Virtual UFC fighters put on show in Philly

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 | midnight

PHILADELPHIA — B.J. Penn leapt up from the Octagon and raised his arms in celebration as the crowd at the Wachovia Center showed their appreciation by applause rather than D-cell batteries.

The Hawaiian once again defended his UFC lightweight title in the featured match at UFC 101. It took two and a half rounds before “The Prodigy” could triumph over top contender and East Coaster Kenny Florian with a submission by leglock with 2:09 remaining in the third round.

OK, so the real fight won’t actually take place until Saturday, Aug. 8. But The Las Vegas Sun decided to get the jump on things and simulate the two main fights for the UFC’s first-ever trip to Pennsylvania via THQ’s UFC 2009 video game.

In the light-heavyweight match, the virtual Anderson Silva knocked out the virtual Forrest Griffin with a flying knee in the second round. It was an appropriate ending as the fight featured primarily leg kicks during its seven-minute duration.

Silva, who with the virtual win claimed his UFC record 10th straight victory in the Ocatagon, came out with a flurry of high kicks that Griffin couldn’t avoid.

Griffin, however, returned the favor with a number of kicks to Silva’s midsection.

The first round was a draw, the second stanza domination by Silva.

“The Spider” came out and immediately established his power with jabs to the Las Vegas-based fighter. Griffin showed his virtual frustration via grimaces and a bloody cut on his nose, but he was unable to avoid further punishment.

Moments later it “was all over” as Silva flew through the air, thrusting his knee to a sleepy Griffin’s skull.

If the East Coast fans felt cheated by the lopsided co-main event, Penn and Florian made up for it in the headline showdown.

Moments after Bruce Buffer introduced the fighters and the bell rang, a fired-up Florian came out aggressive.

The Boston-based fighter used a variety of moves to make Penn uncomfortable early. But Penn finally broke through, locking in a kimura that looked as if it might end things early. Instead Florian escaped and actually pinned Penn to the canvas for a short period as he delivered his patented razor elbows.

The second round followed the same script. Both Penn and Florian had their moments.

But at the start of the third, it became apparent the momentum had flipped Penn’s way. The virtual Penn bounced up and down in his side of the Octagon while the virtual Florian wore a lifeless expression.

The pixelated Penn seized the moment, utilizing a quick ground and pound attack.

He wore Florian down even further and locked in a leg lock for the victory.

The virtual Penn jumped up in video-game victory, albeit the feat still wasn’t as impressive as his YouTube leap out of the pool. Still add another “W” to cyber lore.