Although UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao is among the worlds best mixed martial artists, hes still working on building a significant fan base in North America. Adeiny Hechavarria Jersey . His biggest fan in the world just might be UFC President Dana White, and thats just one reason Barao is the star of UFC 173. Barao (34-1) faces T.J. Dillashaw in the main event at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas on Saturday, headlining the UFCs traditional Memorial Day weekend card in its hometown. "I think (Barao) is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," White said. "I love this guy." Its tough to argue with White, given Baraos 22-fight winning streak and perfect record in UFC competition. The 135-pound Brazilian dynamo excels with both jiu-jitsu and strikes, fighting with a flair that has led to stoppages in six of his last nine fights. "I think I have a lot to improve in my game, but its always a pleasure to hear from your boss that you are the No. 1," Barao said. "This is the recognition of the hard work and training." Barao likely faces bigger obstacles than Dillashaw (10-2), a heavy underdog, on his path to stardom. Barao is a champion of a lighter weight class, which makes him traditionally less interesting to many fight fans. He also doesnt speak much English, making him tough to promote in North America. Even his Brazilian fans dont know much about his personality outside the cage -- although at least they know his last name isnt actually Barao, the Portuguese word for Baron and a nickname given to him by his grandmother. But with the UFC looking for new attractions in the absence of Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva, Barao is getting a chance to show off his incredible skills on another major stage, and White is confident fans will figure out what theyre seeing. "With Anderson, it took a long time for people to catch on," White said of his long-reigning former middleweight champion. "It doesnt happen overnight. When you look at the numbers, its all there. (Barao) is a killer. He tries to go in there and finish. Hes the type of guy I like to watch fight." Dillashaw worked his way into position for a title shot with five wins in six fights, but his matchup with Barao is the fourth fight that has been scheduled to headline this card. The Northern California native is eager to take advantage of the chance created when Raphael Assuncao, who beat Dillashaw by split decision last October, dropped out of this title shot with a rib injury. "Hes a great champion, but everyone has holes in their game," Dillashaw said. "Hes sloppy in exchanges, but he makes it work because hes a big, powerful athlete. I need to stay with what Im good at and use my angles to disrupt his power." Just in case Baraos fight against a game underdog doesnt intrigue enough pay-per-view buyers, UFC 173 also features light heavyweight contender Daniel Cormier against veteran Dan Henderson, along with a bout between welterweights Robbie Lawler and Jake Ellenberger. Cormier (14-0) is also a rising name in the UFC, but hes not a tough sell. The talkative former Olympic wrestler has been a dynamic fighter in Strikeforce and the UFC at heavyweight and light heavyweight, where hes currently closing in on a title shot against pound-for-pound contender Jon Jones. Henderson (30-11) is a significant underdog, but any fighter is just one punch away from disaster when hes in the cage with the 43-year-old veteran whose knockout power is no longer aided by testosterone replacement therapy. "(Hendersons) big right hand is the single biggest weapon in MMA, even more dangerous than Ronda Rouseys armbar," Cormier said. "It can come at any time from any direction. No question thats what makes this a dangerous fight. But Ive made a career of making those guys, who possess that something special, like they never had it. I need to stay super-focused and avoid those punches." Although Henderson has lost three of his last four fights, he knocked out Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in spectacular fashion just two months ago. "I want to knock everyone out that I fight," Henderson said. "Its not always the easiest thing to pull off, but Ive done pretty well with it throughout my career. And its definitely nice knowing you have that power going into a fight." Shane Greene Braves Jersey . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. Stanley, a fourth-year business administration student from Charlottetown, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Dalhousie on Friday and tallied again in a 1-0 win over Saint Marys on Sunday. Julio Teheran Jersey . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. https://www.cheapbraves.com/1253o-rowland-office-jersey-braves.html . Beanballs were the theme Friday night as the Red Sox and Rays had another AL East rumble, with Boston earning a 3-2 victory on A.Coral Gables, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The third-ranked Virginia Cavaliers hit the road for the first time since early December, as they open up ACC play on Saturday evening at the BankUnited Center against the Miami Hurricanes. Tony Bennetts Cavaliers asserted themselves as the team to beat last year after capturing both the ACC regular season and tournament titles. Virginia has certainly built on that momentum by winning all 12 of its games thus far to ascend to the third overall spot in the Top-25. It has been stifling defensive play that has fueled the teams success, but on Tuesday, the team showed some offensive punch in an 83-72 win over Davidson. Jim Larranagas Hurricanes arent that far removed from their own ACC crown, earned two years ago. The team forged its way into the Top-25 with wins in its first eight games of this season. However, Miami has hit a wall of late with losses in three of the last five games. The Hurricanes did end non-conference play on a winning note though, blowing out College of Charleston on Dec. 30, 67-40, to move to 8-3 on the season. Miami holds a 10-6 series advantage against Virginia and are 6-0 in this series at home. Virginia won the last meeting however, a 65-40 decision in February of last year. The Cavaliers had a rare defensive lapse against the explosive Wildcats to close out the calendar year, but were able to fend off Davidson and remain undefeated on the season. The Wildcats shot .482 from the floor against Virginia, but the Cavs used a .567 clip in the second half to come-from-behind and get the win. Anthony Gill was sensational in the victory, recording a double-double with aa career-high 25 points and 13 rebounds. Orlando Cepeda Jersey. Malcolm Brogdon poured in 16 points, Justin Anderson finished with 14 points and Darion Atkins posted his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes of work off the bench. The Cavaliers arent nearly as explosive offensively as they showed against Davidson. The team is getting it done with some of the best defensive play in the nation, holding foes to just 48.3 ppg on .326 shooting. The also boasts of a strong +14.4 rebounding margin. Anderson headlines a trio of double-digit scoring averages with his 15.0 ppg. Brogdon is next in line at 13.3 ppg, followed closely by Gills 13.2 ppg. A 6-foot-8 junior, Gill is tops on the team in rebounding (7.2 rpg). Miami plays a tough brand of basketball as well, with defense being the driving force. The Hurricanes are limiting the opposition this season to just 59.7 ppg, while allowing just .401 shooting overall. The team is led by a pair of transfers in guards Sheldon McCLellan (Texas) and Angel Rodriguez (Kansas State). McClellen is shooting a stout .550 from the floor and paces the team with 15.7 ppg. Rodriguez is second in scoring (13.6 ppg) and first in both assists (54) and steals (30). Manu Lecomte (10.2 ppg) completes a deep backcourt. The Hurricanes turned up the heat defensively on the Cougars earlier in the week as the College of Charleston managed to shoot just .296 from the floor overall, including a meager 2-of-14 effort from behind the arc. It was once again Miamis dynamic duo that led the charge, as Rodriguez posted a team-high 15 points, while McClellan finished with 11. ' ' '