This match is for the vacant UFC lightweight championship. Jens Pulver was the first 155-lb. champion, left the promotion without dropping the title back in 2002, and it has gone unfilled until now. Sean Sherk (30-2-1) is a veteran from Minneapolis. He previously fought as a welterweight and holds the distinction of being the only fighter ever to take UFC 170-lb. champ Matt Hughes a full five rounds (in a decision loss). Sherk's only other career loss is to No. 1 welterweight contender Georges St. Pierre. Florian, a former Ultimate Fighter contestant from the Boston area, is much less experienced than Sherk, but has won his past three fights, including a quick submission of Sam Stout to earn the shot.

Round 1: They trade jabs and Sherk scores an immediate takedown. Sherk has dominant position, but Florian, a jiu-jitsu specialist, is able to keep him pretty well tied up. Sherk gets in a few wild swings, and connects with an elbow around the two-minute mark. Florian sinks in a choke from the bottom. He might have position. He's got it pretty good. But Sherk manages to break it, and hits a couple lefts. Sherk broke loose for a few shots, but again, Florian is doing a nice job keeping him tied up. Sherk nearly sinks in an armlock, then Florian almost gets another choke. Sherk back in Florian's guard. Florian's defense was solid but Sherk was more aggressive and wins the round.

Round 2: Sherk with a jab, Florian with a kick to the midsection. Sherk with a takedown. Florian scoring with a few punches from the bottom. Florian and Sherk both cut each other open something fierce, Florian around his right ear. The doctor checks both. Restart from the ground. Florian is managing to keep Sherk's legs tied up, so he can't do much. There are some morons in the crowd booing a pretty good ground battle. Sherk nearly gets Florian's back, but Florian ends up on top and lands a punch. Now Sherk is in the guard. They're back up. Sherk is busted wide open. Sherk shoots on Florian and backs him against the fence. Florian to the ground, trying to sink in a guillotine. They get back up. Sherk clinging to Florian's leg as they go for position, but nothing doing. They finish standing up. Very good round. Very close. Sherk has a deep cut up high on his forehead over his left ear. Big ovation for both from the crowd. I'm giving round two to Florian.

Round 3: Sherk is bleeding before they even start fighting. Florian aiming for the cut with a couple punches and a kick, but Sherk throws a left and scores a hard takedown. Sherk isn't doing much, but Florian isn't defending as crisply as before. Sherk hits several elbows. Florian flips over, and Sherk is on his back, but can't do anything as yet. Florian rolls back over and ends up in the guard, eating a big elbow in the process. Ref orders a restart with less than a minute left. Florian with a kick, Sherk lands an exchange. A big flurry and two huge kicks from Florian to end the round. This is starting to look like something out of a fight movie, as both fighters are drenched in blood but they still keep going and going. Florian's shorts were white starting the fight, now they're red, I give round 3 to Sherk. Huge ovation for both fighters at the end of the round. Eddie Bravo of the UFC has all three rounds for Sherk and the crowd booed the scores something fierce.

Round 4: Florian with a kick. Florian evades a flurry of Sherk punches and runs right into the corner padding. Sherk finally ends up on top over by the fence. Sherk with several lefts from a side position. Florian tries to get back up but can't, and Sherk ends up back on top. Crowd chanting "Kenny." "Sherk" chant starts, but not as loud. Florian tries to throw Sherk but can't. Florian hits two elbows and a series of lefts. Ref finally stands them up with 30 seconds left. Florian pops Sherk with a kick. I give this one to Sherk. My scoring is 39-37 Sherk; Bravo has it 40-36, so Florian is going to need to make something happen this round to pull it out. His corner is telling him to stand in the middle.

Round 5: Sherk goes for a low kick. Florian goes for kicks to the midsection and ends up getting slammed hard to the mat for his troubles. Florian nearly catches Sherk in a kimura. Sherk hits two elbows. Mazzegati stands them up with 3:40 left. Sherk still way cut open over the eye, Florian still aiming for it, and hits a kick. Florian finally evades a takedown and gets a guillotine in. Sherk is breathing hard, it is obvious from the other side of the octagon. This is Florian's chance and he's pulling for all he's worth. Sherk breaks it. They get back up, grapple, and Sherk picks Florian up for a huge slam (after Florian initially grabbed the fence to avoid it which is illegal). One minute left, Sherk is on top, and just needs to hold on to win the lightweight titles. Some idiots in the crowd boo. Yeah, I'm sure if they were fighting for 24 minutes they'd do better. Right. Florian ends up attempting another choke but doesn't have much behind it. The fight ends, both fighters help each other off the mat and they get a standing ovation from the full house.

I have this 49-46 Sherk; Bravo has it 50-45 Sherk. Two judges have it 49-46, one 50-45, for the new UFC lightweight champion, Sean Sherk. Sherk is going to make a formidable champion at 155; Florian showed tremendous heart in his performance and considering he's young and still only had a handful of fights, should be in the picture for a long time to come.