NaD Meckerecke » advised Clifford to take it easy, which w

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Former professional wrestler C.M. Punk has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC, and he intends to make his mixed martial arts debut in 2015.C.M. Punk is the stage name of 36-year-old Phil Brooks, a career pro wrestler who became one of the WWEs biggest stars in recent years before falling out with the company.Although Brooks has gym experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts with a member of the vaunted Gracie family, he has never fought an MMA bout. That didnt deter him from signing with the worlds dominant MMA promotion, and UFC President Dana White welcomes the publicity and pay-per-view sales to be generated from Brooks arrival.It was actually a really easy decision to make, and time will tell how wise a decision it was, Brooks said. I finally found something I can put 100 per cent of myself into. ... Im a guy who likes goals and challenges, and this is the biggest challenge Ive ever put in front of me.White announced the deal during the UFC 181 pay-per-view show, making sure the promotions biggest fans heard about the move first. The year has been difficult at times for the UFC, with several injured champions, a crowded schedule and the extended absence of longtime mainstays, including Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre.The UFC clearly needs new, marketable stars, and the loquacious Brooks will be must-see TV if hes able to compete.Were going to give him an opportunity, White said. Hes been training a lot in mixed martial arts, and were going to give him a shot. This guy can definitely sell some units.White believes Brooks will be ready for a fight in roughly six months, although Brooks still hasnt decided where hell train for his debut. Brooks is curious whether he can cut weight to the 170-pound welterweight limit, but might start as a 185-pound middleweight.Brooks recognizes the hubris inherent in starting an MMA career in his mid-30s, but the combination of the challenge and the UFCs financial offer was irresistible.I respect everybody thats stepped into the cage, and before Im done here, everyone will respect me as well, Brooks said. People close to me know how long Ive talked about doing this. This isnt so much about UFC. Its about me, and what I know I have inside of me. I want to prove to people and to myself that this is something Ive thought about for a long time and I want to do.The UFC realizes the publicity value of signing pro wrestlers with a modicum of MMA skills. Famed pro wrestler Brock Lesnar became the UFCs biggest pay-per-view star when he entered the promotion in 2008, bringing millions of fans from the staged entertainment to actual athletic competition.Lesnar defeated Randy Couture and held the UFCs heavyweight championship for nearly two years, defending it three times. After two losses and a bout with diverticulitis, he returned to pro wrestling in 2012, even beating Brooks in a WWE show last year.You hear positive and negative things about Brock, but if somebody is going to compare me to Brock Lesnar, Ill gladly take that, Brooks said. I think Im a little cuter.Brooks performed in the WWE from 2011 until early this year, when he left the company with some acrimony. Brooks confirmed he is finished with pro wrestling.As for his decision to start in the UFC instead of honing his skills in a smaller promotion, as Lesnar did, the veteran showman is pragmatic about his value.The big business is your first fight, Brooks said. Win, lose or draw, if I fought somewhere else, maybe a little bit of the lustre would have gotten knocked off. This is very much a business as well as fighting. Theres both sides of it, and I think it merged perfectly. This is something that Im doing for myself, to test myself. Its not all about the money, but its also nice to get paid. Cheap Broncos Jerseys . -- Kurt Buschs Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon. Cheap Broncos Jerseys Authentic .com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics both entered Wednesday nights game riding lengthy losing streaks. http://www.cheapbroncosjerseyselite.com/. These teams will see plenty of each other in the next few weeks as three of the Canucks next nine games are against the Wild (after today they meet February 9th in Minnesota and again February 16th at Rogers Arena). Cheap Broncos Jerseys China .com) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to play spoiler as the Los Angeles Kings will try to match their longest winning streak in over four years in Thursdays battle at Staples Center. Wholesale Broncos Jerseys . -- Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford made it through a third straight practice without any setbacks and expects to play in Oaklands regular-season finale against San Diego.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said he is ready to return to coaching just three days after a procedure to have two stents placed in his heart. Clifford said he will coach Monday night when the Bobcats host the Atlanta Hawks. "I feel fine," Clifford said following Mondays shoot around. "I havent had any pain, even minor pain, since the incident." Clifford, 52, said he was taken by ambulance to the hospital Thursday night after experiencing chest pains while dining at a Charlotte restaurant. The following day doctors inserted the stents to prevent blockage to the heart. "I had significant pain in my chest and I was having trouble breathing," Clifford said. "So it was scary enough where I had them call 911. And I was lucky that I did. ... Once I got the hospital I felt good." Clifford said he feels lucky that he acted as quickly as he did, knowing the incident could have been worse had he ignored the warning signs. "At least I got a warning signal," Clifford said. "Things worked out well. The doctors have me on a good plan and Im going to follow it." He said he will need to change his diet. "I will have to, but its only been two days and obviously it hasnt shown up yet," he said with a laugh as he rubbed his stomach. Clifford only missed one game — a 101-91 loss Friday niight to the New York Knicks.dddddddddddd Associate head coach Patrick Ewing filled in for Clifford. Doctors advised Clifford to take it easy, which wont be easy considering the Bobcats have four games in six days. Clifford is in his first season with the Bobcats. He was hired to replace Mike Dunlap, who was fired after the Bobcats finished 21-61 last season. Clifford isnt the only one returning Monday night. He said centre Al Jefferson, who missed five games with an ankle injury, will start against Atlanta. Jefferson could give the Bobcats (3-3) an added boost in Cliffords return. Jefferson, who signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Bobcats this off-season, first injured his ankle in the teams second preseason game against the Miami Heat. He sat out to remainder of the preseason and returned to play in the regular season opener at Houston. However, he re-aggravated the ankle and hasnt played since. "I dont know how many minutes hell play, but he feels good and didnt have any soreness from practice," Clifford said. "Well start him and try to integrate him into our play as best that we can." When Jefferson was told he was starting he replied, "Thats music to my ears." Jefferson said the most important thing is making sure he doesnt have a setback and is able to continue playing after Monday nights game ' ' '