lity of a labor strike, although both Kennedy a

For the first time in the sports history, five prominent mixed martial artists have publicly aligned with a fighters association.A group of athletes including former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, along with former Bellator MMA CEO Bjorn Rebney, announced the foundation of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association on Wednesday.According to its official release, The Associations sole concentration is to fight for the rights of MMA fighters and force UFCs ownership, [WME-IMG], to dramatically alter the companys decade plus outrageous treatment of its athletes.In addition to St-Pierre, who retired in 2013 but is interested in a comeback, the group includes active fighters Tim Kennedy, Cain Velasquez, Donald Cerrone and?TJ Dillashaw. Those five will serve as the MMAAAs board members, and they intend to recruit other UFC athletes, both active and retired, to join.The MMAAA declined to provide a detailed outline of its plans but said its goals ideally include an out-of-court financial settlement with the UFC, an increase in revenue share and insurance and pension packages that do not currently exist for UFC athletes.In essence, what the association is going to achieve for the athletes is a settlement to address the past wrongs, driving up [revenue split] to 50 percent up from 8 percent, and a benefits package that provides a safety net, said Rebney, who was replaced as Bellator head in 2014.All four of the active fighters are scheduled to compete at UFC events in December, and each admitted that adds a feeling of angst to the announcement.Absolutely there is still fear, but it needs to be done, Cerrone said. Standing with the five guys here, these are big names. We just need the rest of the guys to not have fear and stand up with us. Were putting ourselves out there.St-Pierre, who entered negotiations for a comeback fight with the UFC this year that ultimately failed, added, This same thing has happened before in every other sport -- NFL, NHL, NBA. Now its happening in the UFC. Its going to happen whether they like it or not.I know a lot of fighters want to remain anonymous, but Im telling you guys, come see us. Its time to stand together.St-Pierre said even a fighter at the level of Conor McGregor, who received a record $3 million disclosed purse for a fight against Nate Diaz in August, is not making a fair share.A UFC official told ESPN.com the promotion does not intend to make a formal statement on the announcement, but respects all of its athletes and encourages open communication on how to improve the sport.Rebney made it clear the association is not an effort to unionize -- the current landscape defines UFC fighters as independent contractors rather than employees. The initial focus of MMAAA also will be only on UFC athletes, not those signed to other organizations.Four of the five athletes on the board are represented by entertainment powerhouse Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a well-known rival of WME. WME purchased the UFC for more than $4 billion earlier this year.According to Rebney, CAA is not directly backing the association but supports the athletes rights. Rebney declined to identify the ventures source of funding, other than saying, Some people stepped up.Rebney also mentioned the possibility of a labor strike, although both Kennedy and Velasquez later stated their goal is to work with the UFC to resolve these differences.This is not the first pro-fighter effort to take place; however, it is the first to feature such prominent, public support from a board of high-profile fighters. Another effort calling itself the Professional Fighters Association was announced in August, although that differs in that it seeks to unionize UFC athletes.Were going to change the face of the entire industry and sport today, Kennedy said. Hydro Flask Sale Nz . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Hydro Flask Clearance . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. http://www.hydroflasknzsale.com/hydro-flask-40-oz-ombre.html . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Hydro Flask Coffee Nz . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Cheap . "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. CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Taryn Christion threw two touchdowns to Jake Wieneke and Wieneke threw one to Christion as South Dakota State beat Northern Iowa 45-24 on Saturday for a piece of its first Missouri Valley Football Conference title.The Jackrabbits (8-3, 7-1) share the championship with five-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State, which SDSU beat 19-17 earlier this season.Christion threw for 272 yards and two scores. He also ran for 25 yards and a TD.Christion threw a 30-yard score to Wiieneke on the third play of the game in just over a minute of play.dddddddddddd Northern Iowa tied it up on its ensuing drive to make it 7-7. On the Jackrabbits next drive, Wieneke hit Christion for a 16-yard score to put them up again, 14-7, with 7:41 left in the first quarter.Eli Dunne threw for 295 yards and a score for the Panthers (5-6, 4-4) but was intercepted three times. ' ' '