UFC middleweight Gegard Mousasi believes hes risking a lot Saturday in his match against?Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night in Belfast.Mousasi (40-6-2) is riding a three-fight winning streak, including a second-round TKO over Vitor Belfort in October. And although hes not in title contention, hes not too far off either.A win over Hall (12-7) would probably keep Mousasi right where he is in the 185-pound pecking order, but he wishes to avenge a loss to Hall from September 2015.A welterweight fight between Gunnar Nelson and Dong Hyun Kim was originally supposed to headline the event, but when Nelson was pulled because of an injury, a window opened for Mousasis revenge fight. He spoke to ESPN.com about that and more, ahead of UFC Fight Night.This fight was not the original main event of this card. How did it come together?After my win against Vitor Belfort, I said I wanted to fight Anderson Silva or Uriah Hall. This Belfast card fell apart, and they offered me Hall. I said it in interviews, that I wanted to fight again soon. They were able to convince Uriah to take the fight. Normally, I dont think they would have made this fight, but I think the circumstances of our last fight did it.You mention the UFC convinced Hall to agree to the fight. Did you get the impression he didnt want to initially?No, I dont think he wanted this fight. He needed some convincing. He knows Im the better fighter. He felt how I was stronger, and the mistake I made in our first fight will not happen again. I wanted it too much last time. I was too aggressive. After I dominated him in the first round, I wanted to finish him, wanted to take him down, hurt him. I was rushing it. This time, I wont rush. I will take my time.Is that what this fight is all about, avenging that loss? Because it doesnt seem like it would move you significantly in terms of a title shot.Its like taking a detour to the title. Its something I wanted. Its not going to get me anywhere. Its a risky fight, actually. I have a lot to lose, but its a chance to put something straight. I felt I was the better fighter and just made a mistake. Thats sport -- if you make a mistake, youre going to lose. The best team doesnt always win. That loss was one of the most difficult. All losses are difficult, but because I was feeling so good and confident, I was better. Ive got nothing against Uriah. Its more about the people who kick you when youre down. I wouldnt even call them fans. Fans are respectful. Its more about proving something to the idiots who dont know anything about the sport. They dont know anything about life, either. I cant beat them up, so Ill teach them a lesson by beating up my opponent.Youve already said this fight doesnt do much for your rank, but how do you see everything shaking out at the top of the division?Yoel Romero will be getting his shot against Michael Bisping. After that, the two guys ahead of me are Luke Rockhold and Jacare [Ronaldo Souza]. Ive fought Jacare twice. After this fight, maybe I can fight Rockhold. I am very close to the title, which is why this is a risky fight. I was giving a slight edge to Chris Weidman last week against Romero, and I think if he would have played it more safe and tried to win on points, he probably would have won. He wanted to explore the weakness of Romero. Everyone thinks it is his conditioning, but [Romero] beat Derek Brunson in the third round, when he was losing. He beat Weidman in the third. He beat Tim Kennedy in the third. The guy is smart. Maybe he does have a cardio issue, but you see him in the first round? He doesnt do a lot. Then he picks it up. He knows how to pace himself. I think he can fight five rounds. I dont think he will gas against Michael Bisping. He will be favored in that fight.After your win against Belfort, you mentioned feeling underrated. Did saying that publicly change anything? Do you feel like youre getting more attention ahead of this fight?Im a big favorite in this fight. People are giving me the respect I deserve. They know in this fight, Im the favorite. But this will be something like my 50th fight in MMA. I feel like Im hitting my prime. Im 31. I can go until Im 38. Once I get the belt, everything is done. Its all about the belt. My next fight, I have to beat the big name. It doesnt matter how tough the opponent is. I could beat Yoel Romero, who is probably more dangerous than someone like Anderson Silva, but I would get more credit for beating Silva. Its just about getting the right fights. I will get a big fight after this. NEW YORK -- A sign above the doorway at one end of the Mets clubhouse reads: Do Your Thing.Sage advice for the defending NL champs down the stretch -- no matter who is on the mound.Curtis Granderson and James Loney came through with big hits to back Robert Gsellman, and New York got another gritty start from an unheralded rookie in its banged-up rotation to beat the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Saturday night.Weve asked a lot of some young players and they have stepped up, Mets manager Terry Collins said. If you would have told me in April that Im going to look out on the field and Im going to have three players that were in our opening day lineup and four rookie pitchers to win a game, Id tell you youre out of your mind.Gsellman (2-1) pitched out of trouble for six innings, and inexperienced center fielder Michael Conforto made a diving catch that thwarted a potential Nationals rally in the seventh.New York rebounded from consecutive losses and won for the 10th time in 14 games, moving within one game of St. Louis for the final NL playoff berth.Were right there, Loney said. This is what we play for.Tanner Roark (14-8) allowed two runs over five innings and walked a career-high four -- one intentional. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth, but Washington never broke through and had its four-game winning streak snapped.Anthony Rendon hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the first. Danny Espinosa struck out all four times up for the Nationals, who still have a 9 1/2-game lead in the NL East over the Mets.Hes swinging too hard when we need to put the ball in play, Washington manager Dusty Baker said. Thats something that were addressing and hes got to keep working on it.Making his third major league appearance and second start, the long-haired, 23-year-old Gsellman was pumped up after wriggling out of a jam in the sixth.With runners at second and third, he fanned Espinosa and got pinch hitter Ben Revere on an inning-ending groundout.Just take a deep breath and dont get too ahead of yourself, Gsellman said after his first career win as a starter. Make a good pitch and see what they do with it.Collins said Gsellman had about as good a sinker as Ive seen from anybody.Jayson Werth singled with one out in the seventh and ex-Met Daniel Murphy hit a line drive to center field. Conforto, however, charged in and made a sensational play that was probably more acrobatic than wise.It definitely felt good to get that one, Conforto said. Puts uss in a bad spot if it gets past me, for sure.ddddddddddddRookie left-hander Josh Smoker struck out NL MVP Bryce Harper on a breaking ball way out of the strike zone to end the inning.Addison Reed tossed a 1-2-3 eighth and Jeurys Familia whiffed two in a perfect ninth for his major league-leading 45th save in 48 tries, extending his franchise record.New York had lost four straight and seven of eight to the Nationals.It was kind of a nothing game when we didnt come through all game, Baker said after his team finished 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.On fireworks night at Citi Field, Granderson hit a two-run single in the third on the first pitch after Yoenis Cespedes was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs.Loney, also struggling in clutch situations and dropped to eighth in the lineup for the first time all season, added an RBI double with two outs in the sixth off Matt Belisle. Travis dArnaud scored easily from first base when Harper overthrew two cutoff men from the right-field corner.BREAKING OUTGranderson got his first RBI since July 6 that did not come on a home run or sacrifice fly. He had been 0 for 22 with runners in scoring position dating to July 24, and 1 for 31 in those situations since July 7. ... With his first extra-base hit since Aug. 1, Loney ended slumps of 0 for 14 and 1 for 20.TRAINERS ROOMNationals: Max Scherzers next start was pushed back a day to Monday to give the ace right-hander extra rest.Mets: The team is leaning toward starting RHP Rafael Montero in place of RHP Jacob deGrom (forearm) on Tuesday night at Cincinnati, Collins said. To get him ready, Montero had his outing Saturday night for Double-A Binghamton cut to 29 pitches. ... Injured 1B Lucas Duda (back) recently started swinging a bat again and the club has not ruled out a return late this season. ... RHP Zack Wheeler has been shut down for the season. Wheeler had Tommy John surgery in March 2015 and was unable to make it back this year because of several setbacks in his rehabilitation -- most recently a strained flexor muscle.UP NEXTNationals: Rookie RHP Reynaldo Lopez made his major league debut July 19 and is 2-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five starts for Washington.Mets: Weather permitting, rookie RHP Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.60 ERA) makes his fourth career start Sunday night and tries to win his third in a row. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
