Exactly how high Yair Rodriguez will climb in the featherweight division remains to be seen.But the 23-year-old proved one thing in his latest performance -- he can definitely keep up a pace for 25 minutes.Rodriguez (9-1) improved to 5-0 in the UFC on Saturday, defeating Alex Caceres via split decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. Two judges scoring the featherweight bout had it 48-47 in favor of Rodriguez, and the third somehow saw it 49-46 for Caceres. ESPN.com scored it 49-46, Rodriguez.Known for an ultra-aggressive, flashy style, Rodriguez lived up to his reputation. In his first five-round bout -- which also took place at high elevation -- Rodriguez attempted 431 total strikes according to Fightmetric, 101 of them in the final round. Caceres, by comparison, attempted 246.This was a great experience for me, Rodriguez said. It was a good opportunity for me to see where Im at in my division. My cardio and technique could go for five rounds.A former winner of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, Rodriguez flew across the cage at Caceres for the majority of the opening two rounds. He launched into spinning wheel kicks, flying knees, backfists, heel kicks to the legs. In the second round, he threw four or five roundhouse right kicks to the body that appeared to stun Caceres a bit.In the third, his spinning attempts seemed to slow down, which opened the door for Caceres to land several hard counter shots. Caceres scored a knee to the body and won a scramble to spend some time in top position. He landed a hard right hand out of Rodriguezs guard.Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, now fighting out of Chicago, Rodriguez reclaimed momentum in the fourth. The kicks to Caceres legs and body appeared to have a cumulative effect, as Caceres was slightly less mobile in the later rounds. Although Caceres answered at times with counter shots, Rodriguezs volume stole the rounds.Rodriguez is the most promising Mexican prospect on the UFC roster. Four of his five wins in the Octagon have come via decision, although he did score a spectacular head-kick finish against Andre Fili at UFC 197 in April.I dont know man, said Rodriguez, when asked whom hed like to fight next. Thats [UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby and [UFC president] Dana Whites work. Im going to let them pick my next opponent. I just have to be ready.Bermudez takes decision from BezerraFeatherweight Dennis Bermudez (16-5) smothered Rony Jason Bezerra (14-6) over three rounds, en route to a unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).Bezerra nearly came up with a comeback in the final two minutes, as he took Bermudezs back and looked to sink a rear-naked choke. Bermudez remained calm and eventually escaped the position. It was really the only scary moment of the fight for Bermudez, who more or less dominated otherwise.As usual, Bermudez used a high pace to wilt Bezerra early. He opened a cut on the Brazilians forehead in the opening round and kept a constant pressure on him from start to finish. Bezerra landed a handful of clean counter shot, but they were few and far between. Bermudez improves to 9-2 in his last 11.Swanson gets the better of KawajiriFeatherweight Cub Swanson (23-7) picked up a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) over Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri (35-10-2) in a highly entertaining fight.Fighting out of Jackson-Wink MMA, Swanson surrendered several takedowns in the bout but showcased his exceptional scrambling ability. After giving up mount in the first round, Swanson reversed a takedown in the following frame and nearly submitted Kawajiri via rear-naked choke. He also landed an illegal knee to a downed opponent, but it was deemed accidental and referee John McCarthy did not take a point.Both veterans landed good punches in the pocket, although it was Swanson usually getting the better of it. He wobbled Kawajiri with a left hook in the last round and repeatedly caught him with the lead right. The victory was Swansons second win in a row. Air Force 1 Cheap Outlet . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Air Force 1 Clearance . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. http://www.airforce1clearance.com/ . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Wholesale Air Force 1 From China . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. Wholesale Air Force 1 . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level.WASHINGTON -- Davey Johnson isnt shaving his scruffy beard, even after the Washington Nationals finally put on the offensive show he was longing to see. Adam LaRoche homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Nationals barrelled past the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 Tuesday night. LaRoche, Tyler Moore and Roger Bernadina connected off Orioles rookie Kevin Gausman (0-2). LaRoche added a solo shot in the eighth off Troy Patton. It added up to Washingtons highest-scoring performance since a 10-3 win over Miami on April 15. The Nationals hadnt scored more than seven runs in 29 games since April 25. The 70-year-old Johnson began growing the beard last week and said he wouldnt shave until the Nationals broke out of their hitting slump. Now it appears he wont shave for fear of jinxing a team on a roll. "It was great," Johnson said of the hitting attack. "Some guys that usually take two or three strikes went up there and hit line drives." And then, fondling his grey beard, he added, "Maybe this is working." Addressing the suddenly hot topic of Johnsons beard, Moore said, "It looks pretty bad, doesnt it? I hope he looks like Santa at the end of the year if we keep winning." Washington built a 7-3 lead in the fourth inning for right-hander Nathan Karns in his major league debut. But Karns couldnt make it out of the fifth. Karns gave up three runs, five hits and two walks in 4 1-3 innings. He was alternatingly sharp and shaky, but decent enough to earn another chance. "Nathan Karns did good, so hes going to come back and pitch Sunday," Johnson said. "I thought he handled himself well. Good start against a good hitting ball club. I know he was nervous but I like the way he went after the hitters." Selected in the 12th round of the 2009 draft, Karns never before pitched above the Double-A level. The 25-year-old was 4-2 with a 4.60 ERA this season in nine starts for Harrisburg of the Eastern League. The start of the game -- and Karns big league debut -- was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 21 minutes. He didnt care. "The rain delay didnt bother me at all," the rookie said. "Now the first one is out of the way I can just build off of that." Zach Duke (1-1) followed Karns with 1 2-3 innings of perfect relief. Chris Davis hit his major-league leading 17th homer for the Orioles, and J.J. Hardy also went deep. But Baltimores franchise-record run of scoring at least five runs in 10 straight road games ended. After allowing four runs in five innings against Toronto last Thursday in his major league debut, thee 22-year-old Gausman digressed in his second appearance.ddddddddddddThe right-hander gave up seven runs and eight hits in four innings with one walk and no strikeouts. Gausman, the No. 4 pick in the 2012 draft, is toting an unsightly 11.00 ERA and opponents are batting .385 against him. "Pitching in the big leagues is hard. Hes got the talent to do it and eventually he will," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "I look forward to it being next time out. He knows mistakes get magnified here. But its part of the process." Washington pulled away with a four-run fourth. LaRoche drew a leadoff walk, Moore hit his second homer in 81 at-bats this season, and Bernadina followed with his first long ball since Sept. 28. "After Bernadina and Moore went deep you want me to shave? I cant shave right now," Johnson said with a grin. With two outs, Denard Span added an RBI double to make it 7-3. Early on, with his fastball hitting 97 mph, Karns retired the side in order in the first inning on three groundouts. "I just wanted to get out there and throw strikes, work with getting the hitters out, and it worked out to my advantage," Karns said. Gausman, in contrast, struggled at the outset. After Span hit a scorching grounder that was gloved by Davis at first base and turned into an out, Steve Lombardozzi and Ryan Zimmerman both singled before LaRoche drove a 2-0 pitch into the centre-field seats. Baltimore closed to 3-1 in the second on an RBI double by Matt Wieters. But with one out and runners on the corners, Karns struck out Yamaico Navarro and Gausman. In the fourth, Davis lined a 1-2 pitch into the Washington bullpen beyond the right-field wall. Two batters later, Hardy homered to left into the Orioles bullpen to knot the score at 3. NOTES: The Nationals played a second straight game without OF Bryce Harper (knee), and Johnson acknowledged, "I probably was being optimistic thinking he could DH over in Baltimore (on Wednesday and Thursday). Its probably not looking good for that." ... Washington 2B Danny Espinosa, who has been sidelined since May 22 with a fractured bone in his right wrist, hopes to return Wednesday. "The strength is fine. Its just the stiffness," Espinosa said. ... The Nationals have homered in 73 straight series,, the longest active streak in the majors. ... Chris Tillman will take the mound for the Orioles on Wednesday night at Camden Yards against Washingtons Jordan Zimmermann, who is seeking his ninth victory. ... Baltimores Nick Markakis had his 12-game hitting streak snapped. ' ' '