:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4665163/163_rory_macdonald_vs_bj_penn.0.jpg)
In UFC On Fox 5's first young gun vs. grizzled vet, rising star Rory MacDonald stepped into the Octagon to fight former Lightweight king B.J. Penn. The two Welterweights were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 152, but a cut above Rory's eye forced him to withdraw. Penn embraced the extra time and revamped his training and said he's ready to recapture his former glory.
Penn came out looking for the takedown early but Rory reversed and put Penn's back against the cage. Rory used his jab and leg kicks well to keep Penn at distance. Penn landed a couple counters over the jab, but MacDonald landing more. Rory continued to frustrate Penn from distant then landed hard with an elbow that rocked Penn. Penn just tried to survive the last 30 seconds.
Rory looked great going into the second against a frustrated and overwhelmed Penn. He punished B.J> from distance with jabs and straight rights. Body shots got Penn wincing and covering up with his back to the cage. Penn just took a brutal beating but managed to survive and circle off the cage. Rory got a takedown late in the round but didn't put up much damage. Bad round for Penn. Referee Herb Dean looked ready to step in multiple times.
Penn knew he was behind and immediately went for the takedown to open up the 3rd round. No luck there, Rory reversed and pressured Penn against the fence. Rory continued to pick Penn apart on the feet. Great performance by Rory MacDonald. He completely dominated Penn from bell to bell. Rory MacDonald takes dominant unanimous decision over B.J. Penn
Get the latest gear
