Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has explained what happened during his chaotic third-place match against Alireza Firouzja at the Esports World Cup 2026, after a series of technical problems eventually brought the contest to an unexpected end.Nakamura was competing against his Falcons Esports teammate Firouzja for third place. The match was already close and complicated when multiple players experienced disconnections.Another game was affected by the technical problems, and Firouzja eventually left the match.

Multiple disconnections cause chaos and controversy

Nakamura said he was left waiting for around 20 minutes before officials told him that the match would be recorded as a forfeit in his favour. At the time, however, he did not know what had caused the problem.“Today’s match with Alireza certainly didn’t go well for anyone. It was chaos with multiple disconnections and then Alireza’s untimely departure from the event,” Nakamura explained in an official statement.The American grandmaster said he had no access to his phone or outside information while waiting. Because the first thing he saw on his screen was a disconnection, he assumed the problem was with chess.com.After the forfeit was confirmed, Nakamura was taken to do interviews. Still frustrated and without the full context, he publicly said that he believed chess.com was responsible.

Nakamura retracts his comments

He has since admitted that assumption was incorrect.“I now know I was wrong. It was an EWC issue that took out a few events, not just chess,” Nakamura said. He added that he wished he had been given that information before doing the interviews, saying that he had “jumped to conclusions” and wrongly blamed chess.com.Nakamura apologised to chess.com and asked for his retraction to be shared wherever his original comments had appeared. He also jokingly dismissed suggestions that he had been pressured into changing his story, saying he was “not under duress by the ‘chess mafia’” and that Danny was not “holding my hand on the stove.”Despite the dramatic ending, Nakamura officially finished third at the Esports World Cup, defeating Firouzja after leading 3-1 with two games remaining before the forfeit. The result earned him $145,000 and valuable Club Championship points for Falcons Esports.

The Vikings’ offense doesn’t lack for star power. Truthfully, though, these guys aren’t of huge interest for what’s to come later today.

Indeed, the focus in Minnesota is likely going to be about who plays the best from among the depth guys. Kevin O’Connell needs his side of the ball to bounce back from a very modest effort in 2025. Getting a solid performance out of the Vikings later today in New York will be a small step toward the needed improvement.

3 Players to Watch on The Vikings’ Offense

Player No. 1 — Tai Felton

Kevin O’Connell has been among the lead cheerleaders for Tai Felton. And why not?

Felton boasts great length and offers elite speed, clocking a faster 40 time than both of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Envision a scenario where Felton starts threatening teams deep. Win a few of those reps and the teams will think twice about crashing down too aggressively on those intermediate crossing routes for Jefferson.

The goal is to put the other side in a tricky spot. Failing to keep a free safety over Felton means risking a kill shot for a long score. Failing to bring that free safety crashing down on Jefferson means getting walloped on those crossing routes 20 yards down the field.

Can the 2025 3rd-Round selection become that guy? If so, then the decision to pickup the feisty Maryland player was great work.

Player No. 2 — TE Gavin Bartholomew

Lots of chatter online about the sophomore’s effort.

Gavin Bartholomew missed his entire debut season due to a back injury. The 6th-Round pass catcher should seek to emulate Johnny Mundt, somebody who could get asked to do a bit of everything. Be a menace on specials and block like a maniac on offense. Occasionally, catch the ball.

Mirror Mundt and Bartholomew will end up having a long NFL career.

He’s still just 23 and offers good size at 6’5″ and roughly 250 pounds. Has a slick mullet, too.

Player No. 3 — QB J.J. McCarthy

Hard to exclude the kid.

Mr. McCarthy had a tough week. Kyler Murray has been named the starter, a reality that’s going to be a disappointment to the Michigan man. He can begin chipping away at the deficit — if that’s at all a possibility — by torching preseason opponents.

Look for him to do the little things well. Make good adjustments at the line of scrimmage while getting his guys in and out of the huddle cleanly. Crisp hand offs, good check downs, and know when to run out of bounds. Within all of that work toward making some “wow” plays with aggression when it’s open for the taking.

Even if the Vikings move on soon, the NFL is watching. McCarthy is going to be fine in the end.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

CommBank Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 24 NRL game between Wests Tigers and
St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with St. George Illawarra Dragons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday August 16, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: CommBank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Wests Tigers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

Wests Tigers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

The Tigers and Dragons meet without finals implications, but St George Illawarra brings welcome belief after stunning Cronulla 24-16 for only its third win of the season. Wests has lost seven straight and entered its bye following a 16-13 defeat to Parramatta, with its attack held to 13 points or fewer in six consecutive games. Debutant Solomone Saukuru replaces Heamasi Makasini in the Tigers’ centres after strong NSW Cup form. The Dragons regain Toby Couchman from concussion, while Setu Tu is named to start and Damien Cook remains at hooker. St George Illawarra has won six of the past eight meetings, including a 24-10 result in Round 18. With both sides struggling for points, territory, discipline and patience are likely to decide a contest in which the Dragons’ recent defensive resolve provides the stronger foundation.

FILE–Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates a point against United States’ Alycia Parks during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala hardly broke a sweat in advancing to the third round of the Cincinnati Open early Sunday (Manila time) in Mason, Ohio.

Eala reached the round of 32 of the WTA 1000 hardcourt tournament after Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired from the match due to a right foot injury during the rain suspension midway through the second set.

The World No. 20 Eala was dominating Ruse, 6-1, 3-0, when play was halted due to lightning as ominous clouds loomed over the packed Toney Trabert Stadium 3 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

READ: Alex Eala on Pacquiao comparisons: ‘I’m still very, very far’

Eala will next face American World No. 10 and ninth seed Amanda Anisimova, who sent home Turkish rising star Zeynep Sonmez, 6-2, 6-3.

“I haven’t played her (Eala) before. She’s been having such an incredible season, an incredible year. [A] very great player with a lot of fans, so I’m really looking forward to that,” said Anisimova during the post-match interview.

“I know that it’s probably going to be a very packed stadium, so I’m sure it will be really fun.”

Looking rejuvenated after a brief but much-needed rest following stints in Washington and Toronto, Eala posted her 11th win in 13 matches dating back to winning her first WTA Tour title at the DC Open two weeks ago.

Aside from a first-set blip, the 21-year-old Eala could do nothing wrong, frustrating Ruse with her tricky serves and big returns.

The Filipino baseliner broke Ruse thrice in the opening set and zoomed to a 3-0 double-break lead in the second before the Romanian received a medical timeout and had her right foot strapped up.

The latest DraftKings promo code gives new users $150 in bonus bets after making a first wager of $5 or more. Saturday features a seven-game NFL slate to wrap up Week 1 of the preseason, and the timing lines up so that after the NFL action is complete, the main event of UFC 330 will likely take place with Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry for the welterweight title on Paramount+. Plus, Saturday night features a potential NLCS preview with Dodgers vs. Brewers. 

The SportsLine Projection Model and the SportsLine team of experts have locked in their Saturday best bets from these contests, and more. SportsLine expert Matt Severance is backing the Ravens to cover as 3.5-point underdogs in Ravens vs. Eagles as part of Saturday NFL best bets at DraftKings. SportsLine MMA expert Daniel Vithlani has locked in his pick for Makhachev vs. Machado Garry, and the model has made its pick on Dodgers vs. Brewers. Claim the latest DraftKings promo code, where new users get $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager: 

Check out our DraftKings promo code review for full details.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times and entered Week 21 of the MLB season on a sizzling 45-30 run on all top-rated MLB picks. It also excelled at making home run prop picks in 2025, returning nearly 30 units of profit. Anyone following its MLB betting picks at sportsbook promos and on betting apps could have seen strong returns. 

Saturday best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook

• Ravens (+3.5) vs. Eagles (-108)
• Dodgers (+111) to defeat Brewers
• Islam Makhachev to defeat Ian Machado Garry by decision (+120)

Combining the three picks into a Saturday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +823 (risk $100 to profit $823, odds subject to change). Claim $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager at DraftKings here:

Ravens (+3.5) vs. Eagles (-108)

“It’s a potential Super Bowl preview at 7 p.m. ET Saturday as Philadelphia visits Baltimore, and the Ravens are starting the post-John Harbaugh era with ex-Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter making his head coaching debut,” SportsLine expert Matt Severance said. “I like backing teams with first-year head coaches. Maybe it’s simply ingrained in the Ravens to try in the preseason with all the success they had in exhibition games under Harbaugh (28-4 in past 10 preseasons). Lamar Jackson and most starters won’t play, but that’s expected to be the case on the other side, too. Not really sure why the Eagles are giving 3.5 points on the road. Philadelphia is 5-8-2 straight up (6-8-1 ATS) in the preseason under coach Nick Sirianni. QB Jalen Hurts hasn’t played in an exhibition game since 2022.” Bet the Ravens at DraftKings here and claim $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager as a new user: 

Dodgers (+111) to defeat Brewers

It’s certainly not often you have a chance to get plus-money odds on the Dodgers on the money line, but this situation is largely due to the pitching matchup. The Brewers are starting NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski against Los Angeles’ struggling Justin Wrobleski. However, the Dodgers still have their potent, deep offense, featuring Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, and more. Wrobleski has a 3.44 ERA this season despite allowing 15 earned runs over his last three starts, so he has the potential to pitch a gem as well. The model projects the Dodgers to win in 54% of simulations despite facing Misiorowski. Bet on the Dodgers at DraftKings here and claim $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager as a new user:

Islam Makhachev to defeat Ian Machado Garry by decision (+120)

“The pound-for-pound king Makhachev will look to make his second welterweight title defense and break Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive wins,” SportsLine MMA expert Daniel Vithlani said. “Under the tutelage of coach and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has become one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. His Dagestani-style wrestling is in a league of its own, and his southpaw kickboxing skills remain underrated. Ian Machado Garry is defensively sound and has great balance, so I think Makhachev could struggle to take him down initially. However, once Makhachev inevitably gets the fight to the floor, I see him dominating with control. I expect Garry to be competitive in a highly technical fight that goes the distance, but I can’t see how he overcomes Makhachev’s world-class grappling.” Bet on Makhachev at DraftKings here and claim $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager as a new user:

Want more NFL, MLB, UFC 300 picks for Saturday?

You’ve seen some of the model’s and SportsLine team of experts’ Saturday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including NFL, MLB, UFC, and more, all from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has simulated every game 10,000 times. 

Former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk has been left between a rock and a hard place afterhis promotional contract with Zuffa Boxing has been terminated.

The Ukrainian dethroned long-reigning light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson in 2018, scoring an 11th-round stoppage that left his opponent with a brain injury.

Gvozdyk then made a WBC title defence before losing to Artur Beterbiev, who extended his ruthless surge with a 10th-round finish in their 2019 encounter.

Since that defeat, ‘The Nail’ suffered a unanimous decision loss to David Benavidez in 2024, before entering a perceived 50/50 contest against Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic in February.

With both making their Zuffa debut, the two veterans delivered a thrilling battle in which Gvozdyk scored two knockdowns and had built a sizable lead.

In round seven, though, the 39-year-old found himself on the canvas and was ultimately stopped on his feet after getting dropped a second time.

Given his overall performance, one would suspect he had done enough to justify another meaningful opportunity, yet Gvozdyk has since told vRINGe that he will no longer be fighting under the Zuffa banner.

“They terminated the contract in February after a loss. That is, every promoter has the option that if a boxer loses, they have the right to terminate the contract. That’s exactly what they did. After the fight, everyone was saying how great it was. That everything was great. I rested. I started preparing as planned – somewhere around May. And then, around April, they told me I’d received an email terminating the contract.”

Meanwhile, Kalajdzic’s next outing with Dana White’s promotional outfit is confirmed for September 26 against Craig Richards.

As for Gvozdyk, it is difficult to predict what will come next but, at the age of 39, one would suspect that he is close to hanging up the gloves.

Still, he could hardly have been happy to part ways with Zuffa, which also terminated its contract with Robert Meriwether following his defeat to Tony Hirsch Jr in April.

NEW YORK — Despite a slow start to their return home on Friday night, the Mets offense found a rhythm late.

The Mets used home runs from Francisco Lindor and Jared Young, along with a productive finish from their bullpen to grab a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

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Now, the Mets will go for the series victory at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.

NY Mets, Nationals probable starting pitchers for Saturday

Sean Manaea will be looking to record a fifth straight quality start on Saturday.

The veteran left-hander struck out a season-high 11 batters across seven innings while allowing one earned run on three hits in his last start against the Pirates.

Manaea is 4-5 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 25 appearances, including 11 starts.

The Nationals will go with Brad Lord, who has worked predominantly in a bulk bullpen role this season. He threw 51 pitches and allowed one earned run in 2⅔ innings in his last outing against the Reds.

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Lord is 5-2 with a 3.80 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 29 appearances.

NY Mets announce Saturday lineup vs Nationals

A.J. Ewing CF

Francisco Lindor SS

Bo Bichette 3B

Carson Benge RF

Jared Young 1B

Marcus Semien 2B

Brett Baty LF

Jorge Polanco DH

Francisco Alvarez C

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets announce lineup vs Washington Nationals for Saturday game