Betting sign up offers and free bets are available from betting sites for signing up and betting online.
At The Independent, our experts have used their impartial and detailed analysis to find new and existing customers the best betting sign up offers and free bets on the market.
We have stringent criteria when it comes to picking our top betting offers available. Our experts focus on accessibility, flexibility, fairness, key terms and conditions and regularity when selecting the best options out there.
Every betting site that we recommend is licensed and regulated by United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that new and existing customers are using a reputable betting operator.
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Free bets can be claimed from betting sites by new and existing customers, allowing bettors to bet without risking their own money.
Terms and conditions are attached to free bets and betting offers. Usually, bettors must deposit or stake a qualifying amount to claim a free bet, which can be used on selected sports and events.
Wagering requirements can be attached to free bet offers, which means winnings must be played through a set number of times before you can withdraw funds as cash, but this is more common on casino sites.
Types of free bets
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Bet & Get: The most common betting sign-up offer, bet a minimum amount, meet the T&Cs and receive a free bet bonus.
Moneyback specials: Typically an ongoing free bet promo, whereby punters get their money back as a free bet if there’s an underwhelming outcome such as a 0-0 draw.
Free bet clubs: Loyalty reward schemes aimed at those who bet regularly with one bookmaker in particular.
Enhanced odds with free bet winnings: A bookmaker offers a wildly inflated price on a popular market, such as 40/1 on Man City to win, with winnings paid out as free bets.
No deposit free bets: These are rare, but can be obtained via free-to-play prediction games on several online bookmakers.
Free bets are straightforward to use for customers, although the way they can be deployed may differ depending on your chosen bookmaker.
Usually, betting sites will have a box or toggle on your bet slip that users can tick or move to confirm free bets on their bet.
An important note. If your bet wins, you only keep the profit, the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.
Bookmakers may require you to use free bets in precise portions, such as £5 or £10, while others will allow you to bet with amounts of your choosing until you’ve used up your balance.
Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for this week’s major sporting events.
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William Hill: Wales World Cup Epic Boost
William Hill are offering an Epic Boost price for Wales to qualify for the World Cup play-off final on Thursday.
Customers can claim the Epic Boost price of evens boosted from 2/5 for Wales to advance from their World Cup play-off semi-final clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Qualifying bets must be placed before kick-off and customers are limited to a maximum £10 stake.
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Paddy Power: Free Bet Builder Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Paddy Power are offering customers a free bet builder for users that place a qualifying bet builder on Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
To qualify, customers must opt-in on the free bet offer before placing a £2 bet builder on the World Cup play-off clash with three selections or more and odds of evens or greater.
Once the qualifying bet has settled, customers will receive a free bet builder worth £2 to use on football. Free bet builder expires within seven days.
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Bet365: Bet Builder Boost 25% World Cup Playoffs
Bet365 are offering 25 per cent bet builder boosts on select games for tonight’s round of World Cup play-off matches.
Customers can claim the betting offer for matches including Italy vs Northern Ireland, Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina and Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland.
Qualifying bet builders must include three selections or more and odds of evens or greater, with users selecting the bet builder boost option in their bet slip.
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Winning bet builders will be paid out with the 25 per cent boost.
Betting Site
Offer Type
Min. Bet
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Free Bet Value
Best For
Coral
Welcome bonus
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£5
£30
Low-stake sign up value
Betano
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Welcome bonus
£10
£50
Football free bets
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Tote
Welcome bonus
£10
£30
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Horse racing free bets
Bet365
Moneyback special
£10
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£10
Ongoing money-back as free bet offers
Virgin Bet
Free Bet Club
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£20
£5 weekly
Ongoing rewards for regular bettors
Free bets value for money (Independent)
Here are the standout betting offers on the market for users broken down into strength of category.
Coral – Best low-stake betting sign up offer
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Coral offer the best low stake betting sign up offer allowing new customers to secure £30 in free bets after signing up and betting just £5 on any sports bet of their choice.
There’s plenty of flexibility over where users can place their qualifying bet. Customers can choose any sport with odds of 1/2 odds or greater, only Bet365 has a lower threshold among welcome offers, but their value is not as high as Coral’s.
Time is also on your side using Coral. Customers can take up to 14 days after sign up to make their first bet and still qualify for the betting sign up offer.
Coral rewards customers with £30 in free bets for betting just £5 online (The Independent)
Payout is also prompt as soon as your qualifying bet settles. Coral will credit your account with £30 in free bets within 24 hours. These free bets are paid out in 6 x £5 free bets, giving customers plenty of scope to use their funds.
These free bets are fairly flexible as 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport on Coral, while the remaining £10 free bet balance is reserved for 1 x £5 football bet builder and a 1x £5 horse racing bet builder.
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It’s arguaaly the best £5 deposit betting site around as customers secure a 600% return from their first deposit and bet. For first-time bettors it’s a perfect betting sign up offer for value.
Betano – Best football betting sign up offer
Betano is the best option for punters looking for free bets at leading football betting sites, with the Betano sign up offer providing £50 in free bets with an initial wager of just £10 (an excellent return for a low entry stake).
The offer includes a straightforward qualifying bet with minimum odds of evens and no accumulator required, while the 30-day expiry on free bets gives users flexibility, with plenty of time to use bonuses.
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Newcomers can get £50 in free bets after an initial £10 bet (iStock/The Independent)
This new betting site provides great variety on its football markets – from match odds and BTTS to goalscorers, correct scores and much more – and users will also find regular offers and promotions once signed up to the site.
Tote – Best for horse racing free bets
The Tote betting sign up offer is an excellent choice for horse racing fans, with a £10 bet returning £30 in racing value – a strong 3x reward for such a low qualifying stake.
The offer provides £20 in Tote Credit for horse racing – which is ideal for pools, exotics, and Tote-only markets – as well as £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, offering plenty of flexibility for new customers.
The Tote website performs equally well on mobile and desktop (iStock/The Independent)
The qualifying bet simply need to be a £10 wager on any sport (with some exclusions, though win, place, or pool bets all count) at odds of evens or greater, and winnings are fully withdrawable, with Tote Credit profits available to be cashed out, keeping risk low.
Tote also guarantee boosts payouts paid at SP or better, adding an extra upside for horse racing bettors and making Tote the best choice among horse racing betting sites.
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Bet365 – Best for moneyback as a free bet
Bet365 have recently launched its moneyback specials across a number of sports, including football and horse racing, as well as a range of major events.
Customers can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets if their bet fails. The system is simple for claiming the betting offer, with users ticking the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify.
Free bets are usually credited within a matter of hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Free bet credits can be used anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business with no limit on where and how your credits can be spent.
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Bet365 customers can get up to £10 back as a free bet on losing racing and football bets (iStock/The Independent)
Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the highlight games of the week are covered with a moneyback special notably on Saturday and Sunday evenings, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured this betting offer.
The nuts and bolts of the requirements are as follows. Customers must place a qualifying bet builder on the eligible game or event, with bet builders needing only evens (2.0) or higher odds.
Bet365 also attaches its Sub Play On feature on football bet builders in conjunction with the moneyback special, which keeps bets alive even if a player is subbed.
Virgin Bet – Best free bet club
Existing customers can use the weekly Virgin Bet rewards club to claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas.
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Users only need to opt-in on the promotion before placing four £5 accas with odds of 2/1 or greater between Monday to Sunday, making these qualifying stakes smaller than most rival free bet clubs.
Virgin Bet have an extremely low minimum odds requirement to use your free bet at 1/100.
Claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas on Virgin Bet (iStock/The Independent)
You’re spoiled for choice, and better yet, there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus.
In addition, the seven-day expiry gives plenty of time to use the bonus, meaning the free bet club offers huge flexibility.
After the qualifying bets have settled, Virgin Bet pays out the £5 free acca bet into your account and to activate the free bet offer, simply use the toggle on your bet slip to use up the credits.
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Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets:
Stake not returned on free bets
Not all free bet offers return the original stake if your bet wins. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 pays £30 profit, not £40; always factor this in when comparing headline free bet amounts.
Short expiry windows
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Free bets usually expire within 5-7 days of being credited, and occasionally less. Unused free bets are removed automatically once they expire, so casual or infrequent bettors can lose value this way.
Remember to always check the expiry date as soon as the free bet is added.
Bet builder or market restrictions
Some free bets are limited to certain types of use. For example, some are football bet builders only, accumulator bets or bets fixed to specific sports, leagues or events. These restrictions reduce flexibility and can increase risk.
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Bet builder-only free bets often require multiple selections to win, meaning long odds, and it is the same with accas. Remember to check eligible markets before placing your qualifying bet.
Minimum odds requirements
Betting offers may require minimum odds on either the qualifying bet or the free bet itself, and sometimes both. Higher odds thresholds can push bettors toward riskier selections, while a smaller free bet with low odds requirements can offer better value.
Cash-Out and In-Play exclusions
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Remember that cashing out a qualifying bet often voids eligibility for the offer. Some free bets also cannot be used on in-play markets.
These exclusions are commonly hidden in the T&Cs, so avoid cashing out unless you’re sure it won’t affect the promotion.
Wagering requirements and bonus conditions
Wagering is uncommon on free bets, but it is not unheard of. Some promotions attach extra conditions to winnings or follow-on bonuses instead.
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Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option.
Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience.
1. Licensing
Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators.
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The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.
2. Security
Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data.
3. Reputation
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Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred, William Hill and Bet365 consistently rank highly with us, but we also highlight new, reputable operators such as BetMGM when their free bet offers meet our expectations.
4. Mobile
With most bets now placed on phones and tablets, mobile betting functionality is essential.
Bookmakers with dedicated betting apps that mirror the desktop experience are given preference, and we also consider user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores.
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5. Experience
The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions.
Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers, but we also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and available payment methods.
6. Value
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Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings.
Why trust us?
Chris Wilson is a betting content producer and sports reporter who has been working at The Independent since 2023.
He writes betting tips across a range of sporting events as well as reviewing dozens of betting sites and casino sites across the UK.
Chris has extensively tested and reviewed offers from established operators and new betting sites to find the best free bet offers for readers of The Independent.
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Responsible gambling is always at the forefront of his research, ensuring customers have a fair and secure experience claiming and using betting offers online.
If you decide to engage with any of the online betting sites highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets and betting sign up offers.
When betting, always assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford to lose. Even free bets still involve a level of risk.
Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.
If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
Are free bets withdrawable?
No, it is not possible to withdraw a free bet. It must be used according to the terms and conditions of the free bet offer or it will be forfeited.
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Can you cash out free bets?
In most cases, bookmakers will not allow punters to cash out a free bet before the bet has run its course, so you will likely have to wait for your bet to settle before receiving any winnings.
What does money back in free bets mean?
This means you can get a refund on your stake, but not as withdrawable cash – only as a free bet, meaning you have to stake the same cash again on a different bet.
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What is the best betting sign up offer available now?
In the Independent’s view, Coral provides the best betting sign up offer on the market at present. New customers need only sign up and deposit £5 before betting £5 on any sports market with odds of 1/2 or greater to unlock £30 in free bets.
What betting sites give free bets without a deposit?
Few bookmakers hand out free bets for nothing, but you can earn free bets by entering free-to-play prediction games on Bet365, BetVictor, NetBet, Betway, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and BetMGM.
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We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The Cup Series heads to its second road course of the season with the 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday. The green flag drops at 3 p.m. ET at Watkins Glen International, with this year’s race being extended from 90 to 100 laps. Road course specialist, Shane van Gisbergen is the defending race winner and he claimed the pole position on Saturday, and all six of his Cup Series wins have come on road or street tracks. Thus, it’s no surprise he’s the favorite in the latest 2026 NASCAR at Watkins Glen odds at +125.
Rookie Connor Zilisch is right behind at +380, with Tyler Reddick (+900), who has five wins this year, the only other driver with single-digit NASCAR odds. Hendrick Motorsports has won five of the last seven races at Watkins Glen International, and its top drivers to use in Go Bowling at The Glen bets include William Byron (+1200) and Kyle Larson (+1900). Before locking in any NASCAR Watkins Glen predictions or NASCAR DFS lineups, you need to see the projected leaderboard from Mike McClure’s proven model.
McClure is a legendary professional DFS player with more than $2 million in career winnings. He uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every lap of NASCAR action 10,000 times. All told, the model has nailed a whopping 29 winners since 2021 and hit 11 winners in 2025. Anyone following his NASCAR betting picks at their favorite sportsbooks could have seen huge returns.
For NASCAR at Watkins Glen 2026, McClure is fading Connor Zilisch (+380), saying he barely cracks the top 5 despite being one of the favorites. After a record-breaking 2025 season on the Xfinity Series, including being Rookie of the Year and winning the regular season championship, Zilisch made the leap to the Cup Series. However, he’s looked every bit like a rookie and ranks 33rd out of 35 full-time drivers in NASCAR’s standings. While he had three Watkins Glen victories across both the Xfinity and Menards series, he doesn’t even have a top 10 finish across 14 Cup Series starts. Given these short odds, he’s one to bypass with NASCAR picks.
Another surprise: Ryan Blaney (+2200) is projected to make a strong run towards the title. Only three drivers have led for more laps than Blaney’s 35 over the last three Watkins Glen races, and he has a pair of top 10s over that span. The one time he didn’t place in the top 10 was due to an accident, as Blaney was sixth in last year’s race and ninth in the 2023 event. He also won a stage at Watkins Glen in 2025, and among drivers with at least nine career starts at Watkins at The Glen, Blaney’s average finish of 15.0 is topped by just five others. Add in that the Penske driver is having a phenomenal season, sitting fourth in the Cup Series standings, and he shouldn’t be overlooked with NASCAR Watkins Glen bets. See which other drivers the model is backing at SportsLine.
Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started.
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How to make 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen picks
McClure is also high on two other longshots of at least +2200 who make a run for the top of the leaderboard, potentially netting any backer a huge payday. You can only see who it is here.
The unbeaten Chimaev is a comfortable favourite here, having dominated Dricus Du Plessis to win the belt in August, after “DDP” twice outpointed Strickland.
The early prelims will begin at 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 12am BST on Sunday (4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET on Saturday). The main card will ensue at 2am BST on Sunday (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the main card will air live on TNT Sports and is also accessible via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports; beforehand, the early and regular prelims will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action.
Odds
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Chimaev – 1/6
Strickland – 4/1
Via Betway. Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers. The Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have the last Canadian AHL affiliate standing in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Toronto Marlies beat the host Laval Rocket 3-2 in a winner-take-all Game 5 of their second-round series on Saturday, sending the Leafs’ farm club to the North Division final against the Cleveland Monsters.
The Marlies fought back from a 2-1 deficit after 40 minutes against the Montreal Canadiens affiliate, getting third-period goals from Reese Johnson and Vinni Lettieri.
Lettieri is tied for the AHL lead with five playoff goals.
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Blake Smith also scored for Toronto, while 2022 Canadiens second-round pick Owen Beck scored both goals for Laval.
The Monsters, a Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate, host Game 1 of the best-of-five North Division final on Thursday.
For those who were concerned heading into UFC 328 that things could get ugly before Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland got to the Octagon on Saturday night, they were proven correct on Thursday.
One of the biggest events of the year is set to go down this weekend in Newark when Chimaev and Strickland battle it out for the middleweight title in the main event.
But Thursday’s press conference delivered on lofty expectations for insanity as the two hurled insults at each other for 30 minutes before it all culminated in a heated face off where Chimaev actually kicked Strickland, leading to the two immediately being pulled off stage by security and law enforcement.
On Friday, UFC didn’t even allow for the whiff of shenanigans between the two. Typically the final face off between the fighters takes place, but as soon as Chimaev hit the stage and jumped off the scale, he was ushered back by multiple security guards who would not let him get within 10 feet of Strickland as the American continued to hurl insults over the microphone.
Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland live for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
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The rest of the undercard is sure to feature plenty of great action inside the Prudential Center. The fight of most note sees Joshua Van look to make the first defense of his flyweight title when he takes on Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event. Van won the title in December when champion Alexandre Pantoja suffered a brutal elbow injury moments into their fight, which resulted in a TKO win for Van. Now, Van can prove any doubters wrong with a win over Taira, who enters with an 8-1 record in UFC at just 26 years old.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 328, along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features, and other content around this massive event.
Wardley dropped his fellow Briton with perhaps the second punch he threw, before putting Dubois down again in the third frame. At that juncture, a victory for the 28-year-old seemed beyond improbable.
Daniel Dubois (right) somehow found a way past Fabio Wardley after major adversity early on (Reuters)
After the referee seemed to consider stopping the bout a few times, he ultimately awarded Dubois an 11th-round win in Manchester. With that, Wardley was beaten for the first time.
“I know I’ve got heart, bundles of heart,” said Dubois in the ring after the fight. “I’m a warrior in there. [The first knockdown was a] flash knockdown, you have to get back up and come back harder, man. I’m a warrior. I thank Fabio for a great fight, man. I thank this team, and we move on now. All glory to God for this victory.”
Wardley thanked the crowd on his way out of the arena, before Frank Warren – who promotes both men – revealed there was a rematch clause in the contract for Saturday’s main event.
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The result marked Wardley’s first loss (20-1-1, 19 KOs), as he was beaten in his first defence of a world title. Last time out, in October, he fought from behind to knock out Joseph Parker and win the interim WBO heavyweight belt – which was soon upgraded when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the official title.
Meanwhile, Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) entered the Co-op Live arena on the back of his second stoppage loss to Usyk, which was his third defeat overall. Dubois’s only other loss was a prior stoppage by Joe Joyce, in which “Dynamite” took a knee after suffering an orbital fracture – a moment that birthed a longstanding doubt about Dubois’s heart.
Those questions were harsh, however, as Dubois proved on Saturday, by rising twice and withstanding Wardley’s best offence to secure the unlikeliest of victories.
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A fired-up Dubois after beating Wardley in Manchester (Reuters)
Wardley dropped the Londoner with practically the second punch he threw, an overhand right, before flooring Dubois with a one-two in the third frame.
But thereafter, Dubois gradually broke down the Ipswich boxer, aggravating a pre-existing nasal injury to leave Wardley’s face streaming with blood. Furthermore, Dubois – whose left eye looked close to closing – almost punched Wardley’s right eye shut.
The referee had Wardley inspected by a ringside doctor at the start of round nine (for his nose) and round 10 (for his eye), but both times the champion was allowed to continue.
Perhaps that was unwise, as Wardley had begun to sustain increasingly-severe punishment, with Dubois close to sealing a finish at the end of several rounds.
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Ultimately, the stoppage came after Dubois’s first meaningful attack in the penultimate frame, as he became a two-time world champion.
Jun 1, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; UCLA Bruins utility Megan Grant (43) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run tying the game in the seventh inning against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the NCAA Softball Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images
UCLA senior Megan Grant set the NCAA Division I softball home run record on Saturday with her 38th long ball of the 2026 season.
Grant was also a member of UCLA’s 2026 NCAA basketball championship team.
In the third inning of Saturday’s game against Nebraska, Grant hit a blast to deep left-center field to pass the previous record of 37, set in 1995 by Arizona’s Laura Espinoza. Grant set the record in 55 games, 17 fewer than Espinoza.
“Records are made to be broken,” Mike Candrea, who coached Espinoza at Arizona, told The Athletic. “It’s a pretty phenomenal record to be able to break, so tip my hat off.”
Nebraska defeated UCLA on Saturday, 7-2, to claim the Big Ten title.
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On Friday against Wisconsin, in the semifinals of the Big Ten conference tournament, the Bruins reached 181 homers on the season, eclipsing the previous record of 161 that had stood since 2021.
Grant boosted that number to 182 with her record shot on Saturday.
“When I first came into college, I wanted to put myself in the books as one of the best, and I didn’t really know how to at the time, but throughout my career, just more and more has gone on, and to be able to do that, it’s just, it’s surreal,” Grant told reporters. “I am just so grateful for the opportunity I was blessed with, and just to follow the people that were before me. It’s just honor.”
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Grant tied UCLA’s single-season record holder, Stacey Nuveman, with her 31st homer during a doubleheader against Cal on April 18 and surpassed her on April 24 against Washington.
Grant and Nuveman are the only Bruins to hit at least 80 career homers. Nuveman, whose career ended in 2002, is the program’s all-time leader with 90. Grant has 85.
Grant joins senior teammate Jordan Woolery (33 homers) as the first teammates in NCAA softball history to each hit 30-plus home runs in the same season.
The NCAA Division I Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, when UCLA (47-8) will find out its postseason seeding. The Bruins are seeking their first Women’s College World Series title since 2019 and their 13th in NCAA history.
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Grant, Woolery and Taylor Tinsley all intend to continue their softball careers in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League this summer.
Double or Nothing is one of the most popular pay-per-views on the AEW calendar. Over the years, the show has formed an identity of its own among the fans due to its signature Stadium Stampede matches. It is a big show that has been a part of the All Elite Wrestling programming since the company’s first year. Therefore, it has witnessed some of the major moments in AEW history.
The pay-per-view has been the epicenter of chaos for the Jacksonville-based promotion, which has featured some of the best matches in the company’s tenure. But it has also been the hotspot for massive debuts for All Elite Wrestling. Many top stars in the Jacksonville-based promotion today made their debut as a surprise at this very pay-per-view in the past seven years.
In this article, let’s take a look at four top stars who made their AEW debut at Double or Nothing pay-per-view:
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#4. Brian Cage
Brian Cage signed with AEW in early 2020, and fans had high excitement for his debut in the promotion. On May 23, Cage made his debut as the surprise entrant in the Casino Ladder Match for a future AEW World Championship match at Double or Nothing pay-per-view. He debuted alongside Taz and quickly became one of the top heels of the promotion.
What was good about that moment was that Brian Cage won his first AEW match on the day of his debut. The Swolverine went on to dominate the ladder match at Double or Nothing and won the title opportunity for himself. It was an incredible first appearance by Cage that helped him become one of the top stars of the promotion.
Moreover, the 42-year-old faced the AEW World Champion of that time, Jon Moxley, in a singles match for the title at Fight for the Fallen in the later months. But still, Cage’s debut stands out as one of the best first appearances in All Elite Wrestling’s history.
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#3. Athena
Athena has been an incredible signing for All Elite Wrestling in the past few years. She was released by WWE in November 2021 following an incredible run in the company. After working some major independent wrestling matches, Minion Overlord joined AEW in 2022. On May 29 of that year, the former NXT Champion made her debut for All Elite Wrestling at Double or Nothing in Nevada.
Athena quickly made her mark on the promotion by confronting Jade Cargill. She appeared at the end of Cargill’s match to aid Kris Statlander and Anna Jay. It was a major debut for the Jacksonville-based promotion, and the former WWE star had a decent run before she was moved to ROH. In December 2022, Athena captured the ROH Women’s World Title and has been dominating the division since then.
#2. Lio Rush
Lio Rush joined All Elite Wrestling in 2021 following a decent run in the independent wrestling scene and WWE. On May 30, 2021, the former WWE star made his debut for the Jacksonville-based promotion during the Casino Battle Royal at the Double or Nothing show in Florida. Rush entered the bout as Joker and quickly created a buzz among the fans.
His initial appearance looked entertaining, and fans enjoyed his presence in the match. However, following a decent debut, Lio Rush was eliminated by Matt Hardy, ending his extraordinary experience. After that, the former WWE star will become an addition to the undercard of All Elite Wrestling. He has been trying to make an impact in the company since then.
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In 2026, Rush debuted a new eerie gimmick that helped him to regain the buzz among the fans, something that he had not seen since his debut at Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2021.
#1. Jon Moxley made his debut at AEW Double or Nothing 2019
In early May 2019, Jon Moxley announced the return of his former gimmick in professional wrestling. Shortly after that, rumors of Moxley’s arrival in AEW swarmed the internet. On May 25, 2019, he went on to make his much-awaited debut for All Elite Wrestling at the inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view. He appeared with an all-new persona, which was different than his WWE character.
The former WWE Champion attacked Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega following their main event showdown for the AEW World Championship. He also took down the referee in the ring to showcase his anti-authority and anti-hero persona. That debut made headlines all over the globe and quickly made Moxley one of the most popular stars in the professional wrestling business.
Thereafter, it was announced that The Purveyor of Violence has signed a multi-year deal with the Jacksonville-based promotion. It was the beginning of a legendary run in AEW. Moxley became a multi-time world champion in the company, and he formed his identity as one of the most important stars in the history of All Elite Wrestling.
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La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate a point vs NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals Game 2. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
La Salle wrote a perfect ending to finish its redemption tour in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament that took three years to make.
The Lady Spikers completed their unbeaten march to championship No. 13, dethroning National University with ease, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in Game 2 of the Finals on Saturday in front of 22,509 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena, as La Salle returned the favor, so to speak, after being swept by the Lady Bulldogs last year.
La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus had a modest goal of reaching NU’s level after the group of former stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon won three of the last four seasons for the Bulldogs.
“For me, you always have to chase the level of the champion. Whoever wins the title becomes the standard you need to prepare for and try to reach,” said De Jesus in Filipino. “It also helped that some of our seniors played for Alas … they became guides for (our) younger players.”
The Lady Spikers didn’t just match the Lady Bulldogs’ level; they finished a season like no other with a 16-0 sweep, counting a perfect performance in the title series where they didn’t yield a set to a very formidable foe.
Shevana Laput, who was limited to 11 Game 1 points, bounced back with 20 points on 14 kills and six blocks to emerge as the Finals MVP.
Angel Canino delivered 11 points, 10 digs and 10 excellent receptions, as Amie Provido contributed nine points, with Shane Reterta and Lilay Del Castillo adding eight each. Rookie setter Eshana Nunag had 17 excellent sets.
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De Jesus scored his first 16-0 sweep, his second undefeated season after steering La Salle to a 14-game sweep and the outright title in 2004.
Bitter memory erased
Coach Ramil de Jesus and the La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate after winning the championship in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, beating NU Lady Bulldogs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
But it wasn’t easy before they finally erased memories of Season 76, when they squandered an outright Finals berth and lost the title to an Ateneo squad led by Alyssa Valdez.
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“Honestly, it was very difficult. Even in the first round, we already faced a lot of struggles,” De Jesus said. “There were games without (some key players). Those were challenges the team had to go through.
“I even told myself maybe we’d become champions because of all the challenges we experienced. It wasn’t easy because we mostly relied on seven to eight players in the rotation,” he went on. “With games (played) so close together, some players were dealing with knee pain and body aches. Recovery became a really big deal for us.”
“I’m thankful we finished Season 88 without major injuries and that the players stayed healthy overall, even though I know many of them were already playing through pain,” he added.
The longtime La Salle coach was grateful for another championship, as his passion to teach aspiring volleyball players will never stop, hoping to continue developing more Lady Spikers and winning more UAAP titles.
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“For me, when you go to La Salle, you have to be ready to adjust. You need to follow the system and do what’s asked of you,” De Jesus explained. “If you’re just going there to be associated with La Salle, then that’s not the goal. If you choose to go there, you have to be ready to handle everything.”
“Teaching is really my passion. Whenever I see potential in a player, I want to help bring out their talent and keep pushing them further. I really enjoy teaching, and if a player wants to learn, we’ll help them improve.”
NU saw its bid for a third straight title denied by La Salle in the rivals’ fourth Finals meeting.
Setter Lams Lamina played her final game for the Lady Bulldogs with 11 excellent sets.
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Vange Alinsug led NU with 14 points. Sam Cantada had eight points, while Game 1 leading scorer Arah Panique was held to just seven points. INQ
The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead when they battle the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal matchup on Saturday night in the 2026 NBA playoffs. Oklahoma City earned a 125-107 win in Game 2 on Thursday. The Thunder (64-18), the defending NBA champions, are 32-10 on the road this season, including the postseason. The Lakers (53-29), who won the Pacific Division, are 30-14 on their home court. Luka Doncic (hamstring) remains out for Los Angeles, while Jalen Williams (hamstring) is out for OKC. Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is questionable for the Lakers.
Tipoff from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. The Thunder are 8.5-point favorites in the latest Thunder vs. Lakers odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 210.5. Before making any Lakers vs. Thunder picks, check out the Thunder vs. Lakers predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 26-9 roll (74%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
After 10,000 simulations of Thunder vs. Lakers, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (210.5). The Over has hit in four of the last seven head-to-head meetings. The Over has also hit in seven of the last 10 Oklahoma City games, and in the last Los Angeles game. The Over has hit in 25 of 42 road games for the Thunder.
The SportsLine model is projecting the Thunder to have three players scoring 14 points or more, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.8 points. LeBron James is projected to lead the Lakers with 23.4 points scored, as five Los Angeles players will score 11.3 points or more. The teams are projected to combine for 220 total points as the Over hits in 65% of simulations, making it a great selection for anybody targeting NBA parlay betting. See the Lakers vs. Thunder spread pick at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Thunder vs. Lakers at FanDuel here:
May 8, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) hits Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (14) while playing for the puck during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Anaheim Ducks were taught big lessons last outing.
Now the Ducks must show how quickly they can put them to good use when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday for Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
The Golden Knights claimed a thorough 6-2 victory on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The game was an example of a veteran squad showing its savvy and elevating its play against a young squad.
“We’re still learning, still got things like that we’ve got to be better at doing because we know they’re going to respond,” Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe said. “They’re an experienced team. … Win or lose, we have to play our best game the next game.”
Anaheim controlled the tempo of the first two games with its team speed. On Friday, though, the Golden Knights opened the scoring just over a minute into the clash, doubled the lead midway through the opening frame with a short-handed marker and never relinquished control.
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“It wasn’t a great start,” Anaheim forward Alex Killorn said. “They score in the first five minutes and then they get a PK goal. … It’s tough to win a game when you put yourself in spots like that.”
Another issue for the Ducks is their flickering power play. After a 50 percent success rate against Edmonton (8-for-16) in the opening round, the Ducks have been blanked on their 11 chances against Vegas.
That is just part of finding their form.
“They played well, but I don’t think we brought our best,” Killorn said. “They’re a great team, we just have to have a little bit of a better start and effort throughout the game.”
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Coach Joel Quenneville said on Saturday that goalie Lukas Dostal will open in net. Dostal, who has started every game this postseason, was pulled after the first period in Game 3.
The Golden Knights definitely took their game to another level, but they’re well aware how easily momentum could be regained by the Ducks.
The onus will be on Vegas not to be complacent.
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“Not all problems are solved because you win a game,” said Golden Knights coach John Tortorella. “You’ve got to keep on trying to get better. I just thought we entered the series (Friday) playing our game a little bit more than we have, but we’re going to have to keep improving.”
Tortorella had no update on Saturday regarding the status of captain Mark Stone, who left Friday’s game near the end of the first period.
“I’m not going to give you any updates on injuries, so you might as well stop asking that question,” Tortorella said.
Fortunately for Vegas, Mitch Marner delivered his first career playoff hat trick which put him atop the league’s postseason scoring list with 13 points (six goals, seven assists).
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“I try to always be an energizer guy, a guy that goes out there and brings a lot of passion and energy to games,” Marner said. “Obviously, I always want the puck on my tape. I want to try to make the plays.”
With or without Stone, the Golden Knights could still use more contributors. For example, Tomas Hertl has not scored a goal in 29 games. He last lit the lamp on March 4 for his 24th of the year.
“There’s some areas that we still need to be more consistent at,” Tortorella said. “There’s a few players we’re hoping get going also. … We know it’s Game 4, and as the series ratchets up into these later games, the momentum swings, and it’s more desperate hockey. So, we’re just going to get ready to play and try to play the right way.”
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