Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson earned a split decision win over Lyoto Machida in the battle of two former light-heavyweight champions.
Penn stuns Hughes in just 21 seconds in co-main event in Detroit
A return to his aggressive style of old paid off for Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson as he registered a split decision win over Lyoto Machida at UFC 123.
Having lost last time out to bitter rival Rashad Evans, Jackson was in eager need of a positive result to keep him in the light-heavyweight picture.
He managed to get it thanks to a positive approach in the first two rounds before holding off a late surge from his opponent.
Machida landed with a fine combination in the final round and then followed it up with two knees. The surge led to a takedown but with time ticking away, he was unable to force a submission.
The judges all scored it 29-28, though one of the trio gave it in favour of Machida.
Fortunate
Jackson admitted afterwards that he felt fortunate to get the decision - and suggested the need for a rematch between the two former champions.
"I think that's the only thing that got me the decision," said Jackson, when asked if his aggression got him the nod. "Machida whupped my ass tonight."
Machida, nicknamed 'The Dragon', has now lost his last two outings. His other defeat saw him surrender the title to fellow Brazilian Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua.
Meanwhile, the co-headline showdown between old rivals BJ Penn and Matt Hughes at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit proved to be shortlived.
Penn needed just 21 seconds to flatten his opponent, a counter right catching Hughes cold and sending him tumbling to the canvas. He took four further punches on the ground before the referee stepped in to stop the contest.
"He hit me hard," said Hughes, who had come into the third meeting of the pair on the back of three victories. "I thought it was a knee or a kick."
Perfect return
For Penn, who had beaten Hughes in 2004 but lost the rematch two years later, the result was the perfect return to the welterweight division having suffered two straight losses at lightweight to Frankie Edgar.
"Matt you're my idol, you will always be my idol," he said afterwards.
Also on the main card, Phil Davis - known as 'Mr Wonderful' - submitted Tim Boetsch in the second round to maintain his unbeaten record.
There was also a stoppage triumph for lightweight contender George Sotiropoulos in round two, the Australian forcing Joe Lauzon to tap due to an arm bar midway through the second round.
Brazilian middleweight Maiquel Falcao registered his first UFC win, ending Gerald Harris' three fight Octagon winning streak via unanimous decision.
