Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi and Inter Milan defender Juan Jes

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. Rousey soared to the top of her sport and broke new ground for female athletes throughout 2013. She has made a reality television show, two blockbuster films and a whole lot of money in the 10 months since her UFC debut, along with countless media appearances and profile-raising endorsements. To cap it off, Rousey (7-0) is a heavy favourite in her rematch with Miesha Tate (13-4) in the penultimate bout Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden. Middleweight champion Chris Weidmans rematch with Anderson Silva is the pay-per-view shows main event. Although Rousey beat Tate handily last year with her signature armbar submission in the Strikeforce promotion, interest is high in the rematch after Rousey and Tate served as combative coaches on the most recent season of "The Ultimate Fighter," the UFCs reality competition show. Rouseys disdain for Tate is palpable, and shes confident fans will feel it. "If the Real Housewives threw down at the end of their season, how great would that be?" Rousey asked. "Every schoolyard in the world loves a fight. Thats how you get them to glance at us." With just one UFC appearance and three years of pro experience, Rousey has soared to heights reached by almost no other MMA fighters. Even before she beat Liz Carmouche last February in the UFCs first womens bout, the 135-pound former Olympic judoka had been targeted by the sports-entertainment complex as a rising star. She has spent the last year doing her best to embrace every opportunity while trying not to neglect the sport that got her to this lofty position. For instance, while in Bulgaria to film "The Expendables 3," Rousey worked out with Victor Ortiz, the ex-champion boxer who also had a part in the film. Ortiz helped Rousey with a few fine points of standup fighting when they werent running hills — and slowly getting exhausted with the hours of waiting necessary to be in a major film. "The movie stuff was fun, but by the time it was over, I said, Oh, thank God," Rousey said. "Im so ready to get back in the gym. ... Its tough to have to look good and say some line 19 million times. Id rather slum it and not shave and punch things." Rousey seemed to enjoy her film work, but her other experience on camera didnt go as well. Rousey emerged from "The Ultimate Fighter" furious over the narrative dishonesty of reality shows, specifically the poking and prodding done to make Rousey appear to be a humourless villain while coaching eight fighters against Tates team. "I really felt mistreated and disrespected by the whole production staff," Rousey said, citing "constant inhumaneness and insensitivity. The gym is my safe place. Its where I maintain my sanity, and they really bastardized that place for me. They needed a villain, and they made me fit that role." Rousey also acknowledges that she "purposely instigated the rivalry" with Tate to get people to watch their pay-per-view spectacle. Since Rousey has already beaten Tate, who then lost to No. 1 contender Cat Zingano, Rousey realized the matchup would be a tough sell without the personal spice to flavour it. Tate has been content to play a bemused spectator to Rouseys intensity, but Rousey insists its all an act. "When she walked on to that show, I shook her hand," Rousey said. "When she left, I flipped her off. So yeah, a couple of things happened between them." Rouseys wild life is likely to continue after her second fight with Tate. Shell have additional film opportunities, although she wont allow her agent to discuss them until after the bout, and her fame is likely to grow along with her sport. She also hopes to fight twice a year for the foreseeable future, although she realizes shell have to keep getting better to stay on top of the sport she has led to wide exposure. The UFC recently added a 115-pound womens division, doubling its roster in the new year. "Its really encouraging for me that womens MMA is exiting the experimental phase," Rousey said. "I dont have to worry about the whole sport resting on me. Its better for everybody." Discount Nike NFL Hoodies . - San Diego Padres centre fielder Cameron Maybin is going to be out two to three months after rupturing his left biceps tendon during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Stitched Hoodies .Y. - Carey Price had an early feeling that one goal might be enough to settle the latest matchup between his Montreal Canadiens and longtime Original Six foe, the New York Rangers. http://www.hoodiescheap.com/ . The alley-oop looked easy -- just like everything else after halftime for the Miami Heat. James scored 32 points, Wade added 22 points and eight assists, and the Heat trailed by 11 early in the second half before running away to a 107-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Hoodies China . Team spokesman Donald Beauchamp said there was no new information on the 80-year-old Hall of Famers condition. The family has requested privacy. Wholesale Hoodies .com) - Jeff Teague finished with a game-high 26 points and eight assists as the Atlanta Hawks held off the Utah Jazz, 98-92, on Friday. MILAN, Italy -- Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi and Inter Milan defender Juan Jesus were each banned for three matches by the Italian league on Monday for punching opponents. Neither player was punished by the referee during Saturdays 0-0 draw between Roma and Inter but the league judge made his decision based on TV replays. De Rossi landed a fist in the face of Mauro Icardi while jostling for position during the first half, and Jesus made strong contact with Alessio Romagnoli toward thhe end of the match.dddddddddddd As a result, De Rossi was dropped from Italys squad for Wednesdays friendly at Spain. Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi was also banned for three matches, for elbowing an opponent and drawing a red card less than a minute after he went on in the second half of a 1-0 loss to Parma on Sunday. The incident cost Berardi his place in Italys Under-21 squad. The 19-year-old Berardi scored all four goals in a 4-3 win over AC Milan this season. ' ' '