Mexico has been an implicit priority for the UFC in recent years. With its appetite for boxing unquestioned, theres a presumption that mixed martial arts will prove equally as pleasing to the palate.Former heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez (14-2), a Mexican-American, was trotted on media tours during and since his title reign. Flashy featherweight Yair Rodriguez (9-1), a 24-year-old born in Chihuahua, made his first two walks to the Octagon on Mexico-based pay-per-views.Joining that movement is strawweight Alexa Grasso (8-0), who will make her UFC debut when she opens the main card of UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Ferguson in Mexico City on Saturday.I feel proud of that, because Ive been training all my life here in Mexico, said Grasso, 23, a native of Guadalajara. I just want to show everybody that here we have all the resources.I couldnt imagine doing this in another country. Its going to be amazing. I feel all the gd vibes of the people.Standing across from her will be veteran Heather Jo Clark (7-5), who has split two career UFC fights. The loss came to undefeated strawweight title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-0).Clark, 36, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt, but she didnt win her first pro fight until after turning 30.Grasso, conversely, began training under her uncle, a former pro boxer, in her early teens. That progressed into taking classes at his gym, which evolved into participating in -- and winning -- MMA tournaments. She made her pro debut at age 19, winning by knockout in 15 seconds. Her next pro fight five months later was also a knockout win. This time, she needed 12 seconds. Her last three bouts, all under the Invicta banner, each earned a postfight bonus.Everybody is expecting me to win. I expect it, t, said Grasso, nearly a 5-to-1 favorite Saturday. I know shes bigger than me. I know she has more experience than me. Shes a veteran. Shes really well-rounded. I have to be really careful in every area, because shes really dangerous.For Grasso, theres a freedom in even being able to compete. Torn shoulder tendons required surgery, and then a broken metacarpal kept her out of the cage for nearly 18 months from early 2015 until this summer. She had three fights canceled in Invicta, one of which was a title shot, but bkending that gap were decisive wins over heralded prospect Mizuki Inoue (12-4) and Jackson-Wink MMA disciple Jodie Esquibel (5-2).No one likes to be hurt and be unable to do what you like the most, Grasso said. Every fighter and every career athlete has these things happen. All of the injuries were at a perfect time and moment that made me mature as a fighter and as a person.Soft-spoken with violent hands, Grasso has the tls, if healthy, to be capable of carrying the flag of Mexican mixed martial arts. She seamlessly combines a tight jab with an array of kicks and knees, showing patience beyond her years to pick apart opponents.While tactful and calculated, she shows a willingness to engage and undeniable toughness that demands attention. For most casual fans -- or those who dont subscribe to Fight Pass -- Saturday will be an introduction to Grasso. For Mexican fans, it may feel like an overdue return.All four of her Invicta appearances came stateside, meaning this marks Grassos first fight in her home country since 2014. But for hard-core fans and especially locals, anticipation is mounting for the UFC debut of one of the most promising prospects in the division.I was really wishing and praying I could be in the UFC in Mexico, she said. But that was just a dream. It was unbelievable, because I wished it a lot and prayed over it, and then it was true.It think will be really emotional. Its the dream of every fighter. Im just going to enjoy it as much as I can.Chicago White Sox Pro Shop . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shtout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Chicago White Sox Store .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/ . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. Chicago White Sox Gear .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. White Sox Jerseys 2020 . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal lks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team.Thierry Henry thinks Zinedine Zidane enhanced his managerial credentials by the way he set Real Madrid up in their 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Saturday evening.Having lost to their arch rivals 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the season, Real lked to be heading for another defeat after Gerard Pique scored early in the second half. Zidane cautious over title One game at a time, says Real Madrid coach But Real responded positively, equalising with a bicycle kick from Karim Benzema and then grabbing a late winner through Cristiano Ronaldo after Sergio Ramos was sent off. I like the way Zidane set up the team, said former Barcelona forward Henry on Sky Sports. They were not scared, they put pressure on when they needed to and kept their composure at 1-0 down.They were trying to play from the back under pressure and they lked like a team with the right balance. Zidane understd he had to take care of the midfield, especially against Barcelona. People wanted to know if tactically he could do something against Barcelona and he did. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late winner for Real Madrid at the Nou Camp The defeat ends Barcelonas 39-game unbeaten run and sees their lead at the top of La Liga cut to six points.However, with seven games of the season remaining, Henry does not believe second-placed Atletico Madrid or riivals Real, who are seven points behind, can chase down Barca.dddddddddddd Karim Benzema brought the scoreline to 1-1 with this bicycle kick You never know, but I dont think Barcelona will let the league go away, he said. The key game is against Atletico [in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday], you never know what can happen and that could have an effect on the league, but I think they will be OK. Bale: Were still in it Madrid still in title race, says Bale Former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Laudrup also does not think Luis Enriques side will let their lead slip, but is lking forward to seeing how they react to the defeat, which is their first since October. Knowing Barcelona and the Catalans there will be a little doubt, he said. Just one loss can create doubts, we will see in the coming week. I still think the league is done, but I want to see the impact in the coming games.Real deserved the win. In the second half they were the better team, even going down 1-0, then down to 10 men. Real come out with a lot of confidence while Barcelona have to play Atletico next.Also See:Barcelona 1-2 Real MadridAs it happenedWATCH: Benzema bicycle kickTable ' ' '