MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The atmosphere could not have been better for the lightweight championship matchup between champion BJ Penn of Hilo and No. 1 contender Diego Sanchez as 13,896 crazed fans got their first taste of UFC in Memphis at FedExForum.

And Penn responded with what can only be described as a dominant performance in retaining his title when the main event of UFC 107 was stopped because of a large gash on Sanchez's forehead.

"I just wanted to enjoy tonight," Penn said. "It was just another fight."

Every single-leg takedown attempt by Sanchez (21-3) was stifled and met with rights and lefts to the ears and head by Penn, who hasn't lost as a lightweight in eight years.

By the time the fifth round arrived Penn looked like he was ready for a photo op; Sanchez looked as if he was just emerging from the bottom of a pile up.

It was the near the end of the fifth when Penn (15-5-1) caught the challenger from San Diego with a right kick to the head followed by numerous right hands to the face as the pro-Penn crowd exploded in appreciation.

When referee Herb Dean got a better look at Sanchez's face, which had been bleeding from various places earlier in the fight, he was forced to call the ringside doctor to look at the 4-inch gash over Sanchez's left eye. It was decided then that the fight should be stopped at the 2:37 mark, giving Penn a TKO victory.

"I did not know what his game plan was, but I was happy when he grabbed my leg," Penn said. "His right uppercut was his weapon. I tried to bait him to see what angle he was coming in and make him pay for it."

This fight will be remembered as an instance where the contender's will and tenacity could not overcome the skill and conditioning of the recharged lightweight champion. It seemed that every offensive charge by Sanchez was met and rebuffed effectively. So complete was Penn's domination that he led on all three judges' cards, 40-36, after four rounds.

When UFC president Dana White responded to a question about outdoor markets, Penn asked about Aloha Stadium. White said they were interested in taking UFC to markets where they previously haven't been and a fight would be at a stadium.

In another lightweight bought, Shane Nelson of Hilo took on former Ultimate Fighter contestant, Handsome Matt Wiman. This bout was highlighted by some good exchanges in the first and second rounds. Nelson was able to survive a rather brutal shot in the groin early in the second but, ultimately, Wiman's ground-and-pound attack and stand up proved to be too much in the third. Wiman secured the unanimous decision (30-27) by all three judges.

After the fight, Wiman had this to say about the gritty Nelson: "He's tough on his feet, he hits hard and has a lot of heart. I felt like I was the better fighter than him tonight. We both wanted to get after it so I know it was going to be a good fight."