CITY, Mo. -- The Royals bolstered their offence M

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Former professional wrestler C.M. Punk has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC, and he intends to make his mixed martial arts debut in 2015.C.M. Punk is the stage name of 36-year-old Phil Brooks, a career pro wrestler who became one of the WWEs biggest stars in recent years before falling out with the company.Although Brooks has gym experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts with a member of the vaunted Gracie family, he has never fought an MMA bout. That didnt deter him from signing with the worlds dominant MMA promotion, and UFC President Dana White welcomes the publicity and pay-per-view sales to be generated from Brooks arrival.It was actually a really easy decision to make, and time will tell how wise a decision it was, Brooks said. I finally found something I can put 100 per cent of myself into. ... Im a guy who likes goals and challenges, and this is the biggest challenge Ive ever put in front of me.White announced the deal during the UFC 181 pay-per-view show, making sure the promotions biggest fans heard about the move first. The year has been difficult at times for the UFC, with several injured champions, a crowded schedule and the extended absence of longtime mainstays, including Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre.The UFC clearly needs new, marketable stars, and the loquacious Brooks will be must-see TV if hes able to compete.Were going to give him an opportunity, White said. Hes been training a lot in mixed martial arts, and were going to give him a shot. This guy can definitely sell some units.White believes Brooks will be ready for a fight in roughly six months, although Brooks still hasnt decided where hell train for his debut. Brooks is curious whether he can cut weight to the 170-pound welterweight limit, but might start as a 185-pound middleweight.Brooks recognizes the hubris inherent in starting an MMA career in his mid-30s, but the combination of the challenge and the UFCs financial offer was irresistible.I respect everybody thats stepped into the cage, and before Im done here, everyone will respect me as well, Brooks said. People close to me know how long Ive talked about doing this. This isnt so much about UFC. Its about me, and what I know I have inside of me. I want to prove to people and to myself that this is something Ive thought about for a long time and I want to do.The UFC realizes the publicity value of signing pro wrestlers with a modicum of MMA skills. Famed pro wrestler Brock Lesnar became the UFCs biggest pay-per-view star when he entered the promotion in 2008, bringing millions of fans from the staged entertainment to actual athletic competition.Lesnar defeated Randy Couture and held the UFCs heavyweight championship for nearly two years, defending it three times. After two losses and a bout with diverticulitis, he returned to pro wrestling in 2012, even beating Brooks in a WWE show last year.You hear positive and negative things about Brock, but if somebody is going to compare me to Brock Lesnar, Ill gladly take that, Brooks said. I think Im a little cuter.Brooks performed in the WWE from 2011 until early this year, when he left the company with some acrimony. Brooks confirmed he is finished with pro wrestling.As for his decision to start in the UFC instead of honing his skills in a smaller promotion, as Lesnar did, the veteran showman is pragmatic about his value.The big business is your first fight, Brooks said. Win, lose or draw, if I fought somewhere else, maybe a little bit of the lustre would have gotten knocked off. This is very much a business as well as fighting. Theres both sides of it, and I think it merged perfectly. This is something that Im doing for myself, to test myself. Its not all about the money, but its also nice to get paid. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys .5 million. University officials released the term sheet signed by Harsin Wednesday, the day the former Broncos walk-on player and Boise native was named the successor to Chris Petersen, who left for Washington last week. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys China . - The Mavericks built a 12-point lead with 2:50 to play, gave away all but two points of it, and still managed to hang on. http://www.cheapredwingsjerseys.com/ .com) - On a night the Bulls played without Derrick Rose, it was time for Pau Gasol to take charge. Cheap Adidas Red Wings Jerseys . But unfortunately for the Niagara Falls, Ont., native, a pulled muscle wouldnt allow him to go past the second set. Japan sealed its victory over Canada in the first-round Davis Cup tie after Nishikori downed an ailing Dancevic 6-2, 1-0. Wholesale Red Wings Jerseys .In the Football Money League compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte, German champion Bayern Munich remained third but Barcelona dropped from second to fourth during its trophyless 2014.In the 2013-2014 financial year, Real generated 549.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals bolstered their offence Monday by acquiring outfielder Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins, a move the long-suffering franchise hopes will help them end a playoff drought that stretches back nearly three decades. Kansas City had won seven straight games entering its series opener against Oakland, climbing into the second wild-card spot and a half-game back of AL Central-leading Detroit. The Royals have not been to the post-season since 1985, when they beat St. Louis to win the World Series. "Obviously the goal was to win with the Twins," Willingham said from Houston, where the Twins were preparing to play the Astros. "Unfortunately, we werent. Now I have a chance to go help another club and hopefully make the playoffs." Willingham is expected to arrive in Kansas City in time for Tuesday nights game. The Twins picked up minor league pitcher Jason Adam in the trade, while the Royals agreed to take on the remainder of Willinghams contract -- about $1.8 million of the $7 million that he was making in the final year of his three-year deal. Willingham was hitting just .210 for the Twins this season, but his 12 homers in limited at-bats were appealing for a Royals club that has struggled to find power. The 35-year-old Willingham hit a career-best 35 homers with 110 RBIs two years ago. "We see his presence in the middle of our lineup somewhere, and being that presence that can get some big hits for us," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He had a big hit yesterday actually against Oakland. Hes a professional. Hes a winner. We feel very strong that hes going to help our team. Hes the type of player and presence that you add aat this time of year.dddddddddddd." Moore said that Willingham is more likely to serve as a designated hitter than play in the outfield, where there is already a logjam of players. Billy Butler, the clubs normal DH, has been forced to play first base while Eric Hosmer is on the disabled list with a right hand injury. "I think hell be in the lineup most days as we set up right now," Moore said. The Royals cleared space for Willingham on the 40-man roster by requesting unconditional release waivers on right-hander Wilking Rodriguez. They will still have to make a move to add Willingham to the 25-man roster when he reports to Kansas City. "It doesnt soak in immediately," Willingham said. "Its one of those things you dont know what your mind is processing. You know its going on but you have mixed emotions. Any time youre saying goodbye to really good friends, its tough, but at the same time -- the other side of it, the baseball side of it -- theyre winning over there. From a business side, its good for me." The 23-year-old Adam, who grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, was 5-9 with a 4.67 ERA with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha this season. And while the Royals had toyed with making him a reliever, the Twins intend to convert him back to a starter. He will be assigned to the clubs Double-A affiliate in New Britain. "His stuff is pretty impressive," Twins GM Terry Ryan said. "You look at his bio, his numbers arent eye-popping, but you see him play, a number of our people have put in good reports on him. Were going to slow him down a bit and see if we cant get some of that under control." 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