France’s Julia Simon won the women’s 15-kilometre individual biathlon race at the Winter Games on Wednesday, making up for a single miss on the shooting range with a powerful skiing performance on the track to add individual gold to a mixed relay victory. Simon’s compatriot Lou Jeanmonnot took silver, 53.1 seconds behind, with Lora Hristova securing a surprise bronze for Bulgaria. However, it was Simon’s composure that stood out.
After a season that started slowly, the 29-year-old peaked for the Milan Cortina Olympics, displaying nerves of steel to anchor the France team to victory in the mixed relay on Sunday.
Simon was imperious on Wednesday in the individual race, brushing off the single miss and skiing with power and purpose.
With the top-ranked racers bunched in the middle of the pack and the field starting at 30-second intervals, competitors skied five three-kilometre laps, stopping four times at the range and alternating between shooting from prone and standing positions.
The winner is decided by the lowest overall time, but each miss on the range adds a hefty one-minute penalty, making precision a priority.
Jeanmonnot did her best to challenge in tough skiing conditions but her second miss proved to be the difference and she could not close the gap on the last lap.
There was huge joy for Bulgaria as outsider Hristova shot flawlessly to claim their first biathlon medal since Irina Nikulchina’s bronze in the 10 kilometre pursuit at Salt Lake City 2002.
Oct 1, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings will have approximately two dozen quarterbacks to ponder this offseason, decide on a running mate to challenge J.J. McCarthy this summer for the QB1 job, or serve as insurance if he falters. According to ESPN, if Minnesota explores a “toolsy” young passer with upside, someone like Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, or Tanner McKee could do the trick.
ESPN’s list includes three young quarterback swings for the Vikings: Richardson, Levis, and McKee.
Benjamin Solak dropped those names this week, in addition to Kirk Cousins as a veteran option.
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Three Young Quarterbacks Enter the Vikings’ Rumor Mill
The Vikings’ quarterback choice will dominate the offseason indefinitely.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) goes through pregame throwing drills at Lucas Oil Stadium, where Oct 1, 2023 set up a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams as the rookie signal-caller prepared for another early test in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Solak on the Vikings’ QB Options
Solak sized up the market for quarterback-needy teams this week, and because McCarthy didn’t do enough in 2025 to fully secure the QB1 gig for the long haul, Solak touched on the Vikings.
He wrote, “Minnesota will absolutely bring in competition for J.J. McCarthy, as it reportedly tried to do last season with Rodgers. Cousins is the obvious choice because he has scheme familiarity from his time in Minnesota as coach Kevin O’Connell’s starter.”
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“But O’Connell is a big believer in quarterback development, and I would not be surprised if he wants to go for a younger player to challenge McCarthy’s seat not just in 2026 but also beyond. Every toolsy young passer who can operate from the pocket (Tanner McKee, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, etc.) is on my radar for a surprise Vikings trade. (It will probably just be Cousins, though, let’s be honest.)”
Solak notably didn’t mention Mac Jones or Kyler Murray, two high-profile passers in the Vikings’ trade rumor mill.
Anthony Richardson
Richardson needs a change of scenery. In 2025, he lost a summer training camp battle to Daniel Jones, got hurt, watched as the Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers, and played rookie passer Riley Leonard in the final game of the season. Quarterback headlines in Indianapolis included everybody — except Richardson.
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He might have Top 2 or Top 3 arm strength in the league, and he’s difficult to tackle. A couple of years ago, after his team lost to the Vikings, O’Connell greeted him — consoled — at midfield, instructing him to continue his quarterback journey and encouraging him that he had a long career ahead of him.
The Colts saw something in Richardson to draft him fourth overall in 2023; perhaps the Vikings could trade for him and ‘fix” him. Thankfully, Richardson’s next team won’t have to spend much on him via trade. A 6th-Round pick or so should do the trick, and courtesy of former Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Minnesota has a war chest of late-round picks.
Will Levis
Once Levis is healthy this offseason, the quarterback situation should become clear: Cam Ward is the Titans’ QB1. Tennessee drafted Ward with the No. 1 overall pick last April, and Levis, already fading into the background, will likely be his backup. In Tennessee, Levis’s ceiling appears to be that of a high-end backup— assuming Ward continues his growth.
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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) jogs onto the field during player introductions at Nissan Stadium, with Dec 15, 2024 marking a home showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals as he emerged from the tunnel ahead of kickoff in Nashville. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
This reality suggests a fresh start for Levis, who needs an opportunity to audition elsewhere. O’Connell, for example, tends to favor quarterbacks who aggressively attack defenses vertically and aren’t afraid to make mistakes, as evidenced by players like Nick Mullens and Sam Howell in recent seasons. Fearlessness is the common denominator, and Levis certainly possesses that trait, boasting a powerful arm.
Whether Minnesota acts on this potential fit remains to be seen. However, O’Connell’s ideal QB2 would closely resemble Levis, as his attributes align with O’Connell’s preferences.
Tanner McKee
Probably the least likely on the list to capture the Vikings’ attention, Solak floated McKee nevertheless.
The Philadelphia Eagles picked McKee in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and because of that low capital, no team is really chomping at the bit to give him a QB1 audition. But McKee is 6’6″ and 230 pounds, so size isn’t a problem for the Stanford alumnus.
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Experience, though, is: only 88 passes over two seasons. He did serve as Jalen Hurts’s backup in 2025, notably defeating the aforementioned Howell for the QB2 job in Philadelphia last summer.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (16) loosens up on the turf at Raymond James Stadium, as Sep 28, 2025 brought a road meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while he worked through warmup reps in Tampa. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Solak noted on McKee, “McKee typically looks strong in the preseason, and he looked acceptable in two Week 18 starts while throwing to the Eagles’ backups. He is an older prospect (will be 26 next season), but he still has a developmental arc in that he has never seen extended game action.”
“In a world where Will Howard might be starting for the Steelers or Quinn Ewers could be in for the Dolphins, McKee deserves a camp fight somewhere.”
In an extremely small sample, McKee has logged an EPA+CPOE of 0.098, which would rank him 22nd among 66 qualifying passers in the NFL since 2024. He shares EPA+CPOE space with Jaxson Dart (0.099), Daniel Jones (0.096), and Tua Tagovailoa (0.104). Of course, he would need to maintain that pace and hopefully improve with more snaps under his belt.
McKee will turn 26 right after the draft in April.
Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; BYU Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) runs with the ball during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
BYU receiver Parker Kingston was arrested and will be charged with first-degree felony rape, according to a news release from the Washington County (Utah) Attorney’s Office on Wednesday.
Kingston was being held without bail pending a court appearance on Friday, multiple media outlets reported.
The alleged incident occurred on Feb. 23, 2025, in St. George, Utah, with the woman involved reporting a sexual assault.
According to the county attorney’s office, “Detectives with the St. George Police Department then gathered digital and forensic evidence. They also conducted interviews with the parties involved and other witnesses. The information was then turned over to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for review.”
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The university wrote in a statement, “BYU became aware today of the arrest of Parker Kingston. The university takes any allegation very seriously, and will cooperate with law enforcement. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment.”
As a junior for the Cougars last fall, Kingston led the team in receptions (66) and receiving yards (924) while making five touchdown catches. He added three rushing scores. His best game was a seven-catch, 133-yard, two-TD performance at Iowa State on Oct. 25.
Through three seasons at BYU, the 21-year-old from Layton, Utah, has 98 receptions for 1,327 yards and seven touchdowns.
India will take on Argentina in a crucial FIH Pro League 2025-26 clash at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Thursday, February 12, with both teams aiming to build momentum early in the tournament. The hosts come into the match after a 1-3 defeat against Belgium and will be eager to bounce back in front of home fans.
Argentina, meanwhile, arrive in strong form, sitting among the early frontrunners in the standings after multiple wins this season, and their structured gameplay and quick transitions could test India’s midfield. The clash promises a high-tempo contest, with India relying on penalty-corner efficiency and attacking width, while Argentina will aim to control possession and strike on counters.
FIH Pro League 2026: India vs Argentina head-to-head (since 2013)
Total matches: 19
India won: 10
Argentina won: 7
Draws: 2
FIH Pro League 2026: India vs Argentina full squads
India squad for FIH Pro League 2026: Suraj Karkera, Pawan, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage
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Argentina squad for FIH Pro League 2026: Agustin Bonanno, Bautista Capurro, Maico Casella, Juan Catan, Nicolas Cicileo, Nicolas Della Torre, Tomas Domene, Martin Ferreiro, Thomas Habif, Nehuen Hernando, Ignacio Ibarra, Nicolas Keenan, Tadeo Marcucci, Lucas Martinez, Tobias Martins, Lucio Mendez, Inaki Minadeo, Ignacio Nardolillo, Matias Rey, Nicolas Rodriguez, Tomas Ruiz, Tomas Santiago, Facundo Sarto, Santiago Tarazona, Joaquin Toscani, Lucas Toscani, Facundo Zarate
FIH Pro League 2026: India vs Argentina live streaming and telecast details
When will the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 be played?
The India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 will be played on Thursday, February 12.
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What will be the venue for the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026?
The India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 will be played at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela.
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What time will the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 begin?
The India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 will kick off at 7.30 pm IST.
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Where to watch the live telecast of the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 in India?
The live telecast of the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 will be available on the Star Sports Network in India.
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Where to watch the live streaming of the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 in India?
The live streaming of the India vs Argentina match in the FIH Pro League 2026 will be available on the JioHotstar app and website in India.
In Pyeongchang in 2018, the Kyiv native became the first Ukrainian to compete in skeleton at the Winter Olympics. Heraskevych also competed in Beijing in 2022. After the third of four runs there, he held up a sign with the English inscription “No war in Ukraine” for the cameras at the finish line of the run. Thirteen days later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since then, Heraskevych has tirelessly used his sport to draw attention to the suffering of the people in Ukraine and to urge further strict sanctions against Russian sports. The skeleton racer was given the honor of being one of Ukraine’s flag bearers for the Milano Cortina Games’ opening ceremonies.
Heraskevych, however, is not among the likely medal contenders at the Olympics. He finished 12th in 2018 and 18th in 2022.
What is his dispute with the IOC about?
Heraskevych wants to wear his “helmet of remembrance” not only in training but also during the Olympic race in Cortina. It features images of Ukrainian athletes who were killed during Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In 2020, the IOC Athletes’ Commission published guidelines on how to implement this rule. According to these guidelines, athletes should only be allowed to express political views during the Olympic Games at press conferences, in interviews in the mixed zones, at team meetings, on internet platforms or through media outlets.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a press conference this week: “There are 130 conflicts going on in the world. We cannot have 130 different conflicts featured, however terrible they are, during the field of play, during the actual competition.”
Therefore, Heraskevych is allowed to express his political views outside of competition, but not during the race.
Could a compromise be reached?
There is no current indication that this is possible. The IOC offered the Ukrainian the option of wearing a black armband during the competition — as a sign of mourning for his compatriots killed in the war.
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“We feel this is a good compromise,” Adams said.
Heraskevych sees things completely differently.
“The IOC has turned the ‘helmet of remembrance’ into an absurd farce,” the Ukrainian said on Wednesday. He insisted that he was not violating any IOC rule and accused the IOC of “double standards.”
Vladyslav Heraskevych wore the helmet of remembrance in trainingImage: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
United States figure skater Maxim Naumov displayed a picture of his parents, who died in a plane crash, after his short program on Tuesday evening in Milan, without any objections being raised. Heraskevych has previously pointed to the example of German weightlifter Matthias Steiner, who held up a photo of his deceased wife after his Olympic victory in Beijing in 2008.
According to the IOC, the cases are not comparable. The rules have evolved since 2008. Naumov’s behavior was “a very emotional, very human, spontaneous gesture,” according to IOC spokesman Adams: “In a sense it highlights what we are saying, this Ukrainian athlete, he can do the same.”
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What happens if Heraskevych defies the IOC ban?
The IOC Athletes’ Commission’s recommendation regarding violations of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states: “If an athlete or participant is in breach of Rule 50 and the Olympic Charter, each incident will be evaluated by their respective National Olympic Committee, International Federation [of the sport] and the IOC, and disciplinary action will be taken on a case-by-case basis as necessary.”
This leaves room for interpretation. In the worst-case scenario, Heraskevych could face immediate exclusion from the Olympic Games.
What have the reactions been?
Heraskevych has received support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On X, he thanked the skeleton racer “for reminding the world of the price of our struggle.”
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Felix Loch would regard a disqualfication of Heraskevych as “sad and a bit of a scandal.”Image: Memmler/Eibner-Pressefoto/IMAGO
Thomas Weikert, president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), expressed understanding for Heraskevych’s action but advised him not to disregard the IOC ban and to abide by the rules.
Three time Olympic luge gold medalist Felix Loch, a close personal friend of Heraskevych, said if he were to be disqualified, it would be “sad and a bit of a scandal.” After all, there is “no text or anything like that” on the helmet in question, he noted.
Hitting the ball longer has long been a goal of mine. Only recently, though, did I decide to get serious about it.
After years of procrastinating, I began chasing speed in earnest last summer. And much to my dismay, that pursuit required something I’d long avoided: the gym.
As someone who’s not exactly a gym-bro type, that was a tough pill to swallow. But after consulting with speed experts from across the game, one thing became clear — if I wanted more speed, I needed more strength.
Starting small
In the beginning, I kept it simple. A couple nights a week in the gym, learning what to do and how to do it. The work wasn’t glamorous, but it laid an important foundation.
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Slowly, my swing speed began ticking up on the radar. The progress was encouraging — but I also knew I could be more efficient. That’s when I connected with PGA Tour trainer David Sundberg.
Working with a Tour trainer
Sundberg works with multiple Tour players, including Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. If anyone knows how to build golf-specific strength, it’s him.
“Whether you’re a Tour player or a recreational golfer, the principles are the same,” Sundberg told me. “Move well, get strong, and the speed will come.”
By the time I started Sundberg’s foundational strength routine (which you can read more about here), I’d hit a bit of a plateau. But once I began training with more structure and intention, my speed jumped almost immediately.
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From the start, his approach was methodical. Before adding more speed-specific work, he wanted to see where my strength levels stood.
“I’d like to see where we’re at from a strength-development standpoint and how your strength-to-bodyweight ratios look,” he said. “We want a good amount of strength in comparison to body weight before we fully lean into speed-strength training.”
In other words: earn the right to train for speed.
After seeing those early gains, I asked Sundberg to build me a 90-day offseason plan. Now, roughly halfway through, the results are still coming.
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Off-season gains
A lot of golfers dread the offseason. I’ve always enjoyed it — it’s usually when I make swing changes. This year, though, the focus shifted. Instead of just grinding on mechanics, I committed to three (sometimes four) days a week in the gym, with the remaining days reserved for simulator work.
The basic strength plan I followed late last year helped build a foundation. This offseason program has taken things up a notch. I’ve been sore more days this winter than ever before — the good, “functionally sore” kind — and my swing speed continues to climb.
As the program progresses, the emphasis will gradually shift.
“We’ll start phasing down the heavier lifting and move more into speed-strength work,” Sundberg said. “Lighter loads, more explosive intent — but only once the strength base is where we want it.”
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The biggest surprise so far, though, hasn’t just been raw speed. It’s endurance. It may not look taxing, but maintaining solid mechanics over a four-plus-hour round — or even a long simulator session — is demanding. Once fatigue sets in, posture slips, sequencing gets sloppy and bad swings follow.
Even though we’re training primarily for max strength, Sundberg explained that endurance benefits are a natural byproduct.
“Even when you’re training for max strength, there’s a downstream effect on endurance and overall capacity,” he said. “You’re able to do more for longer before you fatigue.”
That’s been one of the clearest changes I’ve noticed. I can hit more balls without my mechanics breaking down. I don’t feel my posture collapsing late in sessions. And when fatigue doesn’t creep in, practice actually stays productive.
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“It happens gradually, so you may not notice it in the moment,” Sundberg said. “But if you’re maintaining posture and swing mechanics deeper into the round, that’s a huge win.”
And if that translates to holding form on holes 15 through 18, that’s where real scores start to drop. Yet another reason the gym is becoming a permanent part of my routine.
Check out below for a breakdown of the offseason workouts I’ve been doing.
Off-season training program
Weekly structure
Monday: Lower Body
Wednesday: Upper Body
Friday: Full Body
Weekend: Active recovery / mobility
Day 1 – Lower Body (55–65 minutes)
Warm-up
Half-Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch w/ Reach – 30 sec/side
90/90 Hip Rotations – 8/side
Open Book T-Spine Rotation – 6/side
Glute Bridge w/ Band Abduction – 12 reps
Side Plank – 25–30 sec/side
Front Plank – 30–40 sec
Wall Slides – 10 reps
Plyometrics (Level 2)
Pogo Jumps – 3×12–15
Lateral Line Hops (single-leg) – 2×10/side
Box Jumps (12–18”) – 3×5 (step down after each rep)
Strength
Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat
Week 1: 3×10, 10, max (20 lb dumbbells)
Week 2: 3×6, 6, max (25 lb dumbbells)
Week 3: 3×8, 8, max (25 lb dumbbells)
Week 4: 2×8 (15 lb dumbbells)
Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift
Week 1: 3×10, 10, 12 (16 lb)
Week 2: 3×6, 6, 8–10 (20 lb)
Week 3: 3×8, 8, 8–10 (20 lb)
Week 4: 2×8 (16 lb)
Core Circuit
Mini-Band Lateral Walks – 3×12 steps
Half-Kneeling Pallof Press + Hold – 3×8/side
Dead Bug with Band Pulldown – 3×8/side
Single-Leg Balance Reach – 3×6/leg
Day 2 – Upper Body (50–60 minutes)
Warm-up
Wall Slides – 10
Serratus Wall Slides – 10
Band External Rotations – 12
Cat–Cow to T-Spine Rotation – 6/side
Upper Body Plyometrics
Plyo Pushups (hands on bench) – 3×5
Band Pull-Aparts – 3×8 (between plyo pushup sets) Rest 45 sec after each sequence
2×6/side (use a challenging but controlled weight) Rest 60 sec
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Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray have placed an €80 million release clause on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen following interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.
Osimhen has been one of the most prolific strikers in world football in recent years and recently reached 200 career goals. Since joining Galatasaray on a permanent deal last summer, he has become the club’s key player and fan favourite.
The Nigerian forward has scored 15 goals and provided one assist in 21 matches in all competitions this season. He has also been impressive in the UEFA Champions League, where he has already scored six goals.
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Barcelona are reportedly looking for a new long-term striker as Robert Lewandowski approaches the end of his career. The Spanish club is searching for a reliable goal scorer to lead their attack, and Osimhen is seen as a major target.
However, Galatasaray are not willing to sell cheaply. The Turkish club paid a record €75 million to sign Osimhen and are keen to make a profit if they decide to sell him. The €80 million release clause shows their determination to keep him unless a big offer arrives.
Barcelona could find it difficult to meet the valuation due to their financial issues, but they have still completed big transfers in recent seasons. Osimhen is believed to be happy in Turkey, but he may still be interested in returning to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will make a serious move for the Nigerian striker and if Galatasaray will be willing to negotiate his departure.
It was a banner day for Team France on February 11, 2026, at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. In the women’s 15km individual biathlon, Julia Simon claimed gold ahead of teammate Lou Jeanmonnot, who took silver. In moguls, Perrine Laffont grabbed bronze, eight years after her PyeongChang triumph. The highlight came on the ice, where Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron won Olympic gold in figure skating.
Elsewhere at the Games, Switzerland’s Franjo Von Allmen made history. Already crowned in downhill and the team combined, he secured a third Olympic title in four days by winning the Super-G, becoming only the third man to complete the triple after Austria’s Toni Sailer (1956) and France’s Jean-Claude Killy (1968).
In football, managers are having a brutal spell. In Ligue 1, Roberto De Zerbi is no longer Marseille coach following a crushing 5-0 defeat in Paris. In England, Tottenham have sacked Thomas Frank after an 11th league loss.
Premier League heavyweights delivered: Manchester City beat Fulham 3-0 to pile pressure on leaders Arsenal, who play Thursday. Aston Villa edged Brighton 1-0, while Liverpool won by the same score at Sunderland.
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Bayern Munich reached the German Cup semifinals for the first time in six years after a 2-0 victory over Leipzig.
And in tennis, Arthur Rinderknech fell in the opening round to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Rotterdam ATP 500, while Alexander Bublik survived a tough test against Hubert Hurkacz.
David Benavidez is already a fan-favourite due to his fighting style, but to become the ‘face of boxing’, Benavidez has named the three fighters which he believes he must overcome back-to-back.
‘The Mexican Monster’ is a two-division world champion, having become the youngest super-middleweight world champion in boxing history (20) when he trumped Ronald Gavril in 2017 and then being upgraded to WBC light-heavyweight champion last year.
Speaking to The Danza Project, Benavidez revealed plans to return to 175lbs after his showdown with Ramirez, and then next face Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev in back-to-back-to-back blockbuster bouts to assert himself as the ‘face of boxing’.
“I’m going to fight Zurdo Ramirez, then I’m going to make that fight with [Dmitry] Bivol, after that we are fighting [Artur] Beterbiev.
“Those are the three big fights. I’m not going to shy away from no fight. I could go fight Zurdo Ramirez and then go fight another person, then fight Bivol, then fight this person and that person, then Beterbiev, but I just want to go straight into them.
“I feel like I am in the prime of my career, I have a lot of confidence right now. I’m 29 years old, I feel like I have the world in my hands, so I am going to take these challenges.
“Right now, I feel like I am on the cusp of being the face of boxing. The only way that I am going to make that happen is with these big fights, that is why I am trying to get myself the biggest fights possible.
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“I don’t want there to be any doubt that I am the face of boxing when that time comes.”
One key absentee from Benavidez’s hitlist is IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, who continues to demand unification contests in the 200lb division and had hoped Benavidez would provide him with such an opportunity, if he manages to dethrone Ramirez.
Tito Ortiz (R) battles Forrest Griffin during their Light Heavyweight Fight at the UFC 106 in 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(2009 Getty Images)
But now, at age 51, with a family, Ortiz believed it was not a feasible place to raise his children.
“I never wanted to leave California. But I left because of the crime, the fraud and the growing threat to the safety of my children. Like millions of other parents, I made the difficult decision to move my family to Florida — not for opportunity, but for protection. No parent should ever be forced to flee their home state to keep their children safe,” Ortiz told Fox News Digital.
Ortiz blames Gov. Gavin Newsom for the conditions that have pushed his family out of the state.
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“Gavin Newsom’s failures didn’t start in Sacramento. He helped devastate San Francisco, then exported those same disastrous policies statewide. The result is undeniable: exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, crushed small businesses and families who no longer feel safe in their own communities,” he added.
“California cannot survive more of the same.”
Newsom’s office has responded to Ortiz’s criticisms in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“We’re not sure who Tito Ortiz is, but we wish him well. Bye!” Newsom’s office said.
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Ortiz, nicknamed “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” is a pioneering UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion. He held the UFC light heavyweight championship from April 2000 to September 2003, defending it five times.
He finished his professional MMA career with a 21-12-1 record and had his final fight in 2019.
Now, from afar, he hopes to inspire change in his home state by endorsing Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for California governor in 2026.
Gov. Gavin Newsom walked back his office’s comments slamming ICE agents during a podcast interview. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
For Ortiz, the defining trait that inspires his endorsement is Bianco’s handling of the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020, when the sheriff refused to enforce certain lockdown protocols under Newsom’s leadership.
“Sheriff Chad Bianco is not a career politician. He is a proven leader with courage and integrity,” Ortiz said.
“In 2020, when Gavin Newsom ruled by decree and used fear as a weapon, Sheriff Bianco stood up and refused to enforce unconstitutional lockdowns. He defended churches, small businesses and the fundamental rights of Californians.
“Anyone can talk. Sheriff Bianco acted. When it mattered most, he stood with the people, not the political elite. He has earned my vote, my endorsement and my trust. California deserves leadership that will fight back, restore law and order and put families first again.”
“It was kind of a blessing that he didn’t shut everything down as long as we were being responsible with everything. I kind of admired how he handled that whole situation,” Henderson said.
“A lot of business owners would have went out of business, and maybe even worse, as far as losing a lot of the things that they had, had he shut all the business down like the governor wanted. … It was more common sense. He didn’t panic and think the world was going to end.”
Bianco is the frontrunner for the state’s 2026 gubernatorial election in several polls, including January polls from EMC Research and Public Policy Polling.
Bianco’s biggest challenger in the upcoming race appears to be fellow Republican Steve Hilton, who has been at or near the top of recent polls with the sheriff.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Olympique de Marseille managerial job following the club’s decision to sack Roberto De Zerbi after a heavy league defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelle’s name has been discussed internally as Marseille search for a new head coach. However, there has been no formal contact with the Nigerian coach, and the French club is still considering several candidates for the role.
The Super Eagles boss is currently free from international duties, which makes him available if Marseille decide to move quickly. But the club’s sporting director has not yet reached out to him.
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Former Marseille captain Habib Beye is believed to be the leading favourite for the job, while former Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi is also in the race. Both Belmadi and Chelle live close to Marseille, which has added to the speculation.
Chelle is being considered because of his recent success with Nigeria. He led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and guided the team to score 14 goals in six matches, earning praise for their attacking style.
Despite the rumours, Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed that Chelle will remain as Super Eagles coach. Gusau said Chelle still has one year left on his contract and is not expected to leave before it expires.
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He added that the coach is happy working with Nigeria and believes he can achieve his ambitions with the Super Eagles.
For now, Chelle is expected to continue his job with Nigeria, even as speculation over a possible move to Marseille continues.
