It goes without saying that no mixed martial artist enjoys being stuck on the sidelines.
[b]DeAnthony Thomas Jersey[/b] . Though fighters each have their own motivations for competing, they all must embrace the grind if they hope to reach the top. Not only do debilitating injuries prevent further training — and therefore hinder progress — they also mean a lack of paydays. For newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, his current hiatus is only further compounded by the fact that he has yet to defend his title. The two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion captured the vacant 170-pound strap at UFC 171 in March, winning a thrilling unanimous decision over Robbie Lawler. However, he immediately underwent surgery to repair a torn bicep and has since been forced to watch as the welterweight elite jockey for the No. 1 contender spot. Though Hendricks admitted his body has enjoyed the time off, his mind has been itching to get back in the cage. "Im tired of being on the DL," Hendricks told UFC.ca during a phone interview. "It sucks watching everybody else train and do things when you cant. "It was nice to finally let the body heal, but then again, you want to be there. You want to train. Thats the way Ive always been. I like being at the front and active — all those things that a lot of people might not like. Theres nothing better than waking up every day, training and having something to train for, as well. Those are the things that make it fun for me." Luckily for Hendricks, his downtime is coming to a close. On top of already returning to full-time training, hes only days away from having his first title challenger established when Lawler battles surging Matt Brown in the main event of UFC on FOX 12 in San Jose, Calif. Saturday. Though Hendricks said he doesnt care who gets the job done this weekend, he expects an entertaining war from two of the welterweight divisions most aggressive fighters. "Its going to be a good one and I think it could go a couple ways," Hendricks said. "Matt Brown could win if he keeps his distance right. One thing I expect to see from Matt Brown is to keep his distance, throw a lot of kicks and keep Robbie Lawler off balance. "From Robbie Lawler, a thing he does very well is get guys to fight into his style. Thats something that I fell into, too. In that fifth round I had to pull myself back from that. Thats what (Brown) cant do. Robbie Lawlers going to try to get Matt Brown to fight his fight. If he does that it could be a quick night for Matt Brown." Even without title-shot implications, Brown vs. Lawler is a fight fans dream. Neither athlete is known playing it safe once the octagon door shuts. Since Lawler and Brown hold a combined 31 career knockout victories, fireworks are all but guaranteed. Then theres the curious case of Brown, who has successfully made the leap from journeyman to contender by netting seven consecutive victories. Hendricks said hes curious to see how The Ultimate Fighter 7 cast member handles the stress of competing in a title eliminator. "Itll be good for him to fight somebody in the top five for the first time," Hendricks said. "This is a big-time fight for him. This is a fight that could change his life forever. Thats something that you want to see: How does he handle the pressure? Does he handle that this could be the fight of his life?" Though a win for Brown would add yet another chapter to MMAs most intriguing win streak, a Lawler victory would guarantee a rematch of arguably the best fight of 2014 so far. Lawler pushed Hendricks to the limit four months ago, but faded in the final minutes of a wild slugfest. Despite being on the receiving end of a vicious beating in the third and fourth rounds, Hendricks said he wouldnt change his approach should he lock horns with Lawler a second time. He would simply tighten certain holes Lawler exposed in their first encounter. "There are some things that I would change up because of what I know now," Hendricks said. "But other than that, no. I thought I had a good game plan going into the Robbie Lawler fight. We just didnt know how bad my injury was and how it would hinder me. "That played a huge factor in trying to get takedowns. Dont get me wrong, its not that I want to do a lot of takedowns, but one of my greatest attributes is that I can get somebody scared on the feet. The reason why Im able to get people scared on the feet is because I can take them down. Thats something I have to know for myself. I have to have both of those (tools) for me to be effective with one or the other. They sort of intertwine." For the time being though, Hendricks isnt worrying about who will be next in line. Like the rest of us, hes just looking forward to a good fight this weekend. Then, once the dust has settled, he will shift his focus to retaining the UFC welterweight championship. "Thats why I wanted to be on top, because I dont have to worry about (challengers)," Hendricks said. "Now, I get to focus on what I need to do. How do I get better? Then whenever I do get cleared to fight, and the UFC and my management group do come up with somebody, thats when I can switch my mind over to it and thats all Im going to give my attention to." ----- SIZING UP 170 Though UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks is expected to face the winner of Saturdays bout between Matt Brown and Robbie Lawler, there are a number of elite fighters vying for a future title shot. Among those at the top of the list is B.C. native Rory MacDonald, who has won consecutive decisions over Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley in recent appearances. Hendricks admitted MacDonald could offer an interesting challenge, but also took a jab at the Canadians last five outings all going the distance. "I think hes a good (challenger)," Hendricks said. "He can do some amazing things. Id like to see him try to finish a couple people — that would be great. But everybodys style is different. Thats whats nice about the welterweight class, there are so many different ways it could go." On top of MacDonald, fighters such as Woodley, Hector Lombard and Dong Hyun Kim have all been making waves at 170 pounds. Hendricks admitted its an exciting time for the division, but said he doesnt spend time thinking about the murderers row currently gunning for his championship. "Heres what Ive learned from wrestling — I cant worry about Hector Lombard, Rory MacDonald, Tyron Woodley, Matt Brown or Robbie Lawler," Hendricks began. "Right now, what I have to do is worry about what I can do. I have to worry about what I need to do to get better. Nobody else matters. "Lets say I decide to worry about Robbie Lawler because he has a better chance of winning (against Brown). If I worry about Robbie Lawler and Matt Brown wins, Ive just wasted (time) worrying about fighting Robbie Lawler when I could have been preparing myself to get better." Aside from the current crop of contenders, Hendricks also cant go far without former champ Georges St-Pierres name coming up. The MMA legend won a controversial split decision over Hendricks in November and many fans have been calling for a rematch ever since. Hendricks said he would relish the opportunity to rematch St-Pierre should the Montreal native choose to return to fighting. "The way that he went out and the way the last fight went, people want to see a rematch," Hendricks said. "So Ive always figured he wouldnt be a name that would really die down. Not only that, he was the champion for six years. Its going to be hard for that name to die down. "What Ive been telling everybody is: I dont want to kill his name. I just want to make my own name."
[b]Armani Watts Jersey[/b] . After making his All-Star debut in Fridays Rising Stars Challenge, the Raptors sophomore centre wont be sticking around for the duration of the weekends festivities, thinking about the big picture instead.
[b]Harrison Butker Jersey[/b] . Johns, N.L., to Thunder Bay, Ont., after a deal was announced to build a new $106-million "event centre" in the Lake Superior community.Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The following is a list of inactive players for todays games. WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 1:00 PM (ET) Washington - QB Kirk Cousins, CB Greg Ducre, LB Jackson Jeffcoat, G Spencer Long, OT Tyler Polumbus, RB Silas Redd, WR Aldrick Robinson Minnesota - S Antone Exum Jr., FB Zach Line, CB Jabari Price, TE Kyle Rudolph, LB Brandon Watts, OT Austin Wentworth, G David Yankey ARIZONA CARDINALS AT DALLAS COWBOYS, 1:00 PM (ET) Arizona - LB Glenn Carson, TE Darren Fells, LB Thomas Keiser, DT Alameda Taamu, RB Stepfan Taylor, QB Logan Thomas, G Earl Watford Dallas - DT Davon Coleman, DE Jack Crawford, LB Tim Dobbins, OT Doug Free, S Jakar Hamilton, G Ronald Leary, QB Tony Romo JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS, 1:00 PM (ET) Jacksonville - WR Justin Blackmon, DE Andre Branch, WR Mike Brown, RB Storm Johnson, OG Tyler Shatley, LB Dekoda Watson, OT Sam Young Cincinnati - RB Giovani Bernard, LB Vontaze Burfict, DE Will Clarke, CB Darqueze Dennard, LB Rey Maualuga, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, G Kevin Zeitler NEW YORK JETS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 1:00 PM (ET) NY Jets - DT T.J. Barnes, G Dakota Dozier, DE IK Enemkpali, OL Wesley Johnson, WR Walter Powell, QB Geno Smith, CB Darrin Walls Kansas City - WR Donnie Avery, OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, CB Jamell Fleming, OL Eric Kush, LB/DE Josh Martin, QB Aaron Murray, CB Chris Owens TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS, 1:00 PM (ET) Tampa Bay - OT Anthony Collins, CB Brandon Dixon, G Kadeem Edwards, LB Brandon Magee, RB Doug Martin, RB Charles Sims Cleveland - TE Jordan Cameron, CB Pierre Desir, DB Robert Nelson, OT Vinston Painter, WR Rodney Smith, DL Phil Taylor, RB Glenn Winston SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS, 1:00 PM (ET) San Diego - S Jahleel Addae, LB Jeremiah Attaochu, DT Ryan Carrethers, CB Richard Crawford, RB Ryan Mathews, LB Manti Teo, CB Jason Verrett Miami - G Daryn Colledge, OT Jason Fox, DT Anthony Johnson, LB Chris McCain, CB Lowell Rose, TE Dion Sims, OT Billy Turner PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT HOUSTON TEXANS, 1:00 PM (ET) Philadelphia - FS Nate Allen, QB Matt Barkley, DE Taylor Hart, OT Dennis Kelly, WR Brad Smith, DE Marcus Smith II, C Julian Vandervelde Houston - OT Jeff Adams, LB Jadeveon Clowney, LB Brian Cushing, DB Darryl Morris, WR DeVier Posey, QB Tom Savage, LB Jeff Tarpinian ST.
[b]Custom Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys[/b]. . LOUIS RAMS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, 4:05 PM (ET) St. Louis - S Maurice Alexander, TE Alex Bayer, S Cody Davis, CB Janoris Jenkins, LB Korey Toomer, G Brandon Washington, DE Ethan Westbrooks San Francisco - CB Tramaine Brock, DT Tank Carradine, TE/DT Demarcus Dobbs, G/C Dillon Farrell, QB Josh Johnson, WR Quinton Patton, LB Patrick Willis DENVER BRONCOS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, 4:25 PM (ET) Denver - RB Montee Ball, RB Kapri Bibbs, S Quinton Carter, G Ben Garland, TE Virgil Green, LB Steven Johnson, OT Michael Schofield New England - CB Alfonzo Dennard, OT Jordan Devey, WR Aaron Dobson, OT Cameron Fleming, DE Chandler Jones, DL Zach Moore, RB James White OAKLAND RAIDERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, 4:25 PM (ET) Oakland - TE David Ausberry, OL Tony Bergstrom, WR Vincent Brown, CB Chimdi Chekwa, CB Keith McGill, QB Matt McGloin, CB Carlos Rogers Seattle - DT Jordan Hill, SS Jeron Johnson, CB Byron Maxwell, TE Zach Miller, OT Russell Okung, LB Malcolm Smith, LB Bobby Wagner BALTIMORE RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 8:30 PM (ET) Baltimore - Pittsburgh -
Cheap Throwback Baseball Detroit Tigers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Colorado Rockies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Houston Astros Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Kansas City Royals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Angels Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Miami Marlins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Minnesota Twins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Mets Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Yankees Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Oakland Athletics Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Diego Padres Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Francisco Giants Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Seattle Mariners Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball St. Louis Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Texas Rangers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Washington Nationals Jerseys ' ' '
Find in Directory
Find in Events
Find in Marketplace