Mostly Lines One Push

I love no push lines. This quick part is mostly lines but only one push.

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Nick Diaz Is an Old-School Martial Artist

by Michael David SmithStrikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz cultivates an image of a street fighter, but in the video below from Fight Magazine he explains that he's actually been a student of traditional martial arts since he was a small child.

"I did aikido when I was four years old," Diaz says. "My first experience of doing martial arts was weird, real traditional, strange smell with incense burning. We did a lot of bowing, it was a lot of path of least resistance and go with the flow. ... Really good stuff for when you're at a young age."

 

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Billabong & Surfers For Cetaceans

Hats off to Billabong who have teamed up with team rider Dave Rastovich to produce a line of clothing for Surfers for Cetaceans, called the "Rasta Collection". The clothing line is all made from recycled materials. Billabong even ran an advert for the collection on their highly trafficked event site for the recent Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay! Way to go Billabong!

For more info on this series and to purchase online, visit the Billabong Europe store or to purchase and watch a video visit the Billabong US store



Read more about the dolphin slaughters in Japan that organisations like Surfers for Cetaceans and the Visual Petition are fighting to put an end to.

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Craig Conroy Recalls Icy Welcome in Calgary as 1,000th Game Looms

Filed under: Flames

CALGARY, Alta. -- When Craig Conroy was acquired the first time by the Calgary Flames, the fellow who would become his best friend and favourite linemate wasn't quite sure what to make of him.

"Off the start, (Conroy) says I was a little bit grumpy, but we'd just had a coaching change ... we'd just lost our leading scorer (Cory Stillman),'' said Jarome Iginla. "But it was a good move. He's not only one of my best friends, but he's one of the best passers I've ever played with. I had my best years with him.''

When, as expected, Conroy suits up Thursday night for the visiting Colorado Avalanche, it will be the centreman's 1,000th NHL game. It's been 20 years since he was drafted and 16 seasons since he first pulled on a Montreal Canadiens' sweater and a lot of proverbial water under the bridge for the personable New Yorker.

That first game is etched in his mind.

 

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A cold but rewarding start to the day... Saturday 17 July 2010

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Glenn Michelfelder Place Part

Glenn Michelfelder puts down an impressive part out of Germany.

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Legendary NASCAR Executive Jim Hunter Dies

Filed under: NASCAR

NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter died Friday night in Daytona Beach after a year-long battle with cancer.

Almost always seen wearing a NASCAR #48 ball cap -- referencing the sport's 1948 beginnings -- Hunter was a legendary figure in the sport, having worked as a racing journalist, public relations specialist, president of Darlington Raceway and ultimately as a top executive with the sanctioning body during a 40-year career with NASCAR.

(He's pictured at Darlington Raceway in 2008 with the Charlotte Observer's Jim Utter, at left, and Sirius NASCAR Radio's Claire B. Lang, right).

"Jim Hunter was one of NASCAR's giants,'' NASCAR Chairman Brian France said. "For more than 40 years Jim was part of NASCAR and its history. He loved the sport but loved the people even more.

"It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. Jim will forever be missed by the NASCAR community.''

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Vote for United's Goal of the Year

Vote for D.C. United's Goal of the Yearcustomer surveys


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Depression + Yoga = Relief

Cross Posted From Care2 In today?s culture of pharmaceutical relief, antidepressants are the standard for easing�depression and for many they can be a lifesaver. A lifestyle change can also work wonders and this should include the practice of yoga. Many … Continue reading →

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Which cage wins? Octagon specifics for the UFC-WEC merger

Much is being made on mixed martial arts blogs and forums about the move to a 30-foot cage from the 25-footer for fighters in the World Extreme Cagefighting who are moving to the Ultimate Fighting Championship as part of the merger that UFC president Dana White announced Thursday.

But, as it turns out, they aren't going to abandon the so-called "small cage" entirely. And nor are established UFC veterans.

That's because the UFC has been using the 25-foot cage for all of its Ultimate Fight Night and Ultimate Fighter events, White confirmed on Friday.

Venues that have hosted numerous UFC Fight Night cards, such as the Palms and the Hard Rock in Las Vegas, were smaller than a typical arena and so the UFC used the 25-foot cage as a way of making it fit easier into the available space.

The numbered UFC events will continue to use the larger cage, but the UFN and TUF cards will use the 25-footer. That should make the ex-WEC fighters feel a little more at home.

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Which cage wins? Octagon specifics for the UFC-WEC merger

Much is being made on mixed martial arts blogs and forums about the move to a 30-foot cage from the 25-footer for fighters in the World Extreme Cagefighting who are moving to the Ultimate Fighting Championship as part of the merger that UFC president Dana White announced Thursday.

But, as it turns out, they aren't going to abandon the so-called "small cage" entirely. And nor are established UFC veterans.

That's because the UFC has been using the 25-foot cage for all of its Ultimate Fight Night and Ultimate Fighter events, White confirmed on Friday.

Venues that have hosted numerous UFC Fight Night cards, such as the Palms and the Hard Rock in Las Vegas, were smaller than a typical arena and so the UFC used the 25-foot cage as a way of making it fit easier into the available space.

The numbered UFC events will continue to use the larger cage, but the UFN and TUF cards will use the 25-footer. That should make the ex-WEC fighters feel a little more at home.

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The New and Exciting

One thing I’ve come to see in my short time in the skydiving world is that skydivers are the ultimate live-in-the-moment creatures. This is something that I love, mostly because it’s taught me how to live in the moment more in the other aspects of my life…which, I think, makes life more enjoyable. But of [...]

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Bellator: Frausto ends Fujii's winning streak to win women's belt

Zoila Frausto won the first women's Bellator belt by ending Megumi Fujii's 22-win streak with a split decision, 48-47, 49-46, 47-48. Frausto's win ended the longest winning streak in MMA.

Fujii dominated the first round, even knocking Frausto down early. But the last 20 seconds, Frausto wobbled her with a head kick, followed by huge strikes. Fujii survived and moved ahead slightly in the second, but never really found a rhythm.

Frausto showed off her striking skills in the third round, pushing the pace and landing several big strikes. Fujii looked in trouble more than once, and sustained a large mouse underneath her eye. Though she is a submission specialist, Fujii did not make many attempts to get a takedown. She finally tried for a clinch in the fourth round, but was unable to use her judo skills to throw Frausto. Fujii finally got a takedown in the final minute of the fight, but didn't have enough time or energy to do anything with it. 

Fujii's loss is surprising, and her fight strategy was puzzling. Of her 22 wins, 18 have ended by submission, but she did not make many attempts to get Frausto to the ground. She absorbed many of Frausto's power shots along the way. 

Frausto's win is her fifth in a row. She's had a busy 2010. In addition to winning the Bellator belt with wins over Fujii, Jessica Aguilar, Jessica Pene and Rosi Sexton, she also has wins over Michelle Ould and Jessica Rakoczy this year. She also lost to Strikeforce's Miesha Tate in March. 

In an earlier bout, Mike Bernhard won a close decision over Dragan Tesanovic, with the judges seeing it 30-27, 29-28, 29-28. The close decision was marred by accidental eye pokes and kicks to the crotch, but Bernhard's wrestling ended up being the difference.

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David Ferreira: FC Dallas' Quiet Storm

Filed under: MLS, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake

When speaking with David Ferreira on the phone, it's almost hard to believe that the voice on the other end of the line belongs to the ferocious FC Dallas midfielder who's been shredding opposing defenses all season. He's too quiet. Too polite. Too gracious.

The way he plays on the field, you'd expect him to be gruffer. More assertive. Maybe even combative.

But the fact that Ferreira seems to be a walking contradiction is his greatest asset. It's exactly what makes him so unique in Major League Soccer. He's the perfect blend of grace and tenacity. Strength and skill. Power and dexterity. He can delicately place a long pass on a forward's foot in one moment, then slide into an unflinching tackle the next.

He's got it all, and this year, people finally have started noticing.

 

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Navy Steers Clear of Rough Waters

Filed under: Navy

An undefeated season. The BCS. The rankings. The Heisman.

From the moment Navy demolished Missouri, 35-13, in the Texas Bowl last season, the expectations for a monumental and possibly historic 2010 started to surface.

Every national outlet was doing a story on quarterback Ricky Dobbs, who was not only a Heisman hopeful, but also a 2040 Presidential candidate.

There was speculation that Navy could be the first military academy to go undefeated and play in a BCS bowl.

Navy football was getting as much preseason attention as powerhouses such as Ohio State, Oklahoma and Alabama, and in turn, the Midshipmen wanted to live up to the hype.

"It was pressure that we kind of put on ourselves a little bit," junior fullback Alexander Teich said before Navy faced Duke on Saturday. "I don't know if we weren't ready to handle it. I think we might have gotten caught up in the hype of it and things like that."

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Ride Snowboards

www.ridesnowboards.com

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Snorkeling in Maui: Where to Go, What to See

Maui snorkeling offers some of the best underwater adventures across the globe, which is why many flock to this Hawaiian island to see the sights that lurk in the depths of the ocean. There are many different opportunities for snorkeling on Maui today, and each excursion offers its own version of marine life viewing. If [...]

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The Dark Side of The Lens

We highly recommend you check out a really beautiful and inspiring video by Astray Films and COTW featured surf photographer Mickey Smith titled "The Dark Side of The Lens". This is the first in a new series called "Short Stories" by Relentless Energy. Click on the video screenshot below to watch…



- Mickey's website
- Mickey's blog

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Allen Iverson Officially Agrees to Play in Turkey

Filed under: 76ers, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions, ULEB

Allen Iverson has officially agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract with Besiktas, a professional team in Turkey. Rumors of negotiations have existed for weeks, but Iverson's management confirmed a deal was in place with a release Thursday.

Iverson and Besiktas officials will hold a news conference Friday in New York.

"He's ecstatic," Iverson's manager, Gary Moore, told the Associated Press by phone. "He's very excited, very happy the people in Turkey want him, the people in Turkey appreciate what he brings to the game, and he can't wait to get over there."

Iverson, 35, heads overseas after spending 14 season in the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick in 1996 was a four-time scoring champ, winning the MVP award in 2001 and climbing to 17th on the league's all-time scoring list.

However, after bouncing between four teams in the last two years, he seems to have worn out his NBA welcome, failing to draw a single contract offer or even a training camp invitation this fall.

 

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Edgar Renteria One of Keys to Giants' World Series Game 2 Win

Filed under: Giants, Rangers, MLB Playoffs, MLB Video, World Series

The Giants are two wins from a World Series title thanks to another postseason gem by Matt Cain and some more unexpected contributions from the bats. FanHouse TV's Dan Graziano, Jeff Fletcher and Ed Price break down those keys, plus what went wrong again for the Rangers. Click to watch:

 

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Matt Cain Steps Out of Shadows, Into Playoff Lore With Perfect October

Filed under: Giants, Rangers, MLB Playoffs, World Series

SAN FRANCISCO -- Matt Cain doesn't have the hair, the hardware or the heat of Tim Lincecum, so he is still just a supporting character when most baseball fans from around the country consider the Giants pitching staff.

That may be changing this month.

While Lincecum has been spectacularly good and a little bit frazzled, all in one postseason, Cain has simply strung together one zero after another.

CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt ... all came into this October in the spotlight as pitchers to watch.

None of them has been as good as Matt Cain, whose postseason ERA is a tidy 0.00.

 

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How I Stopped Caring About TV Ratings and Learned to Love Rangers-Giants

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Giants, Rangers, MLB Biz, MLB Playoffs, World Series, Sports Business and Media

I've lived on the East Coast of the United States for my entire life. I was born in Connecticut, grew up in Maine, went to college in Maryland and still live there to this day.

So it's with that background that I'd like to say this to denizens of the Northeast corridor grousing about how no one is going to watch a Texas Rangers-San Francisco Giants World Series.

Shut up.

Just stop. You sound like a bunch of navel-gazing sore losers, and, worse yet, you're probably going to be proven wrong.

The same goes for you, Joe Football Fan. Yes, that Saints-Steelers matchup on Sunday night will probably double the ratings of Game 4 of the World Series. What's your point? It's not a fair comparison for a number of reasons, but even if it was, I'm sure Bud Selig would be willing to admit (privately, of course) that the national pastime has been eclipsed by the National Football League in terms of popularity. You're trying to prove something that's already been accepted by ... everyone. What's next -- distributing photos of the sky to prove it's blue?

If there's a more aggravating sub-text heading into this year's Fall Classic than how many people will watch it, I can't find one, so let's dispel some myths and take a logical sledgehammer to all this talk about ratings.

 

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Join us Saturday for the Yahoo! Sports Live preview show

What do Urijah Faber and M.C. Hammer have in common, besides both being awesome natives of the Golden State? They both will be guests on the Yahoo! Sports live preview show of UFC 121, airing this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Hosted by Dave Farra, the show will have appearances from Faber, Hammer, Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole, Dave Meltzer and Dave Doyle, UFC middleweight contender Vitor Belfort, WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson, Tapout's Skyskrape and WEC general manager Reed Harris.

Be there, or Hammer won't believe you're "2 Legit 2 Quit." Who wants to live your life that way? 

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Evo Walks the Line this Friday, October 22: A Benefit for POW

Seattle, WA (October 20, 2010) – This Friday, October 20, Evo in Seattle is holding a snow-themed fashion show to benefit Protect Our Winters. Entitled “Walk the Line”, the event is themed around the styling of the original punk rocker Johnny Cash, but is intended to show off the new trend to involve a bit of fashion in the world of highly functional outerwear—basically the idea that something can be technical without adhering to the tight-fitting and earth-toned backcountry suit stereotype.

With appearances by Gretchen Bleiler and Kelly Clark and emcee’d by Rob Kingwill, it is largely an industry-focused event, but according the official press release, “This event is for everyone, even if you can’t be here for the evening we encourage you to participate. There will be a live Twitter feed during the show featuring commentary and imagery! You are encouraged to Tweet alongside the broadcast and let us know if you like what you’re seeing while your feedback going to be shared with the world…

“Proceeds from the evening will go to Protect Our Winters (POW).  Donations will be accepted at the door as well there will be a silent auction featuring Ski Destination packages from Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, Mt Bachelor and Whistler Blackcomb. Each include lift tickets, outerwear kits and select items from participating sponsors. There will be drinks, light appetizers, desserts, beats by DJ Sean Cee and parking/shuttle provided by Seattle MINI.”

So take your physical or virtual self down to Evo this Friday and get your fashion on for a good cause.

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Wayne Rooney U-Turn Results in Five-Year Manchester United Deal

Filed under: European Soccer, English Premier League

So it really was about the money.

The Wayne Rooney saga that had gripped the soccer world this week came to a surprising conclusion on Friday when the-24-year old forward signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United that reportedly will pay the underperforming, injured, complaining, prostitute-procuring striker up to £180,000 ($283,600) per week.

When presented with the offer, Rooney obviously was able to overcome any doubts about his relationship with manager Alex Ferguson or his crippling concern that United wasn't capable of pursuing additional high-priced talent.

 

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Hughes says Tito might be finished

Matt Hughes knows how Tito Ortiz feels. At 37 years old, the former welterweight champ has made enough money to walk away from the sport just like Tito. And the body certainly can't feel like it did when they were 25. The difference is Hughes, free of major surgeries, is still competitive while Ortiz, 35, is having trouble getting a win. Hughes commented on Tito's latest loss at UFC 121:

"I consider myself an old guy and when some of the older fighters fight, I find myself interested. Tito was on the card, against (Matt) Hamill and I didn’t think there was any way for Tito to win," said Hughes on Matt-Hughes.com.

Keep in mind, Hughes and Ortiz have never really been chummy.

"Tito’s got that clothing line out, Team Punishment, and when I see people wearing the shirts, I always tease them that it should be "Team Punished;" but I would even go out on a limb and say that’s the last time we see Tito in the UFC," said Hughes.

The UFC cut veteran Patrick Cote today. Is Tito next?

There's a few factors to consider. He could fight for another promotion and help raise their profile. But at $250,000 a fight is it worth it to keep Ortiz around so he can't fight elsewhere? He's still one of the bigger names to casual fans and does a nice job promotionally. With what looks a new network television deal on the way for the UFC and new audiences on the horizon in India and China, the promotion certainly has the resources to reward Ortiz for being one of the guys who carried the whole deal in the early 2000's.

On a side note, Hughes deserves the same sort of treatment. He'd be great spokesperson before events. He made a good point in his UFC 121 commentary about the UFC broadcast team needing some balance. Hughes called out analyst Joe Rogan for going overboard on how dominant Jake Shields' grappling was versus Martin Kampmann.

What if Hughes was the third man in the booth from time-to-time and actually took over the postfight role of Rogan in the cage? HBO thrives with a three-man, it might be time for the UFC to consider doing the same.

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The take off

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Malto and Friends in Montreal

Sean Malto and a few friends took in the sights and spots of Montreal and came back with this article for Etnies full of photos, video, and words. Etnies is giving away a copy of Tony Hawk Shred and a pair of Malto's pro shoe on their Facebook page.

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Entrepreneurs and Pirates: NBA Agents Lament State of Industry

by Sam Amick

Filed under: Kings, Sports Business and Media

In the New Jersey office of longtime NBA agent Keith Glass, there is a sign that says everything about the dog-eat-dog world in which he works.

Keith Glass

"It's from Mark Twain, and it (reads), 'I'll always do right, which will surprise some people and astonish the rest,' " Glass said, "It's as simple as that."

If only he were right.

The agent business has never been a simple one, and some of the league's longest-tenured professionals say it has become increasingly more complicated in recent years.

And even dirtier than usual.

Agents are stealing clients in the boldest of ways, looking for a weakness in the business relationship between a player and his representative and using any means necessary to exploit it. Some players and their family members or friends aren't any better, pressuring agents to bend -- no, make that break -- the rules and take their operation under the table if they hope to be the chosen representative. The only law enforcement in this Wild West city is the players' union, which certainly has regulations in place but has had neither the time nor the resources to enforce them.

 

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Delonte West, Von Wafer Reportedly Exchange Punches After Practice

Filed under: Celtics

The Celtics took a bit of a risk when they decided to bring Delonte West back to the team for a second tour of duty this season. Besides the fact that West wouldn't even be able to play during the first 10 games of the season due to a league suspension for pleading guilty to multiple weapon charges in July, there was the possibility that West's emotional state could randomly force him to miss time, as it did with the Cavaliers last season.

West's emotions got the better of him at Celtics' practice on Friday when he reportedly got into a physical altercation with teammate Von Wafer in the locker room after practice. According to the report from Hoopsworld, the problems began during the practice session, with West getting so physical with Wafer in a three-on-three game that Wafer left midway through and headed to the locker room.

West approached Wafer from behind as Wafer sat at his locker and threw the first punch, with Wafer quickly responding by connecting two blows of his own before the two wrestled to the ground and had to be separated.

The reason for West's actions? According to Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski, West believed Wafer was responsible for an anonymous quote that said it was "obvious" when West hadn't taken his medicine.

Whatever the reason, this may have been the last straw for West in Boston. This isn't the first time he's gotten into it with teammates this season, and the team is said to be tired of his confrontational attitude.

The Hoopsworld report goes on to say that after this latest incident, the Celtics are considering releasing West, who is on a non-guaranteed contract with Boston for this season.

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MLS without Moreno

The MLS playoffs begin this week, and for the first time ever, Jaime Moreno will not be in the League when they do.  In light of the League?s first playoff matches without Moreno, we spoke with some key figures around MLS about Moreno?s abilities as a player and his impact on the league.

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Big East Report: Conference Balance Turns to Chaos

Filed under: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia, Big East

I wrote last week that the Big East is the nation's most balanced conference, the idea being that top to bottom there is quality competition with few tomato cans to kick around. Sure enough, last weekend delivered plenty of evidence as the offensively inept duo of Syracuse and South Florida found some offensive religion in taking down favored West Virginia and Cincinnati.

The thing with balance is it implies some kind of order or stability. What has happened now in the Big East is the opposite as nearly every school has gently gone up and down with the regularity of the tides. This is not only balance, but imbalance, and chaos. As disappointing as Connecticut has been, one can't help but wonder if it isn't the next seemingly dormant conference team to bring a Pittsburgh or Cincinnati kicking and screaming back to the pack.

All the while, the rest of college football laughs, or worse, questions the Big East's status as a BCS automatic qualifier.

Louisville

Following its 26-0 shutout over Connecticut, it may be time to pay attention to 4-3 Louisville. The whitewashing was its second of the season, and its first conference victory. "It was an outstanding team victory in all phases of the game," said first-year coach Charlie Strong. That is precisely what you want to hear from a coach following a victory, and about as high of praise as you'll ever see offered from most.

 

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UFC 121: Diego Sanchez Beats Paulo Thiago in a Great Fight

by Michael David Smith
In a great battle at UFC 121, Diego Sanchez and Paulo Thiago brawled for 15 minutes before Sanchez won a unanimous decision in the best performance of his career to date.

"My motto for this camp was, Just earn it," Sanchez said afterward. "I worked very hard for this."

It was a close, back and forth battle that two judges scored 29-28, as did I. One judge scored it 30-26, which is a tough score to justify.

 

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Irked by UFC 121 Mexican angle? Then don't watch this new promo

Are you bothered by the UFC running with the "first Mexican heavyweight champion" angle to push Cain Velasquez's title challenge against Brock Lesnar? You say yes? Are you going to boycott the show? If not, pipe down.

Things are finally heating up with this awesome video (NSFW) that finishes with a bold statement:

"You just [expletive] with the wrong Mexican!"

The Spanish promo prominently employs Lesnar's Hispanic heritage jab during Countdown to UFC 121:

"Listen, when I get done whooping your ass, I'm gonna do drink a Corona and eat a burrito just for your Hispanic heritage," said Lesnar (video -1:15 mark). "How about that?"

Kevin Iole and I have covered boxing for a long time and this kind of marketing is pervasive and frankly a must in the fight game. We discuss the "outrage" on the part of some bloggers and fans. Message boards are filled with debates over Velasquez's "Brown Pride" tattoo and the UFC's use of the young Latino star to market MMA to Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

MMAforReal points out that the Mexican fighter angle for UFC 121 coincides with Top Rank Promotion's effort to sell the Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao fight on Nov. 13. Both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotion have no issue setting up nationalistic storylines. 

Tip via Twitter.com/SI_JoshGross

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Magic vs. Wizards: Orlando Enjoys Easy Warmup Before Heat

Filed under: Magic, Wizards

ORLANDO, Fla. -- This regular-season opener looked like nothing but an extension of a cushy exhibition schedule, which the Orlando Magic breezed through by winning all seven games by an average of 26 points.

The real first game -- and the one they've been targeting since the summer -- will come Friday night in Miami when they expect to show what they really think about the endless hype surrounding the Heat.

Remember Quentin Richardson's comment from earlier this month: "F**k the Heat.''

The Magic squished the Wizards Thursday like they were stepping on some Florida cockroaches, rolling to a 112-83 victory that never was seriously contested.

Washington rookie John Wall -- the No. 1 pick of the draft with a world of potential -- had some shining moments, but they were dulled badly by an embarrassing performance by his team. The Wiz were never competitive, looking like a very young team with a very, very long way to go.

Wall finished with 14 points and nine assists, but he made only six of 19 shots. And he didn't get to the free throw line until early in the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard led everyone with 23 points and 10 rebounds, getting serenaded by the sellout crowd with chants of "MVP, MVP.''

It was the biggest margin of victory on opening night for the Magic.

The only real spice to the game was when Magic third-string point guard Jason Williams was ejected in the final minute for his second technical foul after he grabbed the arm of official Tony Brothers. He played only eight minutes, but he was angry after getting his first technical under the NBA's new low tolerance rule.

Either the Magic are going to be really good, or the Wizards really bad.

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Box Score: Magic 112, Wizards 83
Whitley: John Wall Gets a Dose of Reality Against Magic

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John Dickenson Part

Everything about this John Dickenson part just screams Australia. I mean that in a good way.

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USC QB wants to go all Velasquez on Oregon, the Lesnars from the north

Here's more proof the kiddies between 18 and 34 years old love their mixed martial arts. The L.A. Times says USC quarterback Matt Barkley has "caused a stir" with his MMA-related Tweet regarding the Trojans' upcoming game against unbeaten Oregon. The 21-year-old from Newport Beach, Calif., must've enjoyed David toppling Goliath when Cain Velasquez pulled the upset on Brock Lesnar at UFC 121. Tweeted Barkley:

"Wow, Brock just got rocked! Lesnar is to Oregon as Velasquez is to SC. Lezgo."

Before it was deleted, the QB's Tweet was re-Tweeted by plenty of Ducks fans.

Why would Oregon fans be insulted? Their team is the bully on the block in the Pac-10. It seems like a nice comparison. Was it really an insult? The insult comes when you force a kid who makes a harmless analogy feel like he did something wrong.

"That had nothing to do with Oregon," Barkley said after practice. "I just got fired up thinking about my teammates.

"It had to do with kind of being an underdog in a big fight, like we're going into. Everyone, of course, takes it out of context and blows it up. But that was about us and about our team and the adversity we've been through."

Chip Kelly probably appreciates the comparison. After all, the Oregon coach is the guy who uses classic boxing wars to get his players fired up. Kelly had the team watch the 2002 fight where "Irish" Mickey Ward pulled the upset on Arturo Gatti.

"You can get knocked out in the seventh round -- all you can do is be ready to battle each week and make it to the eighth round,'' Kelly said.

Ward, an old friend of Kelly's, actually spoke to the team last week. Kelly likens the season to a 12-round fight.

So let's get this clear Oregon fans, your coach can use fighting references to talk about the games but USC can't?

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Talking retirement, Couture walks fine line with EA MMA game

Over the last few years, Randy Couture's relationship with the UFC has been a wild ride, to say the least. From late 2007 into 2008, he sat idle for 15 months as he battled with Dana White and the UFC over a new contract. Couture returned and has been part of some major fights to help MMA explode into the mainstream. But there are still some remnants lingering from the squabble. This week probably opened some old wounds as EA Sports released its MMA game featuring Couture alongside Fedor Emelianenko on the cover. The 15-month holdout allowed Couture to sign on as part of EA's efforts to produce a rival product to the UFC's game with THQ.

On Tuesday, Couture joined Fedor and several fighters from the Strikeforce roster in Los Angeles to promote the release. 

"It’s been delicate for sure," Couture [told the L.A. Times]. "I try and be as considerate as I can be of the position that I’m in and the position the UFC’s in. They have their own game. We managed to work around it. We try and be sensitive and not be too in-their-face about our position and where we’re at with this game."

The L.A. collaboration between the former UFC champ and Fedor must have fight fans thinking of what could've been. Couture, 47, doesn't have much time left and is now openly talking about retirement. He could walk away from the sport without ever having gotten a shot at Fedor in a much-coveted superfight.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do," Couture told John Jay O'Regan from Fighter's Only Magazine. Couture said he'll be part of "The Expendables" sequel. That begins shooting in March.

"I don't know what's going to happen on the fight front," said Couture. "I've had my wars. I can still fight but I'm not sure I want to make another run at the title. I enjoy the sport, I enjoy the fighting but it's probably time to move on."

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Surf Artist - Leandro Silva

Introducing Brazilian surf artist Leandro Silva. Leandro is a self-taught artist based in Rio de Janeiro. He says; "I have struggled to gain traction in the market for art, often by not being famous, many doors are closed before my work is even considered". Let's help change that! If you like Leandro's work share it with your friends and get Leandro the recognition he deserves…

www.clubofthewaves.com/surf-artist/leandro-silva.php



Image below: Kelly Slater with one of Leandro Silva's paintings at the Billabong Pro at Santa Catarina, Brazil…



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http://leandrosilvaart.blogspot.com

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?Shogun? Recovering from Knee Surgery, Champ Focused on Rashad Evans

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is having a 'perfect' recovery from knee surgery and the UFC light heavyweight champion has resumed training focused on an expected fight with former champ Rashad Evans early next year, despite the likes of Jon Jones and Ryan Bader joining the title picture.

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Gabriel Gonzaga Cut From UFC Following UFC 121 Loss

Once a promising No. 1 contender, Brazilian heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga has been cut from the UFC following his recent loss at UFC 121.

The fighter announced the news on his Twitter page.

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What to Watch For As MLS Regular Season Ends This Weekend

Filed under: MLS, Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC

This weekend will see the 2010 MLS regular season come to an end. The eight playoff places are secured, but the final round of matches is far from meaningless. There's still plenty of intrigue in week 30.

With that in mind, FanHouse breaks down the weekend's five most interesting story lines as the regular season's closing bell prepares to sound.

Buddle vs. Wondolowski

Edson Buddle (above) had been atop the MLS goal scoring standings for the entirety of the 2010 season until Wednesday, when San Jose's Chris Wondolowski netted a hat trick against Chivas USA to pull even with 17 goals. Now each striker will have 90 minutes, Wondo against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday and Buddle against FC Dallas on Sunday, to stake his claim to the golden boot.

Buddle holds the edge on the assists tiebreaker (two to one), but given how the pair has played this season and given what's at stake -- expect at least one of them to find the back of the net.

 

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Velasquez slays the beast to take Lesnar's title at UFC 121

Brock Lesnar is a monster but he met his match in terms of power, and especially speed and stamina. In the opening seconds of the fight, the gigantic MMA force tried to impose his will on the smaller Cain Velasquez. Velasquez didn't back down. In fact, he rose almost instantly after an early takedown and from there you knew Lesnar was in for a battle. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder tired quickly, Velasquez didn't let up and laid a beating on Lesnar. By the fourth minute of the fight, Lesnar couldn't take anymore. With blood all over his face, Lesnar turned to his side to shy away from the onslaught. Velasquez rips the UFC heavyweight title away from Lesnar with a TKO stoppage at 4:12 of the first round.

"I didn't (expect that)," Velasquez told UFC analyst Joe Rogan. "I trained for a five round fight. You can't expect an early stoppage or a first round fight. You gotta train for the whole fight."

Lesnar (5-2, 3-2 UFC) handled the defeat with class.

"I expected nothing less (from him). He's a great fighter," said Lesnar. "I knew I had a great challenge in front of me. What can I say? He was better than me tonight."

Update: Velasquez's finish earned him the knockout of the night bonus of $70,000.

The 28-year-old Velasquez (9-0, 7-0 UFC) overcame what was likely a 25-pound weight disadvantage, four inches in reach and three inches in height. The way the fight unfolded you'd never know that he was the smaller guy.

Lesnar charged across the Octagon throwing punches and even a wild flying knee. He got a hold of Velasquez and the fight hit the floor just 30 seconds in. But just like Lesnar, the Mexican-American was a high level Div. 1 collegiate wrestling star. It only took him just a few seconds to rise to his feet.

The next test of power and leverage came along the cage in a clinch situation. Velasquez stayed calm and had zero issues. When the fighters separated, Velasquez let his hands go. He nailed Lesnar with a left hook and then grabbed a single leg to go for a takedown of his own. Lesnar went down on one knee and seconds later was down on both knees. Velasquez had hip control and started pounding away with some big shots. Eventually Lesnar settled to his back but that was even worse. He was pinned on the cage and took a vicious beating.

Lesnar was in the identical position at UFC 116. That's where he weathered the storm against Shane Carwin, who eventually gassed himself out. Velasquez wasn't going to do that. He picked his shots and opened up a huge slice under Lesnar's right eye. Referee Herb Dean had to save the champ.  

Before we go labeling Velasquez unbeatable like people did with Lesnar, remember there's more talent on the way.

The UFC's heavyweight division has never been better. Next up for Velasquez is an excellent striker in Junior Dos Santos. And then Carwin and Lesnar can fight their way back into the mix. The quick finish tonight may allow the UFC to stack one of its January, February or March cards in 2011 with the Cain-JDS heavyweight title showdown.

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Mike Maddux: Bud Selig Is Rangers 'MVP'

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Mariners, Rangers, MLB Biz, Sports Business and Media

SAN FRANCISCO -- Eyes were opened around baseball when the Rangers, who at the time were in bankruptcy court, were allowed to take on salary to get Cliff Lee in a July trade, and Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux admitted on the eve of the World Series that it was a lucky break.

"I've got to say our MVP is Commissioner Selig, for letting us operate without a checkbook," Maddux said. "He's got to be one of the unsung heroes of baseball, at least as far as the Rangers are concerned."

Lee, who will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Giants on Wednesday, was obviously one of the keys to put the Rangers over the top.

 

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Scuba Diver Girls Harbor Seal Adventure

The girls go diving with their new friend Bjorn with one mission in mind…diving with the harbor seals! The seals in San Diego are so cute and curious, they are like the puppies of the sea! We had a successful mission and we were all smiling by the end of the dive! Copyright information for [...]

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Soccer Wednesday: Your Running Commentary

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Grapplers Quest Preview in London Ontario Canada - Grapplers Quest

The Fight Network previews the Oct. 30 Grapplers Quest event in London, Ontario featuring a superfight between BJJ phenom Saulo Ribeiro and 2010 World's Best Grappler Joao Assis.

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Slow Down Expectations for Jose Aldo, Jon Jones

by Michael David SmithThe two hottest young fighters in MMA are the 24-year-old WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and the 23-year-old UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones. UFC President Dana White knows that, but he also wants fans to know that Aldo won't be rushed into fighting as a UFC lightweight until he wants to, and Jones won't be rushed into a light heavyweight title fight before he's ready.

And so if you're hoping to see Aldo in the Octagon or Jones fighting for a belt, don't hold your breath.

White said on The Fight Fix on CSN Washington that Aldo had a chance to move into the UFC lightweight division and fight Kenny Florian, but Aldo chose instead to keep defending his featherweight belt. And he said Jones won't fight for the light heavyweight title for at least a year.

 

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