Canadian Jordan Meins career appears to be at a tipping point. Following a vicious first-round destruction of Mike Pyle in August, the Lethbridge, Alta. native stated hed shed the prospect label that hovered over him throughout much of his career. Mein then made it clear in no uncertain terms that big fights were in his future. I want these co-main event spots, these main event spots, the 25-year-old welterweight told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 49 post-fight press conference five months ago. Thats where I belong, Mein now has the opportunity to back up his remarks when he faces former title challenger Thiago Alves on the main card of UFC 183 in Las Vegas Saturday. The headliner will see Anderson Silva return against Nick Diaz. UFC 183 will be available on pay-per-view Saturday, with the preliminary fights airing on TSN4 at 8pm et/5pm pt. Mein said Alves is the perfect opponent for him to stake his claim as a welterweight threat. Yeah, definitely, Mein told UFC.ca during a phone interview Wednesday. Hes had a great name for a long time and its definitely going to be a good win for me. I wish I would have had a co-main event spot or something, but other fights got booked. People wanted to see more (on the card), I guess — and thats what happened. But yeah, Thiagos a great opponent for me. Of course, Mein can keep his momentum rolling in the UFCs 170-pound division, but he also stands to lose footing at the hands of the dangerous Brazilian striker. Though Alves competed for the championship, that was more than five years ago at UFC 100. Since then hes gone 3-3, with his most recent outing being an entertaining unanimous-decision win over Seth Baczynski to cap off a two-year hiatus this past April. Mein admitted a victory may not move him up the official rankings, but stated an emphatic win against a name fighter never goes unnoticed by UFC matchmakers. I dont know if it will really move my ranking if I beat him, Mein said. Hes off the ranking (list) and hed been out (for a while). So Im not too sure as far as my ranking goes, but as far as the UFC sees me, maybe itll change a little bit. It has to be impressive for it to (earn me) a co-main event spot. If not, maybe Im back to where I was. But thats what I want, that co-main event spot and then getting to the main event. I think an impressive win would do that for me. On paper, the fight is a striking fans dream, punctuated by a clash of styles. In the past, Mein has put his boxing to good use, netting impressive wins over Pyle, Dan Miller and Hernani Perpetuo since joining the UFC roster. However, Alves Muay Thai skills have been on full display in victories against Matt Hughes, Josh Koscheck and Karo Parisyan. Though Mein tends not to watch tape on his opponents, he has closely followed Alves career. He said he has a good idea of what to expect when the octagon door shuts. I dont really watch tape on guys, but I have been watching him for so many years, Mein said. So I kind of already know what he looks like — his style and his game plan. Other than that, I just try to perfect my technique, my style and then go forward from there. (He may fight) more flat footed and then I can maybe move around a little bit more. Hes got dangerous leg kicks — that plays against me a little bit. If he kicks my legs, I wont be able to move as well. Thats why its going to be a sweet matchup. I dont know how quick his kicks are. Hes also got good counter strikes. So well see what happens. Mein knows that even if he gets out to an early lead, he cant recklessly pursue Alves. The sole TKO loss on the American Top Team fighters record came against Jon Fitch in 2006 via stunning upkick, a rare finishing technique in the UFC. Mein said Alves is a durable and powerful opponent. I think he likes to counter a lot, Mein stated. As soon as you strike him, hell take a couple to give one back. Im going to keep that in mind so I dont get too carried away trying to exploit something and get caught. Though Mein aspires to reach the upper echelon of the sport, he isnt looking past Alves. At this point, his focus is purely on picking up an impressive win. Once hes done so, he can spend time contemplating his next steps. Mein said fans will be in for a treat Saturday. Fans can expect two guys that really want to finish each other, Mein said. He just had a good, long fight and I just had a quick fight. So I think hes wanting a short fight and I want to keep it that way. Were each going to bring it to one another and try to finish each other. So thats going to happen and the fans are going to love watching it. CATCHING THE MAIN EVENT Regardless of how his fight with Thiago Alves shakes out, Jordan Mein will attempt to race through his post-fight medicals in order to get a good seat for Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz. Though Diaz is considered an underdog going into the bout, Mein said the former Strikeforce welterweight champion shouldnt be counted out. Oh definitely, he said. I definitely want to watch those two. That ones so difficult to call. I like watching both. I like their styles, but theyre so different. Diaz is quite a bit of an underdog, betting-wise. It wouldnt be stupid to put money on him because he could definitely win. If youre betting, I think its a good idea. But to be honest, I have no idea. Jonathan Hernandez Rangers Jersey . The CFL unveiled its 2014 schedule Wednesday and the Redblacks will play their first-ever regular-season game in Winnipeg against the Blue Bombers on July 3. Texas Rangers Gear .A. Dickey, even though he was coming off a Cy Young Award in 2012. Many felt the Jays would regret giving up righthanded pitcher prospect Noah Syndergaard and catcher Travis DArnaud over the long haul. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/122...ngers.html.FIFA says it is relaxing the rule which forced match officials to leave its international list at the end of the year they turned 45. Jeff Russell Rangers Jersey . -- Hal Steinbrenner says Alex Rodriguez is "a great player" and "obviously an asset," but the New York Yankees managing general partner wouldnt discuss the third basemans possible return to the team following a season-long suspension. Vladimir Guerrero Rangers Jersey . People familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Friday that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz could issue his decision this weekend.Were still several weeks away from the Heisman Watch taking off in earnest, but after the first week of NCAA action is a good time to track some of the preseason favourites for college sports most prestigious individual award. The schedule is usually lacking the first 3-4 weeks of the season until conference play begins, but the opening week offered a few intriguing matchups, the most of which was No. 8 Clemsons 38-35 win over No. 5 Georgia. With the biggest spotlight of the week shining on him, Clemsons senior quarterback Tajh Boyd delivered. The dual threat QB scored all five of the Tigers touchdowns (three through the air and two on the ground) in the win against a tough SEC opponent. For that, Boyd becomes the early season man to beat for the Heisman. The good news for Boyd, and Clemson, is the Tigers have a very easy schedule until their October 19th meeting with Florida State. With his statement game already out of the way, theres plenty of time for Boyd to pad his stats against lesser competition in September and early October. Despite playing just the second half against Rice, last years Heisman winner Johnny Manziel didnt let Boyd out of his sights in the early Heisman race. Manziel connected on sixx of eight passes and three touchdowns in Texas A&Ms season-opening win.dddddddddddd Teddy Bridgewater, a prospective first overall pick come next spring, is one to watch as well. The Louisville junior had to wait until Sunday to rip up the Ohio Bobcats secondary, throwing for 355 yards and five touchdowns to one interception in the No. 9 Cardinals win. Ohio State junior Braxton Miller and Alabama senior AJ McCarron were also included in most preseason Heisman candidate lists but did little to impress in their first action of the 2013 season. Miller had a pedestrian 178 yards passing and two touchdowns to one interception, but added 77 yards on the ground in the Buckeyes somewhat disappointing win over Buffalo. McCarron meanwhile, was 10-23 for 110 yards, one touchdown and one interception and lost 23 yards to the pressure front of Virginia Tech. Jadeveon Clowneys campaign to become the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Charles Woodson pulled off the feat in 1998 got off to a slow start, literally. No. 6 South Carolina got by their rivals North Carolina but looked sluggish on defence. Clowney gets a pass as he was recovering from a stomach virus the week leading up to the game. ' ' '