here. The fight was very important to him, and the decisive loss was visibly hard for him to take.

Penick's Analysis: Penn can go wherever he wants from here. That was as good as he's ever looked, and his killer instinct was fully intact. It was a perfect counter-right, and he immediately finished that off. That was such an incredible finish to their trilogy, and one of the most meaningful wins for Penn of his career. This fight meant so much to both, and with him making a statement it's time for him to figure out what happened against Frankie Edgar and attempt to get his title back. Amazing finish by Penn.

[B.J. Penn art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]