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UFC 80 poster: B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson

Welcome to Throwback Thursday, the weekly feature that revisits some of the best and most historical moments that have happened throughout MMA. This week, ahead of his

This week, ahead of his return to the octagon for the first time since 2014, we look at UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn and the moment when he captured the elusive UFC Lightweight gold.

On January 19, 2008, UFC 80: Rapid Fire took place at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England and featured a headline bout of BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson for the vacant UFC Lightweight title.

Originally scheduled to be for the interim belt, this changed when then-Lightweight champion Sean Sherk was stripped of the title by the California State Athletic Commission for testing positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone.

“The Prodigy” had won the UFC Welterweight title from Matt Hughes four years previously but abdicated the belt shortly after disputes with the UFC led to him leaving in mid-2004 and fighting for K-1 in open weight contests.

On his return, Penn dropped two fights in the Welterweight division and moved back to 155lbs where he started his career. After a win over Jens Pulver, he was granted his third shot at claiming the belt after falling short twice previously.

Meanwhile, Stevenson came into the fight on a wave of momentum after a four-fight win streak including victories over Yves Edwards and Melvin Guillard left him more than deserving of a title opportunity.

Hawaiian native Penn looked in the best shape of his career that night and was extremely focused at the start of round one. Dominating the round, he staggered Stevenson with sharp boxing combinations before taking the fight to the ground. He would spend the rest of the round on top, opening a nasty gash on the forehead of the Californian with a right elbow.

In the second round, Penn immediately rocked Stevenson once again and this time pounced as they both went to ground, locking in his legs and sinking in a deep rear-naked-choke for the second round submission victory.

In the aftermath of one of the most gruesome fights in UFC history, “The Prodigy” would lick his opponent’s blood from his gloves in what would become his trademark celebration.

“Sean Sherk, you’re dead,” shouted Penn into the camera aiming the challenge at the recently shamed champion.

He would go on to defend the title three times before dropping it to Frankie Edgar via a unanimous decision loss at UFC 112 in April 2010.