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The Ariel Helwani Show | Jiri Prochazka, Aljamain Sterling, Davey Grant and more

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Ariel Helwani is BACK … IN … YOUR … LIFE!

Join “The Ariel Helwani Show” live on Uncrowned and YouTube at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT/6 p.m. UK time as Ariel and the Boys in the Back react to everything from the busy combat sports weekend. Monday’s rundown can be seen below.

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1 p.m. ET: Ariel and the gang kick off the show by dissecting UFC Vegas 116 and more.

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1:25 p.m. ET: Jiri Prochazka returns after a tough night at UFC 327.

2 p.m. ET: Davey Grant checks in following his latest UFC win.

2:30 p.m. ET: Aljamain Sterling reacts to his UFC Vegas 116 main event over Youssef Zalel.

Catch all new episodes of “The Ariel Helwani Show” live every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET on Uncrowned and The Ariel Helwani Show’s YouTube page.

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To listen to every episode, subscribe on Spotify or iTunes.

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MLS notebook: Injury-ravaged TFC facing issues after solid start

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Despite a decent start to the MLS season, Toronto FC finds itself in a bit of a predicament.

TFC (3-3-4) saw its seven-match unbeaten run snapped in a 2-1 home loss to Atlanta United on Saturday at BMO Field in a game that highlighted some major issues for coach Robin Fraser’s side. 

Toronto has gotten into a bad habit of falling behind, trailing in seven of its opening 10 games this season. The Reds rescued a point from a losing position in two consecutive matches (and four times in their previous five outings) prior to this last weekend.  

But there was no comeback against Atlanta. A poor start to the game laid the foundation of TFC’s third loss of the year as the visitors jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of second-half goals. 

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Simply put, Toronto can’t continue to dig a hole for itself and expect to climb out of it. If TFC harbours any hope of ending its five-year playoff drought, it must start on the front foot from the opening kickoff and play from a position of advantage. 

“Because this group never quits, you almost start to expect that we’re going to come back and tie it,” Fraser said. “(But) this is a game that’s not always going to go your way. … The mentality we showed towards the end was excellent. But we need to see that from the beginning.”  

Another major cause for concern is the number of goals Toronto is leaking. TFC conceded eight times over the last three games, coughed up three goals in a match on four separate occasions, and has just one clean sheet through 10 contests.

Last year, Toronto boasted one of the best defensive records in the Eastern Conference with an average of 1.29 goals against per game. That average has ballooned to 1.9 per game in 2026. The 19 goals TFC has conceded already this year represents 43 per cent of the 44 goals it coughed up all of last season. 

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“Obviously, there are going to be ebbs and flows and we have to be comfortable in the moments (in games) that we can’t get to the things that we normally can. And in those moments, we have to stay together and just make sure that teams don’t get between us and behind us. This is all part of the maturation process of this team, meaning we have some very mature players, but as a team, we’re relatively new,” Fraser said.  

Compounding the Reds’ woes is their injury situation, which is now beyond ridiculous.

Unavailable for Saturday’s match were winger Theo Corbeanu; defenders Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo; fullbacks Matheus Pereira and Richie Laryea; DP midfielder Djordje Mihailovic; and forward Deandre Kerr. Corbeanu and Gomis have yet to make a single appearance this season, while Wingo has been limited to a 13-minute cameo off the bench in the club’s season opener in February. 

Toronto’s player numbers were so low for Saturday’s match that defenders Reid Fisher and Jackson Gilman along with midfielder Antone Bossenberry were signed from TFC 2, its reserve team, to short-term contracts.   

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On top of all of that, centre back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder José Cifuentes had to be subbed off in the first half Saturday due to injuries. Kuscevic (groin) limped off after only 20 minutes while Cifuentes followed 10 minutes later due to a knee issue.  

Little wonder the Reds looked so disjointed for long stretches against Atlanta. 

“The building of the relationships, the rhythm and that sort of thing gets disrupted and it has nothing to do with the player who’s coming in because I do like all of our players and I think these are good players coming in when guys get hurt,” Fraser offered.  

“But I do think that the relationships and the chemistry is just a little bit off and takes time. So, when we have to keep chopping and changing, then it becomes difficult to maintain a rhythm.”  

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TFC’s mounting injury crisis will test Fraser’s managerial acumen in the coming weeks as the long-term injuries to Mihailovic (the club’s top playmaker) and Laryea (its best player this season) robs him of two of his most important contributors.  

While other players will have to step up, Fraser has to find a way to navigate a difficult stretch of games, which includes a visit to BMO Field by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, in which his options will be limited and will more than likely have to play some players out of position.  

• The Vancouver Whitecaps keep rolling. A fourth straight win was secured by Vancouver in a convincing 3-1 home decision over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, allowing the team to push its record to 8-1-0. A sold-out crowd of 27,589 at BC Place watched the Whitecaps in the finale of their five-game homestand. Vancouver has only played one match away from home this season but is about to embark on an eight-match road swing from May 2 to July 25. 

• CF Montreal (3-6-0) is showing signs of life. After a terrible start to the season (six losses in seven games), Montreal has won two in a row, including a 1-0 victory over New York City FC on Saturday at Stade Saputo courtesy of Prince Owusu’s team-leading sixth goal. Montreal has two wins from two games under interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy following the firing of Italian manager Marco Donadel. 

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• Jayden Nelson boosted his chances of making Canada’s World Cup squad with a peach of a goal in Austin FC’s 2-0 home win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. The 23-year-old winger opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a slick effort, curling a right-footed shot off the far post after cutting inside of a Houston defender inside the box. The goal was Nelson’s second in eight appearances for Austin since joining the team in an off-season trade from Vancouver. 

Editor’s note


John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 27 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.

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‘Watching Virat Kohli cry was emotional’: Krunal Pandya

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NEW DELHI: The 18-year wait was finally over, and when it ended, emotions overflowed across every Royal Challengers Bengaluru player, especially Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since the inception of the league back in 2008. Tears of joy, kissing the trophy, holding it high with pride, and continuous celebrations marked the scenes as RCB lifted their historic IPL 2025 title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first-ever IPL title after 18 years, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya reflected on the title win, calling it one of the most emotional moments of his career and dedicating the triumph to the fans and former skipper Kohli.

Speaking on JioStar’s “The Krunal Pandya Experience”, the all-rounder said the long-awaited trophy meant the most to Kohli, who struggled to hold back his emotions after the win.

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“The ones who deserved it the most are Virat Kohli and the RCB fans. Virat has been an integral part of RCB from the first season. So, to win it and see him get emotional was special. Watching him cry was an emotional moment for everyone,” Krunal said.

“The love people have for RCB is incredible. That day, I said on the mic that whatever happens, we must win the trophy for the fans,” he added.

Krunal said fulfilling that promise after 18 years of waiting made the victory even more meaningful.

“I am glad I said it and that we were able to deliver in the final. The fans deserved this trophy more than anybody else, and obviously, Virat as well,” he said.

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“Playing for the country is number one for me, but winning for RCB after 18 years and having my best season while contributing well has to be one of my top moments,” Krunal said.

Krunal also spoke about his evolution as a cricketer over the years.

“I have changed over a period of time, for the better. As you go through the journey, you learn. A lot of credit goes to my parents and the upbringing they gave me. But as a human being, who I am, has remained the same. I love cricket, still as excited and passionate to play. I have always been a family man. I love my family, kids, and my wife, who has played an integral part,” the RCB all-rounder said.

Pandya, who was bought by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, was retained by RCB for the 2026 IPL season.

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In IPL 2026, RCB are currently placed second on the points table with 10 points.

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Winds of Valen: Beginner tips and tricks

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If you enjoy RuneScape: Dragonwilds or RuneScape in general, Winds of Valen is going to be right up your alley. There’s not much to do in terms of quests or storyline progression, but you can fish, mine, and craft to your heart’s content. It’s very simple to grasp, and the community is rather helpful.

That being said, here are a few beginner tips and tricks you can use to get started on the best foot in Winds of Valen.


5 beginner tips and tricks to get you started in Winds of Valen

Mine Tin and Copper to craft basic weapons and armor (sell for Coins)

Mine Tin and Copper to earn easy Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Mine Tin and Copper to earn easy Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Mine Tin and Copper to earn easy Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

As you start your run in Winds of Valen, the first thing you’ll want to do is mine Tin and Copper. While this is not Minecraft (and you may not yearn for the mines), this is the best way to get basic armor and Coins. The Tin and Copper that you mine can be smelted in a 1:1 ratio to create Bronze Bars, which can be sold for Coins.

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Sell Bronze Bars to make Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Sell Bronze Bars to make Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Sell Bronze Bars to make Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

I would suggest you focus on Mining and Smithing for a while, as it’s the best way to get Coins without having to do too much work. Fishing and Potion Making are also great ways to get Coins, but the overall process is too long-winded. As you level up, getting Mining will become faster, which in turn will allow you to have more resources to work with and sell the finished product.


Sell anything you can’t use yet (including Power Gems)

Sell everything you can't use (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Sell everything you can't use (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Sell everything you can’t use (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

In Winds of Valen, the name of the game is resource collecting and leveling up. To that end, by the time you get your bearings, you’ll have more resources than you’ll know what to do with. After you craft what you need, you have two options: use the Bank to store things or sell for profit.

Use Coins to buy what you need (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Use Coins to buy what you need (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Use Coins to buy what you need (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

In my experience, selling is often better, as some of the best gear can be bought using Coins. Given that you’ll have to venture far and wide to get resources to craft better gear, being able to buy them without leaving the starting area is the best option available to you.


Use the Green Lantern at the center of the village to heal

Use the Green Lantern to heal (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Use the Green Lantern to heal (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Use the Green Lantern to heal (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

If you need to heal quickly, you have two options: Potions (which cost Coin) or interacting with the Green Lantern at the center of the village. This is a good option for when you’re just starting and don’t have Coins to buy Potions that heal you. Also, given that crafting Potions takes a long time, using this is faster, at least during the opening hours of the game.


Change Training Stance to level different skills

Change Stance to train different skills (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Change Stance to train different skills (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Change Stance to train different skills (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

What’s interesting about combat in Winds of Valen is that you’ll need to change Training Stance to level up certain skills. For instance, if you’re using melee weapons, you’ll need to change between Offensive (trains Attack) and Defensive (trains Defence). I’m still not sure how they affect combat (passively), but I’m seeing higher damage output and taking damage less often.


Defeat Goblin Beserker to get Goblin Axe

Goblin Beserker will be your first real challenge (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)Goblin Beserker will be your first real challenge (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
Goblin Beserker will be your first real challenge (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)

At the start of your adventures, you’ll have access to conventional weapons (Swords, Bows, and Wands). If you enjoy going in close for the kill (and care not about blocking attacks), the Goblin Axe is perfect for you.

Each swing deals devastating damage to enemies, but you’ll have to earn it first by defeating the Goblin Berserker. I would recommend you attack it when others are in the fray. You will not be able to solo this beast.


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