The Sleep Train Arena plays host to UFC on FOX 9 on Saturday night which features a main event title fight and some key match ups in the bantamweight division. As always Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head with our preview and picks. Last week at UFC Fight Night 33, my #TeamLynch (6 correct picks) slightly edged out #TeamJC (5 correct picks). Let us know which side youre on! Use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Also feel free to leave you opinions in the comment section below. Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez (Flyweight Championship) James Lynch TSN.ca (@LynchOnSports) In a rematch from their tightly contested encounter back at UFC 152 in Toronto, flyweight champ Johnson looks to make his third defense of his title when he battles Team Alpha male fighter Benavidez. Since winning the inaugural title at that same event back in September of 2012, "Mighty Mouse" has dispatched TUF 14 winner John Dodson and John Moraga to push his winning streak to four-straight. The 29-year old Benavidez has had an equally impressive run, racking up three-straight wins, including two spectacular knockouts. Clearly since the addition of striking coach Duane Ludwig to the Team Alpha Male camp, Benavidezs striking has looked impressive. Johnson earned his first submission victory in three years during his last fight and also trains with a prestigious camp at AMC Pankration. Traditionally, rematches tend to play out much differently than the first fight, but in this case its tough to say which 125lb fighter has improved more. Both are decorated wrestlers and while you could give the edge on the mat to Johnson, Benavidez has the better striking game. Its a coin flip and with that Im going to take California favorite Benavidez for the victory via split decision. Benavidez via split decision Jordan Cieciwa TSN 1290 (@FitCityJordan) UFC 152 had us treated to a great fight at flyweight when Demetrious Johnson squared off against Joseph Benavidez. Johnson won the fight, but fans have been looking forward to this rematch since Johnson successfully defended his title twice. Johnson won a unanimous decision against John Dodson, and arm barred John Moraga with less than two minutes in the 5th round. If he goes to sleep on Benavidez or tries to take this one to the "deep water" of the championship rounds, hes not keeping his title. Benavidez is going to be looking to finish this fight. This is a great fight for the 125lb category. I see this going to Benavidez way. His improvements in striking will allow him to set the pace in this fight. Benavidez via unanimous decision Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald Lynch Much like the main event, an equally competitive matchup takes place in the 135lb division as former WEC featherweight champ Faber battles fellow California native, McDonald. Since losing his inaugural bantamweight title fight to Renan Barao back at UFC 149, "The California Kid" has won three straight over Ivan Menjivar, Scott Jorgensen and most recently Yuri Alcantara. At 34-years of age, this may very well be his last run at UFC gold and we very well could see a passing of the guard on Saturday night. McDonald meanwhile made history earlier this year becoming the youngest fighter to compete for a UFC title in his loss to Renan Barao back at UFC on FUEL 7. Despite the loss, the 22-year old responded well in his next fight, handing Brad Pickett his first stoppage loss in the UFC. No doubt Faber has fought tougher competition during his 35-fight career, but McDonald has just two blemishes (one being to Barao) in his 18-fight career. The Oakdale MMA pupil has more power, but the Team Alpha male captain has more in his arsenal to win this fight with his wrestling and ground game. Its doubtful either fighter will earn a stoppage and if thats the case, Im giving the nod to the experienced Faber. Faber via unanimous decision Jordan Urijah Faber always brings the fight and not too many people have been able to beat him. In fact, he seems to only lose to champions. Michael McDonald does the same thing. He hasnt lost to anyone other than Renan Barao for about five years. So it brings up the question. Does the veteran show the new comer the ropes? Or does the young up start show the MMA world that he learned a thing or two since losing to the champ, then coming back to choke out a top contender in Brad Pickett. Im going with the young blood in this one. Michael McDonald has looked fantastic in all his outings. He will need to bring the best fight of his career, but I think it is in him. If McDonald uses his two-inch height advantage hell be able to keep Faber far enough back that he should be able to defend the take down. Well know in the first two minutes if Im right. If McDonald gets his first sprawl, hell be able to compete and win. McDonald via unanimous decision Nik Lentz vs. Chad Mendes Lynch Yet another Team Alpha male pupil competes on the main card as 15-1 Mendes battles fellow NCAA Division I wrestler Lentz. Since losing to current champ Jose Aldo last January, the 28-year old Mendes has amassed four consecutive knockout victories, including a third round TKO over Clay Guida in his last bout. It was the first time through Guidas 44-fight career that he had been stopped due to strikes. Meanwhile for Lentz, since his drop to featherweight he has remained undefeated, racking up wins over Eiji Mitsuoka, Diego Nunes and Hacran Dias. Much of Lentz success has been due to his work with top health/fitness guru Mike Dolce. Initially slated to fight Dennis Bermudez back at UFC Fight Night 31, the 29-year old will take a huge step up in competition when he squares off with Mendes. Everything Lentz can do, "Money" can do better and while this should be a competitive bout, its Mendes fight to lose. Expect the first round to be a wrestling clinic for both fighters, but come the second round, the 28-year old will find his range and knockout "The Carney" to earn a featherweight title shot. Mendes via second round knockout Jordan UFC on Fox 9 could be called UFC Alpha Male. This is the first of the fights for team Alpha Male that I see being a clear cut pick. Chad Mendes is so dominant at 145lbs that I can see him knocking out a veteran like Nik Lentz. Lentz is a big featherweight, and he made the cut thanks to one of the best in the business Mike Dolce. That size doesnt usually change Mendes fight plan. Watch for him to push the pace and use all his strength to control the fight. The pace will be set to a level that will have Lentz make a mistake, Mendes will capitalize with a heavy right hand. Once on the ground, Mendes should end this with a flurry. Mendes via second round TKO Mac Danzig vs. Joe Lauzon Lynch A pair of lightweights on two-fight losing streaks open up the main card Saturday night, as TUF 6 winner Danzig battles jiu-jitsu ace Lauzon. With the UFC looking to do additional roster cuts into the New Year, the loser of this bout could very well find themselves on the unemployment line. The PRIDE veteran Danzig is coming off a second round knockout loss to Melvin Guillard, and hasnt earned a victory inside the octagon since April of 2012. Lauzon looked impressive in his "Fight of the Year" victory over Jamie Varner in August 2012, but since then has looked flat in back to back decision losses to Jim Miller and Michael Johnson. For Danzig, his last notable win was back in 2008 against Mark Bocek and since then, has only beat fighters who are no longer on the UFC roster. Lauzon is younger and has shown flashes of greatness in his wins over Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard. No doubt it will be a close fight, but I expect the former IT Professional to emerge victorious on Saturday. Lauzon via third round submission. Jordan How did this get on a free card? This has the potential to be one of those great scraps. Mac Danzig is one of those fun to watch tough fighters with a lot of skill in both striking and as soon as the fight hits the mat. Joe Lauzon has shown us over the years how to utilize Jujitsu in the UFC. Hes ground game is second to none. With that said, both this fighters have been resting on their laurels. They have looked impressive at times, but not consistently. We all know the potential is there for them to be great. My hope is that Dana Whites famous pre-event speech gets them amped. For those that dont know, White is famous for reminding fighters that their job is never guaranteed and anytime they want, he can find a fighter to replace them. If they dont want to get fired, they need to prove it that night. Im choosing grit on this night. Danzig via unanimous decision Undercard Picks: Lynch: McGee, Barboza, Green, Jorgensen, Stout JC: McGee, Barboza, Healy, Jorgensen, McKenzie Also be sure to tune into the "Weigh-In" on TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg every Saturday as myself, Jordan and "Big Marv" Timog go toe to toe discussing the hottest topics in MMA. Jose Calderon Lakers Jersey . Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Fiorentina levelled on aggregate in the 14th minute when Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez headed back a long ball from David Pizarro and Pasqual smashed home an angled volley. Elgin Baylor Lakers Jersey . Kalish got his first hit since Sept. 11, 2012, when he rapped an RBI triple in the first inning Sunday in the Chicago Cubs 8-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/James-Worthy-Jersey/ . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race. Michael Cooper Lakers Jersey . Nothing pretty. But this is 1/4 World Cup. Usually plays out this way. Steve Nash Jersey . It was my fifth straight year attending and, as always, there are many interesting matters discussed as it pertains to the use of statistics in sports. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Zack Greinke had never lost at Great American Ball Park. Todd Frazier wasnt going to give him time to settle in on the mound again. Frazier swung at the first pitch he got from Greinke and hit a two-run homer on Thursday afternoon, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and a split of their four-game series. The Reds won the last two games to finish a 5-5 homestand that left them stuck closer to the bottom of the NL Central than the top. Alfredo Simon (9-3) gave up seven singles in eight innings, joining the Cardinals Adam Wainwright as the NLs nine-game winners. Greinke (8-3) had been 4-0 in five games at Great American. A slow start cost him his perfect mark. Skip Schumaker opened the Reds first with a single, and Frazier followed with his team-high 14th homer on Greinkes fifth pitch of the game. Joey Votto doubled on the next pitch as well. "I was just trying to electrify us and get us going," said Frazier, who has five homers in his last 11 games. "First pitch, I was ready to attack. It was good to get the lead for Alfredo." Greinke gave the third baseman credit for hitting a pitch that ended up where it was intended. "It wasnt necessarily any worse pitches than the rest of the game, just that Fraziers hot," Greinke said. "A first-pitch slider at the bottom of the zone, you take your chances. But hes a strong guy and got a homer out of it." Cincinnati would get only one more hit off Greinke, who went six innings before leaving for a pinch-hitter. The Reds added a pair of runs in the eighth, when Zack Cozart doubled and scored on Brandon Leagues wild pitch. Ryan Ludwick had an RBI single. Simon matched his career high with eight innings and held the lead by pitching out of a threat in the seventh with a 2-1 lead. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier opened with singles. Tim Federowicz flied out too shallow to score the run, and Kemp was caught in a rundown after he tried to score on Miguel Rojas grounder. Pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke struck out to end the threat. "What hes he doing thats most surprising to me is pitching effectively into the seventh and eighth inninngs," manager Bryan Price said.dddddddddddd"Hes pitching deep into games and continuing to stay aggressive with his stuff. He looks very comfortable in high-leverage situations." The 33-year-old pitcher has been a reliever most of his career, but embraced the chance to start. So far, he hasnt shown any problems making the switch. "I feel like my arm is only 20 years old," Simon said. "I feel like I can throw 200 innings." Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances. Simons nine wins match his total for his last two seasons with Cincinnati, when he was a reliever. Simon moved into the rotation when Mat Latos tore knee cartilage and had surgery at the start of spring training. Latos is expected to bump left-hander Tony Cingrani from the rotation when he returns from the disabled list this weekend. The Reds offence was finally back together during the homestand, with Votto returning from a strained muscle above his left knee that landed him on the disabled list for 23 games. Votto had a double and a single on Thursday, leaving him 4-for-10 in his three games back. The Dodgers completed a 4-3 trip to Colorado and Cincinnati, two hitter-friendly ballparks. Their pitching was solid, but the offence faded at the end, scoring one run in the last two games. They were limited to eight singles on Thursday, including Kemps RBI hit in the first inning. NOTES: The Dodgers start a six-game homestand on Friday against Arizona. LHP Clayton Kershaw (5-2) faces Chase Anderson (5-0). ... The Reds play their next six games in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. Homer Bailey (7-3) faces Matt Garza (4-4) on Friday. ... LA is 39-22 against the Reds since the start of the 2006 season. .... The Dodgers won a challenge in the first inning, when Brandon Phillips initially was called safe at first base. The replay showed he was out. ... SS Hanley Ramirez was out of the lineup for a second consecutive game with a sore throwing shoulder. He got an injection after Wednesdays game. ... Phillips left in the eighth inning with a sore right index finger, hurt on a defensive play earlier in the game. ... Cozart extended his hitting streak to seven games. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '