Sherdog’s Top 10: Moments When Titles Changed Hands

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5. B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes
UFC 46 “Supernatural”
Jan. 31, 2004 | Las Vegas

Hughes was the UFC welterweight champion and had a freight train feel about him. Opponents were no match for his power wrestling, nasty ground-and-pound and superb grappling skills, and he had already successfully defended his title five times. Penn was one of the most gifted fighters the sport had ever seen and had done well since losing a majority decision to Jens Pulver in 2002, with wins over Paul Creighton, Matt Serra and Takanori Gomi sandwiched around a five-round draw with Caol Uno.

The so-called experts believed Hughes was too strong for the popular but undersized Hawaiian. They were wrong. Penn took it to the champion on the feet, and when Hughes stumbled after missing a left, “The Prodigy” tossed him to the ground. Though Hughes’ guard play was nice, Penn eventually took his back in a scramble and cinched a rear-naked choke. Hughes had no choice but to top with 22 seconds left in the first round, passing the torch to the Hawaiian. The Hillsboro, Ill., had won 13 consecutive fights and had emerged as the most dominant champion in the UFC. Penn made it look easy.

Unfortunately for MMA fans, a contract squabble led to Penn taking his talents elsewhere. He returned to the UFC two years later and went on to win the lightweight title. Questions about a lack of dedication and focus dogged him throughout his career, but his dominance of Hughes at UFC 46 served as a constant reminder of his capabilities.

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