Dana White has dismissed a report that Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev was originally meant to take place at this summer’s UFC White House event.

On Saturday night, the card for an unprecedented event on 14 June was confirmed, with Topuria defending his lightweight belt against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event.

In the co-main event, Alex Pereira will face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, with regular champion Tom Aspinall waiting in the wings – but still suffering from an eye injury caused by Gane’s eye pokes in October.

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Many fans have expressed disappointment in the card, after promises that it would be the greatest in UFC history. Some fans craved a match-up between pound-for-pound No 1 Makhachev and No 2 Topuria, for example, as well as a dream fight between Pereira and all-time great Jon Jones.

Over the weekend, Marca journalist Irati Prat actually reported that Makhachev vs Topuria had been planned for the White House event. The report followed comments by White earlier in the week, when the UFC president said a fight had fallen through at the 11th hour.

But at the UFC 326 post-fight press conference on Saturday, White denied that Makhachev vs Topuria was the bout that collapsed. The American, 56, even denied that the contest was ever planned.

“That’s not true [that Makhachev was going to fight Topuria],” said White. “It was never Islam vs Topuria. Don’t worry about what fights are being made; we announce which ones are made and which ones will be happening.

“I told you there were some weird circumstances [as] the reason that fight fell out […] All the boys went back to the office and literally were there ‘til 9 in the morning, and that’s how Gaethje ended up on the card. And Topuria wasn’t originally supposed to be on the card either, so he got the call, too.

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“I don’t know [when Makhachev will return]; he’s got some hand issues, I know that. I don’t know how serious the hand issues are or how long that will keep him out, but yeah, he’s injured.”

That same evening, Gaethje had claimed: “Two days ago, I got a call and they said, ‘You’re definitely not fighting on the White House card, so I was like: ‘Oof.’ And then yesterday, I got a call and they said: ‘You might hear something, you might be on the White House card.’ I was like, ‘How are you gonna do a complete 180 turn on me?’, and then today, I found out that I was on it. I didn’t know if I was main event or not.”

At the UFC 326 post-fight press conference, White did say: “That is true [that Gaethje was brought in on late notice].”

Topuria has long called for a showdown with Makhachev, but so far the dream fight has eluded him.

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Topuria vacated the featherweight title last February to move up and challenge for the lightweight belt, which Makhachev held at the time. However, the Russian gave up the lightweight strap last May and set his sights on welterweight gold.

In June, Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight title. Then, in November, Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight belt.

With Topuria subsequently taking a break from MMA due to personal reasons, the UFC booked an interim-title fight between Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The American dominated the Liverpudlian for a points win in January.

The 10th-seeded Georgia Southern Eagles face the top-seeded Troy Trojans in the 2026 Sun Belt Tournament championship on Monday. The Eagles are coming off an 82-78 win over Marshall on Sunday in the semifinals, while Troy defeated Southern Mississippi 78-70 in the other semifinal. The Eagles (20-15, 8-10 Sun Belt), which have won five in a row, are 5-2 on neutral courts this season. The Trojans (21-11, 12-6 Sun Belt), who have won three in a row, are looking to repeat as conference tournament champions.

Tipoff from the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla., is set for 7 p.m. ET. Troy leads the all-time series 4-3, including a 70-63 win on Dec. 20. Troy is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Georgia Southern vs. Troy odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 150.5. Before making any Troy vs. Georgia Southern picks, check out the men’s college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets instantly after any $5+ bet:

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered conference tournament week on a sizzling 14-2 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on a 28-21 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following its college basketball betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.    

Now, the model has simulated Georgia Southern vs. Troy 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted men’s college basketball picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several men’s college basketball odds and men’s college basketball betting lines for Troy vs. Georgia Southern:

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Top Georgia Southern vs. Troy predictions

SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (150.5 points). The Over has hit in each of the last two head-to-head meetings. The Over has hit in six of the last 10 Georgia Southern games, and in two of the last three Troy games. Georgia Southern is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games. Troy, meanwhile, is 4-6 ATS in its last 10.

The model projects the Eagles to have three players score 14 points or more, including Tyren Moore’s projected 18 points. The Trojans are projected to have four players score 13.7 points or more, led by Thomas Dowd, who is projected to score 16.8 points. The model is projecting 158 combined points.

How to make Troy vs. Georgia Southern picks

The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see that pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Troy vs. Georgia Southern, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Georgia Southern vs. Troy spread to back, all from the advanced model that has simulated this game 10,000 times, and find out.

We are on the verge of free agency, and the Minnesota Vikings now have some cap space to work with thanks to recent roster transactions. I give you five free-agent signings the Vikings should make.

Five Veteran Fits Stand Out for Minnesota’s FA Moves

With the impending releases of Aaron Jones, Javon Hargrave, and Jonathan Allen, and the retirement of Ryan Kelly. As well as restructuring Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, TJ Hockenson, and Byron Murphy’s contracts, the Vikings now sit with over $25 million in cap space, with the potential to make further savings.

The panic about the salary cap situation is over, and we can now look with a bit more clarity at what Minnesota might do in free agency. These are my predictions.

1. Kyler Murray

The Vikings’ plans for the QB position have been the talk of the league this offseason. Kyler Murray has always been the big name in the frame, and when he is officially released by the Arizona Cardinals, a move to Minnesota makes sense. The Vikings have to bring in a QB, and Murray not only becomes the best available, but he will also be available for cheap. 

He will sign a veteran’s minimum contract for $1.3 million with whatever team he joins, forcing the Cardinals to pay out the remaining $35.5 million he is due on his current contract. Murray has the talent and would not only arrive as genuine competition for JJ McCarthy, but with the expectation that Murray becomes QB1. A tough break for the Vikings’ first-round QB, but one the Vikings have to make given McCarthy’s injury history.

2. Luke Fortner

The Vikings need to find a solution at center after Kelly confirmed what many suspected. Kelly announced his retirement following a string of concussions. Tyler Linderbaum is the star prize in this year’s free agency, but I don’t think the Vikings are in a position to give him the big payday he’s about to receive. A cheaper option would be 27-year-old Luke Fortner, who is projected to receive a three-year, $18 million contract, which is more in the Vikings’ ballpark.

Fortner had a solid year in New Orleans after being traded by Jacksonville, which drafted him in the third round in 2022. He would be a relatively cheap and easy fix to a Vikings problem.

3. Eric Wilson 

Eric Wilson returned to Minnesota last season on a one-year deal and was a revelation. He played his way onto a regular starter and had career highs in sacks (6.5), forced fumbles (4), and tackles for loss (17). Brian Flores used him as a blitzer with great effect, and Minnesota should look to continue that.

He will cost a bit more this year, probably around $4 million for a one-year contract, but it’s a move worth making with Ivan Pace also a free agent. There will be competition for his signature, hopefully familiarity, and the coach that got the best out of him seals the deal for Minnesota.

4. Bryan Cook

We still await news on the future of Harrison Smith, but either way, the Vikings need to get better at safety. Eventually, the Hitman will retire, and I’m not convinced by Josh Metellus as a conventional safety. Bryan Cook is a perfect fit for the Flored scheme, with experience of playing coverage successfully behind a blitz-heavy defense in Kansas City.

This would be the Vikings’ big splash in this year’s free agency, with Cook being projected to receive a contract in the region of four years, $57 million. For a talented player who fits perfectly on the team, it’s worth making the splash.

5. Roger McCreary

The Vikings still need help at cornerback, and while they might address it early in the draft, bringing in a more experienced player as well makes sense. A second-round pick for Tennessee in 2022, Roger McCreary has never quite established himself the way he would have hoped and found himself traded to the Los Angeles Rams mid-season in 2025.

A hip injury disrupted his time in LA, but McCreary is a reliable depth piece with inside/outside versatility who would be a valuable addition to the Vikings’ roster at a projected cost of two years, $12 million.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

Darts star and “big tennis fan” Luke Littler is hoping to meet Carlos Alcaraz at next month’s Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid, where the 19-year-old has made history as the first darts player shortlisted for the Breakthrough of the Year Award.

He faces tough competition from Formula One driver Lando Norris and Paris St Germain’s Champions League winner Desire Doue.

Often dubbed ‘The Oscars of Sport’, the Laureus awards saw Alcaraz win the breakthrough accolade in 2023 and he is now nominated for World Sportsman of the Year.

He won the French Open and US Open last year before completing the career grand slam by claiming the Australian Open title in January, with Littler humorously noting Alcaraz’s latest victory in Melbourne “won me some money”.

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Littler, after defending his UK Open title in Minehead by beating James Wade in Sunday’s final, expressed his eagerness to meet Alcaraz.

“The nominations came out and I didn’t really look at too many of them,” the two-time world champion said.

“But Carlos Alcaraz has been nominated and hopefully I can meet him. I’m a big tennis fan and I think at the Newcastle media day that morning or the day before he won me some money against (Novak) Djokovic.”

Last week, Littler shared his pride on Instagram: “Thank you @laureussport being the first darts player to be nominated for the Laureus world breakthrough of the year award is a huge honour.”

The teenager quipped about his rapid ascent: “I’m in for the breakthrough of the year – and I think I’ve broken through twice now! It’s obviously massive.

“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling. I’ve not checked the nominees but I’m sure’s there going to be loads of sport stars out there.”

Littler is due to be back in Premier League action on Thursday night in Nottingham.

Eight Nigerian clubs will begin their quest for glory at the prestigious youth football competition, the Viareggio Cup, which kicks off on Monday in Italy.

Youth players from Enugu Rangers will represent Nigeria in the opening fixture of the 76th edition of the tournament when they face ACF Fiorentina Under-18 side on Monday, March 9.

The encounter, scheduled for 2:30 pm local time, will take place in the Italian city of Viareggio and is expected to provide a tough early challenge for the young Nigerian side.

The Viareggio Cup, which runs from March 9 to March 23, is regarded as one of the most respected youth tournaments in world football. It brings together leading academies and youth teams from across the globe and offers young players the opportunity to impress international scouts and club officials.

Nigeria will have a strong presence in this year’s competition, with eight teams participating. Five Nigerian sides will begin their campaigns on the opening day of the tournament.

Aside from Rangers’ clash with Fiorentina, One Touch Abuja will take on Viareggio Calcio. Nexus Football Academy will battle US Sassuolo, while RBM Sports face UYSS New York.

In another opening-day fixture, Mavlon FC will square off against Genoa CFC.

The remaining Nigerian teams will start their matches on Tuesday, March 10. Magic Stars will face Spezia FC, while Ojodu City take on Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.

Meanwhile, FuturePro Soccer will battle the Serie D Representative Team.

Nigeria’s large representation highlights the growing strength of the country’s youth football system. Many academies are now producing talented players who can compete with top youth teams from Europe and other parts of the world.

Confidence among Nigerian teams is also boosted by history. In 2024, Beyond Limits Academy, affiliated with Remo Stars, made history by becoming the first African team to win the Viareggio Cup.

That achievement raised the profile of Nigerian youth football globally, and with eight teams involved in this year’s tournament, hopes are high that another strong performance could follow.

As the tournament begins in Viareggio, attention will be on the next generation of Nigerian football talents eager to shine on the international stage and possibly attract opportunities with top clubs around the world.

Britain’s Neil Simpson said “a couple of mistakes” stopped him from defending his Paralympic super G title as he finished fourth in Cortina.

Four years ago in Beijing, Simpson and his brother and guide Andrew won the nation’s only gold of the Games in the visually impaired super G, a victory that cemented him as the first British man to win gold at a Winter Paralympics.

This time around, Simpson was led by Rob Poth after a late switch of guide, but after struggling on the mid-section of the Tofane piste, the British pair crossed the finish line 1.1 seconds shy of a podium finish.

“There was some good skiing, so I’m pretty proud. Unfortunately there were just a couple of mistakes,” said 23-year-old Simpson, who with Poth won the 2023 super G World Championship title.

“The section where there was a bit more air time and jumps, I just didn’t quite have the line there, so that just meant I didn’t have the speed over the flat.”

Austria’s Johannes Aigner won gold for his second Paralympic title of the Games, having also won the downhill.

Simpson’s British team-mate Fred Warburton placed 12th with his guide James Hannan after a run he described as a “bit of a battle”.

Both British pairs will compete in a further three events at the Milan-Cortina Games.

Those start with Tuesday’s alpine combined – an event in which skiers race both a super G and slalom course.

“I gave it my best shot, unfortunately it wasn’t to be but it’s something that we need to learn from,” added Simpson.

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To celebrate International Women’s Month this year, ONE Championship paid tribute to its top-notch female fighters by sharing on social media some of the craziest knockout finishes they have fashioned.

ONE uploaded a 13-minute video on its official YouTube channel featuring impressive KO performances and the unparalleled heart of women warriors in the promotion’s history.

Leading the video package is double world champion Stella Hemetsberger’s opening-round KO of Polish opponent Vanessa Romanowski in their Muay Thai battle at ONE Friday Fights 104 in April last year. Midway into the first stanza, the Austrian sensation set up a crisp combination, which she capped with a clean head kick that instantly dropped her opponent unconscious.

The win continued her impressive run in ONE Championship‘s Friday Fights series before ascending to the promotion’s main roster.

Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex’s second-round KO of Alyse Anderson of the United States at ONE Fight Night 10 in May 2023 also makes the video package. The former three-sport world champion introduced herself to a wider American audience in the Denver, Colorado event, when she stopped Anderson with a crushing body kick that rendered the latter unable to continue.

Atomweight kickboxing world champion Phetjeeja’s successful return to Muay Thai at ONE Fight Night 38 in December is spotlighted as well. ‘The Queen’ pummeled Polish striker Martyna Dominczak with powerful punches for an opening-round TKO finish.

Jackie Buntan, too, is also part of the video feature with her first-round demolition of Australian Diandra Martin at ONE Fight Night 10. The Filipino-American striker showcased her punching power with a solid combination to the body and head from which her opponent could not recover from.

Other female fighters whose KO finishes are included in the feature are ONE atomweight world champions Allycia Hellen Rodrigues (Muay Thai) and Denice Zamboanga (MMA), Burmese star Vero and retired former ONE world champion Janet Todd.

Check out ONE Championship’s video post below:

Stella Hemetsberger adds her name to ONE Championship’s stellar female champions

Austrian striker Stella Hemetsberger has been with ONE Championship for one-and-a-half years and has been unstoppable. She punctuated it by becoming world champion in her last two matches.

The 27-year-old Phuket Fight Club affiliate became the ONE strawweight Muay Thai queen in her fourth fight in the promotion. She vied for the vacant belt and dominated Jackie Buntan in their five-round championship fight at ONE Fight Night 35 last September to win by unanimous decision.

She then followed it up with another world title win last month at ONE Fight Night 40, taking Buntan’s strawweight kickboxing gold. While Buntan put up a tougher stand than in their first encounter, Hemetsberger stayed the course and held on for the split decision victory.

Hemetsberger is thrilled with how things have panned out for her in ONE Championship, but said she is not yet done going for greater heights.