Funkerstation » e of finding his best position, as Cheika insists

UFC lightweight Michael Johnson put a crushing stop to Dustin Poiriers recent momentum, knocking him out with beautiful counter strikes at 1 minute, 35 seconds of the first round.Making his first appearance in 2016, Johnson (17-10) dropped Poirier with the combination of a counter right hook and straight left hand in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Hidalgo, Texas. He immediately followed Poirier (20-5) to the canvas and unloaded a series of unanswered punches to bring in referee Dan Miragliotta to wave it off.The loss is Poiriers first since moving up from the featherweight division in 2015. It is the eighth career knockout for Johnson, who underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year.Im just coming in here to show people Im serious about this division, Johnson said. Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz getting paid all that money and theyre out there scrapping, having a sparring match. Pay me baby, whats up?I say it over and over again: I have the fastest hands in this division. Im the most dangerous guy in this division. Im ready to test anyone. Give me anybody.Fighting out of Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida, Johnson snapped a two-fight skid. He suffered a highly controversial split-decision loss to Beneil Dariush in April 2015 and then another decision loss to Diaz in December. Diaz used that victory to catapult himself into a big money fight against McGregor in 2016.Before Saturday, Johnson told ESPN.com he was happy for fighters like McGregor and Diaz, who have recently netted disclosed fight purses in the millions. Johnson, 30, has been fighting in the UFC since 2010, with an overall record of 9-5.After initially walking away from Poirier following the knockout, Johnson went back toward his fallen opponent and stood over him momentarily with arms raised. He then yelled something in Poiriers direction. The two eventually did embrace after the result was read.After taking apparently no damage in the fight, Johnson called for a spot on the Nov. 12 UFC 205 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden in New York.I want on that New York card, Johnson said. Anybody, lets go.Brunson knocks out HallMiddleweight Derek Brunson (16-3) extended his winning streak to five with a TKO finish over Uriah Hall (12-7) at 1:41 of the opening round. After an early clinch, Brunson dropped Hall with a straight left and followed him to the ground with punches. Hall fell violently to the floor but did appear to be blocking Brunsons follow-up shots. Referee Herb Dean opted to step in and Hall immediately jumped up to protest the stoppage.Fighting out of Jackson-Wink MMA, Brunson now has 12 career finishes. He is 7-1 in the UFC, with his only loss coming to Yoel Romero via TKO in January 2014. Hall, 32, falls to 5-5 in the UFC.Skelly scores submission in 19 secondsFeatherweight Chas Skelly (16-2) wasted no time hanging a finish on Maximo Blanco (12-8-1), as he locked in a DArce choke just 19 seconds into the first round. It is the fastest finish in UFC featherweight history.Skelly, who trained for this fight out of Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida, sprinted across the cage at the opening bell and landed a flying front kick that pushed Blanco to the floor. In the ensuing scramble, Skelly rolled into the choke and put Blanco out cold.It is the ninth submission win of Skellys career and improves him to 5-1 in his past six fights. Swell Cyber Monday . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Hydro Flask Cyber Monday . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. http://www.waterbottleblackfriday.com/ . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Swell Black Friday Sale . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Swell Black Friday . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Israel Folaus best position is fullback, according to Michael Cheika but the Wallabies coach is seriously mulling over a move which would have the misfiring weapon line up against Wales at outside centre.Cheika has so far resisted calls - which have existed since a World Cup in which Folau was below his extremely high standards - to move the former rugby league star into the midfield.But it is believed that will change this week against Wales at Millennium Stadium on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT), with Cheika poised to shuffle his backline ahead of the opening clash of their Spring Tour and grand slam attempt.The change is coming about to cover for the injured Samu Kerevi - the rookie outside centre whose season was ended with ankle surgery this week.Folau slotted into the outside centre role after Kerevi was substituted after picking up the injury against the All Blacks last week, and in the proposed changes he would don the No.13 jersey while the classy Dane Haylett-Petty would move from the wing to fullback.The alternative would be draft in 40-Test veteran Tevita Kuridrani, a constant in last years successful World Cup run.Theres a possibility of (switching Folau to centre). Weve used him up there before in different times even though hes wearing 15, Cheika said on Monday.Then youve got Kuridrani who is well and trruly experienced in that position too.ddddddddddddWeve got a few options there. Well see how the training week pans out and try a few different options today and tomorrow.Folau has gone seven Tests without crossing the tryline - the longest drought of his decorated 48-Test career - but any move would not be done in the hope of finding his best position, as Cheika insists that is and always will be at fullback.Its always fullback, for mine, Cheika said.Now that doesnt mean he cant come up and play in the front line sometimes.But when you can diffuse the high ball like he can and you can counterattack like he can, I think those skills are always there.Last week we played him up in the front line a bit as a different type of threat and we could pull him back and do something different this week.The thing is its not about whats his best position its about how he can play his best every game.Cheika believes theres little difference between how involved Folau will be, regardless of the number on his back.For us and the style we play, once you get out of the set piece weve got some very clear roles and no matter whether he was playing 13 or 15, his role would be the same after that anyway, he said. 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