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FLASHBACK: UFC 84 "Penn vs. Sherk" live event report five years ago today
May 24, 2013 - 11:35:35 PM FLASHBACK: UFC 84 "Penn vs. Sherk" live event report five years ago today

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Five years ago today, May 24, 2008, UFC 84 emanated from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, headlined by the Lightweight Championship bout between B.J. Penn and Sean Sherk, and also featured Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida, Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine, and the UFC debut of one Shane Carwin. Take a trip back to 2008 with excerpts from MMATorch Supervising Editor Wade Keller's live event report from that night's card!


-After the opening video showing highlights of the key six fighters on this show, Mike Goldberg introduced the show. He called it "by far the most anticipated lightweight match in UFC history." Joe Rogan is back and he agreed with the assessment of the lightweight match as by far the most anticipated ever. Rogan touted Penn's two recent big wins over Joe Stevenson and Sean Sherk. Sherk's great cardio continues to be a huge talking point for all analysts in this fight. Goldberg plugged the text voting to pick the winner of that fight. They shifted to the Jardine-Silva fight. Rogan said Silva has a huge fan base because of his unbelievably exciting wins. Rogan said Jardine has an awkward style, but has beaten top flight competition. And then good ol' Tito Ortiz, whom in the pre-game show, Dana White said again doesn't have the drive to be the best fighter he can be. Rogan said this is Ortiz's last fight in UFC. They touted Machida as the most successful MMA fighter whose core discipline is karate.


1 -- THIAGO SILVA vs. ANTONIO MENDES -- Light Heavyweights

ROUND ONE: Mendez rocked the favored Silva in the opening seconds with a great back roundhouse kick to the head. Silva blocked it, but it took him down. He poppedup to show he was fine, but Mendez stunned hm again with a high-energy assault that ended up on the ground. Rogan said Silva has to pull it together. Mendez let him up and continued to attack. Mendez went for a judo throw but slipped as he shifted and ended up on his back. Silva ended up in a full mount. Silva just pounded on him and Mendes couldn't choose whether to get punched face-up or face-down and eventually the ref stepped in. Good comeback by Silva who looked to be in potential trouble early, but persevered.

WINNER: Silva at 2:24 of round one.

STAR RATING (**+): About as good as a half a round can be with a huge swing in momentum.

POST-FIGHT: Silva said Mendez caught him and hurt him. He said he was stronger than he thought. Nice honesty. He said he trained very hard and was able to come out on top. Rogan asked him where he thinks he falls in the light-heavyweight division. Silva  said he hopes he has a chance (at the title), but that's up to UFC.


2 -- TITO ORTIZ vs. LYOTO MACHIDA -- Light Heavyweights

ROUND ONE: Goldberg said Ortiz claims he's 100 percent healthy for the first time in a long time. Rogan said Tito says his back hasn't bothered him during this training camp. Goldberg said his back issues have hurt his ability to shoot in with full effect in recent fights. Not much went on during the opening two minutes except a loud "Tito, Tito" chant. Tito went for a knee, but Machida avoided. Tito grabbed him, but Machida tossed him backward. Tito threw a few punches, but Machida easily avoided them. Goldberg said nobody has learned to defeat Machida yet. Rogan said the elusive karate attack is difficult to train with. Another very loud "Tito" chant at 2:45. Goldberg said for six years Tito was considered the best 205 fighter on the planet "but that was a long time ago." They plugged Faber vs. Pulver and Rogan said he can't wait. Machida landed a high roundhouse kick to the head of Tito, but it didn't have a ton of power and hit Tito's blocking hand. Tito grew impatient and dropped his arms briefly. Rogan asked what he's upset about, as Machida is just being elusive. Machida took Ortiz down when Tito was looking to take him down. He locked him down and punched away at his face. That was probably the deciding ten seconds to win that round. Tito may have been saved by the bell only because he had Tito locked on the mat in side control and was hitting him with a flurry. Rogan and Goldberg practically talked as if that last 15 seconds proved Tito has no chance against Machida. Beteeen rounds they showed Chuck Liddell in the crowd.

ROUND TWO: About 90 seconds of nothing, then a Machida hard roundhouse kick to the ribs. Rogan complimented Machida for his fakes that keep Tito on guard but frustrated. Mid-round Goldberg said Tito hasn't been aggressive at all. Machida's karate is really fun to watch with the fake kicks and double kicks and switch kicks because it's stuff you do while sparring at karate class, but rarely see used effectively in an MMA fight setting. Trio tried to move in at 3:30, but Machida remained elusive. Tito shot in, but Machida pulled back and then ended up on top in Tito's full guard. Tto got back to his feet and Machida backed off. Machida shot in with a super-fast knee to the face. Tito seemed fine afterward. Tito needed to do more in the final 30 seconds to have a claim to the second round, but maybe lasting three rounds and acting frustrated is a marketing strategy on his part. Machida complied and shot in with some rapid fire punched in the final ten seconds and landed a couple. Tito went after him in return and landed a roundhouse kick to the ribs. When the horn sounded, he may have flipped him off and certainly gestured to him in frustration. The doc checked on Tito's cut on his right eyelid.

ROUND THREE: Goldberg said this may be the final five minutes of Tito's UFC Octagon career. Tito said between rounds Machida was running the whole time. Rogan said it wasn't running, it was intelligent fighting. Another "Tito" chant broke out. The referee Eve Levign fell backward drawing laughs from the crowd. He got up and smiled. The fighters didn't break concentraton. Tito moved i and clinched. Mahida didn't go down. Tito threw hard body shots and continued to try to take him down. Machida pushed him off and they were back to more of the same. Goldberg again mentioned the heat between Tito and Dana White, saying White wants out of the Tito Ortiz business. Rogan said Tito needs to realize the urgency and turn it up. He landed a hook and then a knee in a clinch. Machida had Tito against the fence. Tito switched positions, but couldn't take him down. TIto grabbed his leg, but still couldn't get him down. Machida got away and then moved right back into a clinch. Tito looked at the clock. 2:15 was left. Machida landed a knee to Tito's ribs and did major damage. Tito went down. Machida moved in and pounded him with a flurry of punches. Tito was in full guard at 4:00. Tito threw some weak punches from underneath. Tito slipped on a triangle choke and armbar and almost had Machida beat. Rogan lost it! Machida slipped out, but barely. Tito almost applied it again as the fight ended. Rogan said he wanted it to be five rounds. Tito and Machida acknowledged respect for each other and bowed on the mat. Rogan said Tito has never shown a tendency to apply submissions from his back before.

WINNER: Machida via unanimous judges' decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

STAR RATING (***): It had it's moments for sure. There was a lot of standing around, but even that is entertaining with all of Machida's fakes. The final minute was stellar.

POST-FIGHT: Tito looked at the camera right before the official announcement and said: "I tried. I gave it my f---in' hardest." He said something about the troops.


3 -- WLSON GOUVEIA vs. GORAN RELJIC -- Light Heavyweights

ROUND ONE: Reljic threw a high hard roundkick that Gouveia blocked. Rogan said that can break the blocking arm. His kicks are wicked and fast. He threw three more roundhouse kicks to the head and shoulder. None hit flush, but all were intimidating and dangerous. Gouveia decided to move in with some punches and Reljic countered nicely. At 4:00 Gouveia began landing a lot of punches and Reljic seemed to be in potential trouble, so he leaped into the air and brought Gouveia down into his guard to survive the round. Man, fun round. Tough call to judge as Reljic landed a lot of powerful high roundhouse kicks to Gouveia's shoulder and blocking hand, but in the end, Reljic was reeling until he dropped into guard. Reljic's corner told him to set up his kicks with a punch and be less predictable and maybe hit something other than a shoulder or blocking arm as a result on those powerful high kicks. He guaranteed him he'd win by knockout. We know for sure that Gouveia's right arm and shoulder are going to be very sore tomorrow.

ROUND TWO: At 1:00 Reljic landed another high roundhouse kick, but Gouveia doesn't flinch. Gouveia landed a punch and took Reljic down and began throwing more punches. Reljic dropped into guard again, but eventually Gouveia snuck in some punches. Reljic appeared to be in trouble, but he was surviving mid-way through the round and although dazed and tired, still defending himself. Gouveia let things go back to standing. Then out of nowhere Reljic landed a left to the face and seconds lateranother left. Gouveia went down. Reljic threw a barrage of punches, but he managed to defend himself just enough to stop Herb Dean from stepping in right away. Reljic kept pounding away and finally Gouveia stopped defending himself intelligently and the ref stopped it.

WINNER: Reljic at 3:15 in the second round.

POST-FIGHT: Rogan said he must be happy with his debut performance. Reljic said Gouveia almost took him out in the first round. He said he trained like an animal for two months and did his best and believes he deserved the win. He sent out a series of thanks, especially Randy Couture's gym. "I realized I had to finish him off before he did the same to me."


A -- CHRISTIAN WELLISCH (6-3, 230, Sacramento, Calif., 9-2) vs. SHANE CARWIN (6-3, 252, Denver, Col., 8-0) -- Heavyweights (Pretaped Prelim)

ROUND ONE: Carwin KO'd Wellisch with a huge right to the jaw. Wellisch went down and the ref stepped in almost immediately as Carwin moved in on him. Goldberg said he's never had a fight go longer than a round. This was his UFC debut. Wellisch stood for the decision and seemed to have recovered nicely.

WINNER: Carwin via TKO in 0:44 of round one.

POST-FIGHT: Carwin said, "This is the place, the UFC, baby." He called his KO punch "beautiful." He thanked his coach and that was it. Not a lot to it.

-They showed Mandy Moore in the crowd. Goldberg said she's becoming a UFC regular.

-They showed B.J. Penn warming up backstage. Then they showed Sherk getting his gloves taped.


4 -- KEITH JARDINE vs. WANDERLEI SILVA

ROUND ONE: Silva won decisively and quickly. He landed one strong punch that rocked Jardine, then moved in for the kill and threw a barrage of punches that was unbelievable. He literally held Jardine's head on the mat with his left had and punched his head repeatedly with his right six times before the ref stepped in. Silva celebrated like it was his first win ever. He climbed on the side of the cage and had a huge smile as he pumped his fist over and over. Jardine was still on the mat and not moving a minute after the stoppage. Silva wanted to go over to him, but he was stopped twice.

WINNER: Silva via TKO in 0:36 of the first round.

STAR RATING: (***): A super highlight film destruction of a good fighter in Jardine. I consider a three-star rating to mean "you have to see this" no matter how short, and this qualifies.

POST-FIGHT: Silva was emotional and thanked everyone. He said it was a very big moment for him. He talked of what a great honor it was to face Jardine. He also thanked his coaches. Goldberg said, "What a class act. How do you not love Wanderlei Silva." Jardine was about to walk out of the Octagon after the promo and SIlva met him and hugged him. Jardine seemed a bit dazed and/or dejected. Goldberg said, "The Dean of Mean will be back."


B -- IVAN SALAVERRY vs. ROUSIMAR PALHARES -- Middleweights (Pretaped Prelim)

ROUND ONE: Palhares took Salaverry down after eating a round kick to the body. He got side mount, but Salaverry was squirmy. Palhares shifted quickly to a full mount. Impressive. Salaverry tried to spin out of it, but he gave up his back and then had to try to fend off a rear naked choke. He did so for a while and tried to stay relaxed. Rogan said it's like quick sand as you continue to get tired and there's almost no way to escape if the guy under you is fresh. Palhares was. Salaverry held onto his hands Salaverry picked a spot to try to pop out, and it wasn't a bad strategy as it almost worked, except Palhares has seen that before and immediately popped on an armbar and Salaverry immediately tapped out. Very impressive. Rogan said that's what the Middlweight Division needs - a true top level Brazilian jiu jitsui - who can take Silva down and submit him. Salaverry was immensely impressed and lifted him into the air, even kissed him, then raised his arm. Rogan couldn't say enough positive about his jiu jitsu during the replays.

WINNER: Palhares at 2:36 of round one.

STAR RATING (**+): I almost entered three star territory because the jiu jitsu on display was almost as impressive as Silva's striking to KO Jardine in the previously aired fight. I don't because it wasn't as big of a fight in terms of star power and ramifications.

-Rogan interviewed Faber. He picked Penn. He said he's taking things seriously now, and his father is a motivation speaker, so he's drilled motivation into him. He asked about facing Jens Pulver in his hometown of Sacramento. He said they'll go out and find out who's the man. Rogan shifted to his left to interview Pulver. He said he's at his perrfect weight right now. Pulver said something about never fighting for a title before, and only defending title before, which frankly sound impossible since you have to win a belt in order to defend it. I won't try to decode it. Rogan asked if fighting bigger opponents helps him. He said it helps him feel comfortable. He said it was a conditioning issue to try to move bigger people around when he was outsized because the 155 pounders kept getting bigger. He said he's more comfortable at 145 and it really shows.


5 -- B.J. PENN vs. SEAN SHERK - LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND ONE: Sherk went for an early single-leg takedown, but Penn resisted and came back to his feet. They squared off and swung away. Sherk swung but missed as Penn has the three inch advantage. Sherk landed a hard left. Penn landed a solid left in return. The first minute lived up to the hype. At 1:30 they clinched center-ring, but pushed of and went back to stand-up exchanges. Goldberg said Sherk's conditioning could be a huge advantage in latter rounds. Rogan said he is a conditioning machine, but noted Penn is training harder in that area. At 4:00 Rogan said it was basically a boxing match with Penn landing more, but Sherk holding his own given the reach disadvantage. Sherk threw some leg kicks as a set up for later in the fight if it goes long enough. Rogan said Sherk will go for takedowns in later rounds and is trying to wear out Penn in the mean time. They showed "Minotauro" Nogueira watching from the front row. Sherk's corner told him think about head movements and combinations. Penn's corner talked about counter punches, jabs, and circling. Penn listened intently. Sherk had a small cut under his right eye that wasn't bleeding between rounds.

ROUND TWO: Sherk increased the frequency of the leg kicks, both outside and inside on Penn's lead leg. They had rapid-fire exchanges at 0:30 and 1:00. Neither seemed super-fazed. A loud "steroid" chant started and lasted about 10 seconds. Sherk is swinging and missed more often than Penn. More of the same for several minutes. Rogan said Sherk may try to draw the fight into the latter rounds, but find that the doctor stops it before then due to cuts on his face. Penn threw a hard leg kick, also, at 4:30. Sherk went for another takedown, but Penn easily brushed it off. Penn won that round, landing a much higher percentage of punches and bloodying Sherk's face under both eyes. Rogan said the story of the fight all over Sherk's face.

ROUND THREE: Penn seemed a little tired and Sherk not at all as the round began. Another "steroids" chant rang out for a few seconds early. Rogan noted that Sherk has never knocked anyone out with a standing punch. Penn went for a takedown on Sherk, but Sherk backed off and avoided it. That got a rise out of the crowd and perhaps impressed the judges for him initiating a change of course. Mid-round the fight took a turn as Sherk entered the position of having to win via knockout or submission if he didn't start winning rounds. Rogan said nobody can question Sherk's strategy, but he doesn't get it yet. Penn just continued to pelt Sherk with punches and Sherk most often swung and missed. Rogan and Goldberg wondered if Sherk's right hand was broken. Penn moved in and KO'd Sherk with a flying knee. Sherk went down and Penn hit him with a barage of punches. The horn sounded and Sherk was saved by the bell. Penn called for the fight to be called off and he raised his hands. He was right. The ref called it. Penn celebrated, then went over and hugged Sherk.

WINNER: Penn via RKO at the end of round three.

STAR RATING (**+): Really dramatic, but not necessarily exciting most of the time. The finish wasn't a surprise by the time it happened with Sherk taking such a beating throughout and not showing real indications he had enough in him to take him down.

POST-FIGHT: Lots of love after the fight with a couple hugs. Penn told Sherk to come by and train with him in Hawaii anytime... Rogan interviewed Penn, who saluted Sherk again. Penn said it was a very satisfying win. He said he told Sherk he was going to create the biggest fight in history, but he shook his hand afterward. Rogan asked what else there is for him as a lightweight. Penn said he wants to take on GSP again. Well, he actually asked the fans and they cheered. Maybe Sherk's the one who should visit a different division over at WEC to face the winner of the Faber-Pulver fight... Rogan interviewed Sherk next. Sherk said he felt he had to show something different and establish a striking game before taking it to the ground. He said he felt pretty good in the stand-up so he kept it there. Rogan asked if it was a good stoppage. Sherk said he didn't hear the bell and didn't know how much time was left in the round. He seemed to not realizes the round ended. He said he knows he wants to keep fighting. He thanked the fans who supported him over the last ten months. He asked them to party with him. Goldberg said both are sheer class.

[B.J. Penn art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]