Sports briefs: Maria Sharapova hires Jimmy Connors as coach

Tennis • Maria Sharapova has hired Jimmy Connors as her new coach.

A day after announcing she was parting with Thomas Hogstedt, Sharapova posted on her website Saturday that she would work with the eight-time major champion.

Connors coached Andy Roddick for two years before resigning in 2008. He briefly worked with Sharapova before the 2008 Australian Open.

Hogstedt coached Sharapova for nearly three years. She said Friday he wouldn't be able to travel in the near future and they agreed she should find a new coach.

A winner of the career Grand Slam, the second-ranked Sharapova was upset in the second round at Wimbledon this year. She said, "I am really excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming tournaments."

UFC confirms rematch of Weidman, Silva

MMA • Chris Weidman, who won the UFC middleweight championship in an upset, will face Anderson Silva again on Dec. 28, UFC announced.

Weidman had landed a left hook to the chin of Silva, sending him to the mat at UFC 162 in Las Vegas on July 6. He followed with ground strikes until the match was called at 1:18 of the second round, handing Silva his first loss in UFC and the first knockout of his pro career. A stunned MMA fan base watched as Weidman, who is 10-0, left the cage with a belt over his shoulder.

Softball president makes plea to IOC

Softball • The president of the International Softball Federation says the re-introduction of the sport to the Olympics would add value to the games and provide opportunities for young women around the world to pursue their athletic dreams.

Don Porter attended the World Cup of Softball. The top official with softball's international governing body spoke with The Associated Press less than two months before the International Olympic Committee will consider a combined bid by softball and baseball to return to the games.

The combined baseball/softball bid is competing with bids from wrestling and squash to be included on the program for the 2020 Olympics.

From wire reports