are worried about an imminent period of domination.The Dogs ability t

Conor McGregors absence from UFC 200 was supposed to be made up financially by his appearance two cards later. After all, cards that feature McGregor have yielded three of top five gates in UFC history.But, judging from whats available on Ticketmaster for the UFC 202 card that McGregor is headlining, recouping that loss is going to be a long shot.More than 2,700 tickets still havent been sold with three days to go before McGregor fights Nate Diaz in a rematch at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That means roughly 14 percent of the arena hasnt been sold. The majority of those tickets are the premium, high-priced seats in the lower bowl, closest to the octagon.Roger Jones of Vegas Tickets, among the biggest resellers of UFC tickets, says the main factor is the new T-Mobile Arena. Having a permanent venue that is not tied to a casino, Jones said, has allowed people who wanted premium tickets to reserve them ahead of time. That means there are fewer people and companies looking for the best seats on an event-by-event basis.Its affecting everything in this arena, including concerts, Jones said. If you are Turner Construction, a big company here, youve already purchased your suite. Even a guy who has a business with decent presence in Las Vegas isnt looking around for seats at the last minute because he already got club-seat rights.Thats why, Jones said, the premium seats for UFC 202 arent selling.Jones also says he believes the UFC has overpriced most of the seats, which range from $365 to $9,995. His company, to sell its inventory, is reselling the $365 seats for $250 and seats priced at $2,950 for $1,800.Patrick Ryan, co-founder of Eventellect, a secondary market ticket distribution company, agrees.What it appears the UFC has done is to raise prices to match past prices on the secondary market, so that they dont leave money on the table, Ryan said. But when brokers dont think they can make the margin on your tickets, they dont buy and that contributes to lost buzz.Ryan said the WWE is willing to leave some money on the table for the resellers, which is why, he says, approximately 5,000 seats have been resold for SummerSlam in Brooklyn this weekend and fewer than 1,200 have been resold for UFC 202.WWE, he says, rarely heads into marquee pay-per-view events with so much available inventory the week of the show, whereas that has started to become commonplace for UFC.A UFC spokesman declined to speculate on the ticket situation. Due to higher ticket prices, Saturdays event will still generate more than $7 million in live gate and might qualify as the fifth-largest ticket sales revenue event in UFC history (UFC 200 did $10.7 million). Factoring in UFC 202, recent events in Las Vegas dating back to December will still have pulled in more than $40 million at the gate.Its worth noting that the percentage of fans traveling from international markets, notably the United Kingdom and Ireland, is down. McGregors loss to Diaz in their first fight certainly is at play, as well as the frequency of McGregors fights -- many have come over several times in the past 13 months to watch their native son, so perhaps fatigue is setting in.Jones doesnt think all is lost for UFC 202. He says he is counting on a strong walk-up crowd from locals and those who happen to be in Vegas who will be convinced, come this weekend, that the best entertainment they can get will be watching the battles in the octagon. Montez Sweat Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Alex Smith Womens Jersey . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. http://www.redskinsrookiestore.com/Redskins-Bryce-Love-Jersey/ . JOHNS, N. Wes Martin Womens Jersey .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Dwayne Haskins Redskins Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. And then there were four.No Hawthorn, no West Coast, no Fremantle, no North Melbourne. For the first time since 2007, all four preliminary finalists are different from the previous year. But while the cards have fallen differently in 2016, there is still an enormous amount of intrigue ahead of the AFLs penultimate week of the season.This years two preliminary finals -- while both tantalising for spectators -- could not be more contrasting.Geelong vs. SydneySydney and Geelong will both feel the pressure for various reasons when they take to the MCG on Friday night. One of these 21st century powerhouses will again fail to secure a place on the AFLs grandest stage in what will likely be labelled another failed year.The Cats aggressive off-season recruitment means the spotlight will be shining brightly on Chris Scott and the clubs brains trust. The high-profile and much acclaimed acquisition of superstar onballer Patrick Dangerfield has bolstered their midfield stocks enormously, but after paying so much to lure him away from the Crows -- not to mention the additions of Zac Smith, Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood -- success will be expected sooner rather than later.Without question, the Cats loaded up for another premiership on the back of their incredible era of success in the noughties, and anything less will be deemed a failure.If they crash out this weekend, questions will abound.What do they do with ageing superstars Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor, who are all over 30?Do they have enough young talent on their list? The Cats do have some promising youngsters, but not to the same degree as many of their rivals. To make matters worse, their first pick in the 2016 draft is a lowly No. 38. Master recruiting manager Stephen Wells will have to work his magic, yet again, to ensure the Cats dont drop away.Even the most optimistic Cats fan would acknowledge they must strike now to justify their all in approach during the last player exchange period.The Swans, meanwhile, are also under pressure on myriad fronts. Injuries to key personnel have come at the worst possible time, while they also have to travel to the MCG -- admittedly, a happy hunting ground for them -- for the preliminary final off the back of a six-day break.However, their decision almost three years ago to sign Lance Franklin on a $10m, nine-year deal once again has the spotlight firmly fixed on the Harbour City club.Rightly or wrongly, the Swans are viewed as needing to justify Franklins staggering contract with silverware, and a loss to Geelong will mean three seasons have come and gone without any since the former Hawk made the move north.Franklin missed last years finals campaign with mental health isssues, but hes back and in arguably career-best form this season and could almost single-handedly lead his team towards premiership glory.dddddddddddd But if not, watch the cynics line up to state -- with Franklin only a few months away from hitting a footballers dreaded age of 30 -- that time is running out to strike during the Buddy era.GWS vs. Western BulldogsThe second preliminary final could not be more different.Its too much to claim Saturdays clash at Spotless Stadium is a free hit for the Bulldogs and Giants, but both clubs are under far less pressure than the two teams that will be do battle at the MCG a day earlier.Why?Because both clubs have arrived earlier than expected.Many football experts and fans would have predicted these two sides, particularly the Giants, had the ability to challenge for the premiership over the next two, four or even eight years. So if they fall one or two hurdles short this season, all would not be lost as they should be set for a sustained period of success.Looking at GWS, its perhaps no surprise they are only two wins away from a first premiership trophy.The Giants list is the envy of the competition. Having feasted on 17 top-10 draft picks since 2011 -- the next most in that time is Melbourne with six, while four clubs (the Hawks, Crows, Dockers and Eagles) havent had a single top-10 pick during the same timeframe -- they were always going to rocket up the ladder and smash through the premiership window at some stage. To be on the brink of a premiership in their maiden finals campaign shows just why their rival clubs are worried about an imminent period of domination.The Dogs ability to nail their early and late draft picks, as well as rookie selections, in the past few years also has them set up to be a long-term contender.Under Luke Beveridge, the Bulldogs are tough, hungry and, perhaps most importantly, young. The side that stunned Hawthorn only had a combined 1,899 matches of experience -- exactly 1,500 less than the finals-hardened Hawks.The Dogs are also resilient. The Bulldogs have somehow overcome a seemingly endless amount of injuries, defying enormous adversity throughout the season. For a young side to make the top four after being without their inspirational captain for almost the entire year is testament to Luke Beveridge and the playing group.Whether they win or lose on Saturday, the future is still blindingly bright at Whitten Oval.Extreme pressure is a constant companion during any final. But the pressure gauge is likely to be cranked up an extra notch or two when the Swans and Cats clash for a place in the grand final. ' ' '