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‘The greatest show on earth’: What will success — or failure — look like for the UFC White House event?

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Less than a week away from the UFC White House event that has been nearly a year in the making, it doesn’t seem like anyone is setting their sights low.

“We’re expecting Super Bowl-type numbers for this fight,” UFC CEO Dana White told TNT Fight Sports.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, no stranger to hyperbole, at one point promised that this event would be “the greatest show on earth.” White House spokesman Davis Ingle was slightly more measured, calling it “one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.”

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Mark Shapiro, president and COO of UFC parent company TKO, has said the event will be “a once-in-a-generation moment.”

In other words, this is going to be big. Just how big — and for whom, exactly — remains to be seen.

Specific plans for the broadcast on Sunday, June 14, have been scarce so far. White has suggested that a portion of the undercard may air for free on CBS, with the top fights held in reserve for Paramount+ subscribers, but no exact schedule has been released as of yet. (Uncrowned reached out to a Paramount executive with questions about the broadcast plan, but did not receive a response.)

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In a recent story from “The Hollywood Reporter,” executives from both TKO and Paramount suggested that one primary goal for the event is to drive signups on Paramount+, the streaming service that’s home to all UFC events under a behemoth seven-year, $7.7 billion deal.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: U.S. President Donald Trump attends the UFC 314 event alongside UFC President and CEO Dana White at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) after UFC CEO Dana White

(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)

“This is about sampling, new fans, casual viewers, a spectacle on a stage that will ultimately expand our audience, our viewership, and our success on Paramount+,” Shapiro told Wall Street analysts back in February. “We see this once-in-a-lifetime stage as a strategic investment to drive subscriber acquisition at Paramount+, massive audience sampling for the UFC overall, and Super Bowl-like earned media across the globe.”

But here’s where it gets tricky. As a network, CBS is available in almost every home in America that contains a television set. Paramount+, on the other hand, has reported somewhere around 80 million subscribers. If the UFC were to air some of the White House event prelim bouts on CBS, but keep the title fights in the main and co-main event exclusively on Paramount+, that could significantly limit the overall reach.

For the sake of comparison, the most recent Super Bowl drew an estimated 125.6 million viewers. Even if every single existing Paramount+ subscriber watched this event, the UFC would still need to pick up an additional 45 million viewers either through new subscriptions or other broadcast methods in order to hit the goal of “Super Bowl-type numbers.”

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It’s not impossible, but it’s also not easy. This event will be up against the opening weekend of play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and potentially Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. It also faces the resistance that’s now essentially built-in to any Trump-endorsed event, which is no small obstacle in a country where the President faces plummeting approval ratings.

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That backlash potential became evident when Trump’s “Freedom 250” concert plans saw multiple artists, ranging from Martina McBride to Bret Michaels, withdraw in recent weeks. That alone suggests that Trump’s very vocal and visible association with this UFC event might be enough to turn some viewers away.

Even without polarizing political implications, MMA has long been a niche sport that appeals to a subset of American sports fans. Unarmed combat in the confines of a cage simply may not to everyone’s liking.

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So what’s a reasonable bar for success? The recent MVP MMA debut on Netflix last month peaked with nearly 17 million viewers while averaging about 12.4 million, shattering the record as the most-watched U.S. MMA broadcast in history. If the UFC White House event doesn’t at least beat that mark, you’d have to think it would be a major disappointment after all this build-up and these promises of Super Bowl-level interest worldwide.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 4: Construction continues on the South Lawn of the White House for an upcoming UFC match on June 4, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump is hosting a UFC match on the White House grounds in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Construction continues on the South Lawn of the White House for Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event.

(Kevin Carter via Getty Images)

But a lot may depend on what the goal of this event really is. If it were purely about reaching the largest audience possible, you’d think it would air simultaneously on CBS and Paramount+. That would expose the UFC to the largest potential audience, while also increasing the Trump administration’s chances to come away boasting that it had met the goal of putting on a truly massive sporting event.

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If a portion of the broadcast is limited to Paramount+, however, that would decrease the potential audience size while likely increasing the potential for immediate monetization. Telling people they have to subscribe to Paramount+ to see the top two bouts would almost certainly lead to a sudden injection of new signups. It also means inevitably playing to a smaller audience in the end, since not every viewer will be willing to add a new subscription service to their monthly bills.

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There’s also the question of broader purpose for this event. If it’s truly a celebration of America, shouldn’t it be available to all Americans? Or at least those with a TV?

Then again, maybe there is something quintessentially American about charging a subscription fee even for our big birthday bash. We want big audiences, sure. But it’s paying crowds that keep the lights on.

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Fantasy football rankings 2026: Busts by the model that called Terry McLaurin’s down season

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Training camps are underway, the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and the time has come for Fantasy football owners to begin draft preparations. Veterans like Josh Allen, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Bijan Robinson all headline the 2026 Fantasy football rankings, and will likely be among the top players on most Fantasy football draft boards. However, the key to fantasy success remains finding sleepers and rookies who outperform their Fantasy football ADP, and avoiding drafting players that end up being Fantasy football 2026 busts. 

Who should you target in your fantasy football draft strategy, and which players should fall on your list of potential 2026 Fantasy football busts? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Last year, the model accurately predicted that Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin would fall well short of his top-50 ADP. The result: A season after piling up nearly 1,100 receiving yards and a career-high 13 touchdown catches, McLaurin had career lows in receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (3). Injuries were a factor, but his per-game averages were down across the board as well, so anybody who avoided him in Fantasy drafts dodged a major headache. 

The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021 and correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. 

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Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them

Top 2026 Fantasy football busts

One of the 2026 Fantasy football busts the model is predicting: New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. He’s going off the board around pick No. 35, but SportsLine’s model doesn’t even have him as a top-15 receiver. In fact, it has players such as DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins and Zay Flowers above him.

Nabers isn’t a lock to be ready to at the start of the season after tearing his ACL last season and then undergoing a follow-up procedure in the spring. The Giants are also expected to lean heavily on the run game under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, making Nabers a risky pick in the second or early third round. See more busts at SportsLine.

Another bust that SportsLine’s Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: Bills running back James Cook. Cook is going off the board with an ADP around No. 13 overall and is the fifth running back being taken on average. SportsLine’s model, however, ranks him as RB No. 10, behind players such as Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, saying that he should be more of a late-second or even third round pick.

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Cook has stacked two impressive seasons, so it’s understandable why he’s getting first-round consideration in many drafts. He did fumble at a higher rate last season, however, and he’s not an elite target out of the backfield. Also, Josh Allen always looms as a touchdown vulture for Buffalo, as these factors are why the model is leaning to other high-end backs early. See which other Fantasy football busts 2026 to pick here.

How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings

SportsLine is also fading one of the first five receivers off the board in early 2026 Fantasy football drafts. The model ranks this player barely inside the top 10 and is calling for him to be one of the biggest busts in the league this year. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

So which 2026 Fantasy Football busts should you be steering clear of, and which high-end WR should you completely fade? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that helped managers avoid a disastrous Terry McLaurin season in 2025.

2026 Fantasy football ADP

(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.

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1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.53)
2. Bijan Robinson (1.93)
3. Ja’Marr Chase (3.53)
4. Puka Nacua (4.07)
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (5.27)
6. Jonathan Taylor (6.60)
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown (7.33)
8. Christian McCaffrey (7.87)
9. De’Von Achane (11.93)
10. James Cook (12.53)
11. CeeDee Lamb (12.60)
12. Chase Brown (12.80)

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From stage 6 onwards, Pogacar 'never let go' during Tour de France

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Tadej Pogacar won a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title on Sunday. The 27-year-old Slovenian dominated this year’s race to join Belgian Eddy Merckx, Spaniard Miguel Indurain and Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault as the only riders to win five Tours. “From stage 6 onwards, he never let go,” said James Vasina, FRANCE 24 journalist reporting from the finish line in Paris.

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Drew Rasmussen, Rays blank Guardians to complete series sweep

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Jul 26, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesJul 26, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Drew Rasmussen allowed one hit over seven shutout innings while Chandler Simpson manufactured the game’s lone run as the Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians with a 1-0 win Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Rasmussen (9-5) walked one and struck out nine. Garrett Cleavinger pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Bryan Baker worked around a two-out walk in the ninth for his 28th save.

Simpson had two hits for Tampa Bay, which won for the sixth time in its last seven games and has the American League’s best record at 62-43.

Cleveland was held to one hit and lost its fifth straight game. The Guardians were shutout for the second consecutive game and eighth time this season.

Parker Messick (8-6) was a hard-luck loser after giving up one run on six hits over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out six with zero walks.

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The Guardians went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and have scored a total of four runs in their last four games.

Tampa Bay broke the scoreless tie with a run in the fifth inning. Simpson hit a leadoff single, moved to second on a wild pitch and then to third on Ben Williamson’s groundout before scoring on Cedric Mullins’ bunt single.

Rasmussen settled in quickly after yielding Steven Kwan’s double to begin the game. He struck out four of the next six batters and retired the last 12 batters he faced.

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Cleavinger replaced Rasmussen to begin the eighth inning and recorded three outs with a strikeout on 11 pitches.

Messick retired the first seven batters he faced before Nick Fortes doubled with one out in the third inning. Fortes moved to third on Richie Palacios’ groundout, but he was stranded when Yandy Diaz lined out to first.

Tampa Bay put two runners on with one out in the seventh inning, but Messick struck out Mullins and Fortes to escape unscathed.

Baker completed the Rays’ eighth shutout of the season in the ninth by striking out Brayan Rocchio with a runner at first for his second save in as many days.

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–Field Level Media

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Lucas Herbert wins LIV Golf United Kingdom with record-setting score

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Jul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Lucas Herbert lines up a putt on the 18th green during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesJul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Lucas Herbert lines up a putt on the 18th green during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Lucas Herbert wasn’t about to be denied the LIV Golf United Kingdom championship on Sunday.

Entering the final round at 20-under with a three-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau, the Australian holed 10 birdies for a final-round 62 and a 30-under-par 258 for the four-day event. That gave him a six-stroke victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who turned in a 63.

DeChambeau closed with a 68 to finish 21-under par and in third place at JCB Golf & Country Club in Rocester, England.

Herbert’s dominance this week — his 62 was preceded by rounds of 61, 66 and 69 — led Rippers GC to a 52-under finish, four strokes ahead of captain Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII.

The 30-under finish by Herbert marked the lowest in LIV history. This was his second individual victory of the season — he also won LIV Golf Virginia in May — and he also set the league record for most birdies in a tournament with 30. His combination of 32 birdies and eagles in a tournament also broke a LIV record.

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Herbert said confidence in his game grew after his strong finish at the Open Championship last week at Royal Birkdale, where he finished four shots behind winner Ryan Fox and tied for sixth.

“Just wanted to really carry that into this week the best I could,” Herbert said. “I think I got out of my own way the first two rounds and I started thinking about it yesterday. It was just good to play like that today when I was being pushed by two of the best players in the world.”

Hatton pushed as hard as he could with nine birdies, but it wasn’t enough given Herbert’s unprecedented four rounds.

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“Obviously Lucas played amazing today, Hatton said. “I wanted to get off to a fast start, which is what I did, but unfortunately Lucas did as well. Yeah, I’m very proud of how I played. It would have been amazing to win in front of home fans, but I tried my best. But actually Lucas was incredible this week.”

Herbert said he did a good job at something else — hiding his nerves.

“I was definitely feeling it out there. I can only do what I can do,” Herbert said. “I was able to take care of what I needed to do today pretty well to get me over the line. I knew it wasn’t going to be a day where even par, 1-under, was going to get it done for me. I knew I had to go out there and get it. Just kept pushing myself the whole way, and here we are.”

Australian Cameron Smith shot a 69 on Sunday to finish in fourth at 17-under. Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (71) and Caleb Surratt (67) shared fifth at 14-under.

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–Field Level Media

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Yan Diomande transfer agreement could give green light to vital Man United deal

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Real Madrid are closing in on a big-money signing which could open the door for Manchester United

Real Madrid are closing in on a reported £100million transfer deal for Yan Diomande that could have knock-on effects on Manchester United and their summer rebuild. Michael Carrick’s side have already enjoyed an impressive start to the summer transfer window, strengthening their midfield ahead of a return to the Champions League.

United made the most of Youri Tielemans’s £35m release clause in his Aston Villa contract to lure the Europa League winner to Old Trafford, while also bolstering their ranks with the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.

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The club know they needed to reinvigorate their midfield engine room this summer and find a replacement for Brazilian veteran Casemiro, who left the club at the end of his contract earlier this summer.

United have been linked with Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as a potential successor for Casemiro, with the Frenchman’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu uncertain.

It’s claimed Real would be open to selling the French international for £68m amid ongoing speculation about a move for Manchester City playmaker Rodri.

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So how does it all tie in together? Well, Real are about to splash the cash on Diomande and although Rodri is entering the final year of his City contract, Los Blancos will need to raise funds for his signature and trim Jose Mourinho’s squad.

As things stand, Mourinho has made it clear he doesn’t want to lose any key players, with Tchouameni reportedly among those he’d like to keep.

Tchouameni had reportedly been in talks over a new deal at the Bernabeu, but there are reports claiming the La Liga giants are open to a sale. City are said to have set an £85m asking price for Rodri, despite him being in the final year of his contract.

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Real also know they can ill-afford to have a squad that is bursting at the seems with egos and talent, with comeptition for places likely leaving some stars unhappy with their lack of gametime.

Given the turbulent times in Madrid at the end of last season, it makes sense that Tchouameni could be one of the players Real sell in order to fund their transfer overhaul this summer.

There’s been ongoing uncertainty about the 26-year-old since his altercation with fellow Real star Federico Velverde earlier this year.

While that may be water under the bridge, it’s clear that Carrick and the United recruitment team are still looking for a world class defensive midfielder ahead of their return to the Champions League.

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Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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Liv Morgan Reacts To Dominik Mysterio Betraying Major WWE Superstar

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WWE Superstar Liv Morgan shared her reaction to her on-screen boyfriend Dominik Mysterio betraying a fellow star during a match.

“Dirty” Dom is scheduled to defend his AAA Mega Championship against El Grande Americano at Triplemania 34. However, at AAA Verano de Escándalo: Week 1, he teamed up with the masked man to take on Angel and Daga. Towards the end, Mysterio dropped down from the apron and walked out on his partner, allowing the Los Perros del Mal duo to secure the win.

Earlier today, Liv Morgan quote-tweeted a video of the end of the bout shared by WWE Deutschland. The Women’s World Champion seemed impressed with Dominik Mysterio’s actions and referred to him as her hero.

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“My hero 😊,” Morgan wrote.

You can check out her tweet below:

Liv Morgan is set to be in action at WWE SummerSlam. She will defend the Women’s World Championship against IYO SKY at the premium live event. The Japanese star defeated Morgan in the Queen of the Ring final at Night of Champions to earn the title opportunity.

Liv Morgan opened up about a recent injury

During her feud with Stephanie Vaquer, Liv Morgan suffered a gruesome injury during a backstage segment. La Primera was supposed to attack the 32-year-old from behind. However, the spot went horribly wrong as Morgan’s forehead bumped into fellow stablemate Roxanne Perez’s forehead.

Morgan spoke about the injury on the third season of WWE Unreal. She noted that the collision made a disgusting sound, and everyone around her was horrified. The Judgment Day member added that she did not know about the nature of the damage she had sustained and didn’t want to look at her own forehead.

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“Two weeks before WrestleMania, Stephanie [Vaquer] shoved me from behind. The sound that it made was literally disgusting. Everyone was reacting pretty severely around me. They were horrified. We smashed heads really hard. I just lay down there for a couple extra seconds just to kind of gather myself. I really didn’t know what the damage was. I didn’t want to look at it. I went to go put my hand on my head, and I was like, ‘Holy s**t.’ It’s still squishy. It’s still there. It doesn’t hurt anymore. The blood is draining to my eyes. I wake up every single day and have a reminder of why the f**k I got to kick her a**,” Morgan said.

Stephanie Vaquer has also been out of action for several months due to a legitimate shoulder injury. Her last in-ring appearance was at WrestleMania 42, where she lost the Women’s World Championship to Liv Morgan.