ALLAN THE MAN

In an email statement, world number three Maria Sharapova said that she had ended the coaching partnership with tennis legend Jimmy Connors following her surprise opening round exit at the Cincinnati Open this week.

“It’s not the right fit for this time in my career,” Sharapova stated in an email sent to TENNIS.com.

The headlining attraction featured Mauricio Rua hoping to defend all of Brazil against loud mouthed xenophobe Chael Sonnen in a battle perhaps lacking in divisional relevance but long in name value.

The first round opened the way so many expected it to. Sonnen came out hard and fast, grabbing a takedown and working from top. Rua, much to the surprise of all, managed to work his way out and even take Chael down. That was unexpected.

It didn't last long, though, and Sonnen was back on top in control before you could blink. He worked hard from there, using his trademark offense of seemingly pittar patter punches.

Then, suddenly, he locked on a guillotine choke and after a short battle trying his best to get out of it, the Brazilian tapped out. Just like that.

Travis Browne put the rest of the heavyweight division on notice with a huge first-round TKO win over Alistair Overeem in the co-main event of Saturday night's UFC Fight Night 26 card at the TD Garden in Boston.

The upset victory is easily the biggest of the big 31-year-old's career. His professional record moves to 15-1-1 with the win including a 6-1-1 mark inside the Octagon.

WATCH 'UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Overeem vs Browne Full Fight Replay Video' BELOW:

Urijah Faber escaped early trouble to earn a decision victory over Yuri Alcantara at tonight's (Sunday, August 18 in Manila) UFC Fight Night 26 event in Boston, Massachusetts.

The first round came to a close with the kid from California on top. What a wild start. The second stanza wasn't nearly as eventful as the first, but it did see Faber reassert himself. The final frame, well, it was basically a repeat of the second. After all that initial excitement, Faber centered himself, got out of trouble, and took care of business using top control, ground striking, and superior position. Alcantara tried to threaten with submissions where he could, but there weren't any to be had.

Judges: 30-26, 30-26, and 30-27, all in favor of Faber.

WATCH 'UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Faber vs Alcantara Full Fight Replay Video' BELOW:

coach Chot Reyes laughed when asked if if was true each Gilas Pilipinas player plus himself would get a P1 million bonus each from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“That’s not true,” he said.

It may turn out that the amount will be more than P1 million.

Gilas Pilipinas may look for a new American player to naturalize for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup of basketball in Spain next year as Marcus Douthit’s contract with the national team will expire next month.

But a team official said that matter will be up for discussion maybe later in the year.

Still on a high from the love and support showed to him by Filipino basketball fans in the FIBA-Asia Championship, Globalport Batang Pier superstar Gary David hopes that an ounce of the support will be given to him when he returns to his mother ballclub.

After almost a week since he last wore the Gilas-Pilipinas jersey, David still can't find exact answers as to why he became one of the team’s most popular players.