UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano Fight Card and PPV Info

By Nate Loop

UFC 184, headlined by the highly anticipated bout between bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey (10-0, 10 finishes) and undefeated challenger Cat Zingano (9-0, eight finishes), should prove to be an explosive, entertaining card befitting its esteemed Staples Center location and prime Saturday night pay-per-view slot.

Rousey's eminently bankable persona has turned this card into more than just a main-event spectacle. Including the full preliminary fight slate before the pay-per-view, there are 11 fights set to take place in Los Angeles California on Feb. 28.

The co-main event, between Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington, make this an historic occasion, as the female fighters are indeed carrying the card.

Brian Martin of the Los Angeles Daily News (h/t Denver Post) elaborates further on the significance of this card, as well as how the unique structure came to pass:

But here we are, with billboards of Rousey and Zingano, who fights out of Broomfield, plastered all over Southern California, and fellow bantamweights Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington in the co-main event. Granted, it took an injury to middleweight champion Chris Weidman, postponing his main-event bout with Vitor Belfort to elevate the women's bouts. The UFC was confident in its female fighters and their division to carry the card, which includes nine other bouts — all featuring men.

For those who can't imagine missing out on this potentially landmark UFC event, here's a complete rundown of the viewing schedule, followed by predictions for the entire fight card.

UFC 184 PPV Schedule

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28

Fight Times (ET): Fight Pass at 7 p.m.; Fox Sports 1 prelims 8 p.m.; pay-per-view at 10 p.m.

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, California

Live Stream: UFC.tv 

Zingano's stats during her time in the UFC ranks are indeed impressive, even as compared to Rousey's.

However, as excellent as Zingano has proven to be, Rousey often seems to operate on a higher plane of existence, cutting opponents down quickly and with fierce brutality, as Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times duly notes:

She has posted nine first-round victories. Her average fight time of 4 minutes, 17 seconds shatters the average length of a UFC bout, which is nearly 10 minutes. Rousey needed only 66 seconds to beat Sara McMann, a former Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, and 16 seconds to whip Alexis Davis in July.

Not to be outdone, Zingano herself has been quite overpowering in her most recent bouts. Zingano notched a third-round TKO victory over Miesha Tate in April 2013.

After a long layoff due to injury, Zingano then defeated Amanda Nunes via strikes in the third round of a bout in September 2014, out-striking her opponent 40-22 and notching three takedowns in that bout, per UFC.com. 

Some may note that Zingano is five years older than Rousey, but age is just a number to these two top-shape fighters. Zingano does have an injury history, but at the same time it has prevented her from accumulating too much wear and tear in the ring over the past couple of years.

Both fighters will be looking to end this bout early. Rousey's submission skills and ground game are a sight to behold, while Zingano brings plenty of knockout power to this bout. Tate offered her take on the bout and noted that Zingano could have a distinct advantage in the lower body, per Michael Martinez, special to UFC.com:

I think Zingano is going to be better is with her kicks and knees, anything with her lower body. She’s worked a lot of Muay Thai, so her striking is different. Even when they’re in a clinch, she’s going to be very dangerous. She mixes in elbows, she mixes in knees and she kicks from a distance.

Considering the lofty stature of this bout, this one may start out slowly. Both Zingano and Rousey especially have plenty to lose here, so don't be shocked if the first round is somewhat tentative. After that, there should be nothing but bedlam.

Even if Rousey dominates this fight, she will have no shortage of challengers. Her reputation and fame have few rivals among those who have graced UFC or MMA in general. In fact, Holm, a former boxer making her UFC debut in taking on Pennington Saturday night, has admitted she aspires to face Rousey—although she's aware she may not be ready yet.

"I've never said no to a fight or picked an opponent so if they said that had to be my next fight, I would just have to change my whole chain of thought and just say 'OK, let's do it.' But if it were up to me, I'd like to have more experience," said Holm via Fox Sports' Damon Martin.

If Pennington wins, she too could challenge Rousey. Or the script will be flipped and it will be Zingano's turn to rule over the sport. It would indeed be interesting to see if Zingano, should she emerge victorious, can carry a UFC card like Rousey in the future.

There is certainly opportunity for the likes of Holm and Pennington, among others, to build up a contender-worthy reputation on this card. Just because their fame and status is cast in Rousey's shadow for now, doesn't mean they can't eventually fight to take her place in the sun.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2380317-ufc-184-start-time-ppv-schedule-and-rousey-vs-zingano-fight-card-predictions

Tyson Fury vs. Christian Hammer Live Stream and TV Info

By Mike Chiari

Undefeated WBO International Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury may be on the verge of the biggest fight of his career, but he has a major obstacle standing in his way in the form of Christian Hammer.

The Romanian-born Hammer rides a 10-fight winning streak into his clash with Fury, and he could very well be the first boxer to blemish the 6'9" Brit's perfect record.

On the heels of a dominant victory over Dereck Chisora, though, Fury is arguably performing at a higher level than ever before. Hammer may be a formidable opponent, but there are few heavyweights in the world who can measure up to Fury right now.

With their bout in London quickly approaching, here is everything you need to know about when and where to catch Fury versus Hammer.

When: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. GMT

Where: O2 Arena in North Greenwich, London, England

TV: BoxNation

Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required and region restricted)

About Tyson Fury

With a record of 23-0, Fury is one of the fastest-rising stars in a heavyweight division that has long been stagnant. Perhaps the biggest money fight possible in terms of heavyweights right now would be a meeting between Fury and multi-title world champion Wladimir Klitschko.

That fight may be next on tap, but Fury is aware of the fact that he has a tough test in front of him before he can get to that point, according to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.

I could have taken an easy job at the O2 Arena to keep my position safe for my world title fight against Klitschko, but that's not what Tyson Fury is about or what the public want to see from someone who has promised from day one to win the world heavyweight title. ... On paper, it's a dangerous job against Hammer. He's highly ranked, he brings a big punch with him, he'll have ambitions of his own to beat me and grab himself a world title shot against Klitschko, and I'm sure he'll be full of confidence coming over here.

While Fury has acknowledged that Hammer is a tough customer, he has also downplayed the threat by suggesting that the 27-year-old resident of Germany isn't at his level, per Tom Gray of The Ring.

Hammer has decent footwork and he punches well in combination but a good stiff hook to the jaw will sort that out. I want to stay busy and I'm looking forward to getting back in there, but I'm not really bothered about any of these heavyweights at the moment. I want to fight because that’s what I get paid for.

Fury is never lacking in terms of confidence, and he even made a prediction ahead of Saturday's fight by telling Hammer that he intends to knock him out in the early stages, according to Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions:

Among Fury's 23 victories, 17 of them have come by way of knockout. Twelve of Hammer's 20 fights have ended early as well, so the odds would seem to be in favor of a stoppage.

Fury certainly seems to have the advantage as he is seven inches taller than Hammer. That means the big Brit should be able to hold Hammer back with his jab for much of the encounter.

Hammer will need to find a way inside in order to do damage, but that is something that few of Fury's opponents have been able to manage.

Hammer's profile isn't as celebrated as Fury's, but the rough-and-tumble brawler is currently in the midst of the best streak of his career.

He has won 10 straight fights after enduring a two-match losing streak in 2010, and he truly has nothing to lose against Fury as a win could put him in position for even bigger fights moving forward.

While few are seemingly giving Hammer a realistic chance to come out on top against his heavily favored opponent, the underdog isn't lacking in confidence by any means.

According to BoxNation.com, Hammer believes he will not only knock out Fury but also steal his potential bout with Klitschko.

Tyson Fury will not go the distance against me, he will be getting knocked out clean and left to pick up the pieces after the fight. He cannot hurt me with his punches because I'm in the best shape of my career for this fight. He will not last against me.

(...) I've taken this fight because I know I can get the Klitschko world title fight when I beat Fury. Klitschko is talking about fighting Fury, but he will be talking about my name once I knock out Fury.

Despite Hammer's assertion, Fury is so confident that he will remain upright that he has vowed to retire from boxing if he gets knocked out Saturday, per Chris McKenna of The Daily Star.

Once you get done over there's no point in carrying on. It's not just me I'm thinking about. I've got a wife and kids. Do I need to be taking punishment where I end up in a wheelchair or something like that? All the money or 50 million titles are not going to mean anything if I'm sat there drooling from the mouth. I want to make what I can while I can, as fast as I can and get out of it and enjoy what I've got left.

Perhaps Fury's comments will serve as added motivation for Hammer since it is clear that his opponent doesn't believe he has the chops needed to take him down.

The odds clearly aren't in Hammer's favor due to the size disadvantage, but there is no doubt that much bigger upsets have occurred over the course of boxing history.

It can be argued that factors are working against Fury due to the added pressure of fighting in front of his home crowd with a shot at the top heavyweight in the world on the line.

Those types of intangibles are always unknowns entering a boxing match since it all comes down to how a fighter handles them internally.

Based on the success that Fury has enjoyed, though, he should have the mettle necessary to block it out and focus on the task at hand.

Hammer has plenty of spunk and won't go down without a fight, but Fury's size and power advantage will ultimately prove to be too much.

The underdog will hang in there for a while; however, he will ultimately be stopped in the form of a seventh-round knockout.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2378071-tyson-fury-vs-christian-hammer-live-stream-final-predictions-and-preview

France vs. Wales: Live Stream, TV Info, Six Nations 2015 Round 3

By Tom Sunderland

Wales can beat France for the fourth time in succession on Saturday but a difficult task awaits Warren Gatland's men in Paris when both sides resume their Six Nations campaign.

The two teams sit level on points coming to the Stade de France and only Saturday's victor will continue to harbour any intentions of making a challenge for this year's title.

Read on for full viewing information ahead of the Parisian clash, along with a match preview.

Date: Saturday, February 28

Time: 6 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET

Live Stream: BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA)

TV Info: BBC Sport One (UK), SuperSport 1 (SA)

Les Bleus Ring the Changes 

Gatland has surprised some by making as many as four changes to his Welsh XV for the test of France, but Philippe Saint-Andre has been forced to be the more active coach.

Brice Dulin, Remi Lamerat, Sofiane Guitoune and Morgan Parra make for a new-look French back line, replacing Scott Spedding, Mathieu Bastareaud, Teddy Thomas and Rory Kockott, respectively.

Bastareaud has endured the bad stretch of form he brought into the tournament and Lamerat promises to bring a bigger impact in midfield, while Parra has shown he can be a better fit at scrum-half than Kockott.

Planet Rugby's Ben Coles sees Guitoune as the figure to watch, however, as the Bordeaux winger brings a substantial bit of flair to the French flank:

Second-rower Romain Taofifenua will also make his first start of the tournament as Pascal Pape contends with his 10-week suspension.

Samson Lee comes back into the Wales XV following his concussion injury, while George North is another fine addition for the visitors, with Alex Cuthbert dropping out of Gatland's squad.

As Wales Online confirmed, it's a special occasions for North, too, and there would be no better time for the Welsh mammoth to start showcasing his best:

Those players coming into Saint-Andre's side have the potential to make for an even more improved lineup, but it could be that so many changes at once disjoints their back line even further.

Key Battle

Brice Dulin vs. Leigh Halfpenny

Spedding has been impressive for portions of Six Nations but many will see Brice Dulin as the star more deserving of France's No. 15 jersey.

The Racing Metro maestro comes back into Saint-Andre's XV this Saturday and broadcaster Gavin Mortimer sees his battle against the substantial Welsh backs as one to keep an eye on in Paris:

Coming up against Dulin is Leigh Halfpenny, enjoying good enough form to keep Liam Williams out of contention for the full-back role thus far in the competition.

Wales coach Shaun Edwards was quoted by BBC Scrum V this week as stating why Halfpenny deserves to keep starting for his country despite any critics he might have:

Aside from his defensive responsibilities, Dulin brings a substantial attacking threat to the Stade de France, although many might expect Halfpenny to rule the airwaves.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2377071-france-vs-wales-date-live-stream-tv-info-six-nations-2015-round-3-preview

Scotland vs. Italy: Date, Live Stream, TV Info

By Tom Sunderland

Edinburgh is preparing to host Scotland and Italy's battle to avoid bottom spot this Saturday, with both teams entering the fray after failing to claim a point in the first two rounds.

These two sides compete almost annually to dictate who wins the wooden spoon, but Scottish coach Vern Cotter can be hopeful of establishing a new dominance over the Azzurri.

The Murrayfield hopes should be looking to make a statement against their Italian foes, but the two points on offer will be considered priority above all else on Saturday.

Read on for viewing information and match preview ahead of the Week 3 clash:

Date: Saturday, February 28

Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET

Live Stream: BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA)

TV Info: BBC Sport One (UK), SuperSport 1 (SA)

Without a point to their names, it stands to reason that whoever loses in the Scottish capital this weekend will go on to finish last in the Six Nations standings.

Cotter was hit with the news on Wednesday that their appeal against Finn Russell's suspension had been unsuccessful and the ban upheld, per Scottish Rugby:

It's a damaging blow for Scotland to contend and one which demands Cotter assess his depth at fly-half before deciding upon the playmaker's replacement.

The pack battle was always going to be tense, but Jacques Brunel learned of a significant absence himself after it was revealed by Irish Independent Sport that prop Martin Castrogiovanni would be absent:

With Marco Bortolami also out, No. 8 centurion Sergio Parisse has even more pressure on his shoulders to lead from the front, as he always does.

Italy's 30-point defeat to England showed that their defence can most definitely be breached, but Scotland are seeking an improvement in chance conversion after a wasteful outing against Wales.

Key Battle

Stuart Hogg vs. Luke McLean

Having been the man to open the scoring at Murray field a fortnight ago, Stuart Hogg displayed that he is still the man who holds the keys to optimising this Scottish back line.

Possessing a terrifically round set of skills, the Scottish full-back can unlock Italy's defence and provide Scotland the foundations to make their assault, with Rugby World's Owain Jones among his admirers:

Luke McLean may be considered one of the more experienced veterans of the Azzurri squad, but he'll have a significant challenge in repelling Hogg should the Glasgow Warrior be allowed find his rhythm.

Hogg won't be the man filling in for Russell at No. 10, but his boot is still likely to play a significant role in catching McLean out of position.

Any high ball contested between the two will also be an intriguing site of their head-to-head, with Hogg bringing with him one of the most reliable grips under a high ball in this championship.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2376984-scotland-vs-italy-date-live-stream-tv-info-six-nations-2015-round-3-preview

Clipsal 500 Adelaide 2015: Live Stream and TV Info

THE summer holiday is over and it’s time to get back down to business for the V8 Supercars Championship, with the 2015 season set to get underway at this weekend’s Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

The demanding street circuit presents a major challenge for both drivers and teams, the first proper hit-out for some at the beginning of a new year.

The weekend’s format will see three 30-minute practice sessions and two qualifying sessions packed into Friday’s schedule, meaning teams will need to be on the ball in the morning to get their cars right for when it counts in the afternoon.

Saturday’s track action kicks off with a practice session, ahead of two 39-lap races in the afternoon.

The short sprints, including a compulsory pit stop, will encourage drivers to push hard as they can’t rely on strategy to move up places. However, they will need to temper their aggression as they can’t afford to put too much wear on their tyres as they will need their rubber to be in top shape for Sunday’s track action.

The Sunday starts with a qualifying session, followed by a top 10 shootout, then the final 250-kilometre race of the weekend.

The longer race is as much a test of driver endurance as car performance. Any lack of fitness will be shown up by the gruelling 78-lap race, especially if the weather is hot. A lapse in concentration carries a high price at a circuit lined with concrete walls. Anyone who can keep out of trouble and keep the leaders in sight will have a chance at victory.

TYRES

Drivers will get five sets of brand new, hard compound Dunlop tyres to use across the weekend. In addition to that, they can use two sets of used, pre-marked tyres in Friday’s practice sessions, plus four sets of wet-weather tyres.

FUEL

Races 1 and 2: Each car will need to complete one compulsory pit stop during Saturday’s shorter races, and change a minimum of two tyres. With cars unable to do the full 39-lap distance on a tank of United E85 fuel, refuelling will also occur during the pit stops. How much fuel they start the race with, and therefore how much fuel they need to put in during the pit stop, is up to each team’s individual strategy.

Race 3: Each car will need to put in a set amount of fuel (called ‘fuel drop’) over the course of their pit stops during the Sunday race. Last year the mandatory fuel drop was 140 litres, which meant every car needed to complete at least two pit stops. As with Saturday’s races, teams can choose how much fuel they want to start the race with.

KERB HOPPING

A sensor sits on the inside of the apex kerb at the Senna Chicane to stop drivers from using too much of it and short-cutting the corner. Penalties apply for drivers who trip the sensor.

Practice and qualifying: If a driver trips the sensor, that lap time will not count.

Race: Drivers get four chances. The third time they trip the sensor in a single race, they will be shown the ‘bad sportsmanship’ flag. On the fourth time, they will be given a pit lane penalty.

Article Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sport/v8-supercars/preview-2015-v8-supercars-championship-event-1-clipsal-500-adelaide/story-fn2ms9um-1227238827298

New Zealand vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup : Live Stream and TV Info

By Tim Collins

Co-hosts New Zealand and Australia meet in a heavyweight clash at the 2015 Cricket World Cup on Saturday, with the match likely to be pivotal in deciding who claims top spot in Pool A.

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28

Start Time: 1 a.m. GMT/2 p.m. local

Live On: ATN and Lemar TV (Afghanistan), Nine Network and Fox Sports (Australia), Super Sport (South Africa), BTV (Bangladesh), CMC (Caribbean), Asian TV Network (Canada), Eurosport (Europe), Sky Sports (United Kingdom and Ireland), DD Sports and Star Sports (India, Nepal and Sri Lanka), Sky Sport (New Zealand), PTV Sports (Pakistan), ESPN (United States)

Live Stream: Sky Go (United Kingdom)

Weather: The Weather Channel is forecasting a fine and sunny day reaching 27 degrees Celsius that will be perfect for the playing conditions at Eden Park. 

Overview

Separating Australia and New Zealand is the Tasman Sea, a stretch of water approximately 2,000 kilometres in width that, in this World Cup, has felt considerably smaller. 

Yet, though the countries are viewed as close neighbours, the divide is still relatively vast—the distance between Australia and New Zealand is roughly double the length of Britain.

And, for the majority of their histories, the gulf between the countries in cricketing terms has been just as large—Australia, for long periods, the game's dominant force; New Zealand the often-forgotten side in cricket's second tier. 

But not anymore. 

Now, they're peers. Rivals. Co-hosts. Co-favourites. 

In a scenario that might have seemed unlikely as little as 12 months ago, Saturday's clash in Auckland looks set to be the match of the World Cup's group phase. 

And Australia know it. 

Indeed, the biggest indication that Australia view New Zealand as a genuine threat has come from the words emanating from the Australian camp in the buildup to Saturday's encounter. 

"If we bowl well to him [Brendon McCullum], we'll create the pressure and he'll have a brain explosion," David Warner said of the Black Caps' captain, per Brydon Coverdale of ESPN Cricinfo. 

Days earlier, Australia coach Darren Lehmann had fired his own shots at McCullum. 

"He took the game on and he certainly does that, he plays a high-risk game, but there's a bit of a difference between 135 kph and 145 to 150 kph coming at him," Lehmann told Adelaide radio station 5AA, per Daniel Brettig of ESPN Cricinfo, after McCullum's extravagant innings against England. 

The message: it doesn't count until you do it against us. 

But here's the thing: Australia don't throw verbal barbs at anyone. If you're one of world cricket's lesser teams, they don't bother.

Instead, the mind games and pre-match taunts are all saved for those that Australia perceive as their rivals. In the last decade, that's been England, South Africa and India; not New Zealand. 

However, the shots fired across the Tasman from Australia in recent days suggest the dynamic has changed. A lot. 

Though they've enjoyed a strong run themselves, the men in green and gold will have noticed the blistering form of the team across the divide in New Zealand: three straight wins at the World Cup and eight wins from their last nine games overall (none of them close), all achieved with an explosive batting lineup and one of the world's best new-ball pairings. 

Saturday, therefore, is a meeting between the world's No. 1 side and the outfit that's closing in on them at the most rapid rate of all.

It's the match of the group stage.

After the shots directed his way from Warner and Lehmann, it will be fascinating to watch McCullum in action at Eden Park. 

At a ground with incredibly small boundaries, the New Zealand captain could be impossible to stop if he gets going at the top of the order—a situation Australia will desperately want to avoid. 

It means the visitors are likely to deliver an early onslaught in the opening overs of the New Zealand innings, with Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and possibly Pat Cummins ready to charge in and, as Lehmann suggested, show McCullum the difference between 135 and 150 kph. 

One suspects neither party will back down.

For the visitors, the most intriguing matter to monitor will be the presence of Michael Clarke.

Since suffering a severe hamstring injury in the first Test against India in Adelaide in early December, the only match practice the Australian captain has seen has come in World Cup warm-up games and grade cricket in Sydney—hardly the ideal preparation for a crunch World Cup encounter with a red-hot New Zealand in Auckland. 

As such, the washout in Brisbane for the scheduled meeting with Bangladesh was a big blow for Clarke. 

Now, he'll enter the cauldron that will be Eden Park on Saturday with little form, little match fitness and an array of question marks hanging over him.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2377171-new-zealand-vs-australia-world-cup-game-date-live-stream-tv-info-preview

Honda Classic 2015: Live Stream, Dates and TV Schedule

By Sean ODonnell

If you're seeking a star-studded event on the PGA Tour, look no further than the 2015 Honda Classic. This year's field is the "best in the modern history of the tournament," according to the tournament's website, as 16 of the world's top 25 golfers are in action.

From world No. 1 Rory McIlroy to the always-popular Phil Mickelson, PGA National will be chock-full of golf's most talented and entertaining players—but they won't have it easy. This a skilled field, and The Champion course at PGA National features one of the toughest three-hole stretches in golf, infamously known as The Bear Trap.

When golf legend Jack Nicklaus redesigned the course, he masterminded three of the most intimidating holes any player—amateur or professional—would face consecutively. Here's a look at the treacherous stretch:

As we wait to watch the field attempt to navigate these dangerous holes, let's take a look at the tournament's essential viewing information to ensure you don't miss a moment of the action.

2015 Honda Classic

Dates: Thursday, Feb. 26 - Sunday, March 1

Where: PGA National (The Champion course) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Purse: $6.1 million (winning share: $1.098 million)

FedEx Cup Points: 500 to winner

TV Info:

Thursday and Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET, Golf Channel

Saturday and Sunday: 1-3 p.m. ET, Golf Channel; 3-6 p.m. ET, NBC

It's incredibly difficult to distinguish a handful of players from such a stacked field, so this week, let's take a look at the two most intriguing trios to hit the course Thursday.

The first group to watch is Lefty, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia. This all-star cast will provide onlookers with plenty of entertainment for a variety of reasons.

Mickelson enters the tournament ranked 19th in the world. Luckily, the season is in its infancy, because that would be his worst year-end rank since 1995 (24th). In three tournaments so far this year, Lefty has finished tied for 24th and missed two cuts, most recently at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Perhaps some favorable history will finally get Lefty headed in the right direction. As the Golf Channel noted, Mickelson's first PGA Tour win came during this week back in 1993:

Garcia began 2015 in turbulent fashion, finishing tied for 46th in his first tournament and missing the cut the following week. Well, after taking a little time off, he returned with a vengeance at the Northern Trust Open, finishing tied for fourth after a disappointing finish tarnished an otherwise brilliant showing.

The golfer tweeted this statement following the completion of the tournament:

Rest assured, he'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder at PGA National.

Kaymer enters the Honda Classic ranked 10th in the world. He tied for second in the Thailand Golf Championship to finish the 2014 season, and he's continued that momentum into 2015, placing third in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and tying for fourth in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He's on a roll, but this will be his first action on American soil since the Tour Championship.

After taking in that early trio Thursday, you can shift your focus to a later group featuring McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.

McIlroy is on an absolute tear once again this season. He began the year with a second-place finish in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and went on to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by three strokes over Alexander Noren.

The world No. 1 finished tied for second at the Honda Classic in 2014, and he treated us to shots like this in the process:

With the way he's playing right now, expect more of the same this time around.

Johnson has been one of golf's best stories this year. He took a long break from the game to deal with some personal issues, and he returned to the tour on a mission. After stumbling out of the gate at the Farmers Insurance Open, he finished tied for fourth at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and tied for second after losing in a playoff in the Northern Trust Open.

PGA National will have a hand in answering that question.

Rounding out the trio is Koepka. Ranked 20th in the world, he began the season with a bang, emerging victorious in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The only year he's won multiple times on the PGA Tour was 2013, but he has a chance to duplicate that feat after a great start in 2015.

There's plenty of diversity in this year's field. We have veterans looking to get back on the right track, some of the world's best players aiming to separate themselves from the pack and young golfers looking to make their marks on the PGA Tour. That's going to make for one thrilling Honda Classic.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2376380-honda-classic-2015-tee-times-dates-tv-schedule-and-prize-money

Manchester City vs Barcelona: Live Stream Preview & TV Info

By Jason Pettigrove

Manchester City against Barcelona. Champions League round of 16. Again.

Of all of the ties drawn out of the hat, this is probably the one that garnered most media attention. Rightly so.

These two heavyweights went toe-to-toe last season in a high-quality game of cat and mouse, and given current form, we can surely expect to be treated to more of the same. 

Manuel Pellegrini's side might well have fancied their chances of securing a quarterfinal berth when the draw was made, such was the malaise that the Blaugrana found themselves in.

But how times change. No front line has scored more than Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in 2015 and Barca look menacing and dangerous each time they step onto the pitch.

The Etihad Stadium holds happy memories for the Catalans too, having comprehensively outplayed the Citizens at the same stage last season, but with the hosts back to full strength for this one, don't bet against them.

Strap yourselves in, it's going to be some ride.

Date: Tuesday, February 24

Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m ET

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

TV Info: ITV1 (UK only)/Fox Soccer Plus (USA only)

Live Stream: ITV Player (UK only)/Fox Soccer 2 Go (USA only)

Last Five Results:

Manchester City

---------------

W 5-0 Newcastle

W 4-1 Stoke City

D 1-1 Hull

D 1-1 Chelsea

L 0-2 Middlesbrough

Barcelona

---------

L 0-1 Malaga

W 5-0 Levante

W 3-1 Villarreal

W 5-2 Athletic Bilbao

W 3-2 Villarreal

Predicted Formations

Manuel Pellegrini is likely to plump for a 4-4-1-1 formation which will narrow the lines between defence and midfield and keep Barca's chances of penetrating the back line to a minimum.

Although Sergio Aguero will therefore be the lone front man for the hosts, his forays will be ably supported by Fernandinho from the midfield, or a slightly more advanced James Milner, who faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.

If Milner fails to make it, Jesus Navas slot into a rejigged midfield.

David Silva and Samir Nasri can also provide width in the channels and their roles will be crucial in keeping the rampaging twin presence of Jordi Alba and Dani Alves at bay.

Vincent Kompany will continue to expertly marshal his defence, but both Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov will need to be on their guard for the full 90 against the current best attacking three in European football.

After a shaky start to his cup campaign, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has grown into the role. His confidence between the posts should go some way to nullifying the threat that Aguero in particular will pose.

In front of him will be Barca's usual 4-3-3, for which the attack picks itself.

Luis Enrique's biggest conundrum is who to utilise against the incessant and direct running of Fernandinho. This could well be the game for Rafinha Alcantara and Ivan Rakitic to come to the fore, alongside the robust defensive excellence of Sergio Busquets.

Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano will have their hands full so both Alba and Alves will need to attend to more defensive duties as a result.

Two Argentine internationals facing off may well decide the outcome of this game.

Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero know each others' game inside out with the ball firmly in Kun's court to deliver a surprise element to bamboozle his countryman.

It might well take something out of the ordinary to get past El Jefe because he has been in sensational form this season, carrying on where he left off in World Cup 2014, a tournament that should have afforded him the accolade of best player, rather than Messi.

Mascherano has to play a composed and balanced 90 minutes and quite probably sit further back than he might prefer, in order to track the movements of City's tricky No. 16.

Keep him quiet and Barca are halfway there.

Odds

The following pre-match odds are available via our betting partner Odds Shark:

Home Win: 19/10

Away Win: 69/50

Draw: 7/4

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2371458-manchester-city-vs-barcelona-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info

FC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs Mir Live Stream, Fight Card and TV Info

By Brian Mazique

On the same night as the Academy Awards, two battle-torn heavyweights highlight a UFC Fight Night card in Brazil where the supporting performers might be better than the men in leading roles. Former heavyweight champion Frank Mir will take on Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in a fight that hopefully decides which of these two continues fighting and which one calls it a career.

As Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie points out, there's no questioning these two men have been in their share of high-profile scraps:

While the big guys may be battling for their careers, the fighters in the co-main event could be edging toward a title shot. Edson Barboza and Michael "Menace" Johnson are two in a long line of talented lightweights who would love to earn their shot at Anthony "Showtime" Pettis—if he's still the champion of the 155-pound division after tangling with Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185.

Minus the lack of name recognition, the Barboza-Johnson scrap could easily be the headliner. Both men are still in the primes of their athletic careers and have more serious aspirations about becoming champion than do Silva and Mir.

There are also a few notable preliminary bouts to take note of, including an intriguing women's bantamweight bout between Jessica Andrade and the potential budding star, "The Belizean Bruiser" Marion Reneau.

Check out the viewing information, full card and predictions.

Fox Sports 1 Main Card 8pm ET

Antonio Silva vs. Frank Mir

It's been almost a year since Sean Strickland was in the Octagon, but the 23-year-old is still undefeated at 15-0, and he's young enough to be considered an up-and-coming talent.

Strickland is moving down to welterweight where he should be faster and more explosive. His Millennium MMA training partner Lorenz Larkin made the same move and looked spectacular in his last fight against John Howard.

While Tarzan doesn't possess the same striking prowess that Larkin does, the Riverside, California, native has a balanced game, and he's cerebral. Per Jordan Newmark of UFC.com, here's what Strickland said about his mental approach:

I think the thing that separates great fighters from average fighters is intelligence, to be honest. If we’re all training the same way, training with the same caliber of people, and fighting at the same weight then there has to be an X-factor that separates us. That’s the mental game. It’s controlling your emotions. It’s when someone is booing you to not get mad and bite down on your mouthpiece and throw an overhand right trying to get the KO. The mental game is the X-factor, being able to adjust and think and do what I needed to do to beat him.

Against Santiago Ponzinibbio on Sunday, the poised and calculated approach will lead Strickland to victory.

Ponzinibbio is ultra-aggressive by nature. He's a good striker who will be performing in front of his countrymen. He'll want to put on a show, but he'll find himself in peril as he runs into a trap set by Strickland.

When the fight goes to the mat, Strickland will have the advantage and finish matters by way of submission.

When it comes to kicks, not many in the sport are more dangerous than Barboza. He scored the single most devastating kick KO I've ever seen against Terry Etim in 2012. Since then, he's stopped three opponents with kicks—two of them to the legs.

Offensively, he's a machine. On Sunday, he'll square off with Michael Johnson. Quite honestly, I thought Johnson was headed out of the promotion after back-to-back losses to Myles Jury and Reza Madadi, but he's strung together three straight wins.

He hasn't fought in almost a year, and Barboza represents a step up over the competition he's faced recently. While I like the improvements in aggression and stand-up fighting that Johnson has exhibited in his most recent fights, I don't think he has the speed to contend with Barboza.

Ultimately, the Brazilian will catch him with a powerful kick that leads to a TKO win and a delighted crowd.

As a submission artist, there aren't many better than Mir. The problem with him recently is that he's not able to get past his opponent's stand-up game to take the fight to the ground.

Sunday's main event won't be any different. Silva is a massive and strong heavyweight with extremely heavy hands. If he connects with Mir's chin, the end will come shortly thereafter. Even if Mir is able to get Silva to the ground, he'll have to be at his best.

Silva is skilled on the mat as well, and his size makes it tough to gain an advantageous position against him. In a bout with two guys who shouldn't ever be considered serious contenders again, Silva will prove to be the least shopworn.

TJ Waldburger has lost his last two fights—each by KO/TKO. He's facing Wendell Oliveira on Sunday, a Brazilian with titanic punching power but questionable defense on the ground and standing.

In his last fight, Ponzinibbio stopped him in the first round with punches. This, however, is a fight Oliveira can win easily. Waldburger lacks the chin and quickness to handle Oliveira's initial assault.

This fight will end quickly and violently, with Oliveira claiming the victory.

There's a new threat on the horizon in the women's bantamweight division. Marion Reneau is a well-balanced fighter with improving striking and an accomplished grappling base. She has a tough matchup on Sunday against Jessica Andrade, but Reneau has the advantage in poise and versatility. She's just as comfortable on the mat as she is standing.

This fight will begin as a boxing match, but ultimately find its way to the ground where Reneau will finish matters via ground-and-pound.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2371030-ufc-fight-night-61-bigfoot-vs-mir-fight-card-tv-info-predictions-and-more

Golovkin vs Martin: Live Stream, Fight Time and TV Info

By Brian Mazique

To solidify his status as one of the best fighters in the world, WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (31-0, 28 KO) needs to beat a big name. He won't get a chance to do that Saturday when he faces hard-luck contender Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KO) in Monaco, but another win should hopefully put Golovkin at the doorstep of a career-defining matchup.

Murray isn't a pushover.

He's had two chances to win a world title in his career. Officially, Murray failed in both situations, but it wouldn't be tough to find boxing experts who believed he deserved a win over Sergio Martinez in April 2013 or Felix Sturm in December 2012 (or both).

As it stands, the 32-year-old from St. Helens, Merseyside, in the United Kingdom has yet to become a world champion. His latest attempt will come against a man who may be the most feared fighter in the sport today. Per Odds Shark, Golovkin is the heavy favorite at 1-25.

Because Murray does bring some credentials into the ring, perhaps that's why Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, told Marco Villegas of Fight Hub that his fighter is so motivated for this bout:

Golovkin, who is also 32 years old, is undefeated with a KO percentage of 90.32, and he hasn't had an opponent go the distance in about seven years. Can Murray not only go the distance but hand Golovkin his first defeat?

Here's how you can watch.

When: Saturday, February 21 at 5:45 p.m. ET

Where: Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco

TV: HBO

Anyone who has seen Golovkin fight—especially recently—knows that there is more to his game than brute punching power. GGG understands angles. He's patient and has an underrated jab. 

Murray is a smart fighter who undoubtedly knows what he's up against. His game plan has to be to gain some measure of respect with his own attack while being careful not to stay stationary for too long. 

A slugfest is something he doesn't want with Golovkin. Murray can't win that style of fight. Utilizing his own jab and footwork will be key if he hopes to pull off the improbable upset. 

Murray has heard and seen glimpses of Golovkin's power, but GGG packs the type of punch that an opponent won't truly appreciate until he's in there with him. How well Murray can deal with the pressure and power of the champion will determine if an upset is feasible.

His only chance is to drag Golovkin deep into a competitive bout in hopes of seeing fatigue become a factor.

When you've stopped 18 straight opponents, just winning isn't enough. Golovkin's dominance has created a standard that will be tough to live up to as his career goes on. Even if Murray loses and goes the distance, it'll be a victory of sorts for the challenger and motivation for the next Golovkin opponent.

Fair or not, there is pressure for Golovkin to continue to shine the way he has over the last seven years of his career.

As it stands, he's already having problems finding opponents with anything to lose. While the competition may not be elite, a performance that rates anywhere below dominant would potentially slow Golovkin's momentum.

Prediction

The man who will beat or seriously challenge Golovkin will be either very quick, powerful or both. Murray has neither quality to the level that makes him a serious threat to dethrone GGG.

He is an inch-and-a-half taller with a three-inch reach advantage, but that alone won't be enough to stop the champion. Murray has just 12 knockouts in his career. He lacks the punching power to get Golovkin's attention or respect.

Murray is also not quite quick enough to slip the punches, counter and move out of harm's way consistently for 12 rounds. Ultimately, Golovkin will time Murray, walk him down and finish him by the sixth round. Can I hear 19 straight?

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2369742-gennady-golovkin-vs-martin-murray-fight-time-date-preview-and-tv-info