UFC 101 Results - Silva and Penn Victorious

PHILADELPHIA - Anderson Silva has demolished Forrest Griffin by TKO in the first round and extended his record UFC winning streak to 10 straight in the co-main event of UFC 101.

The UFC middleweight champion moved up a weight class to fight Griffin on Saturday night. This one was never in doubt.

Silva (25-4) toyed with Griffin (16-6) for the few minutes they were in the cage before putting him away at 3:23. He fought with his hands at his sides and was making faces at Griffin.

Silva jumped on top of the padding around the octagon, threw his body back and roared in celebration. Griffin, who received a huge ovation to the ring, sprinted out before the decision was announced.

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White personally picked Griffin to face Silva because he knew Griffin would come to fight and force Silva to display his skills.

Silva was so good that he overshadowed the lightweight championship fight between B.J. Penn and Kenny Florian.

Penn retained the title in the fourth round of a gritty battle, putting a rear naked choke on Florian and forcing him to submit at 3:54.

Penn was winning most of the exchanges in what was more of a tactical fight rather than the toe-to-toe scrap many expected. Each of the first 3 rounds were scored in favor of Penn before he ended it in the 4th.

Penn, who had spent a training camp working with Marv Marinovich, was clearly in much better shape than he’s been and was able to push hard throughout the fight.

Penn’s hands were better than Florian’s, who came into the fight on a six-bout winning streak. Penn was able to keep Florian either at the end of his punches or they grappled along the cage.

Florian was rarely able to use his Muay Thai as Penn negated those skills expertly.