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UFC 127
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| UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 The poster for UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch | ||||
| Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
| Date | February 27, 2011 | |||
| Venue | Acer Arena | |||
| City | Sydney, Australia | |||
| Attendance | 18,186[1] | |||
| Total gate | $3,500,000[1] | |||
| Buyrate | 260,000[2] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.[3] Due to the time zone difference it aired live on Saturday, February 26 in North America. This was the second UFC event held in Sydney, following the sold-out UFC 110 in 2010.
Background
[edit]Tickets for UFC Fight Club members went on sale on 14 December 2010. UFC 127 sold out moments after going on public sale on 16 December 2010, selling faster than tickets for UFC 110, and making it the fastest-selling event, along with UFC 115, in UFC history.[4]
ESPN UK aired the Ross Pearson vs. Spencer Fisher fight, which was confirmed by Jon Anik on MMA Live.[5] Ion Television aired the Pearson vs. Fisher, Te-Huna vs. Gustafsson and Ring vs. Fukuda preliminary bouts,[6] while the Perosh vs. Blackledge and Zhang vs. Rheinhardt preliminary bouts were streamed on the UFC's official Facebook page.[7]
On 9 February, it was announced that a knee injury had forced Carlos Condit out of his bout with Chris Lytle.[8] Condit was replaced by promotional newcomer Brian Ebersole.[9]
Results
[edit]| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Welterweight | B.J. Penn | vs. | Jon Fitch | Draw (majority) (28–29, 28–28, 28–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Michael Bisping | def. | Jorge Rivera | TKO (punches) | 2 | 1:54 | [a] |
| Lightweight | Dennis Siver | def. | George Sotiropoulos | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–28, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Brian Ebersole | def. | Chris Lytle | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Kyle Noke | def. | Chris Camozzi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 1:35 | |
| Preliminary card (Spike) | |||||||
| Lightweight | Ross Pearson | def. | Spencer Fisher | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Alexander Gustafsson | def. | James Te Huna | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 4:27 | [b] |
| Middleweight | Nick Ring | def. | Riki Fukuda | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Preliminary card (Facebook) | |||||||
| Light Heavyweight | Anthony Perosh | def. | Tom Blackledge | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:45 | |
| Featherweight | Zhang Tiequan | def. | Jason Reinhardt | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 0:48 | [c] |
| Preliminary card | |||||||
| Heavyweight | Mark Hunt | def. | Chris Tuchscherer | KO (punch) | 2 | 1:41 | [d] |
| Lightweight | Curt Warburton | def. | Maciej Jewtuszko | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Bonus awards
[edit]The following fighters received $75,000 bonuses.[10]
- Fight of the Night: Brian Ebersole vs. Chris Lytle
- Knockout of the Night: Mark Hunt
- Submission of the Night: Kyle Noke
References
[edit]- ^ a b John Morgan. "UFC 127 draws a reported 18,186 attendees for $3.5 million live gate". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "UFC 127, 128 PPV Buyrate Updates".
- ^ "UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch". ufc.com. 13 December 2010.
- ^ ""UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch" in Australia equals fastest sellout in UFC history". mmajunkie.com. 20 December 2010.
- ^ "UFC 127's Pearson vs. Fisher on ESPN in U.K., no "UFC Prelims" on Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
- ^ "Fukuda vs. Ring also part of ION Television's UFC 127 prelim-card broadcast". mmajunkie.com. 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013.
- ^ "UFC 127: Perosh-Blackledge, Zhang-Reinhardt Free on Facebook". bloodyelbow.com. 21 February 2011.
- ^ "Carlos Condit forced to withdraw from UFC 127 with knee injury". mmajunkie.com. 9 February 2011.
- ^ "Brian Ebersole to replace Condit at UFC 127". fightnewsaustralia.com. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ "UFC 127 bonuses: Hunt, Noke, Lytle and Ebersole earn $75,000 awards". MMA Junkie.
UFC 127
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on February 27, 2011 (February 26 in North America due to time differences), at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.[1][2][3] The pay-per-view card was headlined by a welterweight bout between former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion B.J. Penn and top-ranked contender Jon Fitch, which controversially ended in a majority draw after three five-minute rounds, with many observers believing Fitch deserved the victory based on his dominant third-round performance.[1][4][3] The co-main event featured a middleweight matchup between Michael Bisping and Jorge Rivera, where Bisping secured a technical knockout victory via punches at 1:54 of the second round amid pre-fight trash talk from Rivera.[1][5]
As the second UFC event in Australia following UFC 110 in 2010, UFC 127 underscored the rapid growth of mixed martial arts in the region, selling out its 18,186 seats in just 30 minutes and drawing a live gate of approximately $3.5 million while setting a then-record for UFC attendance Down Under.[6][7] The main card also included a pivotal lightweight bout where Germany's Dennis Siver upset local hero and Australian submission specialist George Sotiropoulos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), derailing Sotiropoulos's title aspirations.[1][2] Heavyweight action saw New Zealand's Mark Hunt deliver a second-round knockout punch to Chris Tuchscherer at 1:41, earning him Knockout of the Night honors and boosting his career resurgence.[1][8]
The preliminary card, broadcast on Ion Television in the United States, highlighted emerging Australian talent with wins for Kyle Noke (rear-naked choke submission over Chris Camozzi in Round 1) and Anthony Perosh (rear-naked choke over Tom Blackledge in Round 1), alongside Brian Ebersole's unanimous decision upset (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) over welterweight veteran Chris Lytle in a Fight of the Night contender.[1][2] Other undercard results featured Ross Pearson defeating Spencer Fisher via unanimous decision, Alexander Gustafsson submitting James Te Huna with a rear-naked choke in Round 1, Nick Ring outpointing Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision, and Tiequan Zhang tapping out Jason Reinhardt with a guillotine choke just 48 seconds into Round 1.[1] The event's full card of 12 fights showcased a blend of international contenders and local prospects, contributing to UFC's expanding footprint in the Asia-Pacific market.[9]
Standout finishes included Zhang's quick 48-second guillotine choke and Hunt's devastating second-round knockout punch that highlighted his signature power.[1][3]
Event Information
Date, Location, and Attendance
UFC 127 took place on February 27, 2011, at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, which at the time had a capacity of 21,032 for indoor events.[9][10] The venue, originally opened as the Sydney SuperDome for the 2000 Olympics and later renamed Acer Arena in 2006 before becoming Qudos Bank Arena in 2016, hosted its second UFC event following the sold-out UFC 110 in February 2010.[11] The event drew 18,186 paid attendees, setting a record for the highest attendance at a UFC event in Australia up to that point.[6] Tickets went on public sale on December 16, 2010, and sold out in approximately 30 minutes, marking the fastest sell-out in UFC history at the time.[7] This strong turnout reflected the burgeoning popularity of mixed martial arts in Australia, where the sport had gained legal sanctioning across most states by 2010, fostering a vibrant local scene with increasing fan engagement and fighter development.[6]Broadcast and Revenue
The main card of UFC 127 was available on pay-per-view (PPV) in the United States, featuring the welterweight bout between B.J. Penn and Jon Fitch as the headline attraction.[2] Preliminary fights were broadcast across multiple platforms to broaden accessibility: in the U.S., select prelims aired on Ion Television, while two bouts—Tiequan Zhang vs. Jason Reinhardt and Anthony Perosh vs. Tom Blackledge—streamed live on Facebook, marking the first UFC event to offer preliminary content via the social media platform.[12][13] In Australia, prelims were shown on Fuel TV starting at 1 p.m. AEDT, and in the United Kingdom, the Ross Pearson vs. Spencer Fisher fight aired on ESPN.[14][15] Financially, UFC 127 generated a live gate revenue of $3.5 million from 18,186 attendees, representing a notable increase from the $2.5 million gate of the promotion's prior Australian event, UFC 110.[6] The PPV broadcast achieved 260,000 buys, reflecting solid commercial performance for an international card headlined by established contenders.[2] No specific sponsorship figures were publicly detailed for the event, though it aligned with UFC's growing partnerships in the region, including broadcast deals that supported market penetration. The event's multi-platform distribution contributed to UFC's international expansion, particularly in Australia, where rapid sell-outs and elevated revenue underscored surging fan interest and positioned the promotion for larger-scale shows in the country.[7] In the U.S., the Ion Television prelims averaged 714,000 viewers, providing a key entry point for casual audiences and aiding UFC's push into broader television demographics.[16] Overall, these metrics highlighted UFC 127's role in enhancing the organization's global reach beyond North America.Background
Promotion and Announcement
UFC 127 was officially announced on December 14, 2010, as the promotion's return to Australia following the success of UFC 110 earlier that year.[9] The event, scheduled for February 27, 2011, at Sydney's Acer Arena, highlighted the UFC's commitment to expanding in Oceania by featuring high-profile matchups to capitalize on growing regional interest.[9] Tickets went on presale to UFC Fight Club members starting at noon on December 14, to newsletter subscribers on December 15, and to the general public on December 16, with prices ranging from $75 to $550 AUD.[9] The event achieved a record sell-out, with all 18,000 seats purchased within 30 minutes of public availability, surpassing the pace of previous Australian events and marking one of the fastest sell-outs in UFC history at the time.[7] UFC Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik emphasized the promotion's excitement, stating, "The UFC couldn’t be more excited about bringing another huge show to Sydney following the success of UFC 110 in February 2010... a card which features fight after fight with huge implications for 2011."[9] This rapid demand underscored the burgeoning Australian fanbase and the UFC's strategic focus on the market. Promotional efforts included a pre-fight press conference on February 22, 2011, at Sydney's Star City Casino, attended by UFC President Dana White and key fighters to generate media buzz.[17] The UFC released official trailers and video blogs, including Dana White's fight-week updates featuring interviews with participants, to build anticipation through digital and broadcast media.[18] These campaigns tied into broader media outlets, leveraging local Australian coverage to engage fans and highlight the event's role in the promotion's Oceania expansion, as White had previously indicated plans for annual returns after UFC 110's strong performance.[19]Main Event and Co-Main Event
The main event of UFC 127 featured a welterweight bout between former two-division UFC champion B.J. Penn and top-ranked contender Jon Fitch, a matchup designed to determine the next challenger for Georges St-Pierre's welterweight title. Penn, a Hawaiian fighter renowned for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise and nicknamed "The Prodigy," had previously captured the welterweight championship in 2004 by submitting Matt Hughes before shifting focus to lightweight, where he won the title in 2008 against Joe Stevenson.[20][21] By 2011, after consecutive losses at lightweight to Frankie Edgar, Penn returned to welterweight seeking a resurgence and a path back to championship contention, leveraging his star power and marketability to headline the pay-per-view event in Australia.[22] In contrast, Fitch, a wrestling specialist from the American Kickboxing Academy with a guerrilla jiu-jitsu approach, entered as the No. 2-ranked welterweight, riding a five-fight winning streak characterized by dominant grappling control and ground-and-pound tactics.[23] The non-title stakes amplified the narrative of Penn's high-risk bid for redemption against Fitch's methodical pursuit of a long-awaited title opportunity, making it a pivotal clash for divisional hierarchy.[24] The co-main event pitted middleweight standout Michael Bisping against veteran Jorge Rivera in a fight fueled by intense personal animosity and stylistic differences. Bisping, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 in 2005, had built a solid 10-3 record in the promotion by blending sharp striking with resilience, earning widespread appeal among UK and international fans for his charisma and aggressive style.[25] Rivera, a 38-year-old competitor from The Ultimate Fighter Season 4: The Comeback in 2006, represented a classic underdog resurgence after early career setbacks, securing recent victories over Rob Kimmons and Nate Quarry to revive his prospects in the middleweight division.[26] The buildup was marked by Rivera's provocative trash talk, including mocking videos targeting Bisping's temper and fighting approach—labeling him a "points fighter" lacking finishing power—which drew heated responses from Bisping and escalated into mind games ahead of the Sydney showdown.[27] This contrast of Bisping's technical boxing and fan-favorite status against Rivera's power punching and comeback motivation added emotional depth, positioning the bout as a high-stakes grudge match to boost the event's narrative draw.[26] Overall, the selection of Penn vs. Fitch and Bisping vs. Rivera as the top-billed fights highlighted UFC's strategy to blend star-driven appeal with contender implications, capitalizing on Penn's global recognition for pay-per-view sales and Bisping's regional popularity to engage the Australian audience.[28] These storylines underscored welterweight title ramifications for the main event and a personal rivalry with middleweight ranking potential for the co-main, creating compelling hype without involving the championship belts directly.[24]Fight Card and Results
Main Card
The main card of UFC 127, broadcast on pay-per-view from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, on February 27, 2011, featured five bouts without any last-minute alterations to the scheduled matchups. It opened with a middleweight fight between local favorite Kyle Noke and Chris Camozzi, followed by welterweight veterans Brian Ebersole and Chris Lytle, a lightweight showdown pitting Dennis Siver against Australian George Sotiropoulos, the middleweight co-main event of Michael Bisping versus Jorge Rivera, and the welterweight headliner of B.J. Penn against Jon Fitch.[1][3] In the main card opener, Kyle Noke defeated Chris Camozzi by submission via rear-naked choke at 1:35 of the first round. Noke, fighting in front of his home crowd, immediately pressured Camozzi with strikes, secured a takedown, advanced to mount, and transitioned seamlessly to the back to sink the choke for the quick tap-out, marking a dominant debut performance on the PPV stage. The rapid finish drew enthusiastic cheers from the Sydney audience, setting an upbeat tone for the night.[4][1] Brian Ebersole outpointed Chris Lytle via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds in a gritty welterweight affair. Lytle started strong with aggressive striking and takedown attempts in the first round, but Ebersole countered with a devastating high knee that rocked Lytle and nearly secured a brabo choke finish late in the frame; Ebersole maintained top control and landed heavy ground-and-pound in the second and third rounds to grind out the victory despite Lytle's resilience. The crowd appreciated the back-and-forth action, though boos emerged during slower grappling exchanges.[4][1] Dennis Siver upset local hero George Sotiropoulos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-28, 29-28) in their lightweight bout, handing Sotiropoulos his first UFC loss. Siver stunned the audience early by dropping Sotiropoulos twice with a sharp left hook in the first round and followed with effective leg kicks and takedown defense throughout; Sotiropoulos mounted brief submission threats in the second but couldn't overcome Siver's striking volume and control in the third. The Sydney crowd, heavily backing Sotiropoulos, grew frustrated with the grinding pace, jeering at points during the decision-heavy fight.[4][1] Michael Bisping stopped Jorge Rivera by TKO (punches) at 1:54 of the second round in the middleweight co-main event, extending his win streak to three. Bisping dominated the first round with takedowns and ground control but was docked a point for an illegal knee to the head of a grounded Rivera; undeterred, Bisping exploded out of the gate in the second, dropping Rivera with a right hook and unleashing a barrage of unanswered punches that forced referee Steve Sharp to intervene. The bout sparked controversy when Bisping spat toward Rivera's corner post-fight, drawing criticism, while the crowd's reaction was mixed amid the heated exchanges.[4][1][29] The welterweight main event between B.J. Penn and Jon Fitch ended in a controversial majority draw after three rounds, with judges' scorecards reading 29-28 Fitch, 28-28, and 28-28. Penn controlled the first round with effective takedowns and submission attempts, but Fitch reversed momentum in the second and third by securing top position, landing ground-and-pound, and grinding out dominant control time despite limited damage; the draw decision ignited widespread debate, with many observers believing Fitch deserved the win for his pressure, while UFC president Dana White and others argued Penn's early offense warranted the nod. The Sydney crowd heavily booed the lackluster, clinch-heavy pacing throughout, expressing disappointment in the uneventful conclusion to the card.[4][1]Preliminary Card
The preliminary card for UFC 127 featured seven bouts, streamed live on Facebook and broadcast on ION Television in the United States.[30][2]| Weight Class | Fighters | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Ross Pearson vs. Spencer Fisher | Pearson def. Fisher | Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Light Heavyweight | Alexander Gustafsson vs. James Te Huna | Gustafsson def. Te Huna | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 4:27 |
| Middleweight | Nick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda | Ring def. Fukuda | Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Light Heavyweight | Anthony Perosh vs. Tom Blackledge | Perosh def. Blackledge | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:45 |
| Featherweight | Zhang Tiequan vs. Jason Reinhardt | Zhang def. Reinhardt | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 0:48 |
| Heavyweight | Mark Hunt vs. Chris Tuchscherer | Hunt def. Tuchscherer | KO (punch) | 2 | 1:41 |
| Lightweight | Curt Warburton vs. Maciej Jewtuszko | Warburton def. Jewtuszko | Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |