a second-round pick out of Indiana, also is in the midst of

The UFCs nonstop 2016 schedule rolls on this weekend with a lightweight headliner between Dustin Poirier and Michael Johnson in Hidalgo, Texas.Poirier, 27, has exploded onto the lightweight scene since coming up from featherweight. The American Top Team fighter is 4-0 in the division, with impressive wins over the likes of Joseph Duffey and Bobby Green.Fighting out of Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida, just down the road from Poiriers ATT, Michael Johnson is coming off back-to-back losses, however his stock remains high from a four-fight win streak prior to that.Lets take a closer look at Saturdays UFC Fight Night main event. Dont agree with this pick? Let me know on Twitter: @bokamotoESPN.Main eventDustin Poirier (20-4) vs. Michael Johnson (16-10) Lightweights Odds: Poirier -165; Johnson +145Officially, yes, Johnson has lost his past two fight -- but anyone paying attention knows his stock hasnt fallen because of it.A split-decision loss to Beneil Dariush 13 months ago was just a flat out judging error. Johnson won that fight. And a three-round decision loss to Nate Diaz in December was very competitive, and that was a highly motivated, well prepared form of Diaz. Johnson hasnt fought since then, but he underwent a shoulder surgery to repair an injury he says had nagged him for awhile. He says his health is the best it has been in years.Johnsons best attribute is undeniably his speed. Hes comfortable standing within a boxing range and trusting his ability to land first. He moves well laterally, and doesnt vary much from that boxing distance. The speed also shows up in his takedown defense. According to Fightmetric, he has defended 81 percent of takedowns during his UFC career and most of those havent even been close. His athleticism makes it hard to get into his hips.That takedown defense will likely be tested in this matchup. Poirier is an action fighter and half of his wins have come via knockout, but the truth is his grappling has always been the best aspect of his game. And Johnson has had his share of letdowns on the floor. He has never been knocked out, but hes been submitted six times in 26 pro fights. Considering how rarely hes on the floor (thanks to that takedown defense), thats a pretty high number.Its easy to see why UFC matchmakers would make this fight. Both Johnson and Poirier work off pressure. Johnson stifled the offense of Edson Barboza with it. Poirier similarly negated the polish and finesse of Joseph Duffey. These guys arent afraid to get hit and they welcome exchanging in the pocket. Poirier will continue to work forward into a clinch and look for a takedown, whereas Johnson tends to maintain that space and box.If you believe in momentum carrying through fight to fight, it doesnt get much better than Poirier right now. His timing in a knockout win against Bobby Green in June was perfect. Much has been made of him settling into the 155-pound weight class, and for good reason. He says hes no longer starving himself during camp, which allows him to focus on technique instead of weight loss. His power has certainly seemed to benefit from it. Three first-round knockouts in four fights at lightweight.Both have legitimate knockout power, although Id give a slight advantage to Poirier. Also give Poirier an advantage in finishing prowess in general, thanks to the submission game. Dont expect either to tire much, even in a five-round fight.Prediction: An action-packed fight, which makes it more difficult to predict. Expect a lot of offense. Poirier has more ways to win. Poirier via third-round submission. Los Angeles Angels Store . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Cheap Angels Jerseys .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. https://www.cheapangels.com/ . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Los Angeles Angels Shirts .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. Angels Jerseys 2020 . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler will be sidelined for several weeks after breaking a bone in his left elbow, coach Gary Kubiak said Saturday.Fowler, the Broncos No. 3 receiver and a key special teams player, was injured while covering a punt during the third quarter of Denvers 22-0 preseason win at Chicago on Thursday.He hit the ground hard after being blocked and had to brace himself with his arm, but continued playing.Fowler felt pain in the elbow on Friday. X-rays revealed a small fracture in the elbow.Kubiak says Its going to be a few weeks. Its disappointing. Hes really playing well, but well get him back. Its just going to take a little time.Fowler had three catches for 18 yards and blocked a second-quarter punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown against the Bears.He appeared in all 19 games for Denver last season, including the final three in the postseason culminating in the Broncos Super Bowl victory over Carolina.Speaking between the teams training camp practices, Fowler said no surgery was needed.Its nothing too major, said Fowler, whose arm was wrapped and in a metal brace. Its just a small fracture. Ill be back in a couple of weeks. Im not really frustrated. I still have an opportunity. Ive just got to get healthy and once I get healthy, get back out there to pick up where I left off.Fowler figures prominently in the Broncos plans to heighten the effectiveness of their passing game. He came on strong in the second half of last seasonn and delivered several clutch catches in the postseason, including being at the receiving end of the retired Peyton Mannings final pass attempt, a 2-point conversion in the Super Bowl.ddddddddddddIn Fowlers absence, wide receiver Cody Latimer could see increased playing time in the teams three-receiver set, which also includes starters Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.Latimer, a second-round pick out of Indiana, also is in the midst of a strong training camp. He led the team with seven receptions for 82 yards in the preseason opener.Its camp. Everybody has an opportunity, Latimer said. You never know what is going to happen. I just have to keep focusing on me, keep making plays and doing what I can to make this team and get out there on offense.Game notes The quarterback competition among Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch remains unsettled with Kubiak saying he wasnt ready to name a starter for Saturday nights preseason game against the 49ers. Sanchez started in the opener and was followed by Siemian and Lynch. Well keep plugging and well find the right one, Kubiak said. ... Defensive end Vance Walker was held out of Saturdays practice because of a sore back. ... Nose tackle Darius Kilgo, who sustained a shoulder injury in the Chicago game, also was held out of practice. ... The Broncos have an off day Sunday and resume practice on Monday. ' ' '