Sherdog’s Top 10: Bloodiest Battles

B.J. Penn bathed in his foe’s blood at UFC 80. | Sherdog.com

2. B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson
UFC 80 “Rapid Fire” -- Jan. 19, 2008
Metro Radio Arena | Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
While blood and gore in a fight almost always helps to satiate the appetite of the violence-craving audience, it can also serve a different purpose: submission enabler. Such was the case when Penn captured the lightweight title for the first time in his career against Stevenson at UFC 80.

“The Prodigy” was in peak form throughout, blending striking, grappling and agility to demonstrate why he was considered to be perhaps the most gifted 155-pound talent the sport has ever seen. After controlling the majority of round one with his grappling, Penn connected with a glancing elbow with less than a minute remaining. The gash in the center of Stevenson’s forehead began to gush almost instantly.

“That is one of the quickest bleeding cuts I think I’ve ever seen. That’s like a broken fire hydrant,” UFC analyst Joe Rogan quipped.

Meanwhile, Stevenson was visibly upset because he knew the potential consequences: obscured vision, a doctor stoppage and an abbreviated shot at lightweight glory. Fortunately for “Daddy,” the cut was perfectly placed -- relatively speaking -- so that the blood drained directly between the fighter’s eyes. Despite this bit of good fortune, Stevenson would have no answer for the Hawaiian’s renowned submission game.

Penn took Stevenson’s back in the second frame and, likely aided by the considerable amount of fluid, was able to slide his arm under his foe’s chin to earn a tapout at the 4:02 mark.

“In this position, the blood actually helps get the choke. It makes it more slippery; it helps that arm sink underneath the neck,” Rogan explained.

Number 1 » Leaky Faucet