Consider the source.When Bobby

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Urijah (The California Kid) Faber finds himself in an unaccustomed position Saturday night at UFC 175 — on the preliminary card. Faber, a former WEC champion who has challenged for a UFC championship belt three times, has never lost a non-title bout and was in the main event last time out at UFC 169. But the 35-year-old bantamweight from Sacramento, currently ranked second among 135-pound contenders, find himself topping the televised preliminaries before the pay-per-view portion of the show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Middleweight champion Chris Weidman meets former light-heavyweight title-holder Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida of Brazil in the main event while womens bantamweight champion (Rowdy) Ronda Rousey takes on Alexis Davis, a native of Port Colborne, Ont., who fights out of San Jose. Faber faces No. 12 Alex (Bruce Leroy) Caceres in a fight where a win means much more to the up-and-coming Caceres than the veteran Faber. Having an established star like Faber (30-7) lead into the pay-per-view is good for the UFC. Faber has no complaints, knowing the prelim finale will draw plenty of viewers on free TV. A canny businessman, Faber understands the value of keeping his brand in the spotlight. "I feel great," said the five-foot-six fighter with a megawatt smile and dimple in his chin. "Its kind of a strange thing. Ive gotten to the point now where Im one of the veterans of the sport. "Ive had the same lifestyle since I was a little kid — basically do your homework, hang out with your buddies and play your sports. So Im living the same life. To be the crafty old veteran at this point is kind of funny. ... Im 35 now and feeling as fresh as a daisy, ready to rock and roll. Its good position to be in." The matchup was apparently triggered by a fan on social media. The 26-year-old Caceres took up the cause and Faber accepted the bout when the UFC offered it. "Its smart to want to fight me," said Faber. "I mean, the guy doesnt have anything to lose. Im one of the bigger names in the sport." But as UFC president Dana White often says, be careful of what you wish for. Faber is a 15-1 favourite to put Caceres in his place, in the eyes of some oddsmakers. Rather than titles, Faber talks about being the best fighter he can be these days. But he believes the two can come together, even if the championship belt currently belongs to teammate T.J. Dillashaw. "I feel like I still havent had my best performance," Faber said. "When I do, I feel like Ill be the champion." Caceres (10-5 with one no contest) has won four of his last five fights. It could have been five straight but his split decision win over Kyung Ho Kang in March was changed to a no contest after he tested positive for marijuana. That earned him a six-month suspension. Faber is coming off a second defeat at the hands of Brazils Renan Barao, who lost his bantamweight title to Dillashaw one fight later. "I dont like to dwell on such," Faber said of his loss. "As soon as that one was over, it was on to the next one, I cant really change the past, It was really unfortunate because I definitely had more fight in me. Im a guy thats known for being able to push through adversity. I didnt get a chance to show that. It could have been one of my greatest fights ... So its onto the next one. Ill make this next one my greatest fight." Barao knocked Faber out in the first round at UFC 169 in February what some — including White — thought was a premature stoppage. Faber was getting the worst of it on the ground, but gave referee Herb Dean a thumbs up to show he was still on top of things. Dean missed the gesture and stepped in to stop the fight. Barao, filling in for the injured Dominick Cruz, won a five-round decision over Faber at UFC 149 in Calgary in July 2012 to win the interim bantamweight title. Faber suffered a broken rib early in the fight. A former featherweight champion in the WEC, Faber was the longtime face of MMAs lighter weight classes. But he lost his 145-pound crown to Mike Brown in November 2008 and was beaten in a rematch seven months later. After dropping an April 2010 decision to champion Jose Aldo, who had dethroned Brown, Faber dropped down to 135 pounds. He has gone 7-3 since (6-3 in the UFC) with wins over Takeya Mizugaki, Eddie Wineland, Brian Bowles, Canadian Ivan Menjivar, Scott Jorgensen, Iuri Alcantara and Michael McDonald and title losses to Dominick Cruz and Barao. Faber, who made his pro debut in November 2003, may have slipped down the bantamweight mountain slightly but he remains active. Saturday marks his sixth fight in a little more than 16 months. "Im pumped to be back," he said. Dillashaw winning the bantamweight title has changed the 135-pound landscape. Especially since the two train together as part of Team Alpha Male at Fabers gym. "I couldnt be more excited about that," Faber said of the Dillashaw win. "It was a big deal for our team and for myself, a guy that I helped bring up. "People have asked about us fighting and I dont really want to do that." Faber talks of "exciting fights," citing Cruz, Barao and Kid Yamamoto. "Just keep winning and putting out my best performance." But he doesnt rule out a Dillashaw clash. "If it comes to a point where we need to cross that bridge, its going to be a discussion that he and I are going to have to have with our bosses Dana and Lorenzo (UFC president Dana White and co-owner Lorenzo Feritta)." Cruz, who has not fought since October 2011 and had to give up his title due to his knee injury layoff, will have problems getting his championship belt back, according to Faber. "I dont think hell do very well against T.J.," said Faber. The California Kid speaks warmly about Caceres, citing his recent win streak and positive if somewhat quirky outlook on life. "I kind of like the guy. But Im going to beat the crap out of him." Away from the cage, Faber has proved to be one of the more successful fighter-entrepreneurs. A graduate of the University of California, Davis, where he was a standout wrestler when not working on a degree in human development, is on his second clothing company (Torque), has written a book ("The Laws of the Rings") and has had several other business ventures, usually drawing in family and friends to help. In addition to his Ultimate Fitness gym in Sacramento, Faber also has a private gym on the California coast. A new project, in conjunction with photographer Sam Hon, is Optical Panacea which combines the imagery of a background photo with a series of action shots in MMA and other sports. Faber is also involved in the MMA Draft combine, which serves as a showcase for amateur athletes who want to get into fighting. The many ribbons to his bow may explain why Faber has no plans to follow Randy (The Natural) Couture and fight into his 40s. "I have no desire to do that," he said. "But could I? Of course I could, if I put my mind to it. But I dont think thats the plan for me" NOTES — Faber will have veteran fighter Martin (The Hitman) Kampmann in his corner as coach. Former coach Duane (Bang) Ludwig is taking advantage of his successful run at Team Alpha Male to open his own gym. Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Stitched Lakers Jerseys .A. Dickey earned an American League Gold Glove on Tuesday to become the first Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to win the award. Lakers Jerseys 2020 . - Robert Griffin III has a sprained throwing shoulder that limited him in practice Wednesday as the Washington Redskins prepared for their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . 1 player in the world. So Duval gutted it out Thursday at the Byron Nelson Championship despite the pain from a muscle issue in his right elbow, a day after his stepson had to drive him because he couldnt even use that arm. Los Angeles Lakers Shirts . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. Lakers Jerseys China . Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasnt played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers.ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Connor McDavid was still a youngster when he first met Bobby Orr at the hockey legends summer camp. Awestruck at the time, McDavid forged a friendship that led to Orr becoming his agent.Now, as McDavid skates toward being the top pick in the NHL draft, he lives by the idea that Bobby knows best. Orr is there to help him deal with the pressure of being hockeys Next One and anything else that comes up on or off the ice.Im very lucky to have him around in my life, McDavid said. Hes been a great support guy for me that I can go to if I have any questions or any concerns. Hes been through it all, hes done anything that a hockey player wants to do. Hes done it all. If theres one guy you can go to talk to, hes a pretty darn good guy to go to.McDavid isnt the first prospect to lean on Orr. Hes the agent for past No. 1 picks Taylor Hall and Aaron Ekblad, and the Orr Hockey Group represents over 30 NHL players.Orr knows McDavid is a kind of unique talent who comes along once in a while, so his role is even more heightened this time. With all the pressure and expectations on the shoulders of an 18-year-old, Orr just wants McDavid to keep loving hockey.The big thing with Connor and any of the young kids: Dont ever lose the love and passion for the game, Orr said Thursday at the CHL prospects game, where hes coaching McDavid. This game can be a job. I never looked at it as a job, I loved to go to practice, I loved to play. ...What Connors gone through the last few years, it really is incredible how stable he has stayed. A lot of that has to do with his family, too. Thats the thing: Some kids get the kind of pressure put on them, they just lose that love and passion for the game.That doesnt sound like a problem for McDavid, who never seems to take playing hockey for granted.I love the game so much and I work hard at it and I have a lot of fun with it, he said. Theres something about playing in junior and being with your buddies all the time and going through that run, its hard not to fall in love with it.McDavid, whos in his third season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, doesnt see Orr often. But the two speak on the phone and text message each other to stay in touch.Thats a typical player-agent relationship, but for McDavid, its even more special. Consider the source.When Bobby Orr talks, youre listening, McDavid said. Youre making sure that youre doing what he says. If you want success, hes a great guy to kind of follow.Don Cherry, a friend of Orrs dating to his time coaching the Hall of Fame defenceman on the Boston Bruins, sees an off-ice benefit for McDavid in this relationship.I think with all the publiciity, this is how you handle it, said Cherry, the other coach in the CHL prospects game.dddddddddddd The PR and stuff like that, Bobby can help him that way, among many other things. Being a celebrity and how to handle it.McDavid has been in the limelight for a few years already and handles the attention about as well as anyone that age can. Surrounded by a handful of reporters and cameras Thursday, the Newmarket, Ont., native brushed the attention off as easy compared to the hoopla of the world juniors.The best advice that Orr gives McDavid is almost fatherly. It doesnt hurt to come from the greatest defenceman to play the sport, but its not too hockey-specific.Hes just checking up on me, making sure that Im doing all the right stuff, always reminding me to sleep more and get my rest, McDavid said. As a teenager youve got a lot of stuff going on all the time. Its hard to find a couple extra hours of sleep. Hes always reminding me and making sure Im doing that.Orr said the same thing to Ekblad, and probably Hall before that. The 66-year-old believes kids dont rest these days and preaches that its very important.He wants to be on the ice, Orr said of McDavid. He has a love and passion for this game, and thats where hes the happiest.Having McDavid on the ice next season is going to make one NHL team very happy. Theres a reason a few of the leagues worst teams are willing to slip to the bottom of the standings this year in order to increase their odds of getting McDavid.Asked if he thought McDavid would make an immediate impact as a professional, Orr said he knew it would happen at some point but didnt want to guarantee when. As much skill as McDavid has, theres work he must do before moving to the next level.He knows to play in the NHL next year hes got to get stronger, Orr said. He doesnt put himself in positions a lot to have to battle too much. He plays kind of a different game, but he has to get stronger like all these kids.Physical strength will come with another summer in the gym and time as McDavid grows. As for mental strength and commitment to hockey, that has grown the more he plays.If youre starting to lose the love of the game, it means youre not going to work as hard, McDavid said. Youre playing the game that you fell in love with as a kid, and now I guess youre just doing it on a bigger stage.This time next year, McDavid will be on the biggest of stages in the NHL. And Orr isnt worried about him not being ready on a personal level for that challenge.Not only is he a wonderful player, hes a wonderful young man, Orr said. Hes going to represent our game so well for a long, long time.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '

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