Ahead of his bout with Robbie Lawler at UFC 167 in November, Rory MacDonald was forced to field yet another question about potentially fighting then-welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre. Despite almost exhausting all methods of saying no by this point, the B.C. native once again shot down the notion of facing his teammate. However, MacDonalds reluctance appeared to raise the ire of Tyron Woodley, who was preparing for a bout with Josh Koscheck. "Ive asked to fight tough guys because one day I want that belt Georges St-Pierre has in front of him," Woodley said at the UFC 167 pre-fight press conference. "Rorys like, I wont fight him. If he doesnt want to fight him, then he needs to get out of the way. Guys like me will fight him." Though the St-Pierre issue is now moot due to the Montreal fighter vacating the belt and taking a leave of absence, Woodleys words almost seem prophetic as he is set to face MacDonald in the co-main event of UFC 174 in Vancouver this Saturday. MacDonald admittedly isnt a fan of Woodleys tactics, but said he wasnt bothered by the former NCAA Division I wrestlers verbal potshot last fall. "I think it was his way of trying to put a stab at me, but also, maybe he doesnt want to fight me," MacDonald said during a phone interview with UFC.ca. "I think he knows in the back of his head that Im a dangerous fighter and he doesnt want to deal with me on the way to a title shot. But I dont really get too stressed about what people have to say. Im just focused on my own path, what I need to do and thats all. "Hes got his own thing and its got him to where he is. Everyones got to do their own thing. Im just focused on myself. I wouldnt go about it the way he does and the way he speaks sometimes, but it doesnt bother me. Its just the way he is." Regardless of Woodleys jab, MacDonalds focus remains locked on earning a shot at current welterweight titleholder Johny Hendricks. Though his bout with Woodley remains pivotal in the 170-pound division, the winner could be leapfrogged in the pecking order by the victor of Julys battle between Lawler and Matt Brown. As always, simply getting the job done wont be good enough. MacDonald knows he needs to make a statement against Woodley. "I want to have the greatest performance of my career so far," said MacDonald. "I want to be at my best every fight. I think doing that will get me where I want to be. If I just keep improving every fight, keep on impressing and growing as a martial artist, people will recognize that. "(Fans can expect) a technical and precise performance, but at the same time, exciting and dynamic." Stylistically, MacDonald and Woodley make for an exciting fight on paper — especially considering how much theyve both grown as fighters in recent years. Though MacDonald, 24, is eight years younger than Woodley, 32, he began competing in mixed martial arts in October 2005, four months before the St. Louis fighter made his respective debut. Woodley will always have his wrestling credentials to fall back on, but has recently emerged as one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFCs 170-pound division. Not only has he put his heavy hands to good use in wins over Koscheck and Jay Hieron, his ability to quickly cover distance is nothing short of breathtaking. His most recent outing saw him pick up a second-round TKO victory over Carlos Condit when the former interim welterweight champ suffered a knee injury due to Woodleys onslaught. MacDonald said he has the tools necessary to neutralize Woodleys strengths, but opted not to get into details. "Youll see that night," MacDonald said. "Im not going to tell you how I technically beat him, but Im confident in my solutions to those problems." As far as MacDonald is concerned, the real question is whether Woodley can handle what he brings to the table. "I try not to worry about my opponent," MacDonald began. "I have to perform in front of any kind of opponent. It really doesnt matter what style they are. I just feel I have the solutions to beat anybody in the welterweight division right now. "I think hes fought some good guys and well-rounded fighters, but I really feel like hes fighting the best on Saturday night. I dont think hes ready for it." Brandon Moss Jersey .com) - The Toronto Blue Jays will look to snap a three-game skid Friday night when they continue their road trip in the opener of a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Joe Morgan Jersey .Y. -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will have less time to remain eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot under changes made Saturday. http://www.athleticsauthenticshop.com/hats/ . The Calgary skip fell 10-8 to Swedens Oskar Eriksson in semifinal action Saturday and will face Switzerlands Peter de Cruz for the bronze medal (Saturday at 10pm et/7pm pt on TSN2). Scott Kazmir Jersey . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. Sean Doolittle Jersey . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U.TORONTO -- Ryan Benesch scored seven goals to lead the Buffalo Bandits to a 15-13 win over the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League East semifinal Saturday night. The Bandits, who were the only team in the nine-team league to miss the playoffs last season, will meet the Rochester Knighthawks in a two-game East final. Buffalos other goal scorers were John Tavares, with two, Mark Steenhuis, Andrew Watt, Shawn Williams, Jamie Rooney, Dhane Smith and Chad Culp. Buffalo outshot Toronto 57-54. Kasey Beirnes scored four goals for the Rock, Colin Doyle and Nick Diachenko scored three each, Josh Sanderson got two, and Rob Hellyer chipped in with one. Stephan Leblanc, Torontos leading goal scorer with 45 during the regular season, was unable to put a ball behind Bandits goalie Anthony Cosmo. Buffalo led 4-2 after one quarter and 8-7 after two. Benesch, whose 25-goal regular season was his least productive in five years, put four balls behind Rock goalie Brandon Miller in the first half. Beirnes tied it 8-8 early in the third quarter. Then, Buffalo was assessed a slashing penalty to Billy Dee Smith at the same time it was nabbed for too many men and Sanderson gave Toronto its first lead, 9-8, duuring the two-man advantage.dddddddddddd Benesch scored his fifth and sixth around a goal by Diachenko to send the teams to the fourth quarter tied 10-10. Tavares, the Bandits 45-year-old captain, restored Buffalos lead and Smith made it 12-10 when he pulled a ball out of Torontos crease to beat Miller. Diachenko replied for the Rock. But Benesch fired an overhand bullet into the top corner of the net on a power play for a 13-11 Buffalo lead with Damon Edwards in the penalty box for a high hit on Rory Smith. Diachenko, who scored two goals in three regular-season games with the Rock, got his third of the night and Culp offset it. Beirnes scored his fourth of the game but Tavares kept Buffalo ahead by two with a power-play goal. With one minute remaining it was desperation time for the Rock. Miller was lifted for an extra attacker to no avail. The Bandits entered the post-season on an eight-game losing streak while Toronto had won its last four regular-season games. Buffalo open the East final at home next weekend. Game 2 will be in Rochester on May 17. Should the teams split, a 10-minute mini-game and sudden-death overtime, if needed, will immediately follow the second game. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '