ou want to slowly work him back into conditioning and

As the noise surrounding Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey’s UFC dominance dims, affording them an opportunity to lick their wounds, two quieter presences have the chance to step into the front line. If McGregor and Rousey are the UFCs star pupils, then Demetrious Johnson is the straight-A student and Jon Jones is the class rebel. Both Johnson and Jones have sat on top of the pound-for-pound rankings before and during the mania surrounding McGregor and Rousey and own the longest active winning streaks in the sport.Jones, whose only loss is a disputed disqualification, has won 12 on the spin (four behind the all-time record held by Anderson Silva) while Johnson has racked up nine in a row. They are a little-and-large combination with personalities that are worlds apart but skill-sets inside the cage that are only rivalled by each other. Jones endured his toughest night in 2013 against Alexander Gustafsson The lanky and languid Jones, nicknamed Bones on account of the height and reach that he maximises so ferociously, has rarely even tasted competitiveness in his remarkable career to date. Perhaps boasting the most stellar CV in the history of MMA, only a bizarrely illegal elbow strike in his 10th fight against Matt Hamill prevents him being unbeaten.Aged 23, Jones became the youngest UFC champion ever and his destruction of Mauricio Shogun Rua ushered in a new era of athleticism and craft in a light-heavyweight division previously crammed with brawlers. Since 2010, he has dispensed with Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort who previously ruled at 205lbs before sweeping past rivals of his own generation. Demetrious Johnson (right) has twice beaten top flyweight rival John Dodson Johnson, meanwhile, was a middling bantamweight in those days. Over a foot shorter and 80lbs lighter than Jones, his Mighty Mouse moniker rang truer at the inauguration of the flyweight division four years ago. Competing at 125lbs (the smallest category), Johnson became the first champion and has outlasted each of the other nine UFC title-holders.Its a pleasure to watch Johnson, flyweight rival Neil Seery told Sky Sports. Hes just so, so good at his job. Hes the pound-for-pound best, I see him as that. Its my pleasure just to be mentioned alongside him. I believe Demetrious is better than Jones because of his movements and his transitions between striking and wrestling - hes the best fighter in the UFC Neil Seery Demetrious has people thinking he can strike - he throws combinations from crazy angles - but hes a phenomenal wrestler. Hes very good in the scrambles and his gas tank is second-to-none. Nobody knows what hes going to do next, and I think thats what sets him apart.I believe Demetrious is better than Jones because of his movements and his transitions between striking and wrestling - hes the best fighter in the UFC. People at two weight classes are trying to fight him because hes so good. Jones most recently defended his world title against Daniel Cormier Yet Johnson is No 2 in the official pound-for-pound listings behind Jones, despite his four-reign title reign making him the only current champion to reign for longer than 15 months. Jones continues at the top of the tree despite the self-destructive episodes that resulted in his light-heavyweight championship being stripped from him last year.Jones flashes of instability outside the cage appear to be his only obvious adversity, considering he already owns victories over six of his divisions top 10. At 28, he hasnt fought since January 2015 due to suspension and has missed a year of his athletic prime while he reconstructs his day-to-day life. Those who share his gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico, insist a newly-focused and calmer Jones is readying a return that should terrify current champion Daniel Cormier. I think Jones can return even better, I know so. Hes been very focused and dedicated - Ive seen him in the gym non-stop. Alistair Overeem Listen, he did some stupid stuff and it was a wake-up call for him - he took lessons from that and became a better person, Andrei Arlovski told Sky Sports. He is 100 percent a different person now. Im telling you, Ill bet my money he wins and becomes the new light-heavyweight champion.Alistair Overeem added: I think he can return even better, I know so. Hes been very focused and dedicated - Ive seen him in the gym non-stop. Hes determined to make a strong comeback. Both Arlovski and Overeem stress Jones remained a great training partner while he battled personal demons. Johnson will next defend his belt against Henry Cejudo Jones was set to challenge his greatest rival Cormier at UFC 197 for the belt that he only lost in a fight with the law, in a rematch after Bones handily won the first time. Cormiers injury means No 6 contender Ovince Saint Preaux will fight Jones on three weeks notice. Sharing the card, appropriately, is Johnson - the man so tiny he can go unnoticed until the first bell rings and he moves faster than a blink of the eye - who makes his eighth title defence against Olympic gold medal winner Henry Cejudo.Jones and Johnson have separate business to attend to, and their paths are unlikely to cross all evening at UFC 197. But each will know that, despite the colossal size differential between them, they are locked in a fight with each other to become the sports undisputed pound-for-pound No 1. McGregor & Rousey: What now? How will UFC star duo react to defeats? Also See: OSP steps in against Jones McGregor & Rousey: What now? Danger ahead for UFC champions UFC J. R. Richard Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Jimmy Wynn Astros Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. https://www.cheapastros.com/223o-lance-mccullers-jr-jersey-astros.html . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Larry Dierker Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Brian Hunter Jersey . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. OKLAHOMA CITY -- There has been a national debate taking place this past week over star players sitting out games due to rest. From Cleveland to Atlanta, head coaches have decided to sit their best players in order to save them for the entire season.Indiana coach Nate McMillan wishes he had that problem. He has been forced to scratch forward Paul George from Fridays lineup due to a sore left ankle. The Pacers wound up falling 116-96 to the Phoenix Suns.He really hasnt done anything in the last two days, McMillan told the Indy Star. The ankle was sore when he was playing and the last two days it really hasnt gotten any better. We just want to make sure everything is OK there, for his sake and ours. Hopefully there isnt anything and he just needs some time.The Pacers didnt announce whether George will be suited up for Sunday nights game in Oklahoma City. He was scheduled to have an MRI Saturday.But there is no doubt, they play much differently when their All-Star forward is on the floor or not.George leads Indiana in scoring (21.0), rebounds (7.1) and steals (1.7). If he cant go, thats a lot of slack the rest of the Pacers have to pick up.Indiana is hoping the return of Rodney Stuckey will make up for some of the loss of George. Stuckey played Friday after straining his right hamstring Oct. 28.He said he felt pretty good and was ready to go, McMillan told the Star. You want to slowly work him back into conditioning and rhythm and not give him a ton of minutes right off the bat.The Thunder also sustained an injury during its win over Brooklyn Friday. Backup point guard Semajj Christon suffered a concussion and is currently in the NBAs concussion protocol.dddddddddddd He also has a non-displaced left facial fracture.According to Thunder officials, once Christon passes the protocol, he will be able to return to the lineup wearing a facemask.That leaves the Thunder with only Russell Westbrook as the only point guard on the roster. Cameron Payne is still healing from foot surgery in the preseason.According to Thunder coach Billy Donovan, Victor Oladipo will see time running the point with the second unit.Victor I feel very comfortable with just because hes played some point in Orlando and hes done it a little bit here, Donovan said. Im fine with that. I think we can create and generate enough ball handling when Russell is off the floor to at least get into our offense. That will be the biggest thing.Its the Thunders reserves that have been a big reason the team has won two straight after a four-game losing streak. On Friday, they accounted for 39 points and 15 rebounds.I thought they did a really good job, Donovan said. I mentioned after a couple games ago that I felt like we as a staff, myself in particular, try to help those guys. I thought they were on the same page. I thought they moved the basketball. I thought they made the game easier for each other. They generated good shots. They helped each other. They defended. It was good to see them play the way they did and it was good to see them extend onto the lead. ' ' '