Dan Hardy: Statement of intent needed against Chris Lytle for UFC career-saver

The Outlaw needs to return to the fold. Anything less than a victory for Nottingham’s Dan Hardy in the early hours of Monday morning (UK time), in Milwaukee against American Chris Lytle could see the mohawked warrior sidelined from the Octagon and into Strikeforce. Nothing is clear that such a path has been laid for Hardy – either by the UFC hierarchy, or by the fighter himself. But he headlines a main event and one suspects that anything other than a thriller, if he loses, and the straps could be cut loose.

Hardy has surfed a wave of popularity since his defeats of firstly Marcus Davis, and then Mike Swick. He left them both, broken men, in his wake. Then came the five-round title fight with UFC welterweight champion George St Pierre, a bizarre contest last year in Newark, New Jersey, when Hardy was grounded for almost 25 minutes but strangely raised his stock in an unsatisfactory performance by both men.

Two defeats followed. A sudden knockout to Carlos Condit, followed by a wrestling exhibition by Anthony Johnson. Has Hardy been treading water for 12 months ? We’ll find out when he meets Lytle, a battle which on paper had all the ingredients of a barnburner. Lytle, a part-time fireman, is accustomed to putting out such flames, and may take a liking to the flame-red hair Hardy sports for this contest.

Hardy has switched to training in Las Vegas in recent months. Will it have done him any good ? Is his stand-up game now entrenched in his mindset ? It is certainly one of the things on Lytle’s mind. Lytle explained his philosophy behind the contest to The Telegraph this week. “When I fought Matt Hughes and lost by split decision [5 years ago], I went away that night really unhappy about it. Trying to get through fights to just get a win and further your career is not for me. I changed my attitude, and I’ve lost fights since bit have been happy that I have given my all. My attitude has been since then that whatever happens, I’m going out there to finish fights.”

Since that night five years ago against Hughes, Lytle has fought twelve times. He has been involved in fight of the night five times, and has won a knockout of the night and submission of the night twice. He is true to his word. He represents one of Hardy’s toughest opponents all-round. He has a deep respect for Hardy, but has advantages on the ground.

“Hardy is a real dangerous opponent. He has great hands, a very dangerous left hook, and he has fought for the welterweight title, so there are real dangers and I do leave myself open to punches with the way I fight. I’m not saying I would not take this fight to the ground, but if we do end up on the ground, I’ll be looking to finish him. I won’t be lying there fiddling through it,” Lytle told The Telegraph. The scene is set for Hardy, arguably one of the most popular mixed martial artists ever in Britain, to get his UFC career back on track…

Elsewhere on the main event, Jim Miller could put himself in contention for a lightweight title shot if he can beat Ben Henderson, the former WEC champion and Donald Cerrone and Charles Oliviera are matched up in what should be a thriller.

Telegraph main card picks: Lytle, Miller, Cerrone, Sadollah.

HOW TO WATCH THE EVENT:

Prelims are on the UFC Facebook page from 10.45pm on Sunday night.

On television:

Sky customers can watch the main event free from 2am on Premier Sports, Channel 433.

In Ireland, fans can watch the main event free from 2am on Channel 423 Setanta Ireland

The main event is also free to air – and on demand for a week – on UFC.TV online.

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

Bantamweight Bout: US Edwin Figueroa vs. US Jason Reinhardt

Lightweight Bout: US Jacob Volkmann vs. US Danny Castillo

Lightweight Bout: US Cole Miller vs. US T.J. O’Brien

Featherweight bout: US Alex Caceres vs. US Jimy Hettes

Light Heavyweight Bout: Czech Rep Karlos Vemola vs. BRZ Ronny Markes

Middleweight Bout: US Ed Herman vs. Aus Kyle Noke

Bantamweight Bout: US Joseph Benavidez vs. US Eddie Wineland

Middleweight bout: US C.B. Dollaway vs. US Jared Hamman

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: US Amir Sadollah vs. US Duane Ludwig

Lightweight Bout: BRZ Charles Oliveira vs. US Donald Cerrone

Lightweight Bout: US Jim Miller vs. US Ben Henderson

Welterweight Bout: Eng Dan Hardy vs. US Chris Lytle

Chasing history: Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus

Tiger Woods' flame-out at the PGA Championship this week won't help his chances of catching Jack Nicklaus -- at least in the history books.

Woods has been chasing Nicklaus' celebrated record of 18 major tournament wins (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, PGA). But Woods missed the cut at the PGA on Friday, meaning he is 0 for 2011 and has failed to add any majors to his collection of 14.

Woods is 35. By that age Nicklaus had also won 14 majors, though the Golden Bear had a much better 35th year, winning the Masters and the PGA.

Woods' life and his golf game have been in a spiral since that car crash in November 2009, as he has tumbled from No. 1 to No. 30 in the world rankings and is winless on the course.

Although Woods and Nicklaus were both golf prodigies, Woods got off to a faster start by winning 10 majors in his twenties to Nicklaus' seven.

Nicklaus, though, was consistently great for a l-o-n-g time, with 24 years between his first major win and his last, at age 46 in the 1986 Masters. He also won eight majors in his thirties (so far Woods has four) and three more in his forties.

Next April, when Woods tees it up at the Masters, he will have gone nearly four years without winning a major. If Woods needs any inspiration, consider that Nicklaus won one more of each of the four major championships after turning 38.

Can Woods still beat Nicklaus’ major record?

Nicklaus was asked that question last spring. His answer: "He's still got to win five more, and that's more than a career for anybody else playing."

ALSO:

Tiger Woods misses his first cut at PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy injures wrist but manages even par

Photos: The 93rd PGA Championship

-- Barry Stavro

Photo: Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods during the Memorial Skins Game in June 2009 in Ohio. Credit: Jay LaPrete / Associated Press

Should Chris Johnson be highest-paid running back in NFL history?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and weigh in with a comment of your own.

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant

Should Chris Johnson be the highest-paid running back ever? Next question: Could he be considered the best in the NFL right now? Sounds like yes to each question.

Salaries don’t go down. They might level off for a time, but the upward spiral is inevitable. Being the “highest paid ever” may carry the implication that that athlete is the greatest of all time in their sport, but that is irrelevant. In a game that now generates $9 billion in revenue, the best get paid in record fashion.

Running backs in the NFL average about 2½ seasons, and any tackle could be, if not the last, one that diminishes the runner for good. Even the great ones, once they lose a step, disappear quickly. Right now, it’s Chris Johnson’s time. His historic 2009 season, in which he rushed for more than 2,000 yards and gained a record-breaking 2,500 from scrimmage, stakes this claim. Last season, he dropped — how could he not? — but still managed 1,300 yards.

The Titans are wise to make him feel wanted, appreciated, and make him the highest-paid runner ever. Now, it’s up to Johnson to accept and get back to work.

Lee Evans traded from Buffalo Bills to Baltimore Ravens

Lee Evans may actually get a chance to play in the postseason. The veteran wide receiver has been traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2012 draft pick, both teams announced Friday.

A first-round draft pick for the Bills in 2004, Evans had 1,000-yard seasons in 2006 and 2008, but his numbers dropped off the last couple of years as Buffalo's offense struggled. Last season, he caught 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.

Evans had been the subject of trade rumors because the Bills have an abundance of receivers. Meanwhile, the Ravens are looking to add depth after cutting Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap.

The Bills never made the playoffs during Evans' seven seasons in Buffalo; the Ravens made the postseason four times during that stretch, including the last three seasons.

ALSO:

Randy Moss, a gifted receiver who cut corners

Tim Tebow looks solid in Broncos' preseason opener

John Elway needs to find a better quarterback than Tim Tebow

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Lee Evans. Credit: David Duprey / Associated Press

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

T.J. Simers: John Elway needs to find a QB better than Tim Tebow

Trent Dilfer is a terrific guy. A terrible quarterback, but great guy.      

He won a Super Bowl, so terrible quarterbacks still have a chance in the NFL, which is the best thing that can be said about Tim Tebow.

He’s a terrible quarterback by NFL standards, and while people love him like they did Doug Flutie, a.k.a. the Mission Bay Shrimp, it’s a tall order to overcome one’s limitations.

Tebow fared well in the Broncos’ exhibition opener, which of course means absolutely nothing. He probably helped sell tickets, or justify the money spent on an exhibition game, but he’s probably looking at a long career as a heady backup who will always look good in exhibition games.

I’m more interested in John Elway’s development as NFL executive.

I was covering the Broncos in Denver when Elway arrived as a player, his first appearance in the second half of an exhibition game electrifying.

Then the season started and he was a mess. Replaced by Steve DeBerg, he struggled but threw himself into the weight room and into getting better. And with that kind of talent and arm, the results should have surprised no one.

He’s off to another struggling start as an NFL executive, mixed messages being sent regarding Tebow and Kyle Orton, and nothing disrupts a team like uncertainty at the quarterback position.

Orton appeared on his way to Miami at one time, the team belonging to Tebow. Once the Broncos realized they had no chance to win, they switched back to Orton.

Six or seven wins are better than two or three.

A few years ago I had hoped to see Elway in Los Angeles working as an executive with an expansion franchise. He bought an Arena League football team to better prepare himself for such an opportunity and spent time with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

Los Angeles now will probably play home to the Chargers next season, the Broncos becoming the enemy. No sweat if the Broncos persist in allowing Tebow to muck up their long-range plans.

That will be up to Elway, his development as an executive and his plan for Broncos’ success -- success in the NFL in a large part dictated by who plays the quarterback position.

He has to find a better one.

He already has his Gary Kubiak in Tebow.

ALSO:

Tim Tebow looks solid in Broncos' preseason opener

Bill Plaschke: Hall of shame is more like it for Dennis Rodman

-- T.J. Simers

Left photo: John Elway. Credit: Ron Chenoy / US Presswire

Right photo: Tim Tebow. Credit: LM Otero / Associated Press

Fantasy Football: Stock Watch

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football draft. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

Thanks to developments at training camp and during preseason action, players are rising and falling in fantasy drafts faster than the Dow Jones. O.K., maybe not, but there is enough movement where you need to pay close attention. Here is the latest on whose stock is rising and whose is falling.

Rising

Running Back

Felix Jones, DAL
 – Coach Jason Garrett recently said that Jones is having a much better camp this year, citing increased speed and improved pass protection. He certainly looked the part Thursday night against Denver in the first quarter, bursting up the gut for an 18-yard run before taking a screen pass 16 yards. He may still have to deal with DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice once they get healthy, but we’re starting to warm up to the idea of Jones as a mid-level RB2 in standard leagues. 



Tim Hightower, WAS – 
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan recently told SI.com that he believes Hightower can handle the workload of an every-down back. While that remains to be seen, his comments are sure to slow down the Roy Helu sleeper train.



Jerome Harrison, DET
 – Mikel Leshoure’s season-ending injury has put Harrison back on the radar as the leading handcuff for Best owners. 




Wide Receiver

Calvin Johnson, DET
 – Johnson continues to impress in camp, earning high praise from his teammates. 



Andre Roberts, ARZ
 – Roberts is currently winning the battle for the number two spot next to Larry Fitzgerald, making him a nice sleeper pick as long as the Cardinals don’t bring in another body like Lee Evans. 



Mario Manningham, NYG
 – Steve Smith jumping ship to Philadelphia left a bitter taste in the mouths of Giants fans, but the move is nothing but positive for Manningham, as he is now the uncontested number two option for Eli Manning.

Tight End

Kevin Boss, OAK
 – Jason Campbell tends to favor the tight end position and the Raiders are short on reliable options in the passing game. Boss is now draftable as a low-end TE2 option in both formats. 



Kellen Winslow, TB
 – He has managed to keep the surgical tools away from his knees this offseason and the results have been nothing but positive. He’s having one of the best camps in his seven year career and is looking like a solid tight end to target once the big names are off the board.



Falling

Quarterback

Joe Flacco, BAL – 
The Ravens’ ground game was bolstered with the additions of Vonta Leach and Ricky Williams while Flacco lost the reliable Derek Mason to the Jets. The rookie receiver Torrey Smith is expected to replace Mason in the starting lineup.

Running Back

Ryan Mathews, SD
 – Coach Norv Turner announced that he will use a two-back system this season between Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert. In preseason action Thursday night, it was Tolbert who got the start as well as the red zone work, booting his value and making a breakout year from Mathews a stretch at this point. 



Wide Receiver

Johnny Knox, CHI
 – Johnny Knox has officially lost his starting job to Roy Williams and is currently listed behind Devin Hester and Earl Bennett, in that order.



Marques Colston, NO
 – Colston has missed the entire week of practice with swelling in his repaired knee.

Jeremy Maclin, PHI – 
There is still no word on Maclin’s mysterious illness that has kept him from practicing in camp. Early drafters should exercise caution.



Tight End

Jimmy Graham, NO
 – Graham is having a hard time catching the easy balls in camp right now, which is somewhat troubling considering the fantasy world’s exceedingly high expectations of him this year. This is not a major downgrade, but a reminder that the former basketball player is still raw and could experience some growing pains in his first full N.F.L. season. 



Chris Cooley, WAS
 – His inability to shake a sore knee that was worked on back in January has his coach concerned, not to mention the Redskins’ uninspiring options at quarterback. 


Bill Plaschke: Hall of shame is more like it for Dennis Rodman

With his garish appearance, freakish statements and outlandish attitude, Dennis Rodman certainly belongs in a museum.

That museum is Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.

It is not the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Yet the Worm will burrow his way into the hallowed grounds of Springfield, Mass., Friday night, entering basketball’s ultimate destination along with the likes of Chris Mullin, Artis Gilmore and Tex Winter.

Seriously. What is Rodman doing there? And he’s entering with Tex? Can you imagine? One guy who tore apart the Lakers enshrined with a guy who helped rescue them?

"I don’t know what’s more shocking," said Chris Winter, Tex’s son, to reporters. "That they didn’t put Tex in 30 years ago, or they didn’t make Dennis wait another 30 years."