TENSION HIGH AS PENN AND PULVER WEIGH-IN

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TENSION HIGH AS PENN AND PULVER WEIGH-IN
Friday, June 22, 2007 - by Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com



LAS VEGAS – All the fighters weighed-in today for tomorrow night’s expected fireworks between Jens Pulver and BJ Penn at The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale. They all made weight, save for one lone exception… Brandon Melendez.

Melendez weighed in at 157 pounds. Upon review of the doctors of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, according to the UFC, it was deemed unsafe for Melendez to try to lose the extra pound. The fight was subsequently agreed upon with the weight allowance, but Melendez was docked 10% of his purse, 5% going to opponent Joe Lauzon and 5% lining the coffers of Nevada.

Aside from a nearly nude Melendez, all eyes were on Penn and Pulver. Penn weighed in first, looking relaxed and as fit as he’s been in some time. Of course this is the first time he’s fought in the 155-pound lightweight division since he choked out Duane Ludwig more than three years ago. Pulver, relaxed as well, still had the more focused look on his face, eyeing Penn like a hawk.

While Penn weighed in at 155.5 pounds, Pulver came in on the lighter side at 152, acknowledging that when he is in shape, he tends to drift to the lower end of the scale. Weighing at 152 for this fight, it’s no surprise that Pulver is ready to move on to the 145-pound featherweight class if the powers that be will allow.

Main Event
Jens Pulver (152) vs. BJ Penn (155.5)

The Ultimate Fighter 5 Final
Manny Gamburyan (155) vs. Nate Diaz (155)

Roger Huerta (155) vs. Doug Evans (154)
Floyd Sword (185) vs. Thales Leites (186)
Brandon Melendez (157) vs. Joe Lauzon (155)
Andy Wang (156) vs. Cole Miller (155)
Rob Emerson (155) vs. Gray Maynard (155)
Allen Berube (153) vs. Leonard Garcia (155)
Brian Geraghty (155) vs. Matt Wiman (156)