UFC Fight Night 86 preview, quick picks for 'Rothwell vs Dos Santos' on FOX Sports 1

 first glance, there's not a whole lot going on at UFC Fight Night 86 that would compel you to sacrifice a Sunday afternoon. Unless, of course, you're have no life and no plans (guilty) and can sit around the house watching mixed martial arts (MMA) all day.

Because fuck chores, someone is getting punched.

That said, the heavyweight main event pitting Ben Rothwell against Junior dos Santos, going down April 10 on FOX Sports 1 inside Zagreb Arena in Croatia, has serious ramifications in the heavyweight division, especially when you consider that everyone in the top seven of the division  -- including the champion -- is competing between now and UFC 200.

That means one of our two headliners will be eliminated from the 265-pound title chase after the curtain falls in Zagreb.

In the UFC Fight Night 86 co-main event, Gabriel Gonzaga will oppose streaking slugger Derrick Lewis. The stakes are not as high for these two behemoths, but a win does position the victor for a spot in the top 15. Hey, just look at what's doing in the bottom five.

Roy Nelson, Antonio Silva, Ruslan Magomedov, Alexey Oleinik, and the since-departed Jared Rosholt.

Definitely a spot up for grabs when the new rankings come out early next week. With that in mind, I'll be focusing on the two marquee fights, then drop some quick picks for the rest of the major players.

Let's get crackin'.

265 lbs.: "Big" Ben Rothwell (36-9) vs. Junior "Cigano" dos Santos (17-4)

Nostradumbass predicts: Junior dos Santos, in my opinion, has been ruined. That's a damn shame, too, because he was one of the scariest motherfuckers on the planet for like four years straight, culminating in back-to-back knockout wins over Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir.

Just in case you forgot what "Cigano" was capable of, 

Then came his sequel against Velasquez, followed by the rubber match. After 10 rounds of action, Dos Santos absorbed a total of 484 blows, 178 of those landing on the head or face. That's the kind of thing that can shorten a career (and maybe even a life).

Sorry, but 2012 "Cigano" doesn't get knocked out by Alistair Overeem.

I'm not saying "Demolition Man" couldn't have beaten him, but the strikes that finished the job last December were nothing the Brazilian hadn't already eaten -- unfazed -- in multiple fights across his career. And you can call it a win at UFC on FOX 13, but Dos Santos looked like trash against Stipe Miocic.

I do not have high hopes for this fight.

Especially the way Rothwell has been performing over the past couple of years. Anyone who knows the fight game will tell you what confidence can do for a fighter's trajectory and brother, "Big" Ben is riding high as a kite after choking out Josh Barnett.

Prior to that he finished Matt Mitrione and "The Reem."

His cardio is not exactly the stuff of legend and he becomes increasingly less effective as the fight wears on, but I'm not sure it will matter this Sunday in Zagreb. Because of his sneaky submission game, some folks forget that he's a dangerous puncher with 20 knockouts in 36 wins.

Make in 21 in 37.

While it wouldn't surprise me to see Dos Santos caught in a guillotine, I think the more probable scenario is Rothwell winning on his feet. "Cigano" is a boxer and always has been, and doesn't know -- or want to know -- any other way to win.

Unfortunately he no longer has the chin to bail him out of trouble.

Final prediction: Rothwell def. Dos Santos via technical knockout

265 lbs.: Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga (17-10) vs. Derrick "Black Beast" Lewis (14-4, 1 NC)

Nostradumbass predicts: Gabriel Gonzaga is perhaps best known for his stunning, head kick knockout win over Mirko Filipovic at UFC 70. The fact that we have nothing else to talk about regarding the Brazilian's career nearly nine years later should give you an indication of where I'm headed with this prediction.

Think about it, "Napao" has been competing inside the Octagon (on and off) for over a decade and he's not even ranked in the top 15. Furthermore, he's got terrible cardio, dropped three of his last four, and has been knocked out in eight of his 10 total losses.

Those are the facts.

Gonzaga, for all his faults, is an outstanding grappler. Event headliner Ben Rothwell found that out the hard way back in 2013. He also hits like a Mack truck, scoring knockout wins over the likes of Dave Herman and Shawn Jordan, among others.

This is the part where I mention Derrick Lewis having a three-inch reach advantage.

The "Black Beast" is by no means a perfect fighter and when you live by the sword, you die by the sword, which is why Lewis -- with a staggering 13 knockouts in 14 wins -- was himself put on ice by Matt Mitrione and the aforementioned Jordan.

Getting slept by Gonzaga is not out of the realm of possibility.

The bad news for the Brazilian is he doesn't have the chin to weather any kind of storm, nor does he have the type of collegiate wrestling background that would give him the ability to drive his opponent into the fence and score a game-changing takedown.

Sure, he can grapple, but "Napao" loves to stand and trade.

He's going to get his wish on fight night, but it's only a matter of time before he runs out of gas or available real estate. Either way, Lewis will have him looking up at the lights by the end of round one.

Final prediction: Lewis def. Gonzaga via knockout

265 lbs.: Francis Ngannou (6-1) vs. Curtis "Razor" Blaydes (5-0)

Nostradumbass predicts: Not much is known about Curtis Blaydes but the contacts I don't have and never spoke to on the regional circuit insist he's going to be a major player in the heavyweight division. That's the kind of talk you can expect after winning five straight fights by way of knockout.

But he's going to have to fight fire with fire.

Ngannou is a physical specimen and a terrifying striker in his own right, showing off his power during last December's murder-death-kill over Luis Oliveira. "Blaydes" may be as sharp as advertised and anything can happen when heavyweight fists start flying, but I have to lean toward the fighter who already has Octagon experience.

Final prediction: Ngannou def. Blaydes via knockout

265 lbs.: Timothy Johnson (9-2) vs. Marcin "Tybur" Tybura (13-1)

Nostradumbass predicts: There's no way I'm picking against Timothy Johnson, because he looks like that bare-knuckle brawler who got his face chopped off in Raiders of the Lost Ark. So unless he's fighting Indiana Jones -- which he's not -- then I don't expect Marcin Tybura to have much of a chance.

Johnson, who finished all nine of his wins in violent fashion, is coming off a decision loss to Jared Rosholt, but Poland's "Tybur" has never competed inside the Octagon and is only one fight removed from a technical knockout defeat to the unheralded Stephan Puetz.

Considering their combined finishing rates, the only thing that would come as a surprise in this fight is a decision.

Final prediction: Johnson def. Tybura via knockout

205 lbs.: Jan Blachowicz (18-5) vs. Igor "The Duke" Pokrajac (28-12, 1 NC)

Nostradumbass predicts: Igor Pokrajac was able to work his way back into UFC by winning three straight fights -- all of them finishes -- on the local circuit. It also helps that he's from Zagreb, but I have a hard time ignoring the fact that he was sent packing in 2014 after dropping five straight.

Jan Blachowicz was hot shit on the Polish scene, ripping it up for KSW while nabbing multiple submission wins. Despite a great start against Ilir Latifi, he failed to live up to the hype in consecutive losses to the tough but not otherworldly Jimi Manuwa and Corey Anderson.

While they match up pretty evenly in terms of skill sets, I favor the younger, fresher Blachowicz, who recently changed training camps and is now taking a smarter approach to preparation.

Final prediction: Blachowicz def. Pokrajac via unanimous decision

115 lbs.: Maryna "Iron Woman" Moroz (6-1) vs. Cristina "Barbie" Stanciu (5-0)

Nostradumbass predicts: I don't like to stereotype which is why I didn't do that dumb Dracula voice when pronouncing Cristina Stanciu's name -- simply because she's from Romania. 

Unless it's the vampire Barbie they released in 2013.

Stanciu is making her UFC debut after five straight wins for Romanian Xtreme Fighting (RXF) while Ukraine's Maryna Moroz is now three fights into her Octagon career. I'm leaning toward the "Iron Woman" because of her win over Joanna Calderwood, as well as her gritty performance in defeat to top contender Valerie Letourneau.

Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley III – as it happened

Manny Pacquiao was definitive that he is retiring after the 66th bout of his 21-year career . He is running for the Senate in elections on May 9.

"I was looking for a knockout every round. His style is to counter punch. But I countered him. He was different to the last two fights, and he improved. I can still fight - but I made the decision to retire tonight, work for my people and spend more time with my family."

Many are skeptical, however, believing he may be tempted to extend a career which has seen him earn more than $500 million.

"Thank you to all the fans in boxing, especially the Filipino people. I've really appreciated all your help and support," he added.

"Bradley is a good boxer, he's a champion, he's a man. It was not easy tonight," Pacquiao said, shortly before a warm embrace in the ring which concluded with the two fighters arranging to meet for breakfast on Sunday.

Amir Khan says Saul Alvarez win will make him boxing's new pound-for-pound king

Amir Khan claims he will become boxing’s pound-for-pound champion and top dogwhen – not if – he beats Saul “Canelo” Alvarez writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People.

Floyd Mayweather Junior’s ­retirement and Manny Pacquaio’s waning powers means there is an opening to be the biggest name in the sport.

And Britain's Khan, 29, is convinced he can assume that status with a Las Vegas victory over the WBC ­middleweight king in May.

The former WBA and IBF ­super-lightweight champion, said: “Look, by winning this fight, I will ­become boxing’s biggest name.

“Mayweather has gone, ­Pacquiao has gone, so this is my opportunity to become the best fighter out there, pound-for-pound.

“You have to give Canelo credit, he is probably No.1 at the moment. Being a boxing fan myself and by being around the boxing business, I can see he is a massive name around the world. But, by beating him, it would take me to a different level.”

Khan traditionally operates two weight classes below Alvarez, but after studying tapes of the 25-year-old Mexican – following the fight being put to him by Oscar De La Hoya – he decided it was one he could win.

And when the pair met in London and New York last week to launch the fight, Khan knew his opponent was surprised.

He added: “For him to see me, standing next to me, he was ­thinking, ‘Wait, Amir Khan isn’t that small – I’ve got my hands full here’. Maybe he was thinking it was an easy fight against a smaller guy. Now, he can see that’s not the case.

“I used to go down two weights to make fights, but I will be in the ring at about 165lb and that is what he claims he will weigh on the night, so where is the size difference?

“It’s the speed and movement that can beat him. He’s dangerous, very dangerous, but he has got quite flat feet and I just know I’ve got ­everything on my side.

“Mayweather is not the ­biggest puncher, but Mayweather beat him. Alvarez had a very tough fight against Erislandy Lara, against Miguel Cotto. Maybe they took a lot out of him and now is the best time to fight him.

“Listen, I’ve got this fight, I’m telling you I’m going to win this fight.

“Britain has produced a lot of great champions, but I want to be up there as one of the best ever – to be called one of the greatest of all time.”

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers focused on Chicago Bulls and season's second half, not trade deadline

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- As the clock continues to tick toward Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline and with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the center of the chatter -- linked to New Orleans three-point specialist Ryan Anderson and Orlando's Channing Frye, among others -- LeBron James' focus is elsewhere.

"For me, control what you can control and that's not something none of us can control what happens," James said following the first practice since the All-Star break. "The trade deadline happens every year and there's teams that make moves, teams that don't make moves. We're all here to find out what happens and if there's nothing we'll be ready to go. But I'm in the mindset that I'm ready to get these guys for tomorrow and the Bulls game."

The Cavaliers made two separate transformative deals a little more than a year ago, acquiring Timofey Mozgov as well as J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. It helped push them two wins from an NBA championship. This year could be just as busy, as the Cavs search for another piece to help them close the gap on the top team in the league, the 48-win Golden State Warriors.

Mozgov and Shumpert are two names that have been floated as potential trade chips. Rumblings have also included Kevin Love and even Anderson Varejao, whose minutes have been sporadic for most of the season.

"I'm not involved," Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said Wednesday when asked about his role. "Whoever we have, that's who I have to coach. I stay out of that."

Despite early injuries and a coaching change, the Cavaliers will begin the post-All-Star portion of the schedule as the East's clear-cut favorite. They're sitting atop the conference, holding a three-game edge on the surprising Toronto Raptors.

The Cavs have been active, but could just as easily choose to stand pat, play it out with their pricey and currently healthy roster.

"It still doesn't guarantee," James said. "We got everyone here. Our only concern is being injury free. It's all we can worry about. Guys came here today and they worked as if nothing was going on or any speculation was going on. That's the case of true professionals. We had a great, hell of a practice today."

When the team reassembled, Lue didn't feel it necessary to address the importance of ignoring the noise. 

"The guys came in and responded well. That wasn't a problem at all," Lue said. "It's the nature of the business. It's unfortunate, but it happens."

Lue, however, attempted to convey a different message.

"We just have to keep pushing forward," he said. "We don't have a lot of time -- 30 games left. We just have to continue to get better. We have to continue to try to get home-court advantage in the East."

There's plenty of work before the Cavs get to that point and with the schedule so tight (30 games in 56 days), the limited practice time becomes even more important.

"It's all about the mental side for our team," James said. "The physical is going to take care of itself, but mentally if we engage, we can be very, very good and when we're not engaged, we can lose a lot of ballgames."

The Cavs finished the first half with three wins and James was disappointed at the timing of the break. He believed the team was starting to play really well, with the consistency he's demanded since the beginning of the season. 

The defensive end of the floor, however, will continue to be a point of emphasis. The Cavs have allowed eight of 11 teams to reach at least 100 points since Lue took over on Jan. 23, falling from second in average points allowed to fourth.

"Getting back to having a defensive foundation, being better defensively," Lue said. "I think now we're starting to push the ball. We're starting to score the ball a lot more, continue to move the ball, not get stagnant when things get hard or things get tough for us. It's the same thing we've been preaching from Day One.

"If we continue to do that, continue to get better, we'll get better and better going into the playoffs."

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

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The Portland Trail Blazers control their own playoff destiny! Will the Minnesota Timberwolves play the role of spoiler?

The Portland Trail Blazers control their own destiny. Win their remaining two games and they can guarantee the fifth seed in the Western Conference and a date with the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. Lose a game and they can fall as far as seventh and draw the San Antonio Spurs. (Full details of various playoff scenarios can be found here.) The Minnesota Timberwolves will be the first team to try and knock the Blazers off track this evening when the teams square off in the Moda Center at 7:30.

Tonight's matchup will be the fourth and final meeting between the division rivals this year; the Blazers won the first three games and will be going for the sweep.

Despite the fact that Minnesota has only 27 wins on the season, and the Blazers won the first three games of the season series, it would be a mistake to assume tonight's contest will be a cakewalk. The Timberwolves played the Blazers tough in the previous three meetings - the largest Blazer margin of victory was six on Dec. 5 in Minnesota. After a close game on Nov. 3 Dave Deckard of Blazer's Edge noted that the Timberwolves have the talent to be competitive with the Blazers:

The first two games this week were interesting because Minnesota and the Utah Jazz bookend the Blazers, Minnesota being slightly below Portland and Utah being slightly above, both providing marks of reference. I'd hoped to see the Blazers look a little better than they did tonight, but I also may be more impressed with the Timberwolves than I used to be. They may have a future.

To make matters even more difficult for the Blazers, the Timberwolves are not resting players over the final games of the season. Portland will be competing with the Timberwolves' A-unit headlined by Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Towns, especially, has impressed NBA experts by winning every Western Conference Rookie of the Month award while averaging 18.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He has already established himself as an All-Star in waiting and may challenge DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis for the "best center in the NBA' title.

The Towns-led Timberwolves confirmed that they have the talent to hang with any team in the NBA on Tuesday when they beat the Golden State Warriors 124-117 in overtime.Shabazz Muhammad led Minnesota with 35 points, while Wiggins scored 32, and Towns added 20 points and 12 rebounds. Interestingly, Muhammad and Wiggins have been at the center of a roster controversy for much of the season - Tuesday's game showed that it may be possible for Minnesota to keep both players going forward.

The overall message from the victory over the Warriors was clear: This team is hungry to play spoiler as the NBA season winds to its conclusion. To avoid that, the Blazers will, as always, need strong performances from their lead guards CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. Additionally, they will rely on continued strong play from forwards Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless.

Aminu, after struggling for much of the season, has shot 47.5 percent from three over the last seven games and averaged 16.1 points per game. With Meyers Leonard out of the lineup, several teams have begun to punish the Blazers defensively by ignoring the historically-poor outside shooting Aminu entirely on the perimeter to pack the lane against Lillard and McCollum drives. Aminu's effectiveness as an outside shooter is a huge boon for Portland's offense.

Harkless has also emerged as a key player for the Blazers in recent weeks. Since being moved to the starting lineup nine games ago, Harkless has averaged 13.8 points and 7.6 rebounds on 50.5 percent shooting from the field. As Evans Clinchy explained for Blazer's Edge last week, Harkless' length, athleticism and versatility have also added a new dimension to the Blazers' defense.

Keys to the game

Hit five more 3-pointers than the T-Wolves: The Timberwolves are the fourth-worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA at 33.6 percent - Lillard and McCollum are averaging the same number of threes per game as the entire Timberwolves roster. If the Blazers can run their offense as well and create some open 3-pointers, it is unlikely that Minnesota will be able to retaliate. By the same token, the Blazers should be able to mostly ignore the perimeter to pack the paint and challenge Towns and Wiggins at the basket.

Who's going to guard Towns?: Towns is a bad matchup for the Blazers. Portland has given up 19.7 points and 10 rebounds on 56 percent shooting to the rookie in three games this season, despite the fact that Towns played only 25 minutes in one of the matchups between the teams. With Leonard injured, the Blazers have no big-bodied players who can defensively match Towns' size. For a team that has struggled to contain centers all season, this matchup will be a problem.

Offensive rebounds: The Blazers are No. 5 in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage, while the Timberwolves are No. 24 in defensive rebounding. Portland should be able to get some offensive rebounds and generate second chance points tonight.