Filip Hrgovic took just three rounds to stop Dave Allen last night in Doncaster, potentially setting up a clash with rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma.
Speaking on his YouTube channel the morning after, Allen detailed how ‘sore’ he was from the three rounds, and had nothing but praise for the Croatian.
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“He was really good, to be honest. He was big, you know. We weighed the same, but he was big … He’s not a huge puncher, not massively powerful, I don’t think he could’ve knocked me out, but he’s really good. He kept catching me on the back of the head – no complaints, I was trying to duck and slide around it – but it wasn’t an illegal punch.
“He’s fast, he lets his shots go … He’s just busy as f**k. I don’t need that at my age – he and [Luis] Ortiz are the best two [I’ve faced]. I’m a decent fighter, probably not as good as I was, and I do think six, seven years ago I could’ve gone ten. I wouldn’t have beaten him in a million years.”
The Doncaster man did not give a prediction for the Itauma match-up, but hinted that there may aspects of Hrgovic’s game to exploit.
“If he boxes Itauma… I don’t know, you know. I’m not sure. He’s good. He’s there to be hit, but he does that much punching, it’s hard to get one off on him. I felt like he would’ve slowed down, but for my style and ability, I’d have taken way too much to get him there.”
If the contracts can be signed, many feel that Hrgovic can be the man to finally take Itauma into deeper waters. If he can’t, the young Brit’s case as a future dominant champion only strengthens.
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer Rohan Gavaskar has criticised Gujarat Titans (GT) for their batting approach during the IPL 2026 clash between the two sides. The teams faced off in Match 60 on Saturday, May 16, at Eden Gardens.
Chasing 248, GT fell short by 29 runs, finishing on 218/4 in 20 overs. Speaking during a discussion on Cricbuzz after the match, Gavaskar pointed out that the key difference for KKR was that only Ajinkya Rahane had a strike rate of 100, while all the other batters scored at strike rates above 180.
On the other hand, for GT, only Sai Sudharsan had a strike rate above 180, while the rest failed to do so. The 50-year-old noted that this should not happen when a team is chasing a target above 240 and no batter scores at a strike rate above 200. He said:
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“I can clearly see the difference. If you really want to understand the difference in batting, then forget everything else and look at the strike rates. For KKR, Ajinkya Rahane was the only batter whose strike rate was around 100. Every other batter had a strike rate above 180. For Gujarat Titans, only Sai Sudharsan had a strike rate above 180. The rest of the batters all had strike rates below 180.
“So when you are chasing 240, it shouldn’t happen that not even one batter has a strike rate above 200. You want one or two batters to play impactful cameos. Even if someone scores just 25 runs, that innings should come at a strike rate of 200, 225, or even 250. Here, Sai Sudharsan’s strike rate was around 190, but no other batter had a strike rate above 180,” he added.
Meanwhile, this marked KKR’s fifth win of the season, with the team now sitting seventh on the table with 11 points from 12 games.
In the same discussion, former GT seamer Mohit Sharma questioned the team’s tactics. During the innings, Sai Sudharsan walked off after getting hit on the elbow in the third over while he was on 23 off 13 balls. He later returned after Shubman Gill was dismissed for 85 off 49 in the 17th over, when GT needed 71 off 22 balls.
Mohit noted that at that stage, the team could have sent in Rahul Tewatia or Jason Holder, but the franchise showed faith in players who have been consistently delivering for them, and said:
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“But there were options. I would still say that the thought process behind sending Sai Sudharsan back out raises questions somewhere. But yes, they did have options. They could have sent Rahul Tewatia, and it was a perfect situation for him. After that, they also had Jason Holder, who could have come in and used his long hitting ability in that situation.
“But yes, this is how Gujarat Titans operate. GT tends to show more faith in the players who have been consistently delivering for them and are already settled in the setup. So, that’s their way of thinking. But for me, Sai Sudharsan coming back again and again keeps raising the same question,” he added.
Gujarat Titans currently occupy second place in the table with 16 points from 13 games.
Seven-time Ulster Championship winner Paul McGrane believes that Monaghan will “have no fear” facing Armagh in Sunday’s Ulster Senior Football final.
Kieran McGeeney’s side are favourites to end their 18-year wait to lift the Anglo-Celt Cup given they have hit 100 points in their three Ulster games to date, including a thumping 28-point victory over Down in the semi-final.
But Monaghan have recovered from a poor league campaign to reach the final as they look to win the county’s first Ulster title since 1988.
McGrane, who was the last Armagh captain to lift the Anglo-Celt Cup in 2008, says that Monaghan’s experience of beating Armagh in the All-Ireland in 2023 and the Ulster SFC in 2021 will give them confidence at Clones.
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“There’s a Monaghan team coming that are Ulster club champions, on their own patch and the display of grit they showed against Derry and to do what they did with the sideline points, they’ll relish playing Armagh,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“They’ll have no fear playing them. The last two big games they played them; in Croke Park [shootout win], they came out the right side of it and in the match in Pairc Esler [a thrilling 4-17 to 2-2 win].
“They’ll be going with hunger the same that Armagh have to get over the line and get an Ulster title themselves.”
Deemed by many to be the pound-for-pound king, Oleksandr Usyk has now revealed his own pound-for-pound ratings, picking out who he believes to be boxing’s top five fighters but leaving out two major names.
Usyk is one of three fighters to have captured the undisputed world title in multiple weight divisions during the four-belt era, joined in that elite club by Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, who have been seen as his pound-for-pound rivals in recent years.
Still, Usyk’s incredible run at cruiserweight, along with his legendary triumphs as a heavyweight, combine to make an astonishingly strong résumé that has him deemed irremovable from top spot in the eyes of many fans, despite Inoue’s career-best win over Junto Nakatani earlier this month.
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However, when it came to naming his own list in an interview with DAZN Boxing, Usyk did not name either himself or Inoue, but included heavyweight duo Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – both of whom he has defeated twice.
“Terence Crawford, Canelo [Alvarez], Shakur [Stevenson], Anthony Joshua, Greedy Belly [Tyson Fury].”
The lineal heavyweight world champion returns to action next Saturday, where he defends his WBC heavyweight world title against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, in an unconventional bout at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
The New York Mets defeated cross-town rivals the New York Yankees 6-3 on Saturday to tie the three-game series. Despite the win, Mets rookie Carson Benge faced backlash for his fielding error.
During the top of the seventh inning, Yankees All-Star slugger Cody Bellinger hit a fly ball towards Benge in right field. The Mets rookie tracked the ball and got under it but failed to catch it.
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Fans slammed the young Mets outfielder dropping a routine fly ball.
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“This guy sucks in the OF. Another overrated prospect.”
This guy sucks in the OF. Another overrated prospect.
“Kid just wants to be like Aaron Judge. Can you blame him?”
Kid just wants to be like Aaron Judge. Can you blame him?
“That kid needs to get his head out of his ass – he is way too lackadaisical in his outfield play!”
That kid needs to get his head out of his ass – he is way too lackadaisical in his outfield play!
“That’s the third time he has done this! He’s not a good player.”
That’s the third time he has done this! He’s not a good player.
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“This a effing joke…..I have never watched a major league player drop a ball like that !! Ridiculous.”
This a effing joke…..I have never watched a major league player drop a ball like that !! Ridiculous
Although the Yankees ended up scoring a run after the error, the Mets made it 6-3 in the bottom of the frame and held out for a series-levelling win.
Mets closer reflects on shutting down former team for 6-3 win
The Yankees were up against familiar faces as Luke Weaver and Devin Williams pitched out for the bullpen for the Mets on Saturday. The former Yankees closers combined to hold the Bronx Bombers scoreless over three innings.
“The moment gets big. You try to find a way to channel it, not panic, not get stressed out,” Weaver said. “It’s pretty stressful. But just sticking with the routine, just trusting that each pitch is going to work – sometimes, it does.”
The teams will clash in the Subway Series decider on Sunday.
Manchester United host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, with the hosts requiring just one point to seal a third-place finish in the top flight and complete a remarkable turnaround under Michael Carrick.
Carrick’s impressive spell in interim charge is set to be turned into a permanent one, with a new deal imminent – and possibly arriving as soon as today’s match.
The Red Devils were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland last time out but will expect to be back to their usual form at Old Trafford, while Nottingham Forest – who have completed a brilliant reversal of fortunes of their own in the second half of this season – drew 1-1 with Newcastle.
Vitor Pereira’s side has already secured their own top-flight survival but have a point to prove after a 4-0 shellacking in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa, and will be desperate to get back to winning ways – and they have form at Old Trafford, winning 3-2 in this same fixture last season.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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When is Manchester United v Nottingham Forest?
Manchester United host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday 17 May, with kick-off at 12.30pm BST.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
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Team news
Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined for the hosts having undergone surgery on a back injury, while Benjamin Sesko is a doubt after he missed the Sunderland draw with a shin issue. Casemiro meanwhile is sure to feature in his last-ever game at Old Trafford.
Forest are without a host of key players including Murillo and Ola Aina, although Dan Ndoye could make a return to the squad and Morgan Gibbs-White, who is still wearing a protective mask after needing stitches following their win over Chelsea, could also feature.
Predicted line-ups
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Manchester United XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Zirkzee
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Bear with me because I’m about to say something not everyone will understand … but do you remember that TikTok trend from 2021, with the booming voice, called Choose Your Character?
It became popular for the TikTok generation to create videos about societal characters with whom they identified, using sound pulled from the Character Selection page of the video game “Super Smash Bros.” If that all sounds insane, stick with us — we’re almost there.
The reason this relates to the PGA Championship is because the 54-hole leaderboard is so jumbled with characters and possesses so many different storylines — so many permutations could take place, as Aaron Rai said Saturday — that it’s time for everyone at home to work through the options and [booming voice] CHOOSE … YOUR … CHARACTER.
We’ll lay out the options from least likely to lift the Wanamaker to most likely. It’s on you to make a selection.
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CHOOSE YOUR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTER
11. If you want chaos that no one knows what to do with …
You’re choosing Bud Cauley (-2), Brian Harman (-2), Ben Griffin (-2) or any of the other players who have somehow persisted at this wicked setup and yet have been on few consciences all week. They’ve finished the same number of holes as everyone else, and have made only a few more strokes in the process, but have we been aware of them? Maybe Sunday they play the best golf of their lives? If so, we’ll be scrambling to catch up with where they’ve been all week.
10. If you look back at your younger self wistfully …
You’re going all-in on Joaquin Niemann (-2) or Cam Smith (-2). Both LIV golfers held plenty of promise in past years, but have faded in ways that have to leave them wondering about life in 2022. Niemann has played his best golf on LIV, just before the league earned World Ranking points; Smith played his best golf just before he left for LIV, period. We’ve wanted them to splash in majors, but it just hasn’t happened, and somehow both have resurfaced this week.
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[the ranking continues below the graphic]
9. If Statistics was your favorite class in high school …
You’re inclined to get down with Nick Taylor (-4), Aaron Rai (-4) or Kristoffer Reitan (-4). Why those boys? Because you believe in the predictive results of the bell curve. How the most expected results happen often but not always. How there have been many majors won by Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, but also some others by Jimmy Walker, Shaun Micheel, Ben Curtis, etc.
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It may sound dismissive to pre-label those gents as could-be-one-time-major-winners, but it feels fair, too. In the next 10 years, there will be a one-time major-winner who steals one. Could it happen Sunday?
8. If you think elder abuse is serious…
Then you’re praying Justin Rose (-2) gets it done. The 45-year-old has been so good at majors for much of the last two years, carving out top-6 finishes in half of them, that it feels wrong he keeps coming up just short. Rose finished T6, improbably, at the 2024 PGA, then T2 a few months later at the Open, lost in a playoff at the Masters in 2025 and then held the Masters lead last month before losing his grip on a green jacket yet again. It feels like it has to happen before it may never happen again.
7. What do you know about Leicester City?
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The 2015 English Premier League champions were plucky. They didn’t have all the money to buy all the players with all the tools. But they fought hard and felt that people did not take them seriously … right until they had to take them seriously. Then Leicester won, in glorious fashion, and a decade later they’ve been relegated a handful of times. But damnit, they won the league when no one expected it.
Alex Smalley (-6) has somehow led this tournament after each round, and now holds a two-shot lead entering the final stretch. He is not a fan favorite by any stretch of the term, but his game is way more respectable than most fans would recognize. He’s been hanging around Tour leaderboards for the last two months. It’s time to take him seriously.
6. If you want a party to break out …
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You need the closest thing to a local boy, and that’s Chris Gotterup (-2). Philadelphia golf fans haven’t really had their own rooting interest in this championship, at least not a legit one who could win. But a bunch of Chris Gotterup’s family and friends are here at Aronimink after making the quick trek from New Jersey or New York.
When Gotterup got to five under and in a share of the lead midway Saturday, his supporters were just starting to get rowdy. If he somehow gets into that position again Sunday, expect the Philly locals to join in.
5. If you think experience should matter…
Xander Schauffele (-3) is just sitting there, waiting, with two major wins under his belt. He’s been there all week. Two under after the first round, five back after 36 holes, now three under and waiting for everyone to crumble around him, much like they all did at Royal Troon in 2024. Schauffele has mastered the art of just hanging around at majors, finishing in the top 18 of 15 of the last 16 majors. So, yeah, he’ll be there, just waiting.
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5b. If you think past experience doesn’t matter…
Then you’re on Ludvig Aberg (-4) Watch. Aberg certainly has some serious major experience in contention, but he’s never broken through. In some ways, he’s what Schauffele used to be — working his way through major heartbreak toward major celebration. The golf nerds love his chances.
4. If “The Talented Mr. Ripley” is one of your favorite tales…
Patrick Reed (-3) is your character. Reed is, like Tom Ripley, a shape-shifting chameleon. He is a former LIV member, a current DP World Tour member and both a former and future PGA Tour member. He is wickedly talented, and now that he’s putting decently, he’s a threat to steal this tournament from whoever you might think is more deserving.
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3. If you cheer for LeBron James…
Then Scottie Scheffler (-1) is your man. Watching greatness in sports gets you going. One fan at Aronimink said “C’mon LeBron” at Scheffler while he walked by on the putting green Saturday. Perhaps that’s because cheering for LeBron — and cheering for Scheffler — is to believe in greatness. To root for a human to achieve what he or she seems to be worthy of.
2. If you believe in the dust settling…
You’re hoping Jon Rahm (-4) can do what he didn’t last year and finish the deal. Rahm is a generationally great golfer who has willingly made controversial moves during his prime. Those decisions have created a murky narrative around some of the most important years of his golfing life, during which he hasn’t added to his major total nor even contended outside of the 2025 PGA, when he went toe-to-toe with Scheffler and faded late. This time Scheffler may not stand in Rahm’s way, but someone else might …
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1. If you want to see history…
You need Rory McIlroy (-3) to show up. You may not love how much his opinions lead golf coverage, but you have to acknowledge that once every Masters comes and goes, only one person can win a calendar year Grand Slam, and that’s McIlroy. He’s decried the course setup more than once this week, started his tournament with a 74 he labeled as “s–t” and has somehow rallied to sit just three back. If he were to win, it would give the sport much juice heading into next month’s U.S. Open, and we haven’t had the chance to really talk about a calendar slam since Jordan Spieth 11 years ago.
For better or worse, he’s my fighter. Who’s yours?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy speaks with reporters during 2025 OTAs at TCO Performance Center after returning from the torn meniscus injury that sidelined his rookie campaign. The former first-round pick is using the offseason to build chemistry with teammates and establish himself in Minnesota’s quarterback plans moving forward. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Every weekend, VikingsTerritory publishes two batches of Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors, the latest fodder from the week regarding the purple team’s what-ifs. Consider this the post-schedule-release edition.
Minnesota’s post-schedule rumor cycle has begun.
For Sunday, we take a look at the Vikings’ big camp battle, Cooper Rush showing up in Eagan, and the free agency competition for Jauan Jennings.
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Three Vikings Storylines Begin Moving toward Training Camp
The Purple Rumor Mill for May 17th, 2026.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell greets quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a first-quarter touchdown on Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The sideline interaction highlighted Minnesota’s continued investment in McCarthy’s development as O’Connell worked through the growing pains of guiding the young quarterback during a difficult but important stage of his early NFL career. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Rumor: Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy indeed will duke it out for QB1 in July and August.
Vikings training camp will have drama. NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote last weekend, “If it was assumed that Kyler Murray was going to be handed the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback reins following two ill-fated years for J.J. McCarthy, that won’t be the case. Minnesota will host a good, old fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.”
“McCarthy’s struggled in his two years in the NFL since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of his struggles have been self-inflicted (12 interceptions in 10 games), while others have been the result of injuries, as he missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season.”
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Pelissero personally said, “They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job.”
“I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room. From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open; they’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”
That sets the stage for a true-blue Murray v. McCarthy battle if one assumes the NFL.com boys are telling the truth.
Rumor: The Vikings now have veteran passer Cooper Rush on speed dial.
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No contract came to fruition, but Rush is on the Vikings’ radar. NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio wrote this week, “Rookie minicamps routinely include more than rookies. In Minnesota, veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will participate on a tryout basis. The team has announced 57 attendees for the weekend session. Of that number, 23 have been invited to the weekend practices on a tryout basis.”
“Rush, 32, has played in 42 regular-season games with 16 starts. He has a 9-7 record. The Ravens cut him earlier this year, after making Tyler Huntley the primary backup to Lamar Jackson. Before that, Rush spent seven seasons with the Cowboys, starting eight games in 2024 and five in 2022.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush warms up before a home matchup against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Rush prepared for another opportunity within the Ravens quarterback room as Baltimore continued navigating the second half of the regular season in pursuit of AFC playoff positioning. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Rush’s unexpected presence, “As I told Cooper, it’s almost like a free agent visit. He gets to know us, we get to know him. He’s played a lot of football over the years in the National Football League.”
“I think it can open up that world to him, or if there’s an opportunity in the future, he can make that a really positive situation for himself and become our first phone call.”
The simplest way to think of this? If injuries rock Murray, McCarthy, and Carson Wentz, Rush will probably be the first guy the Vikings call or the first guy they steal off some team’s practice squad.
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Rumor: Multiple teams wanted Jauan Jennings from free agency.
Adam Schefter explained that Minnesota has genuine competition for Jennings this week.
He told Pat McAfee, “I was told that there were a few other teams. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested. The Vikings were the only team he wound up visiting at all. The Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings.”
“Ultimately, he got a one-year deal from Minnesota worth up to $13 million; it’s about $8 million in base pay. Ideally, you want to get these deals done early in free agency, but Jennings was able to salvage a pretty good situation.”
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Minnesota is an ideal situation for Jennings. O’Connell’s pass-heavy offense frequently utilizes three-receiver sets, placing Jennings alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With coverage often tilted toward the star wideouts, Jennings will inevitably find himself isolated. His physicality and reliability position him perfectly to capitalize on these opportunities.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 14, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Jennings helped spark the 49ers’ offense early in the game, continuing his role as one of San Francisco’s most dependable physical targets near the goal line during the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Stylistically, the fit is equally compelling. In San Francisco, Jennings established himself as a rugged blocker and reliable chain-mover. With the Vikings, however, he’s expected to see significantly more targets than he typically did with the 49ers. O’Connell won’t relegate him to a hidden role.
Too, should Jefferson or Addison miss time, Jennings could quickly transition from a complementary weapon to a borderline WR1. At this point in his career, the landing spot could hardly be more perfect. And the Vikings evidently got lucky that he didn’t land in Kansas City, Miami, or Washington.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Manchester City kept their dreams of a domestic treble alive with a slender win over Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final. Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of the final with a backheel flick in the second half.
While PSG have already been crowned champions, there’s still much to play for at both ends of the table ahead of the Ligue 1 season finale on Sunday. In one of the evening’s nine games, Marseille will look to salvage their season by beating Rennes to snatch a Europa League spot from the Bretons.
Mamelodi Sundowns host AS FAR for the CAF Champions League final first leg on Sunday, with the South African giants looking to go one better after losing last year’s final. The Moroccans, meanwhile, are playing in their first final since they last won the title in 1985.
On Saturday, Jannik Sinner made it 33 wins on the trot as he fended off Daniil Medvedev to reach the final of the men’s Italian Open. The Italian will have the chance to win the only Masters tournament missing from his honours list as he takes on Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.
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The women’s final was won by Elina Svitolina, who beat Coco Gauff in a three-set thriller. The Ukrainian has now won the Rome tournament three times over the course of her career.
Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea manager has been confirmed on a four-year deal.
The former Real Madrid boss will take charge of the Blues from July 1 in what is his first managerial role in the Premier League.
Callum McFarlane has been in interim charge since the sacking of Liam Rosenior last month and was on the touchline for Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Saturday.
American MMA fighter Ronda Rousey reacts after defeating Gina Carano during their comeback fight at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
INGLEWOOD, California — When Ronda Rousey finally got back into a mixed martial arts cage after 9 1/2 years away from her sport, she couldn’t wait even one more minute to collect another arm — and to have her own arm raised one last time.
Rousey stopped Gina Carano with her signature armbar just 17 seconds into the two iconic fighters’ double comeback bout Saturday night.
After finishing the 44-year-old Carano with a ferocity that evoked her famous heyday, the 39-year-old Rousey reaffirmed that this was only the epilogue to her historic MMA career. She insists she is headed into retirement after ending on a dominant victory.
“I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible,” Rousey said. “I didn’t really want to hurt her. Luckily it was beautiful martial arts, that’s what I think that was. It was art.”
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Rousey (13-2) didn’t waste an instant after the opening bell, immediately charging and tackling Carano. Rousey quickly moved into position and applied her famous finishing move, wrenching Carano’s arm as the fight was stopped.
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Rousey famously won eight fights in less than a minute during her meteoric rise through MMA in the 2010s. When asked if she considered waiting a bit longer to go for the finish in this comeback fight, since it was so many years in the making, Rousey laughed.
“Hell no,” she said. “My husband and my kids are watching me. I don’t want to put them through anything more than I have to.”
Carano, who hadn’t fought in 17 years, was all smiles even after the swift end to one of the longest layoffs in pro sports history. Rousey and Carano hugged and shared warm words after the finish, raising each other’s arms in victory.
“I wanted that to last longer,” Carano said. “I felt so ready. I’ve never felt that good. But I haven’t been here for 17 years … and I wanted to hit her.”
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This improbable double comeback bout united two of the most important fighters from MMA’s past two decades.
Rousey became one of the world’s most famous athletes as she won the first women’s title in the UFC, which only began to promote women’s MMA because of Rousey’s undeniable talent and star power.
Rousey first became interested in MMA because of Carano, whose athleticism and star power made her into a television headliner when the nascent sport was still fighting for legitimacy and acceptance in the late 2000s.
Rousey left the sport after consecutive losses, while Carano moved on to an acting career after taking her first loss.
After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year. She immediately focused on a fight with Carano, whose long-thriving career as an actor abruptly ended in 2021 with her series of controversial social media posts.
Carano was happy to finally accept the comeback she had occasionally considered, saying she used her preparations as a way to overcome multiple health problems from recent years.
“Getting in here after 17 years was a victory,” Carano said. “Fighting a legend was a victory. I feel great. But she trained. She had her game plan. I have so much love and respect for her.”
The show at Intuit Dome was the first live MMA event on Netflix, which is moving steadily into combat sports.
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Rousey had repeatedly said this will be her final fight, while Carano has said she doesn’t know what the future holds. Afterward, Carano said she hasn’t closed the door on another bout, and promoter Nakisa Bidarian said he would be eager to put Carano on another show.
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“I think 17 years (off) was a lot,” Carano said. “(Being) 44 is a lot. But I’m going to go look at this. I didn’t get anything out I expected to get in this fight.”
;)
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