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Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:49 pm
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Even before he received the call, Ali Bagautinov had a feeling he would be challenging Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight championship. Fake Hornets Jerseys . Since debuting in the UFC last year, the Dagestan native has made waves in the 125-pound division. After finishing Marcos Vinicius with punches in front of a hostile Brazilian crowd in September, Bagautinov earned consecutive decision victories over Tim Elliott and John Lineker. Immediately following his win over Lineker at UFC 169 four months ago, Bagautinov checked the UFCs official rankings and discovered hed broken into the top five. Since each fighter ranked above him had suffered recent losses to Johnson, Bagautinov knew he was next in line. "I dont know, but for some reason I had this feeling I would be given a chance at a title shot," Bagautinov told UFC.ca through a translator. "I watch all the fights in my (weight class). So I try to keep abreast of everything thats going on." Bagautinov gets his opportunity to dethrone Johnson in the headliner of UFC 174 in Vancouver, B.C. June 14. The co-main event features a pivotal welterweight bout between Rory MacDonald and Tyron Woodley. Also, former heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski returns against Brendan Schaub. Not only would a win over Johnson be the culmination of all his hard work in both mixed martial arts and Combat Sambo, it would earn Bagautinov the distinction of being the first Russian titleholder in UFC history. The heavy-handed striker also recently became a father, welcoming his first-born son. It goes without saying that a victory would allow him to further support his family. Bagautinov admitted a lot is riding on his fight with Johnson. "First of all, its very important to me that I will go into the history books as the first UFC champion from Russia," Bagautinov said. "It is very important to me, and without a doubt, it will help me provide better for my family. "I think that you will see more and more fighters from Russia (in the UFC). We have a lot of very successful and very promising fighters. I believe that they might be champions and titleholders in different categories, in the future." Though Bagautinov is on the cusp of making a better life for himself and his loved ones, his road to a title shot has been bumpy. A recent report from MMABoxing.ru claimed the fighter failed a 2012 drug test and was retroactively suspended for two years by the International Sambo Federation. According to the article, Bagautinov was flagged for methylhexanemine, a dietary supplement and stimulant commonly found in nasal sprays that is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Bagautinov has since called the report bogus, stating that had he been suspended, he wouldnt have been allowed to compete in Sambo bouts in Russia. He also said the incident hasnt interfere with his training camp. "I never even thought about it," Bagautinov said bluntly. "It did not affect my training. I would say that I did experience some indignation as to why this nonsense suddenly came up. But it didnt damage me or hurt me in any way because I am focused on my training and my preparations." With the drug accusation behind him at least for now, Bagautinov has to get the job done against Johnson, who has proven to be a difficult puzzle to solve. Since capturing the inaugural flyweight championship in 2012, Mighty Mouse has been as impressive as any champion on the UFC roster. Johnsons toughness was on display in his first title defence in early 2013, as he rallied to win a unanimous decision over John Dodson. He then put on a dominant display against John Moraga last July before sealing the deal with a fifth-round armbar submission. In December, he became the first fighter to finish Joseph Benavidez by uncorking a vicious right hook for the stunning knockout win. Though Johnsons speed, footwork and timing have given other contenders fits, Bagautinov said hes figured out the flyweight champions style. "In my understanding, his style is to actually crock up his opponent and then to win during the fourth or fifth round," Bagautinov said. "I think hes trying to play it safe by not risking too much. Hes running around the cage and looking for the ninth corner. The cage has eight corners, so its as if hes looking for the ninth corner, then (he tries to deliver) the decisive strike, with a decisive result." Though Johnsons speed and slick striking are often considered among his best tools, Bagautinov feels his power and grappling will get the job done. "As Ive said before, God willing, if I get the title it will be the result of everything that I have been doing for all these years," Bagautinov said. "You can expect a beautiful and good quality fight." Custom Charlotte Hornets Jerseys .com) - Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending May 11. Vlade Divac Jersey . The club announced on Wednesday that Malhotra signed a 25-game professional tryout contract. The 33-year-old suffered a serious eye injury when struck by a puck during a game versus Colorado in March of 2011. https://www.cheaphornets.com/845l-cody-zeller-jersey-hornets.html . -- The Washington Redskins coaching staff distanced itself from other coaches Thursday by siding with ownership -- and not the players -- in the NFLs labour dispute.LONDON - The Dallas Cowboys are a better team with Tony Romo on the field. They just dont know if hell be on the field Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.The Cowboys (6-3) have lost two straight after going on a six-game winning streak. Romo hurt his back for the third time in the last 18 months two weeks ago, and then watched as backup Brandon Weeden struggled to get the offence going in another loss last Sunday.Romo practiced Thursday for the first time since arriving in London, and said his back was sore but getting better.You got to kind of test it out and see what you can do. You got to push it, Romo said, sounding hopeful of playing against the Jaguars (1-8) on Sunday. At the same time, you got to understand your body and be smart with it.Romo is 69-47 in the regular season as Dallas starting quarterback. Weeden is 0-1.Dallas coach Jason Garrett said the team has been preparing as usual, even though the Cowboys dont quite know who will be taking the snaps at Wembley Stadium in the last of three regular-season NFL games in London this year.On the opposite side, Jacksonville is doing the same thing.Each week, we have to prepare for both quarterbacks, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. In our mindset, we anticipate seeing Tony, but well be ready for both.Some other things to consider for Cowboys-Jaguars:WHO WILL DECIDE: Romo needed to do some improving to show he is healthy enough to make the start. Thats something that the Cowboys medical team needs to decide before Garrett — or Romo, for that matter, — gets his say.Romos attitude is definitely leaning toward wanting to play.If you love the game, youll always try to get on the field, Romo said. Any time you miss a game, its just hard.JAGUARS IMPROVED D: Whether its Romo or Weeden, the Dallas coaches are preparing to go up against a solid Jaguars defennsive line. Malik Monk Jersey. Independent of what the quarterbacks health is, the Jacksonville pass rush is really good, Garrett said. They just do a good job of getting up the field and affecting the passing game.BORTLES LEARNING CURVE: The Jaguars have their own quarterback injury concern with rookie Blake Bortles nursing a sore left wrist. But Bortles, who leads the league with 13 interceptions, said his wrist was OK, its his game that needs to improve.Continue to learn from mistakes, Bortles said. There are a lot of things that can be beneficial, good or bad as long as you take from them the right way.RECORDS ABROAD: The Cowboys have played overseas nine times in their history, including twice in London. But this is the first time theyll be playing a regular-season game outside the United States.In their two previous visits to Britain for preseason American Bowl games, Dallas lost to the Detroit Lions 17-6 in 1993, and tied 13-13 with the Chicago Bears in 1986.Now comes the real thing, and at a time when they could really use a win to stay on track for the playoffs.The first nine games of the season weve done some really positive things. There are some things weve got to get better at, Garrett said. Youre always trying to build on the good stuff and clean up the bad stuff.Jacksonville is hosting a London game for the second year in a row and will do so over the next two seasons. That Jaguars lost to San Francisco 42-10 in 2013.UP AHEAD: The Cowboys get the obligatory bye after a London game, then finish with four NFC East games in their final six. One of those is a night game — at the Giants on Nov. 23. Then comes the annual Thanksgiving match they host, which will be against their top competition in the division, the Eagles.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' ' |
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