Stanson Town » raise, right? That could present challenges, a

VANCOUVER - UFC president Dana White credits the rise of the companys flyweight division to a champion nicknamed after a cartoon character. "Every time he fights he gets better and better," White said of Demetrious Johnson this week. "You talk about legacies - his legacy is going to be as the guy who built this division." Known in the cage as "Mighty Mouse," Johnson will look to continue that work on Saturday night at UFC 174 when he defends his title against Ali (Puncher) Bagautinov in the octagon at Rogers Arena - the first time a 125-pound division bout will anchor a pay-per view card. "Its awesome," said the five-foot-three Johnson. "The UFC has given us a shot to headline a big pay-per view so Im pretty pumped to be the man to front that bill. Hopefully we can put on an exciting show on Saturday." Johnson (19-2-1 all-time) won the UFCs inaugural flyweight title back in 2012 and has defended it three times since, including a knockout of Joseph Benavidez in December. The 27-year-old who fights out of Parkland, Wash., said the pressure of a pay-per view spectacle doesnt add any pressure to put on a show. "My jobs to go out there and fight," said Johnson, who has a record of 7-1-1 in UFC. "If you look at all the flyweight fights, there hasnt been one boring one. Obviously theres boring fights in every single division. "But I havent sat there and watched a fight and thought, Man that was pretty boring." Johnson said the five-foot-four Bagautinov (13-2, 3-0) will pose a unique challenge because the 29-year-old Russian specializes in Sambo fighting, a form of mixed martial arts that he has never faced. "In order to keep my belt Ive just got to go out there and be myself and just fight," said Johnson, a heavy favourite in the eyes of bookmakers against the fourth-ranked challenger. "Regardless of whatever happens with this fight, whether I win or lose, the same thing is going to happen (afterwards). Im going to go home, relax and get ready for my next fight, whether its be defending my belt or trying to get it back." Saturday nights co-main event has Canadas Rory (Ares) MacDonald taking on Tyron (The Chosen One) Woodley in a welterweight matchup between the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked challengers for Johny Hendricks belt. "Its the biggest fight ever for (MacDonald) and Woodley," said White. "Saturday night is the night that both these two have got to go out and make people want to see them fight for the title." The soft-spoken MacDonald — who was born in Quesnel B.C., but now fights out of Montreal and was mentored by Georges St-Pierre - said the Woodley fight is a chance to show he belongs at the top of the 170-pound division. "Its a big opportunity. Every fight you take is a big opportunity, but this on in particular," said the 24-year-old. "Im facing a very talented opponent and Im very excited to be matched up against someone like that and challenge my techniques against his." MacDonald (16-2, 7-2) lost to Robbie Lawler in a split decision at Novembers UFC 167, but rebounded to take a unanimous decision against Demian Maia at UFC 170 in February. "Losing can be a good thing in the long run for a mixed martial artist," said MacDonald. "You learn your weaknesses and turn them into strengths." A technically sound fighter who learned his craft at the famed Tristar Gym alongside St-Pierre in Montreal, MacDonald said he believes hes ready to take his game to the next level. "I want people to talk after my fights and be like Wow thats another Rory MacDonald I havent seen. Thats the best Rory MacDonald Ive seen so far. Thats my goal for this fight." White said MacDonald needs to start turning some of the talk and hype surrounding his talents into consistent performances. "Rory has these moments where he comes out and does nothing," said White. "The fight isnt exciting. He doesnt seem like hes got that killer instinct to finish a fight and get to that next level to be everything that GSP said about him." The 32-year-old Woodley (13-2, 3-1), a former All-American wrestler, scored a technical knockout of Carlos Condit at UFC 171 in March and expects MacDonald to be the most well-rounded fighter he has faced. "Rory is a guy who started doing mixed martial arts all together," said the St. Louis native. "I think thats the biggest challenge. He spent quite a bit of his youth as a teenager training (in) mixed martial arts. Hes had a great camp to train out of, hes had a champion to train under. I think those are the threats, but in actuality Ive had other fights and other fighters whove been a little bit more threatening than Rory. "If you cant really threaten me to freakin knock my head off like certain other guys Ive fought, I just dont get that anxiety." Like MacDonald, Woodley added that he also sees Saturdays bout as a stepping stone to an eventual shot at the UFC welterweight title. "I plan on every fight from now on being me fighting for the title or defending the title," he said. "Im just mentally getting prepared for that. I know that I have to beat guys like him consistently." Its expected that Saturdays crowd at Rogers Arena should be on the side of the B.C.-born MacDonald, but his American opponent, perhaps naively, disagreed. "I really just dont think Rory MacDonald has this huge following in Vancouver like people think," said Woodley. "Hes not Georges St-Pierre. This is not Montreal. "Vancouver fans like MMA and they might like me, they might like him, but I think they respect what I bring to the table and they respect that I respect him, and I think thats enough." White called that view a little far-fetched. "I think hes super delusional if he thinks thats the case," White said with a smile. "Were in Canada, man. Let me tell you what — Canadas going to be cheering for the Canadian." Saturdays card also includes: light heavyweight Ryan (Darth) Bader against Rafael (Feijao) Cavalcante; heavyweight Andrei (The Pit Bull) Arlovski against Brendan (The Hybrid) Schaub; light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux against Ryan (The Big Deal) Jimmo of Saint John, N.B.; welterweight Daniel Sarafian against Kiichi (Strasser) Kunimoto; womens bantamweight Valerie (Trouble) Letourneau of Montreal against Elizabeth Phillips; bantamweight Yves (Tiger) Jabouin against Mike (The Hulk) Easton; lightweight (Ragin) Kajan Johnson of Burns Lake, B.C., against Tae Hyun (Supernatural) Bang; bantamweight Roland Delorme of Winnipeg against Michinori Tanaka; and lightweight Jason Saggo of Toronto against Josh Shockley. Air Max 270 Moins Cher . -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. Site Air Max Pas Cher Fiable . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum. http://www.airmaxpaschersite.fr/ .A caravan greeted the former Boston Red Sox pitcher at the airport and took him to a public park in Santo Domingo, where a crowd lined a 19-mile stretch of highway to catch a glimpse of him.Once at the park, Martinez went on stage accompanied by players David Ortiz and Robinson Cano as merengue music played and fireworks lit up the sky. Air Max Pas Cher France . The 25-year-old Brazilian player has only made four Premier League appearances for United this season and underwent a medical test in Italy on Friday. Air Max Tn Plus Livraison Gratuite . The International Ice Hockey Federation says Pavlovs avoided a two-year sanction because he acted "without significant negligence in failing to verify the safety of the supplements he was taking.(Sports Network) - Russell Wilson is a man of faith, family and friends. Its hard to believe the Seattle Seahawks quarterback used to be a bully. I used to beat people up. Truthfully, I used to beat people up a lot, Wilson told The Players Tribune months ago. Many of you readers probably think I have been Mr. Goody Two-Shoes my whole life, but honestly, I was a bully growing up. In elementary and middle school, I threw kids against the wall. I rubbed their heads in the dirt at recess. I bit them. I even knocked teeth out. Wilson had a lot of anger as an adolescent and was unsure how to distribute his temper for good. It wasnt until Wilson was 14 years old when he started to utilize his faith for others instead of himself. Wilson will admit hes not perfect, and the only person he can change is the one in the mirror. The reflection was different then, but now it resembles a role mode and Super Bowl champion. In a league where domestic violence, drug use and all sorts of controversy runs rampant, Wilson is the voice of reason. He transformed himself from a complicated kid to a responsible young man, and children across the world can learn from his story. Seattles prodigal son dedicates his life to children every Tuesday, when he takes time from his busy life as a quarterback to put smiles on the faces of those going through a battle more strenuous than a meaningless football game. Wilson was asked what his message to sick children would be during the circus that is known Super Bowl Media Day. To all kids in all of Childrens Hospital ... obviously, I go to Childrens Hospital every Tuesday in Seattle and unfortunately I had to miss today. But to all of the kids out there, Im just praying for you guys and praying for miracles. Keep the faith and be strong against cancer, thats something Ive been really big into in Seattle. Im just rooting for everybody. Wilson can be sure the Emerald City and surrounding areas are pulling for him and the Seahawks Sunday against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. The 26-year-old Wilson still has the bully deep inside and it shows solely on the playing field. Watching Wilson in person, especially on the road, is quite a spectacle because of the angst and aggravation he puts on the home fans. He has defeated the odds as a quarterback at 5-foot-11 and proves that size doesnt really matter. Wilson is a dual threat with his legs and strong arm, and knows kids are looking up to him in admiration. He has some advice for young players striving to be great. I think the advice that I got from my dad is keep things in perspective, have a great purpose in life, have great perspective and always persevere, Wilson said. I think for me, thats kind of been my story so far in my life. I just keep believing in the people I have around me. I surround myself around great people that really encourage me every day. Wilson said education was important and helped him change his life in a positive matter. Sports is something that comes last for Wilson. That may seem irrelevant because hes a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl quarterback, but being a better person than a signal caller opens the pearly gates wider at the end. What is Wilsons perspective on his legacy both on and off the field? In terms of my legacy on the field, I want to be considered a winner. Thats ultimately the goal in terms of playing quarterback, is win, win, win. Thats all that really matters at the end of the day, Wilsson said.dddddddddddd In terms of my legacy off the field, I want to be a Christian man that helps lead and helps change lives and helps serve other people. Its not about me, you know? Its not about me and its about just helping other people. So thats kind of where I keep my focus. One of the brightest young stars in the NFL, Wilson uses his athletic gift to glorify his faith in God. He knows people look up to athletes and that its imperative to be a good role model. Wilson admits hes not perfect and is just trying to do the right thing. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll embeds a team-first mentality on his players and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances is proof the players are listening. Wilson is the biggest ambassador for Carrolls ideology with his competitive nature and despite to make those around him better people. When Wilson looks across the field Sunday in Arizona, he will see a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Tom Brady. Wilson grew up watching Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and his personal favorite, Drew Brees. Wilson beat Manning in last years Super Bowl and has a chance to knock off two QBs who will have busts in Canton, Ohio. Im not sure if its about just playing against those guys, but winning back- to-back Super Bowls is history in itself, Wilson said. But also to play Peyton Manning and to play a guy like Tom Brady ... like I said, two of the best to ever play the game ... I think its special just because youll never forget it. You want to play the best. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and its going to be exciting for us. Wilson is only in his third season in the NFL and will be the youngest quarterback in league history to start two Super Bowls. Wilson is 42-13 as a starter, including a 6-1 mark in the playoffs. He won his only start against New England on Oct. 14, 2012 in a 24-23 victory and tossed the go-ahead touchdown pass to Sidney Rice with 1:18 to go. He had three TD passes and no interceptions, while Brady passed for 395 yards with two scores and two picks. Sundays QB matchup will feature two different styles, as Brady is a more standard pocket passer and Wilson uses his mobility. Russell and Tom Brady are both great winners, Carroll said. Tom has had a long time to prove that. Russell is at the early stages of proving that to the world. But hes got a chance to be similar. If Wilson wins on Sunday hell have one less ring than Brady. And that deserves a lofty pay raise, right? That could present challenges, according to Seattle general manager John Schneider via 710 ESPN. Wilson will be eligible for a new deal in the offseason which could fetch up to $20 million a season and prevent the team from bolstering the roster further. Quarterback is the most important position in all of sports and salaries should resemble such. Wilson isnt concerned about finances and will cash in down the road. The focus is on winning a second Super Bowl. Its about the New England Patriots and bringing another championship to the Pacific Northwest for Wilson. Teammates, family and fans of all ages will be in his corner Sunday in Super Bowl XLIX and he doesnt want to let them down. I think the biggest goal is for us to win because of all the hard work weve put in this year. The journey that weve been on has been unbelievable. Weve had a great journey and weve come a long way, so to get back back-to-back years is pretty special. So hopefully we get this win. ' ' '