uccess, I wouldnt be fighting again, so I just tried to focus on

Brock Lesnar spent the past 14 months since he lost the UFC heavyweight title re-evaluating an entire life spent getting in fights.http://www.saintsstore.us.com/Black-56-Ronald-Powell-Womens-Jersey/ . After serious health problems pushed him to the brink of forced retirement, Lesnar returned from a lower-intestinal ailment with an improved perspective on mixed martial arts place in his life. The most popular bruiser in the sport has enough money to walk away, but he decided to keep fighting. "I probably needed some time off, anyway," Lesnar said. "I didnt even think about fighting when I was going through the surgery, because I knew if it wasnt a success, I wouldnt be fighting again, so I just tried to focus on my health." And now that hes all better, a six-foot-five Dutch kickboxer is waiting to welcome him back at UFC 141 in Las Vegas. Lesnar will fight Alistair Overeem on Friday night in a five-round heavyweight finale to the UFCs traditional end-of-the-year card in its hometown. The main event should be a spectacle, with the UFC cramming two of MMAs most massive, intimidating athletes into one octagon. While the well-travelled Overeem (35-11-1) is a slight favourite in his UFC debut, Lesnar (5-2) is confident his new perspective on life will propel him back to contention for the belt he lost to Cain Velasquez last year. "I went up to my farm and got my hands dirty and got back to the grass roots of who I am with manual labour," said Lesnar, who lives in Minnesota and has an estate in Canada. "You take all this stuff away from me, Im a family guy, I love farming, and thats really who I am. I enjoy competition and I enjoy fighting, and for now thats my life, but it doesnt last forever." In the co-main event at the MGM Grand Garden, lightweight contender Donald (Cowboy) Cerrone goes for his seventh consecutive victory in just 15 months against Nate Diaz, the rambunctious younger brother of welterweight contender Nick Diaz. Welterweight Jon Fitch also returns from a 10-month absence against rising contender Johny Hendricks. To at least a small extent, Lesnars health problems have accomplished what fame, fortune and family never managed: They mellowed out a barrel-necked wrestler who captivates fight fans with his wide-eyed intensity and a gruff, brash attitude that hasnt changed much since his days in phoney wrestling. Trainers and sparring partners sense a newfound calm in the focused athlete who once scowled through workouts without saying a word. Lesnar seems determined to make the most of his second chance in an athletic life with multiple acts, from his stints in NCAA wrestling, the WWE and Vikings training camp to his surprisingly successful MMA career. "Out of all the criticism that Brock takes, it would be pretty damn boring if Brock wasnt in the heavyweight division," UFC president Dana White said. "Hes a guy who has accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. He came over here 1-0 ... and hes fought the best in the world since hes been here. Nobody does that." Although Lesnar is three years older than Overeem, hes in just his eighth MMA bout. Overeem had that many fights by the time he was 19, and his UFC debut will be his 69th fight in 14 years. Overeem has won heavyweight MMA titles with the Strikeforce and Dream promotions, and he claimed the K-1 kickboxing promotions title last December by winning three fights in a day. While nobody in the still-young sport can match Lesnars star power, Overeem still is fairly unknown to casual MMA fans outside the Netherlands and Japan because the erudite striking specialist didnt join the sports dominant promotion until September. Some fighters expect hell be an immediate title contender, and others think hes out of his depth. "Ive already beaten everybody outside of the UFC, so this was the logical next step," Overeem said. "I didnt think it was going to be this soon, but Im very happy. My goal is that UFC belt. Brock is in the way, and on Friday, Im going to beat him." The main event presents a stark contrast in skills between Lesnars wrestling and Overeems striking. Lesnars standup game is his biggest weakness, while Overeem hasnt been tested by a wrestler with Lesnars pedigree and brute strength. Both fighters agree their bout should be entertaining for however long it lasts. Lesnar has gone to a decision only once in his career, while Overeem has guaranteed hell knock out Lesnar within the first two rounds. "Were not the type of guys that want it to go to the second round," Overeem said. "Judging from his character and his previous fights, hes going to come in for the kill, and so am I. One plus one is two." The winner will get a title shot early next year against Brazils Junior Dos Santos, who claimed Velasquezs heavyweight belt this fall. Overeem hasnt lost an MMA fight since September 2007, and White would have given him an immediate title shot if the timing had worked out -- but instead, Lesnar thinks he can slow Overeems UFC rise before it begins. "Hes worked and fought in other organizations that cant hold a candle in the wind against this organization," Lesnar said. "This organization is the only organization out there with legitimate athletes in it, so hes going to discover that. (The MGM Grand Garden) is my house, too. That octagon is my home." www.saintsstore.us.com/Black-10-Brandin-Cooks-Womens-Jersey/ .  As always Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head with our preview and picks. Last week at UFC Fight Night 33, my #TeamLynch (6 correct picks) slightly edged out #TeamJC (5 correct picks). Vinnie Sunseri Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. BRASILIA, Brazil -- Neymar lived up to the expectations of the World Cup host nation Monday, scoring two goals as Brazil routed Cameroon 4-1 to reach the knockout stage as the top team in Group A. Fred and Fernandinho added second-half goals for Brazil, which will face South American rival Chile in the second round. Neymar netted twice in the first half, on either side of midfielder Joel Matips goal for Cameroon in the 26th minute. He opened the scoring off a low cross by midfielder Luiz Gustavo in the 17th, deftly side-footing the ball home from close range, then restored the lead with a low right-foot strike from the top of the penalty area in the 35th after a pass by left back Marcelo. "If Im not mistaken this is our best game yet," Neymar said. "Everyone deserves congratulations for their efforts until the end." Fred found the net in the 49th and the substitute Fernandinho struck in the 84th. Brazil finished Group A with seven points after two wins and a draw. It ended with the same points as Mexico, but had a better goal difference. The Mexicans eliminated Croatia with a 3-1 win in Recife. Playing in its 100th World Cup match, Brazil needed at least a draw to advance. Elimination in the group stage would have been unthinkable for the five-time world champions playing at home. The only team to play in all 20 World Cups, Brazil has advanced to the second round in every tournament since 1970. Boosted by a crowd of nearly 69,112 at the Estadio Nacional in the nations capital, Brazil began the match pressuring Cameroon and created many scoring chances early. But the African team eventually picked up the pace and was able to keep the hosts from threatening too much. Despite playing without Samuel Etoo bbecause of a lingering right knee injury, Cameroon had a few good chances, even when the match was level in the first half. Cameron Jordan Womens Jersey. "The first half was not so bad, but we need to focus for 90 minutes, and this is not the first time that this happened," Cameroon coach Volker Finke said. "Some goals were not needed, three times we had the control of the ball and we lost it." It was Neymar who got on the board first, neatly finding the net after Gustavo stole the ball on the left flank and sent a low cross into the area. Cameroon equalized after a nice run by Allan Nyom ended with Matips goal, but Neymar again showed he is carrying the hopes of the entire nation, running toward the area and then moving to his right in front of a couple of defenders before firing a low shot into the net. The 22-year-old Barcelona striker had already been decisive in the 3-1 opening win over Croatia, when he also scored twice while Brazil was struggling. Brazil improved in the second half and Fred, who had been loudly criticized for his lacklustre performances, got his first goal of the tournament with a header from close range after a cross by defender David Luiz from the left. Cameroon players complained of offsides. Fernandinho, who replaced Paulinho in the second half, closed the scoring after Oscar stole possession from a Cameroon defender near the area. Quick passes by Fred and Oscar set up the midfielders toe poke from short range. Cameroon, which hasnt advanced to the second round since becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990, likely saw Etoo playing in his final World Cup. The 33-year-old striker, in his fourth World Cup, is the teams all-time leading scorer. ' ' '