SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2017 SPORTS

Holm tries to avoid one-hit wonder status at UFC 208

NEW YORK: Holly Holm is already the lumped her in with Douglas. “After the fights. I just know that I didn’t perform in the UFC. But she said she tested posi- in weight for the shot at the title in the answer to a trivia question as the first fight with Ronda, I knew that if I didn’t my best.” tive for a diuretic she is taking as part of first UFC pay-per-view in 2017. She’s a fighter to dominate and defeat Ronda win after that, those would be things a therapeutic treatment due to medical Dutch kickboxer who also fought in Rousey. Her leap from obscurity to that would be tossed around,” Holm said. COMPARISONS issues related to her difficult weight cuts Strikeforce and also lost to Nunes in instant celebrity landed her on daytime “But I’m not in this sport to please every- Holm (10-2) can erase the Douglas before bouts. 2013. She gained a slice of notoriety talk shows and chatting with late-night body else and what they think and what comparisons and become the first two- Rousey may not fight again following when she knocked out Belgian actor Tom hosts and made her - oh so briefly - the they feel. I’m in it because I love it.” division champion in UFC women’s his- her 48-second loss to Amanda Nunes in Waes in a short bout filmed for a reality most talked about fighter in UFC. Douglas was a 42-1 longshot when tory when she fights Germaine de her comeback fight at UFC 207. show. “I fought a man who had 40 She’s trying these days to avoid he KO’d the undefeated and seemingly Randamie (6-3) in the main event of UFC Holm is forever linked to Rousey in pounds over me and I knocked him out,” another rather dubious fight conversa- indestructible Tyson and won the heavy- 208. Holm, fighting in the new 145- the history book. The 35-year-old Holm, she said. Though in the main event, she tion. Holm’s championship reign lasted weight championship. Douglas gained pound featherweight division created as who went 33-2-3 as a professional boxer might be the least known fighter on a only four months, and another loss soon about 35 pounds and had grown lazy on a showcase for Cristiane “Cyborg” and won several championship belts, card that boasts UFC legend followed that left Holm not as the heir his 15 minutes of fame when he lost the Justino, can join Conor McGregor, Randy wants to prove she’s more than the vs. . Jacare apparent to Rousey in the women’s divi- belt in quick fashion eight months later Couture and B.J. Penn as the only two- fighter who handed Rousey her first L. Souza fights Tim Boetsch, sion, but rather on the cusp of being to Evander Holyfield. division champs in UFC history. “I don’t want my whole career to be fights and Jim Miller labeled an MMA version of a one-hit Holm lost the bantamweight belt “I can guarantee you, they can build defined around getting the belt from takes on Dustin Poirier in the other PPV wonder like Buster Douglas. Douglas when Miesha Tate choked her out in this division in no time,” Holm said. “They Ronda,” Holm said. “I want my career to bouts. While Holm tries to avoid rode a stunning knockout of Mike Tyson March 2016 and she lost a decision to just have to make some phone calls. be defined by me being the best fighter Douglas’ career arc, de Randamie would in 1990 in Japan all the way to fight Valentina Shevchenko in the main event Because there’s a lot of girls out there I can be and accomplishing the biggest like to pull off a surprising win for the immortality - sports fans can’t forget his of a Fox card in July. Both fights went that are very tough.” things I can, and whatever competition belt just like Holm. name, yet he never had another major five rounds and are the only losses in her Justino’s UFC fate is in limbo because comes in front of me. So, I want this for “I know, Saturday, it’s do or die for victory in his career. career. “It’s not like I’ve been fighting of a doping violation that knocked her me for my career. I don’t want it to just me,” de Randamie said. “This is my one Holm’s not quite there yet, though nobody’s. They’re very tough oppo- off the card. After winning be around the one fight. I want them to and only shot to fight for the belt. I she was composed enough this week at nents,” Holm said. “I do feel in my heart titles in the Invicta and Strikeforce pro- remember everything after.”Like Holm, know. I’m always realistic to myself so Barclays Center to answer questions that that I have the capability to win those motions, Justino won her first two fights the 32-year-old de Randamie moved up I’m going to make the most of it.” — AP

SOCCERR Cavani, Di Maria fire PSG past Bordeaux as Barca loom

BORDEAUX: Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Di Maria who starred. Maria stole the show in Paris Saint Cavani’s neatly executed one-touch vol- Germain’s 3-0 win at Bordeaux on Friday in ley put PSG into a sixth minute lead after an ideal warm-up for next week’s Vokasin Jovanovic’s failed attempt to head Champions League clash with Barcelona. Marquinhos’ cross from the right out of PSG joined Monaco, who face Metz on danger. Unfortunately for the Bordeaux Saturday, on 55 points at the top of defender Cavani was on hand to work his but remain second on goal difference. magic and take his Ligue 1 haul to a per- Marco Verratti was back for PSG after sit- sonal best ever 24 goals from only 25 ting out their last four games with a calf games. With PSG bossing the encounter Di injury. He joined his fellow Italian Thiago Maria deservedly doubled their advantage Motta - suspended for the Barcelona game as half-time approached. - and Adrien Rabiot in midfield. His cheeky chip over Bordeaux keeper PSG coach Unai Emery also welcomed Cedric Carrasso came after a neat link-up back first choice keeper Kevin Trapp with from Lucas and Verratti with the Italian the German enjoying a generally hassle midfielder delivering the assist to Di Maria. free return to work. The sound of the referee’s whistle for the was given the night off to restart had barely disappeared when freshen up for the Valentine’s Day Cavani picked up a cross from the left from Champions League last 16 first leg date Di Maria to strike the ball with his first with Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on touch past Carrasso. Tuesday. The captain’s shoes in central That took the red-hot Uruguayan’s scor- defence against the side PSG had knocked ing percentage to one goal a game. out of the French Cup quarter-finals were With his encouraging return ahead of filled by Presnel Kimpembe. “It was impor- the Champions League clash Verratti came tant to win because there’s another goal to off after an hour with Di Maria quickly fol- achieve,” said Trapp. lowing. Emery introduced “We have put a little more pressure on for Cavani for the closing 20 minutes. the other teams. It was a clean match and PSG headed back to the French capital good preparation for Tuesday.” As in that 4- after a good evening’s work but aware that NEW YORK: Brooklyn Nets forward Trevor Booker, right, keeps the ball in play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the 1 defeat last month that propelled PSG into a far stiffer test awaits them in 96 hours’ Miami Heat, Friday, in New York. The Heat won 108-99. —AP a fourth straight Cup final it was Cavani and time. — AFP Johnson scores 26, Heat beat lowly Nets for 13th straight

NEW YORK: Reserve James Johnson scored a sea- son-high 26 points and the Miami Heat extended NBA results/standings their winning streak to 13 games with a 108-99 comeback victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Golden State 122, Memphis 107; 122, Minnesota 106; Washington 112, Indiana 107; LA Lakers 122, Friday night. Johnson came within one of a Milwaukee 114; 131, NY Knicks 123; Miami 108, Brooklyn 99; San Antonio 103, Detroit 92. career high set Feb. 21, 2015, at Houston. Goran Eastern Conference Western Conference Dragic had 21 points for Miami (24-30), which Atlantic Division Northwest Division outscored Brooklyn 50-30 in the final 19:24. W L PCT GB Utah 34 20 .630 - 34 19 .642 - 31 23 .574 3 WARRIORS 122, GRIZZLIES 107 Toronto 32 22 .593 2.5 Denver 24 29 .453 9.5 Klay Thompson scored 36 points and Golden NY Knicks 22 33 .400 13 Portland 23 31 .426 11 State rolled past Memphis at FedExForum Philadelphia 19 34 .358 15 Minnesota 20 34 .370 14 Brooklyn 9 45 .167 25.5 Pacific Division Thompson tied his season high for made 3- Central Division Golden State 45 8 .849 - pointers as he went 8 of 15. Kevin Durant had 24 Cleveland 36 16 .692 - LA Clippers 32 21 .604 13 points, five rebounds and four assists and Indiana 29 24 .547 7.5 Stephen Curry had 18 points and five assists. Chicago 26 28 .481 11 Sacramento 22 32 .407 23.5 BORDEAUX: Bordeaux’s French defender Youssouf Sabaly (L) vies with Paris Saint- Draymond Green only scored four points but Detroit 25 29 .463 12 LA Lakers 19 37 .339 27.5 Germain’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura during the French Ligue 1 football match had a rare 12-rebound, 10-assist, 10-steal triple- Milwaukee 22 30 .423 14 Phoenix 17 37 .315 28.5 between Bordeaux (FCGB) and Paris (PSG) on Friday at the Matmut Atlantique stadi- double in addition to five blocks. Southeast Division Southwest Division um in Bordeaux, southwestern France. — AFP Washington 32 21 .604 - San Antonio 41 12 .774 - NUGGETS 131, KNICKS 123 31 23 .574 1.5 Houston 39 17 .696 3.5 Charlotte 24 29 .453 8 Memphis 33 23 .589 9.5 Nikola Jokic poured in a career-high 40 points Miami 24 30 .444 8.5 Dallas 21 32 .396 20 to lead Denver over New York at Madison Square Orlando 20 35 .364 13 New Orleans 21 33 .389 20.5 India captain says Asian Garden. The second-year center was 17 of 23 from the field, grabbed nine rebounds and had Cup key to development five assists for the Nuggets (24-29). Wilson five 3-pointers as the Lakers (19-37) shot 52 per- in the second half. Chandler scored 19 points and Gary Harris and cent from the field and got double-digit scoring Jameer Nelson registered 16 points each. Nelson efforts from six players. KINGS 108, HAWKS 107 MUMBAI: India’s hopes of developing as a well or not,” Chhetri said in an interview. also had 11 assists. Darren Collison scored 22 points, the last two soccer-playing nation are reliant on regular “We have to keep playing in the Asian Cup SUNS 115, BULLS 97 on a driving layup that he kissed off the top of participation in tournaments like the Asian which will mean rubbing shoulders with SPURS 103, PISTONS 92 Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe combined for the glass with 3.5 seconds left, to lift Sacramento Cup, captain Sunil Chhetri told Reuters. the best in the region. You know the quality Kawhi Leonard had 32 points, six rebounds 50 points and Phoenix used a small-ball lineup over Atlanta at the Golden 1 Center. Collison’s Chhetri will be hoping to lead India to you are playing against and then you know and five assists and San Antonio never trailed to beat Chicago. Booker scored 27 points and layup capped Sacramento’s comeback from a the 2019 Asian Cup finals in the United how much you have improved.” Detroit at The Palace. LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 Bledsoe had 23 for the Suns (17-37), who played 22-point deficit and gave the Kings (22-32) con- Arab Emirates after the world’s second- Cricket-loving India may have a popula- points and 11 rebounds and Dewayne Dedmon without center Alex Len (suspended) and lost secutive wins at home for the first time since most populous nation missed out on the tion of 1.3 billion but it is a massive under- contributed a season-high 17 points and a center Tyson Chandler to a sprained right ankle December. It also allowed the Kings to prevail in last edition of the tournament in Australia achiever as far as soccer is concerned, with career-high 17 rebounds for San Antonio (41- before halftime. But Phoenix led by 13 at the a game that saw four lead changes in the final two years ago. the national side 130th in the FIFA rankings 12), which improved to 2-1 in its eight-game half and Chicago never got closer than six points minute. — Reuters India, who have only reached the finals and yet to make a single appearance at the Rodeo road trip. on three previous occasions, have been World Cup finals. A quick glance at India’s drawn alongside Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and group opponents shows that Kyrgyzstan PELICANS 122, TIMBERWOLVES 106 Macau in Group A of the last round of qual- are ranked six places above them, Anthony Davis had his sixth 40-point game of Angola probes deadly ifiers, with the top two teams advancing to Myanmar are 159th and Macau are a fur- the season and New Orleans pulled away from the expanded tournament. The Asian ther 25 places adrift, yet Chhetri is refusing Minnesota at Target Center. Davis was instru- Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to to read too much into those numbers. “As mental in helping New Orleans (21-33) turn a 15- football stampede increase the number of finalists from 16 to far as our hopes are concerned, I have point first-half deficit into a double-digit victory. LUANDA: Angola announced an investiga- and there are 56 injured in the hospital.” 24 has given the country a better chance of played enough to understand that you can- The Pelicans standout was an efficient 16 of 22 qualifying and Chhetri believes it is an not think about the chances yet,” India’s tion yesterday into a stadium stampede that A doctor at the military hospital in Uige from the floor, including 2 of 3 from 3-point killed at least 17 and injured scores in an inci- said yesterday that the toll had risen to 22. opportunity India should not pass up. “To most-capped player with 92 appearances range, en route to 42 points. Jrue Holiday be honest, we should be playing at the said. “The way the rankings work is if you dent that the host team blamed on police “Seventeen people died on the spot and five chipped in 25 points and rookie Buddy Hield error. The government has set up a commis- others at the hospital,” said the doctor, who Asian Cup every time. That’s the parameter do well in the last six-to-eight months, your scored 17 off the bench for New Orleans. we need to use to judge if we are doing ranking can rise to an extent that you can’t sion to probe Friday’s crush-described as the wished to remain anonymous. Officials main- country’s worst football tragedy-the national tained that the toll was 17. even imagine,” he added. WIZARDS 112, PACERS 107 “That’s why when I face teams in Asia, I Angop news agency reported. Police said hundreds of fans had tried to John Wall had 26 points and 14 assists as Children were among the victims. A sec- enter the already packed stadium to see the don’t look too much into rankings. Washington resumed its winning ways at home. (Qualification) is not going to be easy.” ond commission will help families of those match, causing a crush that pushed some Markieff Morris finished with 26 points and 10 who died and assist in organising funerals. people to the ground. Many of the dead were India, who did qualify for the 1950 rebounds for the Wizards (32-21), who have won World Cup in Brazil but withdrew ahead of The deaths occurred during a domestic trampled to death or suffocated. “While the two straight and eight of nine. Washington had league match between host side Santa Rita players were on the field, fans outside were the tournament, open the final round of won 17 straight home games and seven in a row Asian Cup qualifiers away to Myanmar in de Cassia and Recreativo de Libolo in the trying to get into the stadium and a gate overall before losing a thrilling 140-135 overtime northern town of Uige on the opening day of probably gave way to the pressure of the Yangon on March 28. In the past, India matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. coach Stephen Constantine has spoken of the season. crowd causing several people to fall who giving opportunities to youngsters to cre- “Several children have been killed,” police were literally trampled on by the crowd,” the LAKERS 122, BUCKS 114 spokesman Orlando Bernardo told AFP. Recreativo de Libolo club said in a statement ate a bigger pool of talent for the national Nick Young scored 26 points and Lou Williams side but Chhetri, also the country’s most “There was a blockage at the entrance to on its website. The club called it “a tragedy added 21 as Los Angeles withstood a furious the January 4 stadium,” he said. “This obstruc- without precedent in the history of Angolan prolific scorer with 52 goals, prefers conti- comeback bid by Milwaukee at the Bradley nuity. —Reuters tion caused multiple fatalities — 17 deaths, football”.—AFP Sunil Chhetri Center. Young went 8 of 11 from the floor with