Up-and-coming welterweights DaMarques Johnson (9-7) and Edgar Garcia (7-1) have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 107 from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 12, according to Five Ounces of Pain.
After defeating Ray Elbe by technical knockout to make the final cut for Team U.S. on Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), Johnson submitted Dean Amasinger via triangle choke to reach the semifinals. Following a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Nick Osipczak, Johnson was one fight away from UFC stardom.
Then he ran into Team U.K. finalist James Wilks, who completely tooled the former soldier from the opening bell, eventually securing a rear naked choke for the submission win at last June's TUF Finale.
No question the Jeremy Horn protege and jiu-jitsu instructor has used that loss to tighten up his game and will undoubtedly be reinvigorated for his bout against Garcia.
Like Johnson, the state champion wrestler out of Arizona came up short on June 20 in his debut against Brad Blackburn, but the thrilling, back-and-forth war between him and "Bad" was worthy of "Fight of the Night" honors.
It was Garcia's first professional defeat, and he also holds a knockout win over Hiromitsu Miura in the WEC. Expect the native of San Luis Rio Colorado to showcase more of that power this December.
UFC 107 will feature a main event between lightweight division champion BJ Penn defending his title against number one division contender Diego Sanchez, as well as a heavyweight showdown between former champion Frank Mir and Cheick Kongo.
In addition, a lightweight attraction between stars Kenny Florian and Clay Guida was recently shifted to the card to compensate for the loss of the light heavyweight showdown between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Rashad Evans.
For more on the developing UFC 107 fight card and rumors click here.
Get the latest gear
