Joe Rogan

The fight was in danger of ending in the opening moments as Penn blasted Sanchez with a hard right hand as the challenger rushed in, dropping Diego and flurrying with a cyclone of punches before Sanchez regained his senses just as the bout looked as if it was going to be called off.

Sanchez battled back as best he could for five hard rounds, but it was Penn’s ability to stuff all of Diego’s takedown attempts combined with a far superior stand up game that made it apparent that the two were simply in a different league.

Going into the fifth round Sanchez had a severe cut on his bottom lip, but it was a series of strikes in the final round that opened up a gash from hell on Diego’s forehead, prompting a halt to the one sided contest, and a speedy trip to the emergency room for a visit that is sure to include many staples and stitches for the battered and bruised challenger.

An amazingly dominant performance over a gutsy contender for the champion that has left many wondering if B.J. will remain at the top of the lightweight mountain for as long as he sees fit.

The two heavyweights began sizing one another up before Kongo began to attempt to tee ff when he was sent crashing to the ground from a big hook from Mir. It was all downhill from there for the towering Wolf’s Lair trained striker as Mir swarmed all over him, sinking in the fight ending guillotine choke to seal the deal and turn Cheick’s light switch off for a moment or two following the conclusion of the bot.

Of course Mir took the opportunity to make his ambition to face off with Brock Lesnar in a rematch once the UFC heavyweight champion can make a full recovery public in the post fight interview with Joe Rogan, and based on this evening’s performance it’s hard to argue against it.

The question that has to be asked at this point is this: Coming off of his loss to Brock Lesnar, is it fair to recognize Mir as the top contender to the heavyweight crown in the UFC?

The prelims are set to kick off right around 7 pm ET (4 pm PT), with the live televised portion of the event beginning at 10 pm ET on the dot and all of the action taking place from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Headlining the card we have B.J. Penn defending his lightweight championship against Diego “Yes Man” Sanchez, along with intriguing match-ups of Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo, Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida, Paul Buentello vs. Stefan Struve, and much more.

5 Oz. coverage of the event will begin when the first prelim fighters touch gloves.

Enjoy the fights everyone!!

T.J. Grant def. Kevin Burns via TKO – Round 1

DaMarques Johnson def. Edgar Garcia via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1

Rousimar Palhares def. Lucio Linhares via submission (heel hook) – Round 2

Johny Hendricks def. Ricardo Funch via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)

Matt Wiman def. Shane Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Alan Belcher def. Wilson Gouveia via TKO – Round 1

Stefan Struve def. Paul Buentello via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

Kenny Florian def. Clay Guida via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2

Jon Fitch def. Mike Pierce via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Frank Mir def. Cheick Kongo via submission (guilotine) – Round 1

FiveOuncesofPain.com invites you, the 5 Oz.’ reader, to take part in Live Round by Round scoring of tonight’s title fight between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez. CLICK HERE to make sure your opinion counts.

B.J. Penn def. Diego Sanchez via TKO (cut) – Round 5

Right off the bat I’d like to point out that we got shorted in this one due to the recent series of injuries that has been sweeping through the UFC like a 2012 tsunami.

Is the lightweight division going to turn into B.J. Penn’s own personal “Bum of the Month” club if the champion can defend his title, and defend it convincingly this evening?

Let’s just imagine for a moment that Penn tears through Sanchez like a five year old under the tree on Christmas morning; Are you guys really going to be excited about the potential of someone like Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar, or dare I say, Shinya Aoki somehow derailing the champion?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m hardly calling any of the top level athletes competing in the UFC bums by any stretch of the imagination. No, the comparison I’m making is actually to one of the greatest boxers to ever lace up a set of gloves, Mr. Joe Louis, and his ridiculously dominant title reign during a beatdown filled 29 months of terror between 1939 and 1941. You weren’t even alive back then, right? Well neither was I, but let me attempt to explain as to why I am making such a comparison.

Louis was at one time, as dominant a champion as there ever was in combat sport. In just over two years time the man defended his heavyweight boxing title thirteen times against men that were considered the top challengers to his title at the time. These guys were all solid fighters, but “The Brown Bomber” was just on another level to where his opponents began to be referred to as “bums” automatically.

While B.J. hasn’t defended his championship nearly as many times as Louis had, the apparent lack of a serious threat at 155 pounds begs for the question to be asked, if he can beat Diego in convincing fashion; Is there any end in sight for Penn’s reign at lightweight? In my opinion the only man that can beat B.J. over the next five years at the weight class will be B.J. himself.

So the word around the campfire is that Wilson Gouveia was at fault for not being able to make weight, proposing a catchweight bout at 190 pounds, but Alan Belcher just said screw it, let’s do it at 195. Essentially, you’re saying you can’t make weight, I’m not cutting another pound; And good for him. Coming in at weight is your responsibility as a fighter. There is no excuse when you’re given the proper notice to prepare, AND potentially pull out of a bout if you don’t feel like meeting the requirements will be within your grasp. It’s a job like any other.

If anyone ever deserved to be sliced off a healthy serving of humble pie, it has go to be Frank Mir. I was among the many that felt Brock Lesnar overreacted just a little bit following his second round demolition of Mir at UFC 100, but in retrospect, with hindsight being 20/20, Mir did run his mouth a lot leading up to that fight. Like A LOT.Kind of like in this fight.

Hearing Mir poke fun at Kongo’s still developing English struck a nerve with me I couldn’t properly put into words without seeming somewhat hostile. So with that, I’ll leave at this; I used to be the biggest Frank Mir fan there was. I ordered his fights in UFC events from the UK when they could be found nowhere stateside and made a special trip to the grocery store years ago to make sure I picked up a copy of the, at time groundbreaking, issue of Muscle & Fitness with Mir on the cover. But he lost me. He lost me when he made fun of how Kongo spoke. You want to say he has crap Jiu-Jitsu, fine. You want to say he doesn’t have a chance, whatever. But there’s no place for the type of arrogant and hurtful comments towards Cheick in the UFC, or anywhere else for that matter. There’s enough of that type of insecure ignorance infecting the world like a plague as it is.

I don’t feel very confident that we’re going to see Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia make the televised card tonight. I feel certain we would have seen it if it wasn’t for Belcher recently being so vocal in his criticism of the UFC’s choice to schedule him on the undercard, but who knows now. We probably will, because it’s a fight that promises to deliver in the excitement department. Just don’t be too shocked if it doesn’t end up being aired.

FiveOuncesofPain.com

Also appearing on this evening’s broadcast will be none other than Clay “The Carpenter” Guida, as he discusses his thoughts on this evening’s clash with Kenny Florian.

We will be covering a roundtable of MMA news from the week, primarily focusing on this evening’s UFC 107, of course.

Make sure to check out the show to help you get hyped for the live broadcast later this evening on 1360 AM, or you can catch it right here on the web at RearNakedRadio.

The show is set to kick off at 6 pm ET (5 pm CT, 3 pm PT), lasting until 8 pm ET (7 pm CT, 5 pm PT) .

You can listen HERE.

UFC 107 is set for Saturday evening, December 12, 2009 at The FedEx Forum in Memphis Tennesse, airing live on Pay Per View.

Headlining the card will be a lightweight championship clash between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez, along with other promising match-ups featuring the likes of Kenny Florian, Clay Guida, Frank Mir, Cheick Kongo and more.

* For some strange and extremely unfortunate reason, all of the text I had prepared for this post (At least 2-3 paragraphs per fight) completely dissapeared once I tried to post it. I can’t put my frustration into words over this incident that still remains a mystery to me. So, instead of not running the story I will publish it with an extremely shortened version of my lost predictions. - CB

Champion  B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

David Andrest: The UFC PR team has done a wonderful job promoting Diego for this fight.  I watch the preview commercial and it’s almost as if Sanchez if the favorite in this fight.  Could Sanchez win this fight?  Sure,  he’s got the same chance, Sherk, Florian and Stevenson had.  B.J. Penn appears calm focused and at relaxed.  To watch a B.J. Penn interview these days almost feels like the champion has a secret that he’s not telling anyone.  For those expecting ( hoping)  for Penn to gas, it’s time to live in the now.  Penn is ready for 5 rounds, and more importantly has prepared and been there before.  Until I see B.J. Penn have a problem at 155, I’m not picking against him.

Winner: B.J. Penn via rear naked-choke

Cory Brady: In my opinion Diego deserves this title shot just a little bit more than Vitor Belfort does at middleweight. It’s not the sexy choice but I feel like either Gray Maynard or Frankie Edgar should be stepping up tmorrow based on their six wins at the weight class compared to Diego’s high profile two. Either way, B.J. has all of the advantages in this fight oiutside of possibly takedowns, but it’s B.J. that holds the huge edge in takedown defense.

Winner: B.J. Penn via submission

Cheick Kongo vs. Frank Mir

David Andrest: Wow that Frank Mir sure can talk. He has talked briefly about his fight with Kongo, prior to talking , and talking , and talking about Brock Lesnar.  While, I think Kongo has more to offer this fight than Mir is willing to admit.  I think this fight will go to the ground at some point.

Winner: Frank Mir via submission

Cory Brady: Kongo just so happen to hold the antidote to Mir’s poison, and it’s not technical striking, it’s good old fashioned GNP. Every single one of Mir’s losses have ended o the canvas. e crumbles when you start bringing the pai from the top, and Kongo has finished his last two victories that exact way. Regardless, Mir looks huge and focused for this one. His size should help him in preventing any takedown attempts.

Winner: Frank Mir via submission

Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

David Andrest:  I’m trying really hard to care or get excited for this fight.  I simply can not.  Fitch is a top 3 welterweight, and the list of people I’m interested in seeing him fight is a short one and does not include Mike Pierce.  Fitch will control this fight and handle Pierce, perhaps finishing the fight in impressive fashion.

Winner:  John Fitch via TKO

Cory Brady: I’m not interested in watching this fight. I think Fitch is an awesome fighter, but I hate watching him fight.. if that makes any sense. Fitch takes this one with ease. I really hope he can notch a finish for his limited highlight reel.

Winner: Jon Fitch via decision

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida

David Andrest: This fight on the other hand I am very much looking forward to.   How will training at Jackson’s  change Guida?  Florian has a new camp as well,  will training with GSP’s crew in Canada change his game?  Florian is the class of the division, and in my mind the easy number 2 lightweight in the UFC.   Guida is tall on moral victories, it’s time now for Guida if he is holding out hope of ever becoming more than the high water mark for the division.

Winner: Kenny Florian  via Decision

Cory Brady: Guida may be a slightly better wrestler, but Florian is the better all-around fighter, and it’s a fight. I feel like Clay’s relentless agression will play right into Kenny’s hands.

Winner: Kenny Florian via submission

Paul Buentello vs. Stefan Struve

David Andrest: Welcome back to the UFC  Paul Buentello.  One would have to think this is his last stop at the top before taking fights and headlining indy shows.   I spoke with  Brady earlier today about Struve, he brought up and interesting  point about the number of submission wins and the probable cause.   Buentello comes in with one path to victory.  They don’t call him the HeadHunter for nothing.

Winner: Stefan Struve via decision

Cory Brady: Struve has been actively and cnsistently testing himself against som top shelf guys at heavyweight, while Buentello has not. Only Paul knows where his timing, stamina, and most importantly, where his head is at after a spurt of seruious inactivity and recently beng given the boot from his longtime training grounds, The American Kickboxing Academy.

Winner: Stefan Struve via submission

Edgar Garcia came in at 173 pounds for his scheduled welterweight clash against DaMarques Johnson, but has been given additional time to make the weight. Make sure to check back at 5 Oz. in the coming hours for an update on Garcia’s second attempt.

In what may come as news for many, apparently the bout between Alan Belcher and Wilson Gouveia will be a catchweight showdown at 195 pounds.

A full list of the weigh-in results for UFC 107 are listed below:

B.J. Penn (155) vs. Diego Sanchez (155)

Frank Mir (264.5) vs. Cheick Kongo (239)

Kenny Florian (156) vs. Clay Guida (156)

Paul Buentello (255) vs. Stefan Struve (247)

Jon Fitch (171) vs. Mike Pierce (171)

Alan Belcher (195) vs. Wilson Gouveia (193)

Matt Wiman (156) vs. Shane Nelson (156)

Johny Hendricks (171) vs. Ricardo Funch (171)

Lucio Linhares (185) vs. Rousimar Palhares (186)

Edgar Garcia (173)* vs. DaMarques Johnson (171)

Kevin Burns (171) vs. T.J. Grant (171)

UFC 107 is set for Saturday evening, December 12, 2009 at The FedEx Forum in Memphis Tennesse, airing live on Pay Per View.

Headlining the card will be a lightweight championship clash between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez, along with other promising match-ups featuring the likes of Kenny Florian, Clay Guida, Frank Mir, Cheick Kongo and more.

Let’s get things started with the prelims….

Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia

David Andrest: I have to agree with Belcher here, this fight should be on the main card. This could easily be FOTN. Belcher is a dangerous fighter with a chip on his shoulder. Gouveia is also a very talented fighter. When Gouveia loses, it’s by KO or TKO. I don’t think that will change.

Winner: Alan Belcher via TKO

Cory Brady: I’m with Alan and David on this one. How Belcher and Gouveia didn’t make the cut for the main card is beyond me. I know it was Paul Buentello that Alan sort of ended up throwing under the bus, but in my opinion I would toss the Fitch/Pierce three round formality and replace it with a fight guaranteed not to disappoint. If Fitch can actually finish Pierce, no worries, he makes the main card. If he grinds out another …. lackluster decision; Let the kids that really want to see that one order it on UFC On Demand. With that being said, this is definitely one of my front-runners for FOTN honors. This is a fantastic match-up between a couple of guys that are lethal regardless of where the bout ends up. Like Dave put it before me; When Wilson loses, he gets jacked.

Winner: Alan Belcher via TKO

Shane Nelson vs. Matt Wiman

David Andrest: Wiman is a better fighter all around. Nelson trains with the best lightweight on the planet but that will not be enough to stop Wiman from having his way in this contest.

Winner: Matt Wiman via TKO Round 3

Cory Brady: This is another fight with a ton of potential to turn into an all-out war. Neither fighter makes it a habit to be finished when they lose, as Wiman has only been finished once in his career (via Spencer Fisher flying knee), while Nelson has never been finished. I’m expecting a three round knock down, drag out brawl in this one with Wiman’s edge in power and striking making the ultimate difference.

Winner: Matt Wiman via decision

Ricardo Funch vs. Johny Hendricks

David Andrest: Both talented, both undefeated. This is an excellent match up of prospects. In a fight like this, I have to side with the wrestler with the heavy hands. At some point in this fight Hendricks with catch Funch and put him away, and in the case that I am wrong, Hendricks takes the fight to the floor and grinds out Funch.

Winner: Johny Hendricks via TKO

Cory Brady: Someone’s O has got to go. You have to love match-ups between undefeated up and comers like this. This one should be explosive and fast paced for as long as it lasts but I feel like Hendricks’ wrestling ability will allow him to decide where the fight takes place. If he feels like he’s the better striker, he keeps it there. If he feels like he doesn’t want any part of Ricardo’s stand-up, he takes it to the ground. Either way Hendricks wins this fight.

Winner: Johny Hendricks via TKO

Lucio Linhares vs. Rousimar Palhares

David Andrest: Linhares makes his Octagon debut, and who better to fight than Palhares. ( I guess there are a ton of guys better to debut against now that I mention it ) Both fighters are very good on the ground, I’d give the striking advantage to Linhares at this point, with the wrestling advantage going to Palhares. I think this fight will come down to top control. The fighter who gets it, will more likely win this battle. Conventional wisdom points to Palhares, I’m going with my heart.

Winner: Lucio Linhares via decision

Cory Brady: Make no mistake about it, Linhares is a complete beast, but Rousimar is a bad match-up for….. anybody at 185 now that I think about it. Not that Palhares could single handedly clear out the middleweight division right now, but his stocky frame, decorated grappling background and granite chin make him a very serious problem for anyone he locks horns with. This is a bit of a leap up in competition for Lucio, but I fully expect for him to make a fight of it. Submission grappling fans be sure to grab your popcorn heading into this one.

Winner: Rousimar Palhares via decision

Edgar Garcia vs. DaMarques Johnson

David Andrest: Johnson is a TUF runner up with a long road ahead of him. I will not be surprised to see someone sent to the minors after this contest. Garcia is coming into this fight off a decision loss in a fight that he won. I think Garcia has learned his lesson and this fight will not go to the judges.

Winner: Edgar Garcia via TKO

Cory Brady: Garcia is one of the fighters I have took a personal sense of pride in following. He’s another one of those guys, along with prospects like Jacob McClintock and Phil Davis, that will have me saying I told you so in a year’s time. To put it best, Edgar drops bombs like Hiroshima. In his first fight in the UFC I feel like he was a little overwhelmed by the bright lights against Brad Blackburn, but still managed to leave the arena with a hefty FOTN bonus after dropping a narrow decision many felt like he won. The bottom line is this: Keep an eye on Garcia. He’s like a Mexican Robbie Lawler and he’s going to make an example of Johnson on Saturday night. Mark my words. Possible KOTN candidate right here.

Winner: Edgar Garcia via knockout

Kevin Burns vs. T.J. Grant

David Andrest: Grant is a very athletic guy with a ton of upside. Burns has a well rounded game, and some big wins in the UFC. I predict this fight to have an eye poke, a groin kick, and a decision that leaves us wondering …..What If?

Winner: Kevin Burns via decision

Cory Brady: On paper it looks like Grant will have a considerable advantage in the submission department, but anyone that has seen Burns’ triangle choke submission over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Roan Carneiro would know that is not the case. This fight should be competitive but I feel like the similarities between the two is going to create more of the chess match effect.

Winner: T.J. Grant via decision

Diego Sanchez

According to Diego, he’s already the champion; This fight is just a formality for the San Diego based fighter.

“From the moment I stepped down to 155, I knew in my heart that I was the best 155 pounder in the world,” said Sanchez during the recent Spike TV broadcast.

“I’m here to claim what’s mine. It’s my time now.”

However, in true Diego Sanchez fashion the subject of who the best in the division truly is was left up in the air after the former Ultimate Fighter seemed to contradict himself with another statement when he said, “I know he’s the best in the world at 155, and if you truly ask B.J. Penn who the best in the world at 155 is besides himself, he’s going to say Diego Sanchez.”

So who’s the best at 155 pounds? We’ll find out on Saturday night, no doubt about that. But don’t let who Diego considers to be the best lightweight in the game confuse you; According to Sanchez, he’s got B.J. all figured out.

“What’s B.J.’s biggest weakness? It’s his conditioning,” said Sanchez. “Now you know you’re fighting a guy with a never ending gas tank.

“I’m going to come forward, I’m going to cut the ring off, and I’m going to scrap. So I have a challenge for you B.J.; Don’t run. Let’s get it.”

The event will take place on December 12 from Memphis, Tennessee, featuring a headlining lightweight championship bout between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez.

Buentelllo was previously expected to face off with heavyweight wrecking machine Todd Duffee at the event before an injury forced the fast rising prospect from the card.

Appropriately coined “The Skyscraper. the 6’10″, 240 pound Struve sports a professional record of 18-3 with 14 submissions to his credit. The towering Dutch submission specialist is currently riding a two-fight win streak with the UFC with both wins coming by submission, after having dropped his Octagon debut via TKO at the hands of Junior dos Santos in February of this year.

Making his first return to the UFC in close to four years, Buentello is known as a power puncher with a penchant for knocking his opponents senseless. He currently holds an impressive UFC record of 3-1, with his last bout coming in January of this year, stopping “Baby Fedor” Kirill Sidelnikov during “Affliction: Day of Reckoning” via TKO.

This one is a clear cut case of the old school “classic striker vs. grappler match-up” at it’s finest.

A full list of the bouts expected for UFC 107 are listed below:

• BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

• Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo

• Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida

• Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce

• Stefan Struve vs. Paul Buentello

• Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia

• Matt Wiman vs. Shane Nelson

• Johny Hendricks vs. Ricardo Funch

• Rousimar Palhares vs. Lucio Linhares

• DaMarques Johnson vs. Edgar Garcia

• Kevin Burns vs. TJ Grant

It has been reported by Sherdog.com that the heavyweight has pulled out of his scheduled bout with Paul Buentello at UFC 107 due to an undisclosed injury.

Duffee, who burst onto the scene with a record setting seven-second knockout in his UFC debut against Tim Hague at UFC 102, is but another fighter in the organizations stable to fall from the injury bug.

Duffee had this to say, “Withdrawing was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.” Without disclosing the extent of his injury, the 23 year old expects to be back in action by early 2010.

Buentello, who was set to make his UFC return after an almost four year absence from the octagon, spoke with the website and said, “It was a fight I was really looking forward to. We really matched up well.”

He went on to say two possible replacements for Duffee include Mike Russow and Stefan Struve.

UFC 107 is set to take place December 12 in Memphis, Tenn.

According to a recent report on MMAMania.com, Pierce has recently agreed to the proposed match-up which will take place on December 12 from Memphis, Tennessee.

The unlikely showdown was booked after Josh Koscheck was yanked from his UFC Fight Night 20 bout with Pierce to face off with Anthony Johnson at UFC 106, and Fitch has seen two prior opponents, Ricardo Almeida and Thiago Alves, bow out due to knee injuries.

Fitch is currently riding a two fight win streak in the Octagon, with wins over Akihiro Gono and Paulo Thiago following his decision loss at the hands of welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre back at UFC 87. Fitch is currently ranked at #2 behind St-Pierre on the official 5 Oz. rankings, and sports an astonishing UFC record of 10-1.

Pierce is fresh off the heels of the biggest win of his career over Brock Larson at UFC Fight Night 19. He sports a career record of 10-1, and is currently riding a six fight win streak.

Five Ounces of Pain was informed early Friday morning that Alves was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an unspecified injury and that discussions to secure a replacement have already begun.

The news of Alves falling off the card comes as yet another blow to the UFC’s plans for UFC 107, as season 10 coaches of The Ultimate Fighter Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had originally been rumored to headline the event.

However, plans for Evans vs. Jackson were scuttled after Jackson accepted a role in the upcoming A-Team film adaptation. UFC officials quickly moved to transfer a planned lightweight title fight between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez to headline its Dec. 12 pay-per-view event and the rematch between Fitch and Alves was added soon after to augment the card’s depth.

Alves, 16-6, has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to current UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre this past June at UFC 100. Prior to the title fight, Alves had won seven consecutive bouts in the UFC.

Meanwhile, Fitch, also a former UFC welterweight title challenger, is 19-3 overall and has won two consecutive bouts following his title loss to St. Pierre at UFC 87 in August of 2008.

The news of the match-up was first revealed in a report on MMAJunkie.com before being confirmed by UFC President Dana White.

UFC 107 is set to take place from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee on December 12, airing live on pay-per-view.

Both men will be looking to place themselves back into title contention following mutual defeats to current 170 pound king, Georges St-Pierre.

Fitch has notched back to back wins over the likes of Akihiro Gono and Paulo Thiago following his failed bid at championship glory during UFC 87, while Alves will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since his loss at the hands of St-Pierre following a seven fight win streak in the UFC.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com has been able to confirm the bout through sources close to the match-up.

UFC 107 is set for December 12, from Memphis, Tennessee, with a lightweight championship between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez expected to headline.

Garcia recently obtained “Fight of the Night” honors in his UFC debut against “Bad” Brad Blackburn at the TUF 9 Finale in June of 2009. A bout he ended up dropping by the narrowest of margins in a hard fought split decision. Prior to the loss, Edgar had gone undefeated in his professional fighting career, winning five of his seven victories by way of either TKO or knockout.

Johnson is a veteran of the fight game with a respectable record of 9-7. His last appearance saw him on the losing end of a rear-naked choke at the hands of James Wilks in the final round of 170 pound bracket during the TUF 9 Finale.

A full list of the bouts expected for UFC 107 are listed below:

B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida

Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago

Paul Buentello vs. Todd Duffee

Wilson Gouveia vs. Alan Belcher

Edgar Garcia vs. DaMarques Johnson

Rousimar Palhares vs. Lucio Linhares

Kevin Burns vs. TJ Grant

The event is expected to take place from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee on December 12.

As it currently stands, both fighters have verbally agreed to the match-up according to a recent report at MMAJunkie.com.

Duffee has put together an unblemished record of 5-0, with five knockouts to his credit during his time spent as a professional. He recently made his Octagon debut during UFC 102, where he stopped fellow big man Tim Hague with a barrage of punches at the seven second mark, setting a new record for the fastest KO in UFC history in the process.

Buentello has put together a career record of 24-10. Most recently he has put together back to back wins over Kirill Sidelnikov and Gary Goodridge following a TKO loss to Alistair Overeem for the Strikeforce heavyweight championship.

Below is a full list of the bouts expected for UFC 107:

B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez (LW Championship)

Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida

Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo

Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago

Todd Duffee vs. Paul Buentello

Alan Belcher vs. Wilson Gouveia

Kevin Burns vs. T.J. Grant

Although not officially announced it has been reported the bout is in the final stages of negotiations. MMAWeekly.com is stating both parties have agreed and expected to finalize the deal shortly.

Belcher is coming off a close decision loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 100. The loss, which many believe was won by Belcher, stopped a two-fight win streak he had going into UFC 100. “The Talent”, is currently 14-6 as a professional, with his latest wins coming over Ed Herman and Denis Kang.

Wilson Gouveia hasn’t fought since UFC 95, where he suffered a TKO loss at the hands of Nate Marquardt. He was supposed to fight James Irvin at UFC 102, until Irvin withdrew due to an injury. Gouveia is currently 12-6, with notable wins over Jason McDonald and Jason Lambert.

UFC 107 has not been officially announced, but is expected to take place Dec. 12th at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

Below is a full list of the expected bouts for UFC 107:

• B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez

• Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo

• Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida

• Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago

• Wilson Gouveia vs. Alan Belcher

• Todd Duffee vs. TBA

The anticipated bout has been agreed to but nothing has been signed as of right now according to a recent report on MMAWeekly.com.

UFC 107 will take place on December 12 from Memphis, Tennessee.

Previously rumored for UFC 105 in Manchester, England, it’s likely the bout was shifted to the latter event due to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson pulling out of his expected match-up with Rashad Evans in order to play B.A. Baracus in the upcoming A-Team remake.

Mir will be looking to bounce back from his recent defeat at the oversized hands of Brock Lesnar after putting together three consecutive wins in the Octagon while Kongo is in the same boat, having recently suffered a loss to Cain Velasquez following three straight wins with the UFC.

Although the match-up had previously been expected for UFC 106, MMA Live has recently confirmed the bouts shifting to UFC 107.

Florian had put together six consecutive victories in the Octagon before recently coming up short in his championship bid against B.J. Penn at UFC 101.

Guida is coming off of a hard fought decision loss at the hands of Diego Sanchez. Prior to the defeat he had strung together thee straight wins in the UFC.

UFC 107 is expected to take place on December 12 from Memphis, Tennessee. Also expected for the card is a lightweight title fight between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez, and a welterweight match-up of Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago.

According to a recent report on MMAMania.com, Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago is currently in the negotiation stages and verbally agreed to by at least one of the fighters.

UFC 107 is set for December 12th at the Fedex Forum in Memphis, TN.

Paulo Thiago is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jon Fitch back in UFC 100, serving as his only defeat as a professional. This will mark the third tough opponent for Thiago, since debuting with a stunning upset knockout victory over Josh Koshcheck at UFC 95.

Thiago Alves, considered to be a top five contender in the welterweight division, is coming off a unanimous decision loss himself, to champion Georges St. Pierre. Prior to his loss to St. Pierre, Alves was riding a seven fight win streak, with notable wins over Matt Hughes, Karo Parisyan, and Josh Koshcheck as well.

UFC 107 has yet to be officially announced, but a previously expected main event pitting Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. “Suger” Rashad Evans is off due to Rampage’s recent jump into the acting world.