10 Most Memorable Championship Shockers: Part 2

UFC Welterweight Championship
B.J. Penn def. Matt Hughes -- Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 4:39 R1
UFC 46 “Supernatural,” Jan. 31, 2004

The Setting: By fight time, Penn and Hughes were headed in opposite directions. After failing to win the UFC lightweight title in two attempts, Penn inexplicably moved up to 170 to challenge Hughes.

At the time, it seemed a dreadfully foolish move. While Penn’s talent was obvious, he was seemingly squandering it and risking a terrible beating in the process. With five defenses, Hughes’ reign in the welterweight division was every bit as impressive as Tito Ortiz’s rule at 205, and his takedowns and ground-and-pound resulted in beatings to skilled challengers in Hayato "Mach" Sakurai and Carlos Newton.

The Swing Moment: After a scramble in the opening moments, Hughes went down from a glancing punch and loss of balance. Penn pounced, and what unfolded was, for Hughes fans, a terrifying peel-the-onion sequence. Penn passed to half guard. Then side control. Then mount. Finally, Hughes surrendered his back, where Penn was waiting for the rear-naked choke that seemed equal parts inevitable and unbelievable. For jiu-jitsu fans everywhere, Penn’s clinic remains a perfect example of how a great ground game and submissions can beat anyone.

The Aftermath: His “Prodigy” moniker finally realized, Penn promptly split from the UFC and did not return for two years. After getting the welterweight division out of his system, at least for the time being, Penn has settled in as UFC lightweight champion, with a cast of challengers that are both exciting and longshots to win. Hughes soldiered on, recapturing the vacant title from a nascent Georges St. Pierre before later surrendering the belt to him. Hughes’ best days may be behind him, but his induction into the hall of fame stands as a mere formality.