NEU » season.UP NEXTKansas State: Hosts

TORRANCE, Calif. -- The history of mixed martial arts is written in the scars on Dan Hendersons rugged face and in the swollen creases of his cauliflower ears.The 46-year-old former Olympic wrestler has been fighting in a cage professionally for nearly two decades. He has spent almost every month of his adult life in a perpetual state of recovery, nursing a training injury or a physical breakdown. These days, hes usually just battling the cumulative weariness of a lengthy athletic career entering early middle age.I dont even notice anymore, he said before a recent workout in his native Southern California. Happens every training camp. I get cuts and bruises. Its part of the job.Henderson is tired of getting hit in the face, and he longs for a life without daily cardiovascular training. He plans to retire after one last bout this weekend in Manchester, England, and he is determined to finish his fighting life on his feet -- with a belt around his waist.Over 16 years and 42 fights after Henderson participated in a four-man, one-night tournament at UFC 17, he will meet middleweight champion Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 204.Henderson (32-14) relishes the chance to finish his lifelong climb at the summit of his sport. He has held titles in the Strikeforce and Pride promotions, but he never claimed a UFC belt, losing back-to-back title fights nine years ago.Ive had title shots before, and I know that for whatever reason, I didnt do well in them, Henderson said. Especially the UFC title shots that Ive had. Yeah, I want to make sure that I make the most of this opportunity.Henderson has lost six of his last nine fights, and he is only getting this title shot at the insistence of the UFC and Bisping, who wants revenge.At UFC 100 in 2009, Henderson knocked Bisping out cold with an astonishing overhand right to the jaw. Henderson punctuated one of the most spectacular knockouts in MMA history with a flying elbow to Bispings defenseless head as he fell.Henderson wont apologize for taking the spot of a more deserving contender against the 37-year-old Bisping (29-7), who claimed the title in similarly stunning fashion this summer by knocking out Luke Rockhold.Obviously, its the last goal Ive set for myself in the sport, Henderson said. Its definitely going to rank right up there with everything Ive done.Bisping has called Henderson a cheat for his past use of testosterone replacement therapy. A loophole in UFC regulations allowed fighters to legally compete on steroids, but Henderson dropped his TRT use when the practice was outlawed.Henderson said he plans to return to TRT use after his fighting career ends, saying his body felt a little better back then. Obviously Im still able to compete without it, though.He could have walked into that future in June after his stoppage victory over Hector Lombard at UFC 199 in Inglewood, his wife and four children in attendance. His UFC contract was up, and he owns a thriving gym in Temecula, where 300 of his closest friends and family are waiting to hold their annual Labor Day pig roast until after his title shot.But Henderson is fighting on. He wants one more shot to land one of his heavy right hands, dubbed the H-Bomb by his fans many years ago.Every day, I try to learn things and improve, Henderson said. Over the years, I wouldnt have been able to compete at the level Ive competed on if I hadnt improved, because this sport has evolved, and its still evolving. Everybody is getting better every year.So Henderson has vowed this will be his last fight -- but even he knows fighters cant be trusted to stick to these declarations.His children wont make the trip to England because of school, and he would hate to end his career without them. He has also said he would definitely consider fighting again, particularly as the UFC champion, when he knows his body would keep going for another half-decade.He needs only one more brilliant performance to take this two-decade career to a new pinnacle.I guess everybody has a price, you know, he said. If they really had to have me back, I suppose they could make me smile.Bruce Smith Youth Jersey . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. 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Dawson Knox Jersey . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands.NEW YORK -- Melo Trimble began his move around midcourt, went around a screen and drove to the rim. After Trimble scored and Maryland got one last defensive stop, bedlam ensued.Trimble converted a layup with 6.6 seconds remaining as the Terrapins survived a stiff challenge from Kansas State in a 69-68 victory Saturday night in the Barclays Center Classic Championship game.Trimble scored 18 points and his biggest hoop came on Marylands (7-0) final possession. He drove through the lane and got by Kansas State forward D.J. Johnson for the basket. Trimble hit his basket after Kansas States Wesley Iwandu missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 14 seconds left. Following a timeout, Trimble gained possession and went around a screen by Damonte Dodd that prevented Iwandu from providing a double team.Just dont settle, Trimble said. Ive been in that situation since Ive been at Maryland. I just know the best decision when the games going like that is to just go to the basket.After Trimble missed the subsequent free throw, Kansas State (5-1) had one more chance but Barry Browns jumper from the left side was short. Trimble celebrated with his teammates near center court, and then raced over to the first row and slapped hands with Maryland fans.I was happy we won, Trimble said. I didnt know what to do. I just was just happy to see so many people over there from Maryland.Johnson nearly willed Kansas State to the win by totaling a career-high 26 points and getting eight rebounds before fouling out on Trimbles dramatic drive. He just gets a head of steam, Wildcats coach Bruce Weber said. We knew what was coming and talked about it in the huddle. We said its coming and hes good at it.Michal Cekovsky added a career-best 16 points for Maryland, highlighting his game with three thunderous dunks midway through the second half. Cekovsky missed the first five games of the season recovering from a sprained foot and a preseason hamstring injury.Iwundu added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Kansas State.The game was tied 56-56 following a dunk by Johnson with 5:35 left. The WWildcats took a 61-59 lead on a 3-point play by Johnson but Maryland tied it on Trimbles layup with 3:18 remaining.ddddddddddddKansas State took a 64-61 lead on a 3-pointer by Kamau Stokes and held a 66-63 edge on two free throws by Johnson. The Wildcats had a 68-65 lead when Johnson rebounded a miss by Brown and easily scored with about a minute to go.Johnson had a chance to further seal it for Kansas State but missed the put-back attempt of Browns 3-pointer, and with 44 seconds left he turned the ball over. Trimble drove by Johnson for a layup to make it 68-67.Iwundu inbounded to Brown, who nearly stepped out of bounds. Brown missed a free throw with 14.3 seconds to play, setting up Trimbles drive.POLL IMPLICATIONSKansas State: Kansas State may get some votes for being 5-1, but it appears there are too many other teams to warrant consideration for the Wildcats to actually enter the Top 25. Kansas States only remaining non-conference game against a power conference team is Dec. 10 against Washington State.Maryland: Maryland was No. 25 in the preseason poll but has been in the others receiving votes section. The Terrapins were seven points shy of No. 25 in the first in-season poll. Their 55 points in this weeks poll made them the second team outside of the top 25. The two teams listed at No. 25, Michigan and Florida State, both lost this week, leaving it possible the Terrapins could re-enter the poll in time for games against Pittsburgh and Oklahoma State.MOST VALUABLE PLAYERTrimble was named the MVP of the tournament by getting 49 points on 16-of-31 shooting as the Terrapins received their fourth straight in-season tournament trophy. ... Trimbles play gave Maryland its second 7-0 start in the last three seasons and it made him the MVP of an in-season tournament for the third straight season.UP NEXTKansas State: Hosts Wisconsin-Green Bay on Wednesday.Maryland: Hosts Pittsburgh on Tuesday in the ACC-Big 10 challenge. season.UP NEXTKansas State: Hosts ' ' '