Posted on: Sunday, October 12, 2003
Hilo's Penn ultimate world champion
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i can now claim the best 155-pound ultimate fighter in the world.
Hilo's BJ Penn took over the undisputed No. 1 ranking in the lightweight division of mixed martial arts with an undisputed victory over Japan's Takanori Gomi in the main event of the Rumble on the Rock card Friday night.
A crowd of around 4,500 at the Blaisdell Arena watched Penn take the Shooto world championship from Gomi as well as the previously vacant Rumble on the Rock title.
"This is proof of what I've been saying all along: Hawai'i has the best fighters in the world," said Penn, 24.
Penn controlled the majority of the bout, consistently working himself into the "mount" position on top of Gomi. By the end of the first five-minute round, blood was flowing from Gomi's nose and mouth.
Midway through the third round, Penn jumped on Gomi's back and applied a choke hold. Gomi tapped the mat, signaling his submission, with 2:20 remaining in the final scheduled round.
"I wasn't going to take no for an answer," Penn said. "I've been waiting for a big win like this for long time."
Although there are several mixed martial arts organizations throughout the world, Penn and Gomi are generally recognized as the top two fighters at 155 pounds.
Penn improved to 6-1-1; Gomi dropped to 13-2.
In the preliminary bouts:
170 pounds: Dennis Hallman def. Ray Cooper by choke out, 50 seconds into the first round. Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
240: Paul Buentello def. Andy Montana by knockout kick, 2:51 into the first round.
170: Renato Verisimo def. Gil Castillo when Castillo could not answer the bell to start the third round.
165: Ronald Jhun def. Shawn Taylor by technical knockout, 3:05 into the second round.
145: Gilbert Melendez def. Stephen Palling by technical knockout, 4:59 into the second round.
175: Ross Ebanez def. Gabe Casillas when the referee stopped the contest 2:45 into the second round.
155: Santino DeFranco def. DeShaun Johnson by disqualification.
135: Antonio Banuelos def. Yobi Song when the referee stopped the contest 2:50 into the third round.
