Marina Rodriguez has mixed feelings on UFC on ESPN 7 matchup with Cynthia Calvillo

Marina Rodriguez sees both the positives and negatives of her matchup with Cynthia Calvillo at UFC DC.

WASHINGTON – [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] sees both the positives and negatives of her matchup with Cynthia Calvillo on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 7.

Rodriguez, who is undefeated in her MMA career, was hoping to fight up in the official UFC strawweight rankings after avoiding a loss through three octagon appearances. That wasn’t the case, though, as the Brazilian (No. 9) got matched up with No. 10 Calvillo.

That came as somewhat of a disappointment to Rodriguez, but she’s able to view the upside.

“She’s a very good opponent,” Rodriguez told reporters, including MMA Junkie, through an interpreter at UFC on ESPN 7 open workouts. “I don’t expect to rise in the rankings because she’s ranked behind me, but I think it’s a good name and a good opportunity for me to show my work and get some extra points there. Even though it’s not up in the rankings, it’s going to push me forward in my career.”

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Rodriguez (13-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) meets Calvillo (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in the co-headliner of UFC on ESPN 7, which takes place at Capital One Arena. The card airs on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

Rodriguez said she’s ready for Calvillo wherever the fight goes. She’d prefer to stand up, if she’s being honest, but given the gameplan her opponents typically bring, there are expectations for grappling situations.

“All fights so far they try to make me down,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve yet to find someone who wants to stand and trade with me. Cynthia at some point is probably going to try to do that, but my jiu-jitsu is better than ever. I’m always improving. We might see a submission there if she tries.”

Should Rodriguez get her hand raised at UFC on ESPN 7, she would be unbeaten in 15 career fights. She said she will be ready for the highest echelon of the strawweight class whenever the UFC deems her worthy, but in the meantime she intends to keep her mind solely on each fight and improving her skills.

“The focus is always on the next fight. I’ve been training a lot. There’s no time for anything else aside from training and working and improving,” Rodriguez said. “I know what I show in one fight, they’re going to be ready for me in the next one. So I’m always working and looking to show different things and a better version of myself next time around.”

 

Case Keenum is playing the role of Aaron Rodgers at Redskins practice

Case Keenum has a tough task at Redskins practice this week.

Here’s a fun note from Washington Redskins practices this week — Case Keenum is playing Aaron Rodgers.

A backup emulating the opposing quarterback for that week as a member of the scout team isn’t too out of the ordinary. But it comes off as a somewhat funny one here as the Redskins defense tries to prep for one of the best passers of this generation.

Keenum, relegated to a backup role behind rookie Dwayne Haskins as the season winds down, has been charged with mixing up cadences and tempo in order to prep the Washington defense.

Asked about this prep, interim head coach Bill Callahan has had nothing but praise:

The Redskins defense has improved over the last two weeks, limiting opponents to a maximum of 21 points. But traveling to see Green Bay and Rodgers is a whole different sort of task, with Keenum poised to get plenty of credit if the defense plays well.

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Hornets, Devonte’ Graham sting Warriors for another road loss, 106-91

Warriors drop fourth straight game of their road trip behind a big shooting night from the Hornets guard, Devonte’ Graham.

The Warriors went into their current road trip playing some of their best basketball of 2019; now, after four games into the trip, the team is 0-4 after a 106-91 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

Even with the team being understaffed with injuries and inexperience, the Warriors have played tough against favored teams. However, on their current road swing, that grit has faded, and the Warriors have looked like the team their 4-19 record reflects.

The Warriors were able to grab a lead in the third quarter in Charlotte, but things flipped when Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell left the floor. The third period ended with the Hornets leading by 10, and the Warriors could never claw back their way back.

The Warriors backcourt couldn’t hang with Charlotte’s duo of Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. The Buzz City pairing combined for 58 of the Hornets 106 points. Rozier and Graham added 17 assists, 14 rebounds, and five steals to their dominant combined performance.

D’Angelo Russell Returns

The Warriors got another All-Star back from injury with the return of D’Angelo Russell after he missed nine games with a sprained right thumb. Russell led the Warriors in scoring with 18 points, with 13 coming in the second quarter.

Russell was a minute restriction and only played 25 minutes in his first game back. The Warriors will continue to be patient with their 23-year-old guard as he builds up his conditioning and rhythm.

Career night for Devonte’ Graham

The former second-round pick, Devonte’ Graham knocked down a career-high 10-three pointers against the Warriors, suitable for a game-high 33 points. The Warriors had no answer for Graham, who was just off completing a triple-double with nine assists and career-high seven rebounds. The Kansas Jayhawk product is having a stellar season in year two of NBA action, adding another impressive performance in his breakout campaign, this time against Golden State.

Creed Humphrey named Big 12 co-offensive lineman of the year

Pancakes for breakfast every day and twice on Saturdays.

Creed Humphrey was named Big 12 co-offensive lineman of the year…

Pancakes for breakfast every day and twice on Saturdays.

Creed Humphrey was named Big 12 co-offensive lineman of the year alongside Colton McKivitz of West Virginia.

Humphrey has without a doubt been the anchor of an offensive line that has had its fair share of ebbs and flows this season. The junior has been rock steady after working alongside four linemen last season who are now all on NFL rosters.

Humphrey makes the fourth consecutive Sooner lineman to have won at least a share of the award.

Behind Humphrey, quarterback Jalen Hurts has passed for 3,347 yards, rushed for 1,217 and has combined for 50 total touchdowns. Humphrey has also opened holes in the trenches for Kennedy Brooks who has rushed for 917 yards, fourth-best in the Big 12.

Humphrey and Oklahoma will be in another dog fight this Saturday as they will rematch Baylor for the Big 12 Championship and a possible College Football Playoff birth. The game can be found on FOX with kickoff set for 11a.m. CT.

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Nets take advantage of scuffling Hawks in Atlanta

The Brooklyn Nets did exactly what they needed to on Wednesday to walk away with a double-digit win in Atlanta.

After a tough test against the Miami Heat on Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets had what should’ve been a relatively easy matchup in Atlanta against the Hawks. Although the Nets fell behind in the first quarter, they took it to the Hawks in the second quarter, which wound up being the difference in Brooklyn’s 130-118 win. The Nets are now one game over .500.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 24 points on 10-for-22 shooting (4-for-6 from three). Wednesday marked his ninth 20-plus-point night in Brooklyn’s last 10 games. Dinwiddie also set a new personal record for most points scored in any 10-game stretch in his career with 245. His previous record was 244 in 2017-2018.

Dinwiddie also had six rebounds and five steals, but he did have seven turnovers, as well.

Taurean Prince got sweet revenge against his old team. He dropped 23 on the Hawks and had two steals, four assists and six rebounds.

Prince was lights out from three, finishing 5-for-7 from deep (9-for-15 from the floor).

But neither Prince nor Dinwiddie led the Nets in scoring. It was Garrett Temple who stepped up and finished with 27 points on 10 of 16 shooting (6-for-9 from three).

Another night and another double-double for Jarrett Allen. He scored 20 points and grabbed 13 boards.

Allen also had three blocks.

Joe Harris rounded out the scoring for Brooklyn’s starting lineup, finishing with 13.

The starting five were the only ones to finish in double figures. Theo Pinson led the bench scoring with seven points. DeAndre Jordan was an animal on the glass, per usual. He had nine rebounds.

Oklahoma City drops close contest to Pacers 107-100

The Thunder were led by Steven Adams with 20 points but OKC failed to win three consecutive games for the first time this season.

It was a much closer game than the one that the two teams played in November, but the result between the Pacers and Oklahoma City was ultimately the same.

The Thunder dropped their home contest to Indianapolis 107-100 inside Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday night, failing in their bid for the team’s first three-game winning streak this season.

As has been the case for many of their games this season, the Thunder were close to a win but couldn’t pull it out at the end.

A three-point OKC lead after the first quarter lead was a 50-49 advantage at the half.

For the second straight game, Oklahoma City played a solid third quarter, although they were outscored 30-28 as the Pacers took a 79-78 lead into the fourth.

The Thunder were within a point five different times in the final frame, but each time Indianapolis answered with a bucket.

Steven Adams led the way for Oklahoma City with 20 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schröder both scored 18 while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 16.

Gallo hit a career-high four 3-pointers in the third quarter alone.

With the loss, the Thunder drop to 8-12 on the season.

Oklahoma City is back in action on Friday when they host the Timberwolves at 7 p.m. CT.

Report: Colts’ Adam Vinatieri in doubt vs. Bucs

Adam Vinatieri unlikely to play in Week 14.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is dealing with a knee injury that could keep him out of the Week 14 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Popping up with a knee injury on the Colts injury report on Wednesday, Vinatieri is reportedly in doubt for the road game after getting an MRI on the knee, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

 

Given the potential for Vinatieri to miss Sunday’s game, the Colts claimed 23-year-old kicker Chase McLaughlin off of waivers from the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday.

Vinatieri has had a rough go of it in what is likely his last season playing football. He’s missed a career-high 14 kicks in just 12 games. Should he miss, it would be just the fourth time in his career he failed to play 16 games.

The Colts are dealing with several injuries everywhere, and it is likely to hit the kicker position on Sunday.

Jalen Hurts named Big 12 newcomer of the year

Expect anything different? Jalen Hurts earned the Big 12 newcomer of the year award after winning three Big 12 newcomer of the week awards.

Expect anything different?

Jalen Hurts earned the Big 12 newcomer of the year award after winning three Big 12 newcomer of the week awards.

Hurts joins former Sooner quarterback, Josh Heupel (1999) as the school’s second quarterback honoree and fourth total.

Leading the Big 12 in completion percentage, passing efficiency and passing touchdowns, Hurts is also second in the conference in rushing yards, trailing only fellow Heisman Trophy candidate, Chuba Hubbard of Oklahoma State.

Through the regular season, Hurts has completed 205 passes for 3,347 yards including 31 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Hurts averages 11.7 yards per pass and 278.9 yards per game.

On the ground, Hurts has gained 1,217 yards, toting the rock 196 times with 18 rushes hitting paydirt. Hurts averages 6.2 yards per carry and 101.4 yards per game.

With 12 games behind him, Hurts is responsible for 50 touchdowns (31 passing, 18 rushing, 1 receiving) ranking him first in the FBS in total touchdowns. Hurts leads Heisman Trophy favorite, Joe Burrow and Heisman Trophy candidate Justin Fields by three touchdowns.

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LeBron James got away with mind-boggling travel and NBA fans went nuts

LeBron James can apparently do as he pleases.

You ever find yourself doing something at work and when you suddenly realize your mind has wandered and you forget what you were actually supposed to be doing while on the job?

Well, that apparently happened to LeBron James during Wednesday night’s Lakers-Jazz game in Utah.

One of the greatest players to ever play the game was casually dribbling the ball up the court when he seemed to forget for a few steps that he had to keep dribbling. He then remembered that and started dribbling again and no call was made.

Seriously, how did the refs miss this from King James:

Nothing? Really!?

NBA fans couldn’t believe it:

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