NEW YORK (AP) — When Jake Bauers gloved the final out of the Milwaukee Brewers' first World Series triumph, it might have ended the last Major League Baseball game for a long time.
While just 148 days remain until the scheduled start of the 2027 season on March 24, owners have proposed a salary cap for the first time since their 1994 plan led to a 7 1/2-month strike and the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.
"Obviously, you'd love to see the game be in a good spot and continue to be played," Milwaukee captain Christian Yelich said Wednesday a few hours before his team finished a five-game victory over Tampa Bay. "I think the game's in a great spot right now with a lot of people tuned in, a lot of popularity, a lot of great players out there. It would obviously be a shame if we miss time, but we'll have plenty of time this offseason to talk about it."
Baseball's five-year labor contract, agreed to in March 2022 on the 99th day of a management lockout, expires on Dec. 1. MLB is likely to lock out players again as soon as the deal expires.
That could create another free-agent frenzy ahead of the expiration. On Dec. 1, 2021, clubs committed to $1.4 billion in salaries that included nine-figure contracts for Javier Báez, Byron Buxton, Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.

#time #series #obviously

This one had everything. Troy Melton struggled and got knocked out early, but the bullpen managed to bend without breaking. Meanwhile, the young Tigers hitters were centre stage as they fought back repeatedly with good at-bats late in this one. Kenley Jansen picked up his 496th major league save to wrap up the victory.
Monday night's first of three at the Rogers Centre featured Melton against right-hander José Soriano. The Blue Jays have had almost as strange a season as the Tigers. Struggling through the first half, they moved long time top starter Kevin Gausman, but acquired Soriano at the deadline as well, and have kept themselves in the thick of the wild card race.
Things didn't start off too well as the Tigers quickly went 1-2-3 in the first, and Melton immediately dug himself a hole. Brett Bateman led off by slashing a single the opposite way past a diving Hao-Yu Lee for a leadoff single. Bateman appeared to be thrown out stealing second on a pitch that was called a ball and incorrectly challenged by Dillon Dingler to walk George Springer. So everyone was safe, and after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to advance the runners, Alejandro Kirk singled home Bateman for a 1-0 lead.
Melton didn't help his cause against Nathan Lukes by yanking a wild pitch to score Springer, but he retired Lukes and Kazuma Okamoto flew out to Clark to end the first inning. 2-0 Blue Jays.
A Dingler strikeout started the second inning, and Max Clark and Brett Callahan grounded out.

#melton #soriano #brett

In 2026, the Cubs' starters have been a major storyline. While the bullpen's struggle is the biggest issue, the rotation has been concerning. The pitching struggles have severely impacted the team in the second half of the season. When looking at the playoff picture, their lead has diminished, and both San Diego and Arizona are within three games of Chicago. However, there is hope for the Cubs starters.
Chicago has had a very up-and-down year from their starters. Injuries have plagued the team, as nearly all pitchers miss time. A busy trade deadline had things looking promising. While a few have had good starts, the team has struggled to find consistency. That said, the Cubs' starter hierarchy has clearly shifted. If Chicago wishes to make a run in the playoffs, relying on the top three Cubs starters needs to be the move.
Clay Holmes has been the top Cubs starter since he joined the team. With Chicago, he is 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA. The ERA is inflated by his last start, in which he allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings. Without that game, he was showing his ace potential. Down the stretch of the season, Holmes will need to show his talent and give the Cubs valuable length.
The other newcomer, Kevin Gausman, has also been solid since joining Chicago. His most recent start against the Brewers was rough, allowing six earned runs. He has had mixed results in his seven starts, with a 5.31 ERA. However, he is giving good length, going six or seven innings in most starts. Additionally, his valuable playoff experience makes him a key piece of the Cubs rotation.
Of the three starters, Matthew Boyd is the only one who has been with them all year. Boyd has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, but still has given valuable innings. Like Gausman, he can go fairly deep into games. He is 8-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 109.1 innings. His experience with Chicago could see him start one of the first two games come playoff time.

#innings #playoff

The International League T20 (ILT20) Season 5 was officially launched with a glittering event in Dubai, with fast-bowling legends Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar among the star attractions on an evening celebrating the league's rapid rise and growing influence across the Gulf region.

The event brought together leading figures from cricket, sport, business and government, with ILT20 chairman Khalid Al Zarooni and league commissioner, ICC board director and ECB general secretary Mubashshir Usmani highlighting the tournament's contribution to the development and expansion of cricket in the UAE and the wider region.

Al Zarooni reflected on the league's growth while thanking its stakeholders and partners.

"What began as a dream has grown into one of the world's leading cricket leagues, bringing together top players and major franchises, while helping grow cricket in the UAE, the region and beyond," he said.

He also acknowledged the support of franchise owners, commercial and strategic partners, with a special mention for Zee Network, while welcoming SPORTFIVE as a new commercial partner.
A special panel discussion hosted by former New Zealand international Simon Doull explored the changing landscape and future of cricket in the region and globally.

The panel featured Usmani, Dr Mohamed Abu Hamra, Eisa Sharif of the Dubai Sports Council, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Deputy CEO and CFO Mukund Galgali, SportFive President Venu Nair and Bisleri Global Director Sales & Marketing Tushar Malhotra.

Doull later brought Lee and Shoaib together for another engaging discussion, with the two legendary fast bowlers speaking about the ILT20's growing impact on UAE and regional cricket.

The pair also looked back on their playing careers, recalling an era in which their blistering pace made them two of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket.

The evening also featured a spell-binding performance by celebrity mentalist Karan Singh Magic, while the league unveiled its new brand identity for Season 5.
Season 5 will be played in November and December across the UAE's three iconic venues — Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Defending champions Desert Vipers will enter the fifth season aiming to retain their crown. Gulf Giants won the inaugural season, followed by MI Emirates in Season 2 and Dubai Capitals in Season 3.

#stadium

Ballon d'Or 2026 nominees list: Updated shortlist of players announced as soccer award contenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Ballon d'Or is considered the most prestigious individual award in soccer, and the 2026 gala is fast approaching as we will soon learn the latest player to be enshrined into global greatness.
Last year's men's winner Ousmane Dembele could be up for another triumph, but in all likelihood, a new winner is expected to be crowned.
Rodri, the 2024 winner, put himself back up for the award with a stunning run to a World Cup ****** le this summer, while Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Michael Olise are considered contenders.
Lionel Messi would have potentially been a candidate and is likely to be included on the list thanks to another World Cup full of heroics, but defeat in the final probably ended any chance of lifting a record-extending ninth trophy.

#award #sporting #list #Soccer

Florida State football news: Mike Norvell's honest ******* sment after SMU loss appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Following two straight disappointing seasons, Florida State football had an opportunity to gain significant momentum by earning an ACC victory over a ranked opponent. One can even say that the program needed this one. The Seminoles were unable to break through, however, and remain mired in uncertainty heading into next Saturday's road matchup versus Alabama. Mike Norvell did not focus only on the negative, but he made sure to acknowledge his team's shortcomings.
"{Norvell} starts by thanking the facilities in getting the power back on," Alison Posey of WCTV Sports reported after Florida State's 27-24 loss to the Mustangs. "He said he thought they ran the ball really well, and they have to make plays in the passing game when the opportunities present themselves."
That is an accurate ******* sment. Ousmane Kromah logged 22 carries for 116 yards and one touchdown, while quarterback Ashton Daniels rushed 16 times for 71 yards and a score. Unfortunately, the Seminoles painfully lacked balance on offense. Daniels, who transferred from Auburn, completed 12-of-23 passes for 125 yards and one TD. He looked especially out of sorts when trying to play hero ball in the final drive of the game.
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#seminoles #daniels #sports #Football

Ousmane Dembele has backed Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as his three leading candidates for the Ballon d'Or, while insisting that the prestigious award should remain with a Paris Saint-Germain player.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, with several of the world's leading players in contention for the individual prize.
Mbappe is among the most prominent candidates despite Real Madrid ending last season without the major collective honours PSG enjoyed.
The France international's individual production, though, has kept him firmly in the conversation after scoring 42 goals and providing seven ***** ists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Dembele, the latest Ballon d'Or winner, has now revealed the three players he believes should be competing most strongly for the award.

#mbappe #award

Ballon d'Or 2026 nominees list: Updated shortlist of players announced as soccer award contenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Ballon d'Or is considered the most prestigious individual award in soccer, and the 2026 gala is fast approaching as we will soon learn the latest player to be enshrined into global greatness.
Last year's men's winner Ousmane Dembele could be up for another triumph, but in all likelihood, a new winner is expected to be crowned.
Rodri, the 2024 winner, put himself back up for the award with a stunning run to a World Cup ****** le this summer, while Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Michael Olise are considered contenders as well. Lionel Messi would have potentially been a candidate and is likely to be included on the list thanks to another World Cup full of heroics, but defeat in the final probably ended any chance of lifting a record-extending ninth trophy.
The Sporting News brings you a look at who has been nominated for this year's award, as the list of players from which the winner will be selected has been revealed.

#award #sporting #World

Cubs reportedly showed interest in Red Sox starter before Nationals trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs did a pretty good job of acquiring starting pitching help at the trade deadline.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays, and Clay Holmes from the New York Mets.
Before those moves, the Cubs added lefty David Peterson in a deal with the Mets.
This better positions Chicago's rotation before the postseason. However, those weren't the only three pitchers they targeted.

#Cubs #trade #source

You know how you can tell when somebody's on the verge of extracting the prize from prizefighting? It's when they begin to dominate headlines without ever throwing a punch.
Oh, Usman Nurmagomedov came close to doing just that in his first unofficial Octagon visit. Last weekend in Shanghai he hopped the fence like a thief in the night after Song Yadong sent his older brother Umar "to the land of wind and ghosts," as my colleague Ben Fowlkes likes to say, loading up as if deliver an elbow as Song did his victory lap. Fortunately, he didn't do it, yet that semi-action — which Usman himself said was much ado about nothing — helped him generate more headlines than Song.
A couple of weeks prior, out in Philadelphia, Usman was shown on the UFC 330 broadcast sitting cageside, the first indications that the UFC is biding its time until it can sign him. It might've been the most exciting thing about the event. The word being tossed around about the world's top MMA free agent signing with the UFC has been "inevitable" ever since, which feels a little Calvinistic for a man of free will.
Everybody is talking about Usman Nurmagomedov. At just 28 and coming into his prime, he's undefeated at 22-0 (1 NC), and he has the sacred name. In fact, he's got two if you factor Kamaru into this. He has Bellator belts in the back of his closet somewhere, and PFL ******* les that he shows off at parties. Henry Cejudo said on a podcast this week that the PFL, Usman's longtime promotion, would go belly-up if they let the last of the invincible Nurmagomedov's walk.
"He leaves the PFL tomorrow, the PFL is finished," Cejudo declared. "Straight up."

#last #free #octagon

Angers and Rennes clash this Sunday at the Stade Raymond-Kopa on Match Day three of the Ligue 1.
Angers have won 3 points to date and are placed in 9th position. Last time out, Stéphane Gilli's team triumphed 1-3 against Auxerre (Ligue 1 2026/27).
Rennes currently have 4 points and lie in 5th position. In their last match, Franck Haise's team prevailed 3-2 against Le Mans (Ligue 1 2026/27).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Rennes winning 2-1.
Angers: Anthony Lopes, Carlens Arcus, Jordan Lefort, Ousmane Camara, Joseph Kalulu, Branco van den Boomen, Yassin Belkhdim, Jim Allevinah, Anthony Bermont, Amine Sbai, Amine El Ouazzani

#last

As a team, the Florida State Seminoles did not look as good as expected when they beat the New Mexico State Aggies in Week 0 to start the 2026 season. That was not true of the running backs, who powered the offense to a 34-17 victory with Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. both having career days.
While Kromah led the team with 115 yards rushing, Singleton finished as the team's top receiver after catching four passes for 54 yards and a touchdown, to go along with 42 rushing yards and another touchdown. His performance was good enough for him to be named the ACC Receiver of the Week, which can be awarded to any player who catches a pass.
Running backs coach Kam Martin was asked about Singleton's versatility on Wednesday, and he did not hold back, comparing him to Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey, who Martin coached while with the UCF Bulls. He also admitted that he thought Singleton was in for a big night due to the work he has put in this offseason.
"He's fun to coach," he said. "Sam's a guy that's in the building all the time. Yesterday, it was a off day, he came up, 'Coach, how can I get better? What's some things I can work on?' You just knew going into that game that Sam was going to have the performance that he was going to have.
"When I saw him catch that 53-yard catch on the screen, I kinda knew he was going to do that cause he played it through practice, and he worked so hard for all these moments. Sam's time is here, Sam's time is here. He put in the work and he's going to continue to make plays."

#going #singleton #yards #work

PARIS – Dan Hooker is well aware of his current role in the UFC's lightweight division.
Hooker (24-14 MMA, 14-10 UFC) welcomes Salahdine Parnasse (23-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the octagon in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 287 main event at Accor Arena (Paramount+).
Hooker is currently on a two-fight losing skid, and will be facing Parnasse in enemy territory. While he put his hand up to potentially welcome Usman Nurmagomedov to the UFC, Hooker understands he's in a must-win situation this weekend.
"After a couple of losses and then moving your way down the rankings, I'm more than happy to play the role that I'm in right now and the role that I'm in right now is gatekeeping the top 10 of the UFC's lightweight division," Hooker said during Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 287 media day. "And I'm more than happy to play that role. Is that a position that defines my career? No, it's not. You get your hand raised, and then I'll be looking up at the rankings, and I'll be looking to get back in the mix and to get myself back to **** le contention.
"Yes, you're playing the role of a gatekeeper right now, but that doesn't define your career, the future of your career. The beauty of the sport is it can change in one single night. You get your hand raised against Salahdine with an impressive fight, and showcase the skill and the level that I'm prepared to showcase, that I anticipate of showcasing, we're back in the mix, we're not playing that role anymore, we're targeting someone in the top 10."

#hooker #fight #night

Florida State was able to win its first game against New Mexico State. They were able to run for over 200 yards in the victory, and running back Ousmane Kromah was the spearhead.
The sophomore led the team with 115 yards on 14 carries, marking career highs in both categories. Also, his 8.2 yards per attempt was his second-highest in any game on the collegiate level. This earned Kromah a special honor for his performance.
Pro Football Focus put it's Team of the Week for Week 0. Kromah landed on the list of offensive players.
Offense
Kormah has earned the RB1 role, and this was exactly the kind of start FSU wanted to see from him. Next Monday, he gets a chance to have a big performance against the SMU Mustangs in Florida State's ACC opener.

#team #able #earned

As a fighting legend of MMA, Darren Till has no issues with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. As a UFC commentator, however, is a different story.
Cormier came to the defense of Usman Nurmagomedov, who jumped into the octagon immediately after his brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, suffered a knockout loss to Song Yadong this past Saturday in the UFC Shanghai main event. Usman's reaction to the finish weren't well received overall, with critics saying he had no business being in the cage and pointing out that Usman appeared to hold back from throwing an elbow at Song while he celebrated his win.
Cormier, who was closely tied to Team Nurmagomedov at American Kickboxing Academy during his career, saw things differently as he came to Usman's defense. Cormier said he was inclined to give Usman "grace" since Umar is his brother and called out critics for their "conspiracy theories" about the apparent held-back elbow strike.
That doesn't sit with Till, who made that very clear in an X post on Tuesday.
"Why is DC always on the defensive of the Nurmagemadovs?" Till wrote. He added, "I am going to be honest as much as I think you are one of the best fighters ever in the UFC, The way you are as a company man and the views are f*cking sh*t. Stop commentating and go and be an ambassador for fat camp you f*cking potato man constantly finding excuses for that side."

#brother

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has offered his resignation from the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) national selection committee, adding another dramatic twist to the turmoil surrounding the Test side after a sweeping overhaul of the squad and coaching staff.

According to Geo News, sources close to Misbah said the former cricketer had informed the PCB of his decision and would serve a notice period before formally stepping down. Cricinfo also reported that Misbah had offered his resignation, although the PCB is yet to accept it.

The development comes just a day after the PCB announced wholesale changes to the Pakistan Test squad and coaching staff following the team's heavy 194-run defeat to England at Lord's.
The timing of Misbah's decision has raised questions over the selection committee's role in the PCB's latest overhaul. According to the reports, Misbah was apparently not consulted despite being part of the national selection committee when the board decided to make major changes to the squad and coaching staff.

The PCB released seven players from the Test squad ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, starting September 9. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were among those released.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also removed as head coach and bowling coach respectively.

The PCB subsequently brought in white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke to work with the Test side for the remainder of the England tour.

Cricinfo further reported that Misbah has decided to step down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where his contract required him to work for 180 days a year.
The extent of Pakistan's overhaul was further highlighted by the inclusion of five uncapped players in the squad for the third Test.

Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah have been added, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have also been brought into the group. The latter two have a combined experience of only 10 Test matches.

The sweeping changes followed Pakistan's innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test before England won the second by 194 runs. The back-to-back defeats left Pakistan 0-2 down in the three-match series and staring at a potential 3-0 clean sweep.
Misbah was appointed to the four-member national selection committee in March alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq.

The former captain has previously held several senior positions within the PCB. He was appointed head coach and chief selector in 2019, before stepping down as chief selector in October 2020 and eventually leaving the head coach's position in 2021.

He returned to the PCB setup as an adviser in 2023 under the then ad hoc management committee headed by Zaka Ashraf. He was later appointed one of five mentors for the men's Champions Cup and al

It's a new week here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest hang for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thanks for stopping by. It's always nice to see a familiar face. There's no cover charge and the dress code is casual. We still have a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last week I asked you if you'd rather the Cubs re-sign Kevin Gausman or Matthew Boyd for next season. With the caveat that Gausman has made some noise about retiring, 48 percent of you would rather Gausman be back next year. One-third of you think Boyd is the better bet to re-sign and the rest of you think that the Cubs shouldn't re-sign either one.
Here's the part with the jazz and the movies. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. But if you don't, you can skip it. Or you can skip the baseball part. You're our guest.
We're honored to feature another episode of Jazz Casual, the NET (forerunner of PBS) program hosted by jazz writer Ralph Gleason. Tonight's featured performer is saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. He's got a heck of a band backing him up with his brother Nat Adderley on cornet, Joe Zawinul on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Louis Hayes on drums.

#next

Usman Nurmagomedov is never going to apologize for caring about his brother's well-being, but that doesn't mean he was trying to attack his opponent at UFC Shanghai.
Song Yadong scored the biggest win of his career on Saturday when he blasted Umar Nurmagomedov with a perfectly timed uppercut that sent the Russian crashing to the canvas to end the fight. Immediately after the fight was stopped, Usman jumped into the cage to check on his brother and Song ended up colliding with him as he ran around the cage to celebrate his victory.
The brief physical altercation led many to speculate that Usman actually tried hitting Song with an elbow strike after running into each other, but the reigning PFL lightweight champion was quick to deny that allegation while addressing the incident on social media.
"People are making such a huge tragedy out of this, they should just calm down," Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram (Russian-to-English translation via Red Corner MMA). "There are things far worse. You don't have to think for long, just look at what is happening in the world.
"And regarding the claims that I supposedly wanted to hit his opponent, if I had wanted to, I would have hit him."

#russian #fight #cage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Ashton Daniels passed for 202 yards and had a touchdown passing as well as rushing as Florida State defeated New Mexico State 34-17 in a season opener on Saturday.
After starting at Stanford for two seasons and playing at Auburn in four games last fall, Daniels completed 17 of 27 passes with a 4-yard touchdown to Samuel Singleton Jr. and an interception in his debut with the Seminoles. He also had an interception.
Ousmane Kromah had a weaving 52-yard run in the fourth quarter. The sophomore enjoyed his first 100-yard game, picking up 114 yards on 13 carries.
Florida State, which finished with 217 rushing yards on 39 carries, won a season opener for the fourth time in five years.
Singleton Jr. did a little bit of everything. He had nine carries for 42 yards and caught four passes for 54 yards. Singleton's 46-yard kickoff return also set up Florida State near midfield, and he finished off the drive with a 2-yard TD run.

#rushing

The Cubs celebrated 150 years since becoming a National League franchise before Sunday's game, with many of the team's icons present.
Then the current Cubs put on an offensive show, with its newest potential franchise player, Pete Crow-Armstrong, solidifying his claim on this year's National League MVP award. PCA hit three home runs, also singled, and had a chance at a fourth homer in the eighth inning. He got a standing ovation after grounding out against a Reds position player in that at-bat, and how often do you see that?
Alex Bregman, Carson Kelly and Seiya Suzuki also homered for the Cubs and all of that helped the team to a 17-5 blowout of the Reds.
The fun started in the first inning, after Kevin Gausman set the Reds down in order in the top of the frame.
PCA hit the second pitch of the bottom of the first for his 34th home run [VIDEO].

#inning

Umar Nurmagomedov's return to the octagon at UFC Fight Night 286 didn't end in a pretty scene.
Umar (20-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) was left unconscious after eating a monster uppercut from fellow UFC bantamweight ***** le contender Song Yadong (24-9-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) in the main event of Saturday's card in Shanghai.
Song's win was a big upset that few predicted. It left many watching in shock, but perhaps those impacted most were Umar's corner team, which was composed of PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as Iakub Shikhdzhamalov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov. All four were left visibly distraught by the result.
Usman, the younger brother of Usman, jumped into the cage and immediately rushed toward his fallen sibling. In the process, Usman collided with Song, who was running around the octagon celebrating the upset in front of an electric crowd. It then appeared that Usman held back from throwing an elbow at Song.
THe situation quickly deescalated, with Khabib offering to help wipe blood from Song's cut eyebrow as the teams interacted in a respectful manner.

#song #khabib #night

Kamaru Usman thinks there are still plenty of matchups for Anthony Hernandez at middleweight after UFC Fight Night 285.
After winning eight fights in a row, Hernandez (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has now lost two straight to current UFC 185-pound champion Sean Strickland and Gregory Rodrigues, the latter of which came this past Saturday at Golden1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., in front of his home fans.
Henry Cejudo floated the idea of Hernandez dropping down to welterweight, but Usman says that's unnecessary.
"Welterweight? Why do people always do this thing?" Usman said on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast with Henry Cejudo. "OK, just because someone loses, like, yeah, got to switch weight classes. No, there's a lot of guys there in that division for him to fight. … Looking at the rankings, there's so many guys in that division, (like) Israel Adesanya. Man, there's a lot of guys in that division for him to potentially fight. So it's not just, 'Oh yeah, he lost to him, he's gone.' We've got Caio Borralho, we've got Christian Leroy Duncan. You've got so many guys here."
Usman sees Hernandez as a perfect ticket to the top 10 for Bo Nickal (9-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), while also giving Hernandez the opportunity to kill a highly touted contender's hype.

#division

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov had some choice words for the UFC's top-ranked lightweights.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after retaining his belt with a first-round knockout out Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month. The 28-year-old is looking to either re-sign with the PFL or ink a deal with the UFC.
Nurmagomedov has beaten all of PFL's top lightweights, including Paul Hughes twice. He disagrees with the notion that the best fighters are only in the UFC, and picked apart the current rankings and matchups that have taken place in the octagon.
"There's a narrative that if you don't compete in the UFC, you're not on that high level, and I don't agree with that," Nurmagomedov told Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA). "Just look at the guys who are in the UFC top 10. They just keep fighting each other and maintain their top-10 spots. Benoit Saint Denis, he was 4-0 then lost to Dustin Poirier, then he lost to (Renato) Moicano, and won three times after that, and then lost in the first round within 30 seconds (vs. Pimblett), but he's still in the top five, oddly enough.
"Pimblett lost to a 37-year-old veteran, but he's the No. 1 contender now, right? Or No. 2. 17-0 Topuria, who had been praising himself as the greatest, he lost, quit on the stool, saying he wasn't going to continue. Arman (Tsarukyan), he lost to (Mateusz) Gamrot, he lost to Islam (Makhachef). He is just waiting it out, fighting once a year and saying he's the best fighter in the world. While he fought twice, I defended my **** le four times. The UFC PR machine is very powerful. The brand is very solid, but I wouldn't say they all put on such great fights."

#pimblett #twice

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov hasn't entered the UFC yet, but he's already talking trash about the quality of opposition he may face when he gets there.
Nurmagomedov fought the last fight on his PFL contract last month, and recently revealed he turned down a $2 million per fight offer from the organization in order to wait out the 90 day exclusive negotiation period and see what other promotions might offer him. Promotions like the UFC, where he could finally get his due as one of the best lightweights in the world.
In an interview with Sport24, Usman pushed back on the idea that the top fighters are all in the UFC.
"They say if you don't fight in the UFC, it's not the same level. I disagree with this," he said. "Just look at the guys in the UFC who sit in the top 10 and they just fight amongst themselves and keep the top ten closed. For example, Benoit Saint Denis. Won 4, lost to Dustin Poirier, lost to 'Money' Moicano, lost 3 more. Lost in 30 seconds. [Michael] Chandler. Top 15. He's there. Lost to [Paddy] Pimblett."
"[Ilia] Topuria, who praised himself endlessly, lost. Quit on the stool. Said 'I don't wanna continue.' Arman [Tsarukyan] lost to [Mateusz] Gamrot, and he lost to Islam [Makhachev]. He sits, waits a year, fights once, and says that he is the best wrestler in the world. While he had two fights, I made four ****** le defenses."

#fight #promotions #best #World

Umar Nurmagomedov thinks his brother, Usman Nurmagomedov, can compete with the UFC's best.
Usman (22-0), who became a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month, could be UFC bound if he opts not to re-sign with PFL. His older brother Umar raved about his work ethic, and thinks he's ready for the elite of the UFC's lightweight division – including champion Justin Gaethje.
"He's an amazing fighter, and I'm a huge fan of his," Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie of Usman. "I like how he spars, how he works, how he does everything as a professional. And even in the cage, he shows he's a high-level fighter. I think he can be competitive with anybody in the world.
"Sometimes people think in other promotions, (they're) bad fighters, but it's not like that. For example, Shabliy is one of the toughest guys, Alexandr Shabliy. Even Arman (Tsarukyan) knows that because he sparred with him a lot. He knows how he's tough, and I think Usman can compete with anybody in the world. Gaethje, Ilia (Topuria), Arman, (Mauricio) Ruffy, anybody."
Their teammate, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, has openly said he wants to see Usman in the UFC. Nurmagomedov on the other hand, wasn't as direct with his opinion.

#arman

The Cubs outscored the Diamondbacks 11-7 in this three-game series.
Unfortunately, they don't grant series wins that way. Arizona simply spread their runs out better than the Cubs did. and in Wednesday's game, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo held the Cubs scoreless on just two hits, and the Cubs dropped the series finale 2-0, losing the series and finishing their road trip at 2-4.
It's even more frustrating because the Cubs got excellent work out of all three of their starting pitchers in this series. Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd held the Diamondbacks to eight hits and one run in 20 total innings of work. That's just outstanding. Unfortunately, one blown save and one excellent pitching performance by Rodriguez made this a Cubs series loss.
The Cubs were held hitless by Rodriguez for the first four innings until Tyrone Taylor singled leading off the fifth. Taylor eventually stole second, but was stranded.
More on that from BCB's JohnW53:

#Cubs #rodriguez

PSG have given Ousmane Demebele a game off, but it's purely to get him fresh rather than because of an injury.
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PSG have announced that Ousmane Dembele won't be in the squad to face Lille on Friday night.
In fact, the forward has not been training this week. He's been given a break by manager Luis Enrique, who subbed the forward off for Ferran Torres at half time in the draw against Rennes on Sunday.
Luis Enrique watches PSG from the touchline. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

#talk #Google #dembele

Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong struggled at the plate in the series opener against the D-backs at Chase Field on Monday night, going 0-for-5. The closest Armstrong came to a hit (potentially an HR) was a deep fly ball to center field, but it was easily caught by the outfielder just before the warning track.
Armstrong, already rounding the bases, had just touched first base when he saw the flyout and, in frustration, slammed his helmet onto the infield dirt track. Dan Clark, an MLB ******* yst and the founder of Dan Clark Sports, known for sharing unbiased opinions on the latest in baseball, criticized Armstrong for his reaction.
"More immaturity from PCA last night, wildly throwing his helmet in anger after flying out. IMO, this is setting a terrible example for young kids watching baseball. MLB needs to stop promoting this guy and his reckless behavior," Clark wrote on X.
While the star CF had a quiet night at the plate, the Cubs piled on runs, with Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hitting home runs and four other batters recording an RBI each. The pitchers, led by starter Kevin Gausman, were absolutely clinical, sealing a standout 7-0 shutout win in the series opener against the D-backs.
In 132 games this season, Armstrong maintains a .278 batting average, with 33 home runs, 83 RBIs, and a .929 OPS. He's projected to hit 41 home runs and drive in 102 RBIs by season's end.

#home #field #outfielder #plate

Nottingham Forest have agreed a club-record fee worth around £50m to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap.
The 23-year-old is expected to undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract at the City Ground this week.
Delap's move comes a year after he joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30m amid competition from Manchester United and Everton.
However, Chelsea made him available for sale this summer after he scored just one Premier League goal in a previous campaign disrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries.
Forest have already signed defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34m, alongside free agents, Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda.

#forest #year

>> DOWNLOAD THE 2026/27 GFFN LIGUE 1 GUIDE HERE
At the dawn of another Ligue 1 season, the divide between PSG and the rest has never been so wide. Les Parisiens, in the wake of their maiden Champions League triumph, weren't expected to be challenged. Lens, in that sense, surprised many. Another challenge, either from Les Sang et Or or from elsewhere, would be welcomed but does not necessarily look forthcoming; the perception of PSG's invincibility has only been enhanced by their second consecutive UCL **** le.
Already the best side in the division, the best in Europe, the best team in French football history, PSG exist on an entirely different plane. They have the best starting XI in world football, and their transfer business attests to that, with the second string now the subject of Luís Campos' attention. The likes of Ferran Torres, Maghnes Akliouche, and Mika Godts look to be upgrades on Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in, and Randal Kolo Muani. These are the types of players that will be regularly trotted out in Ligue 1, allowing the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, etc., to save their best performances for those nights under the lights in the UCL.
All the while, the rest of Ligue 1 has, by and large, regressed. Marseille – at the time of writing – have yet to register a single recruit. Hamstrung by restrictions imposed by the DNCG and UEFA, they have been in fire-sale mode. They are guaranteed to begin the season weaker than they ended the last, regardless of what happens in the closing days of the transfer window.
They aren't the only ones. Lens have an Icarus-like quality to them, having run PSG close for the **** le and won their maiden Coupe de France **** le. A little too close to the sun, a little too much success, and they have come crashing down. Pierre Sage has left, as have Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangaré, Malang Sarr, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Welsey Said. Les Sang et Or aren't building from Ground Zero, but the backbone of last season's side has been broken. A replication of last season's success would be miraculous.

#last #maiden #look