UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Dana Black
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch. February 27, 2011. Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia. The second UFC event in Sydney, following UFC 110 in 2010. UFC 127 sold out moments after going on public sale on December 16, 2010, making it the fastest-selling event in UFC history (tied with UFC 115). 18,186 fans attended; gate: $3.5 million.
BJ Penn and Jon Fitch fought to a majority draw in the main event — 29-28 for Fitch on one scorecard, 28-28 on two others. It was the second consecutive UFC event to end in a main event draw, following Edgar vs. Maynard at UFC 125. Michael Bisping stopped Jorge Rivera by TKO in round two in the co-main, then kicked Rivera in the head after the stoppage — one of the most controversial moments of Bisping’s career. Mark Hunt won his first UFC fight.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: February 27, 2011 (Sunday Sydney; Saturday North America)
Venue: Acer Arena (now Qudos Bank Arena), Sydney, Australia (2nd UFC in Sydney; fastest-selling event in UFC history tied with UFC 115)
Attendance: 18,186; Gate: $3,500,000; PPV: 260,000 buys
Main Event: BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch — WW
Result: Majority Draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28) — second consecutive UFC event to end in a draw
Notable: Bisping kicks Rivera post-stoppage (fined/suspended); Mark Hunt first UFC win (KO); FOTN: Ebersole/Lytle $75k
The Build-Up
BJ Penn had moved to welterweight following his back-to-back LW title losses to Frankie Edgar. Jon Fitch was the WW number-two contender. The match-up was a test of Penn’s WW viability against an elite wrestler. The event was built around Australian and international local interest; Kyle Noke, George Sotiropoulos, Mark Hunt (NZ/Australia), and Brian Ebersole all featured.
Main Event
BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch — Welterweight
BJ Penn and Jon Fitch fought a tight, competitive three rounds. Penn used his boxing; Fitch used his wrestling and top control. One judge scored 29-28 for Fitch; two scored 28-28. Majority draw. Neither fighter was awarded the win.
Co-Main Event
Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera — Middleweight
Bisping stopped Rivera by TKO at 1:54 of round two with punches. As Rivera lay on the canvas after the stoppage, Bisping kicked him in the head. Rivera’s cornerman threw a towel toward the octagon in response. Bisping was subsequently fined $130,000 and suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for the post-fight contact. The controversy followed him for years.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Kyle Noke def. Chris Camozzi — Submission (RNC) — R1, 1:35 — MW; Noke fighting at home in Australia
Tiequan Zhang def. Jason Reinhardt — Decision — R3, 5:00 — FW; Zhang UFC debut
Curt Warburton def. Rafaello Oliveira — Decision — R3, 5:00 — WW
Mark Hunt def. Chris Tuchscherer — KO — R? — HW; Hunt’s FIRST UFC WIN; career resurrection begins
Alexander Gustafsson def. James Te Huna — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LHW
Ross Pearson def. Spencer Fisher — Decision — R3, 5:00 — LW
Main Card
Dennis Siver def. George Sotiropoulos — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LW; Sotiropoulos fighting at home
Brian Ebersole def. Chris Lytle — Decision — R3, 5:00 — WW; Fight of the Night ($75k each)
Michael Bisping def. Jorge Rivera — TKO (Punches) — R2, 1:54 — MW; Co-Main; Bisping kicks Rivera post-stoppage; fined $130k/suspended
Main Event — Welterweight
BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch — Majority Draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28) — R3, 5:00; second consecutive UFC event ending in a draw
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Brian Ebersole vs. Chris Lytle — $75,000 to each fighter.
Records & Milestones
Second UFC in Sydney — fastest-selling event in UFC history (tied with UFC 115); 18,186 fans; $3.5M gate (Australia record).
Second consecutive UFC draw — following Edgar/Maynard at UFC 125; unprecedented back-to-back draws in UFC history.
Mark Hunt first UFC win — KO of Tuchscherer; Hunt had been 1-4-1 in the UFC; the win began a resurgent HW career.
Legacy & Impact
UFC 127’s Bisping post-fight kick became one of the most discussed incidents in the sport’s history of ring conduct. Bisping was frustrated by Rivera’s trash-talk in the build-up; the kick was an unacceptable response. The NSAC fine of $130,000 and suspension was one of the largest in the commission’s MMA history.'),
Mark Hunt’s first UFC win at UFC 127 opened a chapter that nobody predicted in 2011. After going 1-4-1 in his UFC debut run, Hunt went on to become a genuine heavyweight contender with brutal striking power and a chin that became famous across the sport.
FAQ
Was UFC 127 the second UFC event in Sydney?
Yes. UFC 127 at Acer Arena in Sydney was the second UFC in Sydney, following UFC 110 in February 2010.
Why was Michael Bisping fined after UFC 127?
Bisping kicked Jorge Rivera in the head while Rivera was on the canvas after the TKO stoppage. The Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Bisping $130,000 and suspended him for the illegal contact.
Was UFC 127 the fastest-selling event in UFC history?
Yes. UFC 127 tied with UFC 115 as the fastest-selling event in UFC history, selling out moments after general public tickets went on sale on December 16, 2010.
When did Mark Hunt win his first UFC fight?
Mark Hunt won his first UFC fight at UFC 127, knocking out Chris Tuchscherer. He had been 1-4-1 in his previous UFC appearances. The win began a resurgent heavyweight career that made him one of the division's most beloved fighters.
Were there two UFC draws in a row in 2011?
Yes. The Edgar vs. Maynard fight at UFC 125 (January 1, 2011) ended in a split draw, followed by Penn vs. Fitch at UFC 127 (February 26-27, 2011) ending in a majority draw — an unprecedented back-to-back draw sequence in UFC history.
References
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