For the first time in the sports history, five prominent mixed martial artists have publicly aligned with a fighters association.A group of athletes including former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, along with former Bellator MMA CEO Bjorn Rebney, announced the foundation of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association on Wednesday.According to its official release, The Associations sole concentration is to fight for the rights of MMA fighters and force UFCs ownership, [WME-IMG], to dramatically alter the companys decade plus outrageous treatment of its athletes.In addition to St-Pierre, who retired in 2013 but is interested in a comeback, the group includes active fighters Tim Kennedy, Cain Velasquez, Donald Cerrone and?TJ Dillashaw. Those five will serve as the MMAAAs board members, and they intend to recruit other UFC athletes, both active and retired, to join.The MMAAA declined to provide a detailed outline of its plans but said its goals ideally include an out-of-court financial settlement with the UFC, an increase in revenue share and insurance and pension packages that do not currently exist for UFC athletes.In essence, what the association is going to achieve for the athletes is a settlement to address the past wrongs, driving up [revenue split] to 50 percent up from 8 percent, and a benefits package that provides a safety net, said Rebney, who was replaced as Bellator head in 2014.All four of the active fighters are scheduled to compete at UFC events in December, and each admitted that adds a feeling of angst to the announcement.Absolutely there is still fear, but it needs to be done, Cerrone said. Standing with the five guys here, these are big names. We just need the rest of the guys to not have fear and stand up with us. Were putting ourselves out there.St-Pierre, who entered negotiations for a comeback fight with the UFC this year that ultimately failed, added, This same thing has happened before in every other sport -- NFL, NHL, NBA. Now its happening in the UFC. Its going to happen whether they like it or not.I know a lot of fighters want to remain anonymous, but Im telling you guys, come see us. Its time to stand together.St-Pierre said even a fighter at the level of Conor McGregor, who received a record $3 million disclosed purse for a fight against Nate Diaz in August, is not making a fair share.A UFC official told ESPN.com the promotion does not intend to make a formal statement on the announcement, but respects all of its athletes and encourages open communication on how to improve the sport.Rebney made it clear the association is not an effort to unionize -- the current landscape defines UFC fighters as independent contractors rather than employees. The initial focus of MMAAA also will be only on UFC athletes, not those signed to other organizations.Four of the five athletes on the board are represented by entertainment powerhouse Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a well-known rival of WME. WME purchased the UFC for more than $4 billion earlier this year.According to Rebney, CAA is not directly backing the association but supports the athletes rights. Rebney declined to identify the ventures source of funding, other than saying, Some people stepped up.Rebney also mentioned the possibility of a labor strike, although both Kennedy and Velasquez later stated their goal is to work with the UFC to resolve these differences.This is not the first pro-fighter effort to take place; however, it is the first to feature such prominent, public support from a board of high-profile fighters. Another effort calling itself the Professional Fighters Association was announced in August, although that differs in that it seeks to unionize UFC athletes.Were going to change the face of the entire industry and sport today, Kennedy said.Nike Shox Cheap China . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Nike Shox Discount . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.nikeshoxdiscount.com/ . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Nike Shox China Wholesale . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Nike Shox Clearance Wholesale . LOUIS -- St.WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Devontae Cacok had 17 points and eight rebounds and Chris Flemmings had 15 points and 11 boards to help lift UNC Wilmington past East Tennessee State 68-59 on Sunday.With the score knotted at 12, UNC Wilmington (3-0) went on a 13-3 run capped by C.J. Bryces layup with 5:30 to play before halftime to make it 25-15. The Seahawks led 35-23 at intermission.Flemmings offensive rebound and put-back layup early in the second half made it 41-23.Hanner Mosquera-Pereas dunk bbrought the Buccaneers to within 44-35.dddddddddddd Later, A.J. Merriweathers jumper made it 61-56 with 4:11 to go before UNC Wilmington outscored the Bucs 7-3 the rest of the way.Flemings hit a 3 with 2:54 left to give the Seahawks a nine-point lead.T.J. Cromer led East Tennessee State (2-1) with 22 points and Mosquera-Perea had 10 points and nine rebounds. ' ' '