an advantage of £53,592 over Willie Mullins (£2,275,660).T

On Saturday, history could repeat itself when Stephen Thompson (13-1) challenges Tyron Woodley (16-3) at UFC 205 for the welterweight title at New York Citys Madison Square Garden.It was more than seven years ago when a karate expert challenged and defeated a wrestler for a UFC title. At UFC 98, Lyoto Machida knocked out Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight strap, inciting UFC commentator Joe Rogan to utter the famous words, Welcome to the Lyoto Machida era.Could this be the start of the Wonderboy Era?The parallels between the two fights and styles used are no doubt, well, striking. And the outcome is something Thompson hopes to mimic as well.His rise to No. 1 contender status in the welterweight division is a vindication of sorts for karate. The long-standing perception that karate is impractical for MMA started to turn when Machida rose to prominence. Indeed, many past champions in recent years such as George St Pierre, Anthony Pettis and Ben Henderson all boast deep karate backgrounds that served as the foundation for their striking, footwork and agility.You see all of those champions, you know they all learned outside the Octagon -- their persistence and discipline to be a champion -- they learned that from karate, Machida says.But considering the widespread popularity of karate around the world and especially in the United States, how did that perception ever begin?The myth of karate in MMAAccording to Machida, traditional karate -- the kind he and his family practice at Machida Karate Academy in Los Angeles -- utilizes many more elbow and knee strikes.Karate, however, had taken on a more sport approach during the developmental days of mixed martial arts, with points tournaments where elbow and knee strikes are frowned upon, as they simply cause too much damage. Traditional karate as a combat sport had gotten, as Thompson says, watered down.Because of this, MMA fighters saw little value in a style that seemed largely for show.You got a lot of schools opening up that stressed doing things that would score points and maybe not as practical for a street situation, Thompson says.So in the early UFC, everyone looked down on it. People would say, those angles and spinning kicks wont work in mixed martial arts, Thompson added. But Machida was the one who really brought it back.Thompsons dad and trainer, Ray, agreed.I think the perception of karate, until the Machida era, was karate doesnt work. Early UFCs karate guys got crushed because they couldnt grapple, says Ray, a former karate and kickboxing pro. Theyd try their kicks and punches and just get taken down. They just got beat up. They had no idea what to do on the ground.The integration of karate into todays MMA offers it a rebirth in the sport. As MMA evolves, the precision and fluidity of a fighters integration of combat disciplines can be the difference between a good fighter and a great fighter.Machida says karate can be very effective in honing a fighters timing and use of distance. Where Machida is a masterful counterstriker with impeccable timing, especially against charging opponents, Thompson is one of the best at using his length -- particularly in his legs.Youre seeing it more and more in MMA, in the movements and stances. Thats my goal, to bring karate back and to help it grow in the UFC, Machida said. But its not an easy technique to learn. It takes a long time to build up the muscles in the front leg and the balance on the back foot. Its not something you can learn in a couple of months.Watch Thompson when hes in his traditional southpaw, or side-out stance. He actually uses his leg as a longer jab. While hes listed at having a 75-inch reach, jabbing with kicks gives him a distinct advantage as he tries to keep the 5-foot-9 Woodley at bay. According to FightMetric, Thompsons 4.7 strikes per minute (SLpM) ranks sixth-highest among UFC welterweights.Wonderboy is a unique guy. His timing is so good -- that is very hard to teach, Machida says.This side-out approach allows Thompson to keep his hands down and come from multiple angles with both his legs and fists, in combinations, hook and head kicks. The position of his hands does leave his head exposed, but thats actually what Thompson wants.You blade that body and [it] gives a smaller target for your opponent, Thompson said. I have my hands down, so you gotta get past my arm to get to my body. You turn straight on doing the Muay Thai, those kicks are straight on and always there [on the body], so thats a lot of wear and tear on you. I think our careers will last longer not taking the abuse, especially the head. That goes for training as well.But that head also serves as a kind of bait for aggressive strikers. As they come in, Thompsons footwork allows him to pivot and counterstrike effectively, and while the front leg seems exposed and ripe for a single-leg takedown, Thompsons improved takedown defense and quick feet allow him to either sidestep or readjust and sprawl.Yeah, Ill leave my head out there just to get guys to throw at it, and youll take one on the nose every now and then, Thompson says. But my feints and head movement are key to making that effective.Thompson has effectively worked karate into an approach that also includes a ground game that has significantly improved since he entered the UFC in 2009. Hes earned a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a first-degree black belt in Tetsu Shin Ryu Ju-Jitsu (Japanese ju-jitsu), but hes probably most proud of how much his wrestling has improved. Thats probably the biggest thing thats different in me since my only UFC loss (to Matt Brown in 2009), Thompson said.Of course, it also helps when former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, a two-time All-American wrestler, is your brother-in-law.Training with the bestThompsons trained with Weidman for several years, but hes been training with his dad Ray since he was 3. Ray Thompson was a champion kickboxer and runs Upstate Karate in their native South Carolina. Thompson also served as the punching bag to older brother Tony and his sister Lindsay, both accomplished martial artists in their own right, but dads influence is unmatched.I remember taking Stephen to UFC 2 or 3 and he was just hooked after that, Ray says.Thompson first toyed with the notion of entering mixed martial arts after working out at Tristar Gym in Montreal, Canada -- the home and training center of Firas Zahabi and Georges St Pierre.Its a career that has suited him well. With such an esteemed pedigree, and riding a seven-fight win streak, Thompson, 33, seems ready for prime time. With that goal in mind, what better place than New York City, where MMA makes its long-awaited debut, for Thompson to put himself on the map.Weidman trains with Matt Serra and Ray Longo on Long Island, and all of them have been major proponents and activists in getting MMA legalized in New York State. Thompson also sees this fight as an opportunity to show his appreciation for all that Weidman has done.I wouldnt be here if it wasnt for my family and my team and Chris, so Im doing this for all of them --and [for] the sport, Thompson says.Adidas NMD Factory Outlet . The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. Adidas NMD R1 Clearance . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/wholesale-adidas-nmd-black-china.html .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Adidas NMD R1 Cheap . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Pharrell x adidas NMD Human Race Black . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long.Paul Nicholls retained his champion trainer title after saddling the second and the fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup.Final standingsPaul Nicholls - £2,439,559 Willie Mullins - £2,341,7341805pm: Willie Mullins does get his Sandown win, but its all too little too late. McKinley wins the last race of the UK jumps season, pocketing his handler £18,768 and that will pay for the Vroum Vroum Mag fine and some.1740pm: A sixth place for Some Buckle in the 5.20 gets another £348 in the kitty for Nicholls ahead of the final race.Back to Vroum Vroum Mag and the title. Heres the thoughts of Mullins: We came over here to win the championship and we have had a fantastic reception. In the light of the Bet365 Gold Cup we cant win the championship and we are taking Vroum Vroum Mag home and she has a valuable couple of races to run in at Punchestown.She was only here for the championship and Mr (Rich) Ricci very kindly let me bring her over to run in a race of much less value. Now we will do what we were aiming to do all winter. I will probably get fined - theres no such thing as a free lunch.We have had a fantastic year. Im just sorry for punters who came to see Vroum Vroum Mag. But the championship was over and we had to take a different view.The stewards took a dim view of Vroum Vroum Mag being taken out, fining Mullins £1,000 and ruling he had shown a wilful disregard for the interests of racegoers and punters.1700pm: The bandwagon for Nicholls rolled on with Ptit Zig taking full advantage of Vroum Vroum Mags late defection to pocket another £28,475. For good measure, stablemate Silsol was second (£10,685) and also San Benedeto fifth (£1,340). So what started as a £53,000 plus lead can now be counted at a whopping £116,245.04.1650pm: More from a jubilant Nicholls: Tom (Jonason, assistant) is leaving today and he didnt want to leave with us getting beaten.Its great for the whole team, everybody involved - its not about me. Its a big team effort, always has been, always will be.Its been a tough season for lots of reasons, we had a bit of a flat spot and all sorts of gossip and rumours that things werent right, but you have to dig deep and keep going.Weve just kept trying to win as many races as we can. If you get in a position to do so, then great.He went on: Its been brilliant. I thought we had no chance after Aintree and I knew Willie would dig deep and keep finding plenty to run and we needed a few miracles. Vicente in the Scottish National last week gave us a big day and the others have been running well.The first one was special and this one is far and away the best, probably, weve had to fight and you dont want to give it up easily.When Kauto Star and Master Minded were winning, youd win the trainers championship by Christmas. Those horses carry you and possibly it doesnt have that much interest then, but the interest from the public and racing people in this has been good.Theres been a lot of pressure for all of us, but hopefully its been good for racing to get more interest in it.Willie is a fantastic trainer with fantastic horses, I have huge respect for him.1640pm: Maybe the gap wont change too much - Vroum Vroum Mag has been taken out of the Select Hurdle.1639pm: More money to be played for and the margin is likely to change, but after the efforts of Just A Par and Southfield Theatre (fourth, earning £7950), Nicholls took firm control by £75,745.04 and thats unassailable. Congratulations to all involved, in both camps.1635pm: Precise details of winning margin to come later, but £31,800 picked up by Just A Par for his second to The Young Master means its all over - Nicholls is confirmed as champion trainer once more.dddddddddddd Swift bit of reaction from the Ditcheat maestro: To get Just A Par back from where he finished in the National (15th) - Harry (Cobden) gave him an awesome ride. Thats been the toughest one because of the ammunition weve had. Its been a big team effort. Its been brilliant for racing.1623pm: And PAUL NICHOLLS is Champion Trainer! Hes just beaten in the bet365 Gold Cup as The Young Master beats Just A Par, but with that second place and Southfield Theatres fourth he cant be caught now.350pm: Wow. That was sensational by Sprinter Sacre. Un De Sceaux second and Dodging Bullets third, but really the winner was in another parish. After some totting up, Mullins now trails by £35,995.04, so its still all to play for as Mullins can still look forward to Vroum Vroum Mag. But before that its the big one of the day, the bet365 Gold Cup. Nicholls is represented by Southfield Theatre and Just A Par. Mullins needs big efforts from Sir Des Champs and Measureofmydreams.325pm: Sounds like Mullins might have thought that was the one, too: It would have been nice to win, but we didnt. Well have to wait and see. Could be a game changer next - the bet365 Celebration Chase (£125,000). Nicholls going with former two-mile king Dodging Bullets plus Solar Impulse and Ulck Du Lin. Mullins sends Un De Sceaux into battle - but Cheltenham conqueror Sprinter Sacre looms large.315pm: Another thriller - and another race without a Nicholls/Mullins winner. Mullins comes closest as Valseur Lido just finds old stager Menorah too strong - ridden appropriately by newly-crowned champion jockey Richard Johnson. With placed horses for both trainers, its a net gain of £4,665 for the Irish champion. But that might have been a big chance gone. Regardless, bringing the pennies into play, the gap is now down to £44,307.54.240pm: Next up is the bet365 Oaksey Chase, worth a total of £50,000. For Nicholls its Saphir Du Rheu, Rocky Creek and Wonderful Charm. Mullins has Valseur Lido and Ballycasey. The testing nature of Sandown might play to the strengths of Valseur Lido and he looks well treated by the conditions of the race. First prize is £28,475.235pm: If thats a sign of things to come it will be exciting - no winner for the big two as Wolf Of Windlesham takes top spot, but hes flanked on either side by Tommy Silver and Voix Du Reve.Voix Du Reve gets the nod for second, picking up £9,240, with Tommy Silver third for £4,620.That makes it a reduced lead of £48,972 for Nicholls. Game on?2pm: The battle for the National Hunt trainers championship has come right down to the final afternoon of the season at Sandown, with Paul Nicholls (£2,329,252) holding an advantage of £53,592 over Willie Mullins (£2,275,660).The latter is bidding to become the first Irish-based trainer since the great Vincent OBrien in 1953-4 to lift the British title and has a host of major chances, although he might need them all to win.Getting things under way at 2.20 is the bet365 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, worth £50,000 and in which Nicholls fields Tommy Silver and Mullins calls on Voix Du Reve, who looked sure to go close when coming to grief at the final flight in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. The final total for Nicholls stood at #2,439,560.26 to Mullins on #2,341,735.22 - meaning the margin of victory ended at #97,825.04.Shall we do it all again next year, gents?Also See:Live results serviceFull racecardsGet Sky Sports ' ' '