Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya endured his fourth consecutive loss after being stopped by Joe Pyfer in their main event clash at Ultimate Fighting Championship Seattle.
The fight, held at the Climate Pledge Arena, started brightly for Adesanya, who controlled the early exchanges with sharp jabs and leg kicks while keeping his opponent at range. He also showed good awareness in defending takedown attempts in the opening round.
However, the momentum changed in the second round as Pyfer stepped up the pressure. The American landed a powerful left hook that forced Adesanya onto the back foot before taking the fight to the ground.
Advertisement
Pyfer quickly gained a dominant position and delivered a series of punches and elbows, leading the referee to stop the contest at 4:18 of the second round.
The defeat is another setback for Adesanya, whose last win came in April 2023 when he regained the middleweight title against Alex Pereira. Despite the result, the 36-year-old has indicated he is not ready to retire.
Elsewhere on the card, both Pyfer and Alexa Grasso earned Performance of the Night bonuses, while the bout between Tofiq Musayev and Ignacio Bahamondes was named Fight of the Night.
Sol Ruca is a top star in WWE NXT right now. On a house show in Allen, Texas, she got into a brawl with her former tag team partner. She’s heading into Stand & Deliver 2026 to face her ally-turned-rival, and things recently got heated between them.
Ruca and Zaria engaged in a scuffle and took the Allen crowd by storm. In a video posted by WWE NXT on X, the two can be seen taking their brawl backstage. The duo seemingly locked horns, but the contest ended in a double countout after Zaria took things too far.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Later in the video, they got back inside the ring, where referees separated them.
Advertisement
NXT general manager Robert Stone announced that the duo will face off again at Stand & Deliver. However, for now, they need to be away from each other. In the end, Sol Ruca taunted Zaria while the latter was taken away by WWE officials.
What other matches are scheduled for WWE NXT Stand & Deliver?
Johnny Garagno is back in NXT and will be challenging for Myles Borne’s North American Championship. The main event of the show will see Joe Hendry put his NXT Championship on the line in a Fatal-Four-Way Match. Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, and Tony D’Angelo will go up against Hendry for the coveted gold.
The go-home episode of NXT before Stand & Deliver will likely confirm more matches for the show. Jacy Jayne will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against the winner of Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey. The Vanity Project will battle either Birthright or Los Americanos, depending on which duo wins the tag team contest on Tuesday.
As of this writing, Tatum Paxley’s Women’s North American Championship match is up in the air. However, Blake Monroe is widely expected to challenge for Paxley’s title.
Advertisement
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.
Keith Thurman was stopped inside six rounds by towering WBC super-welterweight world champion Sebastian Fundora this weekend in Las Vegas.
The champion, who stands at 6-foot-5½, used his significant height and reach advantage from the off, making it hard for Thurman to settle and land any sustained attacks.
‘One Time’ showed impressive resilience as Fundora peppered the body and landed cleanly up top, but a steady decrease in output saw him, bloodied and bruised, stopped on his feet by referee Thomas Taylor.
Advertisement
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Thurman criticised Taylor for stepping in and waving the fight off.
“Fundora’s a tremendous champion, but whoever the f**k that referee was, don’t hire him for f***ing main event s**t again, real talk.”
“I never got dropped in the whole fight. I’m getting caught on the back end of punches. The referee told me in the locker room, ‘show me something, move your feet, duck your head – I won’t stop the fight.’ … The fight was getting fun. People were getting on their feet. We were just getting into the grind.”
As for his future, the 37-year-old former unified world champion made it clear he intends to fight on.
“I’ll be back, man. I want to do great things in boxing once again, and I’m gonna come back hard, I’m gonna come back strong.”
Fundora’s latest successful title defence opens the door to several high-profile match-ups in the division, with the likes of Vergil Ortiz Jr and a returning Jermell Charlo likely to be calling for a shot. There is also the prospect of a three-belt unification against the winner of Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis.
Manchester City have regenerated their squad in the past 18 months and decisions now loom on four senior players
Manchester City’s squad evolution gathered pace last weekend as the Blues won their first trophy since the 2024 Premier League title when they beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
While the silverware absence was not even two years, the Wembley win reaffirmed the trajectory this squad is on after a trophyless 2024-25 campaign.
Advertisement
City have a plethora of emerging talent alongside a core of experience and while there remain questions over Pep Guardiola’s future beyond the summer, the playing squad is in good shape.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
This summer will likely see the departure of two long-serving City players in John Stones and Bernardo Silva when their contracts expire. Skipper Bernardo said earlier in the campaign that he already knew what the future holds and there is little to suggest he will pen fresh terms at the Etihad even though Guardiola would happily hand a new deal to a player he values so highly.
For Stones, it’s injuries that look set to preclude a new City contract. The defender has suffered with fitness issues this term and pulled out of the England squad this week with a groin problem. Guardiola has spoken of how a decision on Stones would need to take into account what he has shown over the last two years and sadly for the centre-back, injury has prevented him from showing too much.
Advertisement
The departures of Stones and Silva would see a huge amount of experience leaving the building but City are in a position to cope with both exits. A summer transfer move for a new midfielder, with Elliott Anderson at Nottingham Forest of interest, would certainly help offset the departure of Silva, while Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias mitigate the loss of Stones.
It’s what might happen with two more City stalwarts that will carry plenty of intrigue over the coming months and potentially impact the Blues’ summer transfer plans.
Rodri and Phil Foden both see their contracts expire in 2027 and just now it’s difficult to confidently predict both will be here past that date.
Rodri spoke of his admiration for La Liga and Real Madrid this week, and while he then suggested people listen to the entire interview before jumping to conclusions, it’s difficult to ignore the prospect of Real signing the midfielder.
Advertisement
The 29-year-old is beginning to show his best again having suffered a serious knee injury and a couple of setbacks. Guardiola doesn’t feel his star man will be back to full throttle until this summer’s World Cup but City and Rodri will need to make a decision on whether a new deal is offered sooner rather than later.
City will not stand in any player’s way if they do want to depart, and would potentially rather obtain a fee for Rodri this summer rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in 18 months.
The same would be true of Foden, although his future is more likely to be at City than not. The 25-year-old has struggled for form in recent months but remains a player capable of being among the best in the country and the hope at the Etihad is that he can return to the peak of his powers.
A probable World Cup and the uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future will play a part in any contract talks over the next few months but the feeling is club and player will come to an agreement for the boyhood Blue to extend his Etihad contract.
Advertisement
City’s summer transfer business will offer a further indication as to what the future holds as we wait for answers.
Many observers view the highly touted heavyweight as a natural successor to Usyk, and the emphatic win over the durable American in Manchester last night has only intensified talk that the 21-year-old could be ready to dethrone the Ukrainian champion.
Franklin entered the bout having never been stopped in 26 professional fights, including decision defeats to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. He was expected by some to provide valuable time in the ring for a rising contender who had only gone a total twelve rounds in his previous nine contests.
Focus now shifts to what comes next. When asked whether he would be willing to face the unified champion before the end of the year, the rising star did not hesitate in his response.
“No, I’m not going to fight with Itauma because he’s a young guy. I don’t want to break this guy.”
The Ukrainian is set to return to the ring on May 23, where he will face kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. Beyond that, the champion announced that he will target the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, followed by a potential trilogy bout with Tyson Fury before bringing his career to a close.
Kolkata Knight Riders player Manish Pandey (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
Indian batter Manish Pandey, one of only four players to have featured in every edition of the Indian Premier League since its start in 2008, describes his 19-year IPL journey as having “flown by in a flash.”Pandey will don the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) jersey in IPL 2026, as the three-time champions face five-time winners Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. Across 174 IPL matches, Pandey has scored 3,942 runs at a strike rate of 121.52.
Watch
Greenstone Lobo predicts IPL 2026 winner
“It’s been an incredible journey for me – 19 years, and now going into my 19th season. I started with MI in the very first year after the U19 World Cup. That was a special memory, but honestly, it all feels like it just passed in a moment. From 2008 to now, 2026, it’s been a lot,” Pandey said in a video released by the IPL on Sunday.He added, “Overall, it’s been a fantastic experience. I’m glad to be among those few players who’ve been part of every IPL, and I always try to do justice to myself and the game. I’m here purely for the passion and love of cricket.”Reflecting on his landmark century for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2009, Pandey said, “Absolutely. We were just young, 18-19-year-olds, discovering the game and ourselves. In my second season, I scored a hundred in South Africa for RCB, and it felt amazing. I wasn’t expecting to open the innings and get that opportunity, but it helped me a lot. Being the first Indian to score a hundred and the youngest at the time is a great memory, even though someone else now holds that record.”On the IPL’s growth, Pandey noted, “This tournament has taught us so much. We were still understanding the dynamics back then. Over 19 years, IPL has evolved massively – for players, sponsors, and fans. The joy it has given to so many is unbelievable. It’s now one of the biggest platforms for young talent to shine.”Pandey also spoke about how the game itself has changed: “Back then, 160 was a good total, and 140 could be defended. Now, everything is faster, with high-scoring games and new bowling variations. IPL is at the centre of world cricket today, testing players who’ve been here one year or many. It has made the game bigger and helped cricket grow.”He added, “We always dream of playing for India, and tournaments like IPL are crucial. Selectors watch closely, and performing here is key to staying in the game. I’ve been lucky to do that over time.”Pandey concluded by recalling his pivotal knock in the 2014 final for KKR: “That innings of 95 in the final was life-changing. It helped me break into the Indian team, where I went on to play 29 ODIs and 39 T20Is. IPL has been very kind to me, giving me the chance to handle pressure while enjoying the game.”
In a bid for a key benefit, Chris Waller is bringing blinkers back for Autumn Boy in his Doncaster Mile renewal versus Randwick Guineas conqueror Sheza Alibi.
The colt donned blinkers en route to his Caulfield Guineas win during spring racing, but they were absent across his three appearances so far this campaign.
Waller is confident the blinkers will aid Autumn Boy in getting crisper now dropping from 2000m in the Rosehill Guineas.
“Coming back to a mile isn’t easy,” Waller said.
Advertisement
“I don’t think he needs the blinkers as a racehorse, but I’ve put them on to make sure he’s there in Kerrin’s (McEvoy’s) hands when he asks him to quicken.”
Building momentum this prep, the three-year-old was third to Ninja in the 1400m Hobartville Stakes, runner-up to Sheza Alibi next in the Randwick Guineas, and then victorious in the Rosehill Guineas.
For the Doncaster Mile at 1600m, Sheza Alibi enjoys a 1kg weight advantage, though Waller pointed to gate draws and tempo as pivotal.
Ahead in betting, the Victorian-trained filly sits at $2, Autumn Boy at $5.
Advertisement
“If he draws well and she doesn’t draw so well, the market will change a little bit,” Waller said.
“She was terrific, and he was great the other day. It comes down to luck in running.
You need a strong 2000-metre horse to win a tough Randwick mile. That’s what I’m going with, and he’s got a pretty good weight (52kg).”
Waller will have considerable strength in the mile feature via confirmed acceptors Sixties and Militarize, as Lazzura and Lady Shenandoah steer towards the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m), Beiwacht to the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Advertisement
The trainer boasts six victories in Randwick’s blue riband mile, including Winx’s in 2016.
April has been called the cruelest month. For golfers, though, it’s the coolest month. It means the active season for handicap posting is fully underway. On April 1, a cluster of states kicks goes live. By April 15, the whole country is posting.
Of course, “underway” doesn’t always mean “ideal.” In early April, some courses are still rounding into shape after winter, and plenty of regions are still at the mercy of unpredictable spring weather. Which makes it a perfect time to brush up on one of the quietly important features of the World Handicap System: the Playing Conditions Calculation, or PCC — a mechanism designed specifically for days when conditions are anything but normal.
Introduced when the WHS launched in 2020 and refined in 2024, the PCC is a tool implemented by the USGA to adjust score differentials if a course played significantly harder or easier than normal — whether due to weather, wind, firm or soft conditions, or an unusually tough setup. The goal is to keep your Handicap Index accurate no matter what Mother Nature or the superintendent throws at the field. And the effort required on your end is pretty much zilch. The adjustment happens automatically. All you have to do is post your score.
How to use Playing Conditions Calculation
Here’s how it works. Each night at midnight, if at least eight scores have been posted by players with a Handicap Index of 36.0 or below on that specific course and date, the PCC kicks in. It compares actual scores against what those players would be expected to shoot based on their ability. If scoring was abnormally high or low, the system adjusts.
Advertisement
That adjustment can range from -1.0 (conditions played easier than normal) to +3.0 (significantly harder), with 0.0 being the most common outcome by design — the USGA built the PCC to be conservative. If a PCC adjustment is applied to your round, you’ll typically see a “^” symbol next to that score in your record.
The result is a kind of consistency in a game when conditions can be anything but. It means that a brutal day into a 30-mph wind doesn’t disproportionately affect your index, and that a perfect morning on a spongy, receptive course doesn’t, either.
If you don’t already have a Handicap Index, you can get one here.
Advertisement
FlightScope i4 Rangefinder
Product highlights:
Get personalized club recommendations based on the laser detecting the distance to pin, your personal launch data, real-time weather integration, and environmental conditions
Advertisement
Know your effective playing distance that factors in real-time local environmental conditions, including wind
Use the i4 Smart Gapping tool for a personalized club gapping report to enhance your personalized club recommendations
Slope compensation adjusts the distance to your target by accounting for the slope of the terrain. Built with an easy on/off toggle for tournament play
Brand-agnostic data input means you can add your data via a CSV file from any launch monitor you’re using
Advertisement
Yard range is 5 – 1,000
Built-in magnet for ease of use and easy accessibility in golf carts
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for winning their first-ever Ranji Trophy, calling it a proud and emotional moment for the region. He said the victory, which came after nearly 70 years, reflects the hard work and dedication of the players and has brought joy to people across the Union territory.
Watch
Greenstone Lobo predicts IPL 2026 winner
Speaking in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi highlighted key contributions from the team. “It is most heartening to note that after a long wait of nearly seven decades, the team achieved its first Ranji Trophy title. This unprecedented success is the result of years of continuous efforts by the players,” he said.He also praised captain Paras Dogra for his leadership and mentioned young bowler Aaqib Nabi, whose 60 wickets have caught attention nationwide. “This victory has thrilled the players and coaching staff, as well as the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.Modi said the win will inspire more youngsters to take up sports. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have a tremendous passion for sports. I am glad that it is now becoming a hub for major sporting events,” he said.He pointed out that places like Gulmarg are already hosting major events and that football is also popular among the youth. “I hope this winning streak of Jammu and Kashmir sports persons continues in the future,” he said.
Welcome to our 2026 Men’s Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker for players in the West.
The 2026 NCAA Division I men’s basketball transfer portal opens on April 7 and closes on April 21, running for a 15-day window.
Players may announce their intent to transfer before the portal officially opens, but they cannot officially enter until the window begins.
Advertisement
The table below is the list of players who entered the portal at the end of the regular season and conference championship games, starting with March 16th.
The table can be searched and sorted by player name, originating program, destination program, and recruiting stars.
Below the table is a breakdown of transfers by program with ratings, commit counts, and player ratings.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) takes the field during pregame moments, locked in and scanning the stadium atmosphere ahead of kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 18, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports.
As the NFL draft approaches, Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors and misconceptions are circulating, as they always do this time of year. It’s important to address some of the speculation promptly, so here’s a look at the rumors that simply aren’t true.
Three Vikings rumors made noise this week, and each one needs context.
Each week, this column debunks dubious narratives surrounding the Vikings, as well as ideas that never had a chance of becoming reality — or stuff that just didn’t work out as planned.
Advertisement
Breaking Down the Week’s Shakiest Minnesota Talking Points
These are the Nopedy Nopes with the NFL draft about 3.5 weeks away.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons receiver Russell Gage (83) during the first quarter, Sep. 8, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as Smith closes quickly and disrupts the play in tight coverage early in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports.
The Nopey Nope: The Bears will sign Harrison Smith.
DaWindyCity.com‘s Ernesto Cova thinks Smith, a lifelong Viking, is a real free-agent option for the Bears.
He wrote this week, “The Bears should make a run at Harrison Smith. Smith is still a free agent, and the Bears could certainly use some help at strong safety. Given Smith’s age, he’s obviously not going to be a long-term solution at the position. That said, the Bears’ Super Bowl window is wide open right now, and he’s the type of proven veteran who can help this young team push through in the second year of the Ben Johnson era.”
Advertisement
“The Chicago Bears already lured a former divisional rival to the Windy City. And even though the addition of WR Kalif Raymond may not be as impactful, bolstering the team while hurting an NFC North rival is a double win. Now, GM Ryan Poles might repeat that approach, this time to bolster the defense with a Minnesota Vikings star.”
A six-time Pro Bowler, Smith has never indicated interest in playing elsewhere, despite speculation that he could, in theory, find a new team. Smith’s situation this offseason has never been about exploring free agency, an opportunity that passed years ago without his pursuing it.
In 2026, his decision will be straightforward and personal: retire or return for a 15th season in Minnesota. The Vikings and their fans recognize this reality, even staging a retirement ceremony for him at U.S. Bank Stadium in January following the season finale against Detroit.
While longtime teammates like Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham have moved on, Smith remains undecided. His choice is imminent and hinges on a single question: should he return for a 15th year, or retire?
Advertisement
One thing is for certain: he won’t sign with a Vikings rival on his way out the door.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Smith signing in Chicago. Like really?
The Nopey Nope: Jonathan Allen adds a major boost to the Bengals’ defensive trenches.
ESPN’s Seth Walder didn’t hold back on Cincinnati’s move for Allen, grading it harshly and questioning the payoff.
Advertisement
He explained, “Grade: D. A year ago, I handed the Vikings a D+ for signing Allen to an expensive contract shortly after he had been cut by the Commanders, a deal that called for him to make $16.2 million in 2025 and fully guaranteed $8 million of his $17 million in cash due in 2026. Now this year, the Vikings cut Allen after a lackluster first season in Minnesota, and the Bengals are going to pick up some of the tab and then some.”
“Cincinnati needs to improve its defense, and I understand wanting more pass rush from its interior. B.J. Hill, T.J. Slaton and Kris Jenkins Jr. all had below-average pass rush win rates for a defensive tackle last season. But this is too much to pay for what will likely be too little.”
Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) lines up during action against the Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 26, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as he prepares to engage at the line of scrimmage in a divisional matchup late in the regular season with playoff implications on the line. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
The Vikings also parted ways with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who quickly landed in Green Bay, earning a ‘B-‘ from Walder for that signing.
Walder continued, “Allen was a very good defensive tackle earlier in his career. But the numbers clearly paint a picture of a 31-year-old player who is well into his decline. And I think the Bengals are overpaying him based on what he did several years ago. There’s another wrinkle here that affects Allen’s old team.”
“Though the Vikings had guaranteed $8 million of Allen’s 2026 money, the defensive tackle had offset language in that deal. Which means that the Vikings could receive a cap credit at the end of the season for whatever the Bengals pay Allen in 2026. While we don’t know the structure of the deal yet, that could be a nice break for Minnesota.”
Advertisement
Both Allen in Cincinnati and Hargrave in Green Bay will get fresh opportunities to reset their careers. Walder isn’t buying the upside on Allen.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Allen as the Bengals’ big offseason DT fix.
The Nopey Nope: LSU CB Mansoor Delane will be on the board for the Vikings at pick No. 18
Delane put real speed on display Monday at his Pro Day, and it showed up in a big way.
Advertisement
SBNation’sDale Altman wrote, ‘Mansoor Delane ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash today at the LSU Pro Day. The LSU cornerback was already considered to be the top prospect at the position for the 2026 NFL Draft. All he did by running that time was solidify himself as the top guy, and potentially another step closer to going in the top 10.”
“Delane was tremendous in 2025 with a 90.7 coverage grade. He allowed just a 40.0% completion rate against him this past season. He was a shutdown corner for the Tigers. He isn’t just a cover corner either, Delane is a more than willing participant against the run.”
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts after forcing a fourth-down stop against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Nov. 15, 2025, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as the defense celebrates a key moment in the second half during an intense SEC matchup with momentum swinging. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.
That speed turned heads across the league, and teams hunting for rookie cornerback help took notice quickly. He now looks firmly in line to be the first cornerback selected, wiping him off the board for the Vikings all the way down at No. 18.
In January, he was a popular mock-draft selection for Minnesota. Not anymore.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Delane to Minnesota; he’s too good and too fast.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login