Johny Hendricks vs Ricardo Funch

Round 1:
Hendricks immediately rushed forward with wild punches that mostly missed their mark, then tried for a takedown. Funch defended well and landed knees to the body. Hendricks scored with short punches in close and took Funch down soon after with an emphatic slam.

Funch managed to work back to his feet, but was met with a barrage of punches from Hendricks. An uppercut rocked Funch and he tried for a sloppy takedown. Hendricks countered with a guillotine choke and pulled guard. A pair of scrambles ensued on the ground and Hendricks continued to try to secure a choke until the bell. 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 2:
Hendricks shot in for a takedown to begin the second round and Funch stuffed it. Hendricks abandoned the takedown attempt in favour of huge power punches against the cage that staggered Funch. Hendricks attempted another takedown and Funch answered with a knee to the body. Hendricks slammed Funch to the ground, then strangely allowed him to stand.

Hendricks clinched against the cage and landed knees, which prompted Funch to try for a takedown of his own. Hendricks defended with punches and hammerfists to the sides of Funch’s head, then took Funch’s back. He landed hard punches and tried to lock on a rear naked choke, but Funch survived. 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 3:
Hendricks quickly took the fight to the ground in the final round and once again took Funch’s back. Hendricks worked for a rear naked choke, but Funch escaped and scrambled back to his feet. A solid leg kick landed for Funch, but Hendricks answered with a massive two-punch combo that rocked Funch and backed him up.

Hendricks scored another takedown and worked from side-control. He tried to trap Funch in a crucifix, but Funch escaped. Funch managed to stand up for a few seconds before he was slammed to the ground again. Hard punches landed for Hendricks until the bell sounded to end the fight. 10-9 Hendricks.

Winner: Johny Hendricks by Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 7-0-0.

Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares vs Lucio “Spartan” Linhares

Round 1:
Not surprisingly, Palhares immediately shot in for a takedown and managed to get Linhares down. Linhares scrambled and stood up, but Palhares dragged him back down with a guillotine choke. He rolled Linhares over, but Linhares impressively escaped the choke and regained guard. The fight was stood up after a lull in the action.

Linhares scored with a solid punch as Palhares shot in for a takedown. He managed to get Linhares down and tried for a series of his textbook leg submissions, but Linhares escaped. Linhares regained guard and Palhares attempted a heel hook. Linhares avoided danger and took top position before the bell. 10-9 Palhares.

Round 2:
Palhares attempted a sloppy flying knee in round two and Linhares countered with a takedown. Palhares scrambled and worked from the top, but Linhares secured a tight triangle choke. As Palhares stood up to defend, Linhares switched to a triangle armbar. Palhares stayed calm and methodically worked free of the choke.

The referee stood the fighters up when the action slowed again and both fighters appeared to be fatigued. Linhares hilariously attempted a flying omoplata as Palhares dove for a takedown. Palhares easily escaped and quickly locked on one of his patented heel hooks that forced Linhares to submit.

Winner: Rousimar Palhares by Submission (Heel Hook) at 3:21 of round two. He improves to 10-2-0.

DaMarques Johnson vs Edgar Garcia

Round 1:
Garcia just missed with a wild right hook and Johnson answered with a pair of hard one-twos. He followed with a stiff leg kick and the fighters traded power punches. More big punches landed for both and Garcia pushed Johnson to the ground. Johnson tried to work back to his feet, but Garcia trapped him in a Peruvian Necktie. Johnson persevered and scrambled free.

Punches landed for both fighters and Garcia clinched. He landed wild punches and Johnson answered with his own. The fighters touched gloves in a show of sportsmanship and intensity and Garcia dropped Johnson with a looping hook. He landed more punches on the ground, but Johnson landed a vicious upkick and trapped him in a triangle choke from his back. Garcia quickly submitted.

Big, much-needed win for Johnson in what was easily one of the best fights of the night. Excellent back-and-forth battle.

Winner: DaMarques Johnson by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 4:03 of round one. He improves to 10-7-0.

TJ Grant vs Kevin “The Fire” Burns

Round 1:
Burns looked to brawl right away, but Grant took him down. Burns promptly returned to his feet and floored Grant with a big flurry of punches. More huge shots landed for Burns on the ground, but Grant somehow survived. Grant used a heel hook attempt to force a scramble that allowed him to get back to his feet.

Grant scored another takedown and moved to half-guard, then stood over Burns and rained down a pair of big shots. Grant attempted to dive into mount, but Burns spun and Grant briefly attempted an inverted triangle choke. Burns had little trouble escaping and stood up.

Time was called after an accidental low blow from Grant. Burns recovered and the action resumed. Grant secured a Thai clinch and peppered Burns with knees, then dropped him with a looping right hook. More punches on the ground followed for Grant and the referee moved in to save Burns from further punishment.

Winner: TJ Grant by TKO (Punches) at 4:57 of round one. He improves to 15-3-0.

Despite the often unwarranted boos from the Tennessee crowd, UFC 107 was a solid event overall for the promotion and will hopefully mark the beginning of better things heading into 2010.