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Although UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao is among the worlds best mixed martial artists, hes still working on building a significant fan base in North America. His biggest fan in the world just might be UFC President Dana White, and thats just one reason Barao is the star of UFC 173. Barao (34-1) faces T.J. Dillashaw in the main event at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas on Saturday, headlining the UFCs traditional Memorial Day weekend card in its hometown. "I think (Barao) is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," White said. "I love this guy." Its tough to argue with White, given Baraos 22-fight winning streak and perfect record in UFC competition. The 135-pound Brazilian dynamo excels with both jiu-jitsu and strikes, fighting with a flair that has led to stoppages in six of his last nine fights. "I think I have a lot to improve in my game, but its always a pleasure to hear from your boss that you are the No. 1," Barao said. "This is the recognition of the hard work and training." Barao likely faces bigger obstacles than Dillashaw (10-2), a heavy underdog, on his path to stardom. Barao is a champion of a lighter weight class, which makes him traditionally less interesting to many fight fans. He also doesnt speak much English, making him tough to promote in North America. Even his Brazilian fans dont know much about his personality outside the cage -- although at least they know his last name isnt actually Barao, the Portuguese word for Baron and a nickname given to him by his grandmother. But with the UFC looking for new attractions in the absence of Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva, Barao is getting a chance to show off his incredible skills on another major stage, and White is confident fans will figure out what theyre seeing. "With Anderson, it took a long time for people to catch on," White said of his long-reigning former middleweight champion. "It doesnt happen overnight. When you look at the numbers, its all there. (Barao) is a killer. He tries to go in there and finish. Hes the type of guy I like to watch fight." Dillashaw worked his way into position for a title shot with five wins in six fights, but his matchup with Barao is the fourth fight that has been scheduled to headline this card. The Northern California native is eager to take advantage of the chance created when Raphael Assuncao, who beat Dillashaw by split decision last October, dropped out of this title shot with a rib injury. "Hes a great champion, but everyone has holes in their game," Dillashaw said. "Hes sloppy in exchanges, but he makes it work because hes a big, powerful athlete. I need to stay with what Im good at and use my angles to disrupt his power." Just in case Baraos fight against a game underdog doesnt intrigue enough pay-per-view buyers, UFC 173 also features light heavyweight contender Daniel Cormier against veteran Dan Henderson, along with a bout between welterweights Robbie Lawler and Jake Ellenberger. Cormier (14-0) is also a rising name in the UFC, but hes not a tough sell. The talkative former Olympic wrestler has been a dynamic fighter in Strikeforce and the UFC at heavyweight and light heavyweight, where hes currently closing in on a title shot against pound-for-pound contender Jon Jones. Henderson (30-11) is a significant underdog, but any fighter is just one punch away from disaster when hes in the cage with the 43-year-old veteran whose knockout power is no longer aided by testosterone replacement therapy. "(Hendersons) big right hand is the single biggest weapon in MMA, even more dangerous than Ronda Rouseys armbar," Cormier said. "It can come at any time from any direction. No question thats what makes this a dangerous fight. But Ive made a career of making those guys, who possess that something special, like they never had it. I need to stay super-focused and avoid those punches." Although Henderson has lost three of his last four fights, he knocked out Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in spectacular fashion just two months ago. "I want to knock everyone out that I fight," Henderson said. "Its not always the easiest thing to pull off, but Ive done pretty well with it throughout my career. And its definitely nice knowing you have that power going into a fight." Mats Naslund Jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a course-record 10-under 62 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Patrick Roy Jersey .J. Hardy finally got in on the fun Saturday, against a likely opponent. http://www.canadienssale.com/authentic-d...nadiens-jersey/. The Oilers will try to get back in the win column on Monday when they continue a four-game road trip with a battle against the Buffalo Sabres. Edmonton won its third straight game last Wednesday against visiting San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-0 as Scrivens stopped 59 shots to set an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout. Jacques Plante Jersey .Y. - Alex Rodriguez paid $305,000 for evidence that could be used in the case involving the Biogenesis of America drug clinic, the Daily News reported Saturday. Alexei Kovalev Jersey . The club says Fridays surgery was successful. Holiday, a former Eastern Conference All-Star acquired from Philadelphia last summer, has not played because of the shin injury since Jan.MINNEAPOLIS -- Suspended special teams coach Mike Priefer is rejoining the Minnesota Vikings staff as soon as possible. The Vikings reinstated Priefer after he missed the first two games of the season for making anti-gay remarks. Priefer was initially suspended three games after an independent investigation into the claims made by former punter Chris Kluwe found that the coach made several offensive remarks at practices and in meetings while working for the team. But the Vikings left open the possibility that Priefer could have the suspension reduced to two games if he completed a program of individualized anti-harassment, diversity and sexual-orientation sensitivity training. "The decision by Vikings ownership follows extensive conversations with the independent professional consultants retained to conduct individualized anti-harassment, diversity and sexual orientation training with Coach Priefer," the Vikings announced Sunday night, a few hours after a 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots. "Those consultants have conveyed to the team that Coach Priefer was fully and thoughtfully engaged throughout the process and successfully completed the program." Kluwe used Priefers comments to illustrate an accusation of an intolerant workplace while the punter was employed by the team. He also accused the team of cutting him for his outspoken support of gay rights, but the investigation found no evidence to corroborate those allegations. The Vikings agreed to donate $100,000 to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights groups afteer the investigation was concluded and later reached an additional settlement to avoid a lawsuit from Kluwe.dddddddddddd Under that deal, the Vikings will donate an undisclosed sum of money to five gay rights-related charities over the next five years. Kluwe said he wont receive any money as part of the settlement. While Priefer was serving his suspension, the Vikings brought in veteran special teams coach Joe Marciano to fill in. After a convincing victory over the St. Louis Rams to open the season, special teams blunders were one of the culprits in the ugly loss to the Patriots on Sunday. The Vikings had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown just before halftime by Patriots defensive lineman Chandler Jones and Minnesota also gave up a long punt return to Julian Edelman in the loss. Immediately after the game, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was asked if the Vikings planned to cut Priefers suspension short, but the coach said to his knowledge it was a three-game suspension. About four hours later, the announcement was made. Priefer will rejoin the coaching staff immediately and begin preparations for the next game at New Orleans. The news comes at the end of a trying week for the Vikings, who deactivated star running back Adrian Peterson for the game Sunday after he was charged with child abuse for using a tree branch to discipline his 4-year-old son. Zimmer declined to get into specifics on Petersons situation Sunday and declined to say if Peterson would return for the game against the Saints next weekend. ' ' '