“Mayday” McDonald ends two-year Octagon layoff next week, will fight in UFC 195

Michael “Mayday” McDonald of Modesto has not stepped into the Octagon in two years.

That layoff will end soon.

McDonald will meet veteran Masanori Kanehara of Japan in one of the featured preliminary fights of UFC 195 on Jan. 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

McDonald (16-3), 24, has not competed since December 2013, when he was choked out in the second round by longtime contender Urijah Faber in front of a national TV audience and Faber’s fans at Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena.

Since then, the 2009 graduate of Grace Davis High School has been sidelined by wrist, forearm and shoulder injuries, delays and contractual issues.

Before the bout with Faber, the hard-punching McDonald was considered the future of the 135-pound division via his impressive submission win over Brad Pickett. He’s 5-2 under the UFC banner with his only losses to Faber and former 135-pound champion Renan Barao.

Kanehara (25-12-5), 33, made his UFC debut in 2014 with a split decision over Alex Caceres. Kanehara dropped a somewhat controversial split decision to Rani Yahya last summer.

College women’s basketball

Las Positas 71, Modesto JC 66 (OT) – A late Modesto Junior College comeback forced overtime, but Las Positas eventually prevailed in the Pirates’ final nonleague tuneup.

Modesto (3-8) turned three steals into two baskets in the final minute of regulation. Akaysha Simpkins paced the Pirates with 19 points and 14 rebounds but missed the OT due to injury. Raquel Garcia scored 16 points and Camille Flores 14, and each connected on three three-pointers.

Cayla Nava hit six triples en route to 27 points for Las Positas (10-3).

The Pirates open Big 8 Conference play Jan. 5 at Cosumnes River.

High school boys basketball

Oakdale Rotary Classic next week – First-year Oakdale coach Hondo Arpoika and the Mustangs once again will welcome an eight-team field to their annual Oakdale Rotary Classic, a three-day tournament beginning Monday.

First-round pairings: Hughson vs. Grace Davis at 3:30 p.m., Downey vs. Pitman at 5, Enochs vs. Ripon Christian at 6:30 and Los Banos vs. Oakdale at 8.

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 9:57 PM with the headline "“Mayday” McDonald ends two-year Octagon layoff next week, will fight in UFC 195."