Chat-World » ler promotions, he made his Bellator debut in June 2011 with a

Tony Johnson spent Labor Day weekend burying his younger brother, who killed himself a week ago.The heavyweight mixed martial artist will spend next weekend fighting in the main event of Bellator 161, believing William Johnson wouldnt want him to miss an opportunity that both fighting brothers craved.I had to go through my grieving really fast, Tony Johnson said in a phone interview from Cincinnati, his parents home. I have beautiful daughters Ive got to take care of. I cant just sit there and wallow in my sorrow. I have to get over it. Theres no other way. Ive always been the backbone of my family. Im very strong. My family leans on me a lot for support. Ive always grieved in private to be strong in public for my family.Johnson takes on French MMA veteran Cheick Kongo on Sept. 16 just outside Austin, Texas. A victory would change Johnsons career, which has been following a winding path from college football to big-money fights.The winner seems almost certain to get a shot at Bellators heavyweight title, which Johnson has been seeking for two years. At 30 years old, he is still relatively young by the wizened standards of MMA heavyweights, but this is his first headlining bout for the promotion.Just days after his father phoned him to inform him of Williams death, Tony immediately told Bellator he would fight anyway.Bellator said, We understand if you dont want to take this fight, Tony Johnson said. There will be no repercussions. Were going to back you 100 percent. Thats all I wanted. Ive got their support, but I told these guys Im going to be there. I dont know if Im going to have another opportunity to fight Cheick Kongo. Im ready now. Im ready to go.Tony Johnson said William Johnson, who lived in Cleveland, was a 27-year-old aspiring fighter with two young children. Although he knew William had a tumultuous relationship with his fiancee, he didnt realize the depth of his younger brothers depression.Every time we would talk, everything was fine, Tony Johnson said. I was trying to give him direction. I was trying to be a big brother to him, trying to lead him toward the right path. Hed listen, but of course hes young. He would fall off course, and I would have to put him back on course, but that was our relationship.Johnson attended last weekends viewing for his brother, but he will skip a memorial service at their high school this weekend.My parents want me to stay focused on the fight and winning the fight for my brother, he said.Johnson acknowledges his pain and confusion are still fresh and raw, but he is focusing on family and fighting.I guess he had been going through a lot, Johnson said. I never thought there was an issue. I never saw it. We still dont know. Theres still no closure to figure everything out.Although they lived hundreds of miles apart, the brothers spoke regularly by phone and occasionally trained together. They even fought on the same card in November 2014, both earning victories in a regional Tennessee promotion before Tony returned to Bellator.But William was still an MMA prospect, while Tony has long been considered a rising heavyweight with world title potential. He scored a touchdown for Iowa State in 2004 as a 300-pound freshman fullback before moving from wrestling into MMA.After three years in smaller promotions, he made his Bellator debut in June 2011 with a decision over Derrick Lewis, now a serious contender for the UFC heavyweight title. Problems with his contract led him to take a two-year break from the cage before competing in Asias ONE Fighting Championship and in Nashville, his adopted hometown.Johnson returned to Bellator last year, and he has beaten Alexander Volkov and Raphael Butler to earn a shot at the 41-year-old Kongo, the longtime UFC veteran who moved to Bellator three years ago.Ive gone through adversity before, Johnson said. Ive lost in MMA, and that helps you be strong in life. Things dont go your way, and it hits you. I believe that Rocky Balboa quote: `Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. Kyle Anderson Jersey . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. 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Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs?will stay with the same pitching rotation for the National League Championship Series against the?Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Joe Maddon said Friday.Game 1 pitcher Jon Lester?will be followed by?Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey for Games 2, 3 and 4.Its been configured, Maddon told media at Wrigley Field.Hendricks says he feels OK despite leaving Game 2 of the NLDS against?the San Francisco Giants?after taking a line drive off the forearm of his pitching hand.I feel great, Hendricks said Friday. Three days ago, I was able to go out and play catch for the first time, and [the hand] almost felt 100 percent. Its good to go. Ive let everyone with the team know that.Hendricks availability for Game 2 allows him to pitch at Wrigley Field, where he compiled a 1.15 ERA during the regular season. It also allows Arrieta to pitch at Dodger Stadium, whhere he threw a no-hitter last season.dddddddddddd Lester was the obvious candidate for Game 1 after he shut out the Giants for eight innings in the Cubs playoff opener.Watched him the last game against the Giants, really calm demeanor, Maddon said. Threw the ball where he wanted to, him and David [Ross] always work well together.The Cubs spent Friday working on fundamentals as hitters were required to bunt off a pitching machine. They then they took full batting practice. The team is hoping to break out of a mini-slump at the plate, though Tuesdays four-run rally in the ninth inning of Game 4 against the Giants may have provided the boost they were looking for.A game like that could carry over, shortstop Addison Russell said. Well find out tomorrow. ' ' '