Clan-Members » coaches told them they could ta

This Friday in Cedar Park, Texas, heavyweight Tony Johnson (10-2) fights Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) in the main event on Bellator 161, the biggest fight of his career.? But due to a recent unforeseen personal tragedy, Johnsons focus is much wider than the battle inside the cage.On Aug. 30, while cooking dinner for his kids, Johnson received a phone call that no one ever wants to get. His father called to let him know that his brother, William, committed suicide earlier that day. William was 27.That week was the worst week of my life. This hurt bad. It hurt. So theres nothing that Cheick Kongo can do to me that has to make me feel that hurt that I felt, Johnson told ESPN.com.Johnson describes his brother, who also fought in MMA, as tough as nails. In 2014, the two even fought on the same local card in Nashville, where both were victorious. William was able to stay at Tonys house, and the brothers enjoyed their time together, which was tough to come by due to conflicting schedules.He was always laughing, and no one ever knew he was depressed. We wish he would have come and talked to somebody, but unfortunately it didnt happen that way, said Johnson.After spending Labor Day weekend with his family in Cincinnati to bury his brother, Johnson returned to Nashville to resume training for Fridays bout with Kongo. Johnson said the Tuesday workout was harder to get through mentally than he originally thought but credits his training staff for keeping a positive mindset and pushing him to get through.Johnsons parents spent time with him in Tennessee last week to get away from things in Ohio. For Hulk, pulling out of the Kongo fight (Spike TV/ESPN Deportes, 9 p.m. ET) was never an option. He says that Bellator offered their condolences and said theyd back him 100 percent with no repercussions if he chose to back out. Johnson said that was never an option and he has the support of his parents and family to fight on. He added that his brother wouldnt have wanted him to miss out on this opportunity.I dont know when I will get that opportunity again, so I had to seize the moment, no matter what life puts in front of you. I knew my little brother wouldnt want that. He would want me to fight. There was not one moment that I said I was not going to take this fight, Johnson said.The skill matchup appears to be the classic striker versus grappler, but the size is an interesting one. The 41-year-old Kongo, a UFC vet, is far more experienced, taller and has a seven-inch reach advantage. However, Johnson, a former fullback and wrestler at Iowa State, will be the heavier fighter.I know he has a long reach, so Ive got to be crafty going in. Thats going to be an obstacle Ill have to get over, Johnson said. Cardio is going to be a factor, too. Ive seen some of his fights, and he does get winded very easily.Johnson said this is the first time that he hasnt had to cut down to the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds. He described his training camp as the best he ever had before his brothers suicide. He focused on upping his conditioning to push the pace on Kongo. The All-American wrestler also worked on his core to help combat the elbows and knees that Kongo has been known to use. Even after resuming training, Johnson said that he was able to regain his form after grieving.I think Ive closed that chapter with my brother. I went there and Ive had my peace. Ive moved on. I know my brother is in a better place now, Johnson said.The 30-year-old will honor his younger brother by changing up the song he walks out to. Originally slated to be DMX, he changed it up to Eminems Kings Never Die featuring Gwen Stefani. William used to create video montages for his brother, and that song was featured in the last one he made.With the promotion stripping champion Vitaly Minakov of his title back in May due to inactivity, the winner of this match puts himself near the front of the line for who is to fight for that vacant title. Another top contender is Matt Mitrione, who has been victorious in both his fights from the promotion since signing after a 14-fight stint with the UFC.Michal Kempny Jersey . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Lars Eller Capitals Jersey .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. http://www.officialcapitalsfanstore.com/authentic-dmitry-orlov-capitals-jersey/ . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. T. J. Oshie Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. T. J. Oshie Capitals Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday.NEW ORLEANS -- At least Cam Newton looks fine.Unfortunately for the star quarterback and the rest of the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers, their 2016 season is unraveling as they head into their bye week at 1-5 and alone in last place in the NFC South.Its not like we wanted to start the season, but we have a bunch of guys that play hard, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly said. Were going to work our butts off this week and the rest of the season to try to get some wins.Three of Carolinas losses have come down to field goals in the final seconds. The Panthers missed a potential game-winner in Week 1 at Denver, and now division rivals have hit winning field goals against them in the final seconds the past two weeks.On Sunday, it was New Orleans Wil Lutz connecting from 52 yards with 11 seconds left in a 41-38 Saints victory. The previous Monday night, it was Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo hitting from 38 yards as time expired.Perhaps less encouraging for Carolina is the fact that neither New Orleans (2-3) nor Tampa Bay (2-3) have winning records.Four of the Saints five games this season have come down to the last possession. And after an 0-3 start, New Orleans has won two straight -- although they might be in trouble without quarterback Drew Brees, whose 465 yards and four touchdowns were just enough to overcome a slew of defensive gaffes, not to mention a missed field goal.Still, Brees brimmed with optimism, as he tends to do.Were ascending, the Saints QB said. These are defining wins. These are wins you can draw from as the season goes along and really get a lot of strength from.Some things we learned from the Panthers-Saints shootout in the Big Easy:CAM CANNewton completed 27 of 47 passes for 322 yards and two TDs against New Orleans. He also ran around the right end for a crucial, late fourth-quarter score and added a pass for a 2-point conversion that tied it at 38 with 2:58 to go. One area in which he and the offense struggled was third down; they converted just three of 11. But that might have had something to do with Newtons apparent reluctance in running into too many hits coming off his concussion.I do what Im asked to do, Newton said when asked why he kept scrambles to an apparent minimum.ddddddddddddBREES BONANZAAfter becoming the only quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 400 yards passing in a regular-season game 15 times -- moving ahead of Peyton Mannings 14 -- Brees is averaging 346.8 yards passing this season to go with 14 TDs. Brees has said he still feels as if hes in his prime at age 37. His elite numbers back him up.He is one of the best that has ever played, said tight end Coby Fleener, who caught a 50-yard TD from Brees. Its not like its something you see every few weeks. Its every single week.DEFENSIVE DOLDRUMSThe Panthers and Saints defenses each managed one sack and one interception, but those were the few highlights of an otherwise tough day for both struggling units. The Saints were called for three pass interference penalties in or near the end zone, all leading to Panthers TDs. Saints defenders were concerned enough that they balked when coaches told them they could take Monday off.I want the whole defense to meet tomorrow with the coaches and were going to go through this whole tape, Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro said.We won the game but I dont have a good taste in my mouth. I think there are some things out there that I know we didnt do that we need to execute -- little things that are going to cost us in the future.KICKING CONFIDENCESaints coach Sean Payton has maintained faith in rookie kicker Wil Lutz even as he has missed a few field goals. He missed a 53-yarder against Carolina, but Payton banked on Lutz in the final seconds and it paid off.Hes got the moxie. Hes got all those things you look for in a good kicker, Payton said of the former Georgia State kicker. Aside from the physical traits -- leg strength -- hes got that mental toughness.GETTING COOKEDDefensive backs are having a hard time keeping up with Brandin Cooks, whose 87-yard touchdown catch and run against Carolina wasnt even his longest receptions this season. He had a 98-yard TD in Week 1. His seven catches for 173 yards Sunday gives him a team-leading 428 yards through five games.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '