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The finals are set, Sean Sherk takes on Kenny Florian. Meanwhile, Joe Stevenson battles it out with Jens Pulver to determine third place.
After three rounds of exciting action, we reach the conclusion of the first ever UFC Fantasy Lightweight Grand Prix. There will be two bouts featured today, one is the championship bout and the other the consolation. The championship bout features a rematch from the main event at UFC 64. UFC Lightweight champion Sean Sherk looks to continue his domination of the division as he takes on Kenny Florian. It’s a battle of new school against old school as Joe “Daddy” Stevenson faces the legend of the Lightweight division, “Little Evil” himself, Jens Pulver. Both fighters are battling for the right to take third place in the first ever LWGP.
#4 Joe Stevenson vs. #7 Jens Pulver- Consolation Bout Stevenson, the Ultimate Fighter season two Welterweight winner dropped down to the Lightweight division and has been phenomenal. He faced future UFC 74 opponent, Kurt Pellegrino, in the first round of the grand prix. He earned a knockout victory in the first round. In the quarterfinals, he faced no.-5 seed, Spencer Fisher. He once again came out with a knockout victory in the first round of that bout. Stevenson then took on his toughest challenge yet, top seeded Sherk. It was a stand up battle that went back and forth between both sides, but Sherk came out on top and advanced to the finals. Meanwhile for Pulver, he avenged a loss against TUF season five star Joe Lauzon. Lauzon defeated Pulver at UFC 63, last September. Pulver then upset no.-2 seeded Hermes Franca, to advance to the semifinals. He would then lose to no.-3 seeded Kenny Florian, putting Pulver in the consolation bout.
The Results Stevenson comes out swinging and takes Pulver to the ground. Pulver struggles on the ground. Stevenson drops elbows on Pulver. The winner by knockout at 4:48, Joe Stevenson, who is in third place in the first grand prix.
#1 Sean Sherk vs. #3 Kenny Florian- Championship bout Sherk dominated his way into the finals. He first took out Melvin Guillard in the second round of the fight, via submission. Then he defeated Roger Huerta in a classic three round war, to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, he took out Stevenson to make it to this point. For Florian, he defeated Tyson Griffin in the first round of the grand prix. Then he took out Pride Lightweight champion, Takanori Gomi, in the quarterfinals, to get the semifinals. This is the rematch of the main event at UFC 64, when Sherk defeated Florian to win the Lightweight champion.
The Results Both men stand and give a couple of exchanges, but it’s a dull first round, with no decisive winner. The second round sees Sherk take Florian to the ground, after a couple of elbows and punches, both men are forced to stand. Sherk gains the second round. The third round sees Florian landing hard punches, but Sherk gets another takedown. The third round ends, with Florian on the ground. The finals go to the judges’ scorecard. All three judges scored the bout, 30-27, for the winner and first UFC Lightweight Grand Prix champion, Sean Sherk. Congratulations to Sean Sherk, winner of the Grand Prix. Florian takes second place and Stevenson third place. Stay tuned for more grand prix action, as 16 Welterweights, such as Matt Hughes, Welterweight champion Matt Serra and Georges St. Pierre, look to fight for the right to be champion.
The copyright of the article UFC Lightweight Grand Prix Finals in Martial Arts is owned by Andrew Nostvick. Permission to republish UFC Lightweight Grand Prix Finals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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