Sherk against Stevenson, Florian against Pulver, who's going to the finals and who's fighting for third place.
The first ever fantasy, UFC Lightweight Grand Prix has reached the final four. The four fighters remaining in the LWGP are Sean Sherk, Joe Stevenson, Jens Pulver and Kenny Florian.
The semifinals will work a little differently, meaning that the losers will fight each other, except they will fight for the rightful spot of third place.
Lucky for these four, they’re good to go.
#1 Sean Sherk vs. #4 Joe Stevenson
It’s truly the best of the best in this first semifinal match.
For Sherk, it was a tough road to the final four. He first defeated Melvin Guillard in the first round of the grand prix.
He then survived a three round war with Roger Huerta, in the quarterfinals, to make it to this point.
Stevenson defeated his future opponent, Kurt Pellegrino, to advance to the quarterfinals.
He then defeated Spencer Fisher in the quarterfinals. In both victories, Stevenson knocked out his opponents.
Stevenson is one of many fighters who dropped to the 155 lbs. weight class, after fighting in the 170 lbs. weight class on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Many fighters have made the drop down to the 155 lbs. weight class, including Stevenson, Guillard, Sherk, Florian, Din Thomas and many more.
The Results
Round one saw both fighters resort to the stand up battle. Both Sherk and Stevenson landed good shots in a couple of exchange. Sherk takes the first round.
The second round saw Sherk take down Stevenson. After landing a couple of elbows, both fighters are stood up. Sherk takes the second round.
Down 2-0 in the round, Stevenson threw powerful punches, but it wasn’t enough to knock out Sherk. The judges scored the bout, 30-27, in favor of Sherk, putting the Lightweight champ in the finals.
Had Stevenson had a better first two rounds, it would have been closer.
#3 Kenny Florian vs. #7 Jens Pulver
Florian defeated Tyson Griffin in the first round and Pride Lightweight champ, Takanori Gomi, in the quarterfinals to make it to this point.
For Pulver, it was a shot at redemption in his first round grand prix match. Pulver avenged a loss against Joe Lauzon, which helped him get into the quarterfinals.
Pulver then upset no.-2 seed Hermes Franca to get him into this semifinal showdown with Florian.
The Results
The first round saw a terrific stand up battle by both fighters. The edge in the first round goes to Florian.
The second round saw another great stand up battle, with Pulver taking the second round.
The third round saw Florian take Pulver to the ground, who dropped several elbows and your winner at 3:34 of the third round, Kenny Florian.
The finals are set.
#1 Sean Sherk vs. #3 Kenny Florian
Consolation match:
#4 Joe Stevenson vs. #7 Jens Pulver
