Paulo Borrachinha wrecks Johny Hendricks, puts Middleweight division on notice

UFC : Paulo Borrachinha vs Johny Hendricks (Photo by Esther Lin / MMAFighting)

Borrachinha opened up the action with thundering kicks to the body that had Hendricks wincing and doubling over. He unleashed a high kick, which Hendricks blocked, as he chased him across the cage trying to close the distance. Borrachinha landed a nice shot along the fence, then another combination, as Hendricks dove in for a takedown that did’t materialize. Borrachinha stalked Hendricks along the cage, firing off kicks and punches as the former champ circled the cage — he mustered absolutely zero offense. Borrachinha landed a hard knee to the body and once again Hendricks looked for a takedown, but it wasn’t happening. With 90 seconds remaining in the round, Hendricks finally landed a solid combination, but Borrachinha walked right through it. Hendricks actually began to open up a little bit as the round came to a close, but it was clear the Borrachinha got the better of the opening frame.[post_ads]

Hendricks came out with a low kick to start the second stanza, looking a little more comfortable ... until Borrachinha slipped an inadvertent finger into his eye. After a brief stop in the action, Borrachinha came out on fire after the restart — drilling Hendricks with hard, unanswered shots as Hendricks looked to avoid the painful onslaught. It was a hard right cross and two brutal uppercuts that finally compelled referee “Big” John McCarthy to step in and stop the fight.[post_ads_2]

Tonight marked the third straight finish for Borrachinha since he made his Octagon debut earlier this year. He is an absolutely terrifying prospect who — at just 26 years young — seemingly has not yet hit his MMA prime.

And that’s awful news for the rest of the Middleweight division moving forward.

Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel will serve a five-game suspension in 2018.

Astros' Yuli Gurriel, George Springer find redemption in Game 5 triumph - IMAGE: USA TODAY

Astros' Yuli Gurriel, George Springer find redemption in Game 5 triumph

The jeers started as Gurriel walked to the plate at start of the second inning and didn’t abate as Los Angeles starter Rich Hill toed and then stepped off the rubber. The move allowed the boos to continue for several more seconds.

Fans voiced their displeasure between each pitch of the at bat before the boos were replaced with cheers as Gurriel popped out to Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger in foul territory.[post_ads]

“I think everyone is aware it's going to be a rough setting for him,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters before Game 5 in Houston. "I don't think you can convince 55,000 fans to turn the page as fast as maybe the two teams have. And that goes out of support for their own players and their own people.”

Gurriel was suspended five games – a ban that won’t be enforced until the 2018 regular season --- by Major League Baseball for making a slant-eyed gesture after he hit a home run off Dodgers starter Yu Darvish, a native of Japan. Gurriel, who is Cuban, was also ordered to undergo sensitivity training.

Gurriel met with Darvish last weekend to apologize.

“I didn't think it was going to be this big of a deal,” Darvish said on Tuesday before Game 6. “I was telling my interpreter that, hey, maybe this is going to be a big deal after the game. And it did.” — USA TODAY