The fight was set up between second-ranked Prochazka and third-ranked Ulberg after former champion Alex Pereira vacated the title to move up to heavyweight.
With 31 finishes from 39 fights, Prochazka is regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and went into the contest as the favourite.
Ulberg, meanwhile, who grew up in foster homes before transitioning to martial arts after a spell in rugby league, earned the opportunity after knocking out former title challenger Dominick Reyes in September.
Fan favourite Prochazka was serenaded by “let’s go Jiri” chants in the early stages, as Ulberg attacked with leg kicks.
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But Ulberg was soon in difficulties with his knee following an awkward landing while falling backwards.
Prochazka appeared to invite Ulberg to stand and trade blows, with the New Zealander ignoring the offer.
With Ulberg backing up against the cage, Prochazka stepped in while throwing punches but was caught by a flush counter left hook.
With fans at octagon-side on their feet in shock and excitement, Ulberg then pounced on the fallen Prochazka to reign down punches as the referee stopped the fight.
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UFC president Dana White said in his post-fight news conference that the injury could be Ulberg’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), while commentator Daniel Cormier said Prochazka would have won had the fight gone past the first round.
“If he went to his corner, this fight would have been done. His knee is blown out, he can’t even stand,” said Cormier.
The UFC will be hoping Ulberg’s injury is not serious, with ACL tears usually taking more than nine months to heal fully following surgery.
A close-up view of a Chicago Bears helmet is shown on Nov 10, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, capturing the team’s iconic navy shell and orange “C” logo before game action. The detailed shot highlights the franchise’s classic look as players prepared for kickoff in a traditional NFC North setting. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports.
Each week, we track our version of the “Nopedy Nopes” in the Minnesota Vikings’ orbit — the takes that miss, get weird, drift away from reality, or just plain fell flat compared to expectations.
Three fresh Vikings misses hit trade talk, quarterback chatter, and draft noise.
This round focuses on draft chatter, roster battles, and one wild podcast opinion as the regular season sits about five months out.
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This Week’s Nopedy Nopes Hit Chicago, Quarterback Talk, and Draft Buzz
The Vikings Nopedy Nopes with the draft 11 days out.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson stands on the field before kickoff on Aug 17, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, ahead of a preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Johnson observed warmups and interacted with staff as Chicago prepared for early-season action in front of a home crowd. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings will do trade business with the Bears in Round 1 of the draft.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recommended one trade for each NFL franchise that should consider during the draft, and here’s his proposal for the Vikings:
Minnesota Gets: Pick No. 25 (R1) Pick No. 60 (R2)
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Chicago Gets: Pick No. 18 (R1) Pick No. 163 (R5)
Barnwell explained, “Ryan Poles has already addressed some of his team’s weaknesses this offseason, but the Bears should still hope to add something meaningful on the edge. Montez Sweat is a very solid starter on one side of the line, but Dayo Odeyingbo is coming off a torn Achilles and didn’t look good in his debut season as a Bears player before the injury.”
“Odeyingbo has no guaranteed money due in 2027, so this trade would be for a rookie who can rotate with him in 2026 before taking over as the starter next year. The Bears have an extra second-round pick after trading DJ Moore to the Bills, which would make this deal easier to stomach in Chicago.”
The trade deal is quite intriguing, all things considered.
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“Brzezinski’s Vikings were the league’s third-oldest team on a snap-weighted basis last season, and that was with McCarthy and Max Brosmer taking the majority of the snaps at quarterback. Adofo-Mensah was wildly successful in free agency but struggled badly with his drafts, so the Vikings need to add more young talent to their core,” Barnwell continued.
“Picking up an extra second-round pick would make sense, especially after they made just one top-100 pick a year ago.”
The problem? The Vikings and Bears hardly ever do trade business.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the likelihood of a Vikings-Bears trade. Interdivisional trading is taboo.
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The Nopedy Nope: Kyler Murray will face a real quarterback competition at training camp.
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio opined on the Vikings’ QB setup this week, claiming, “The Vikings currently have four quarterbacks on the roster. There is no starter, for now. Coach Kevin O’Connell explained during a recent visit with PFT Live that, eventually, there will be a clear delineation of positions on the depth chart.”
“It will come down, undoubtedly, to Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. O’Connell explained that he has no concern about McCarthy becoming disenchanted if he doesn’t win the job.”
Training camp will get underway in about 3.5 months.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray appears courtside on Jan 28, 2020, at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, during a game between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. Murray watched second-quarter action while taking in the NBA matchup, drawing attention as a high-profile NFL presence at the arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
Florio added, “The best news for the Vikings is that, however it plays out, they’ll have a solid No. 2 and (if Carson Wentz makes the final 53) a third-stringer who can win games if need be.”
“Last year, Wentz showed up less than two weeks before Week 1, and he played better than anyone could have expected. This year, he’ll be involved throughout the offseason program and training camp.”
Minnesota will claim there’s a quarterback battle in spirit, but it’s window dressing.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on a real Vikings quarterback battle; Murray will win it handily.
The Nopedy Nope: Cam Skattebo says CTE is fake, so that settles that.
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In March, Skattebo said CTE was an “excuse” and that all one needs to do to combat asthma is to “breathe.” He later walked back the comments, but Cris Carter opined on the topic this week.
Carter stopped by the Fully Loaded podcast and told the show’s host, “So as far as CTE, the thing that I know is ever since I’ve been in the Hall of Fame, it has hit closer, and it’s hit very, very different because I can see annually guys deteriorate.”
“I can see the greatest athletes in the world psychologically, mentally, and physically succumb to age, dementia, CTE, and some of them have died, and the studies came back immediately with them. I’m going out of my way so that I can be the healthiest version of myself, but I’m terrified. I don’t live life terrified, but I’m terrified of the potential.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter (81) reacts after a touchdown on Feb 5, 1995, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the Pro Bowl. Carter’s 51-yard scoring reception highlighted his playmaking ability as he celebrated in an all-star setting alongside the league’s top talent. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports.
About 10 years ago, Carter said on the same topic, “I’ve had teammates who killed themselves: Andre Waters, teammate of mine in Philadelphia. I’ve had good friends of mine: Junior Seau, Dave Duerson. Great men, guys that have done tremendous things in their community. All of a sudden they became violent and took their own lives. So I worry. I worry what my future is. I wonder what’s going to happen to our generation?”
It’s a serious matter for Carter, and rightfully so. To claim otherwise is immature, reckless, and dumb.
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The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Skattebo turning CTE into a debateable issue. It’s not.
Toni Storm has gone on a sudden hiatus from AEW. Now, a popular star has sent a heartbreaking message.
Mina Shirakawa has been linked to Toni Storm ever since her AEW debut. She first started feuding with the Timeless One. However, the two women have since formed a special bond together. They even participated in the tournament to crown the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions. They came close to winning the titles but fell short. Despite this, they continued their tag team partnership. However, recently, Toni was attacked by a mysterious attacker. This was done to write the former Women’s World Champion off TV. During a recent episode of Collision, Mina Shirakawa and Harley Cameron were in a backstage segment. Both women were feeling down since their respective tag teams broke up. Hence, the Japanese star suggested they drink.
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Following this segment, Mina Shirakawa took to social media to say that she is all alone after Storm’s hiatus.
“All alone…..”
Check out her tweet here:
Vince Russo commented on Toni Storm’s hiatus
Toni Storm is one of the top stars on the AEW roster. She has also been very entertaining with her Timeless gimmick. This has helped her get over with the fans and resulted in the company pushing her as the Women’s World Champion. Even after losing the Women’s World Title, she continued to be a prominent feature on TV as she continued to feud with Marina Shafir. She was set to compete against Marina Shafir on Dynamite, but she was taken out by a mystery attacker backstage and left in a pool of her own blood. This was done to write her off TV. Following this, it was reported that the Timeless One could be sidelined for the rest of the year.
“It’s no different than a pro athlete being out for a couple of years with an injury, and I hate that. That is so sad to me, man, especially when you’ve got a talent like Toni Storm. We get cheated. At the end of the day, the fan gets cheated.”
It will be interesting to see when Storm will make her return.
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No Minnesota Vikings fan knows for sure how Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft will shake down; that’s what happens when a franchise has no official general manager and the roster holes are arguably plentiful.
These are the clearest paths to Pick No. 18.
But here’s a look at the leading candidates to join the Vikings in 10 days. Minnesota has the 18th overall pick.
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8 Prospects Emerging as Minnesota’s Most Realistic 1st-Rounders
Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely Round 1 draft picks), this is the field for Minnesota.
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) celebrates with teammates after a key defensive stop against New Mexico State during NCAA action, Nov 15, 2025, as the Volunteers defense swarms following a momentum-shifting play in front of a home crowd at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
8. Colton Hood | CB, Tennessee
Hood just turned 21, and the Vikings haven’t connected on a rookie cornerback in about 10 years. For now, he lives at No. 35 on the Consensus Big Board, but he’s included on this list because in 2025, Donovan Jackson ranked No. 39, and Minnesota picked him anyway.
It’s also worth noting that Hood is an outside corner, which the Vikings could put to immediate use.
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7. Kenyon Sadiq | TE, Oregon
T.J. Hockenson reworked his contract last month, now scheduled to hit free agency in March 2027. If Minnesota believes Sadiq is the best player available at No. 18, there is absolutely no reason not to draft him and prepare for life after Hockenson.
Sadiq is a pass-catcher and a blocker; he’s the total package. He’s considered a physical freak and just turned 21.
6. Kayden McDonald | NT, Ohio State
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If the Vikings desire a “safe” draft selection after perhaps trading down 5-12 spots, McDonald is perfect. He’s a run-stopping nose tackle, and Minnesota hasn’t employed a genuine version of one of those since Linval Joseph and Dalvin Tomlinson.
McDonald is the No. 31 rookie on the Consensus Big Board. Minnesota, for example, could trade with the Miami Dolphins at No. 30, add two 3rd-Rounders, and draft McDonald.
5. Jermod McCoy | CB, Tennessee
McCoy would be higher on this list, but his recent draft momentum suggests he’ll be gone by the time Minnesota is called to the podium. He’s considered CB2 behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane, who will be picked somewhere in the Top 15 — probably Top 12.
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McCoy is 20 years old and recovering from a torn ACL that cancels his 2025 season at Tennessee. Like Hood, McCoy usually plays on the outside.
NFL Draft Buzzon McCoy: “McCoy belongs in the conversation as one of the most complete corners in this class, and the Pro Day removed the last real caveat attached to his evaluation. The 4.37 forty and 38-inch vertical, turned in on a surgically repaired knee, confirm the closing burst and recovery speed that his 2024 tape suggested but never got to prove against NFL-caliber testing.”
4. Keldric Faulk | EDGE, Auburn
Pretend the Jonathan Greenard trade rumors come true; the Vikings trade him to an EDGE-needy team for a 2nd-Rounder. Well, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski can somewhat easily draft Faulk minutes later.
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Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) participates in position drills during the program’s pro day at the Woltosz Performance Center, Mar 24, 2026, as NFL scouts and team personnel evaluate his athleticism, movement skills, and readiness for the next level. Mandatory Credit: Jake Crandall-Imagn Images
Faulk is almost a forgotten man behind rookie EDGEs David Bailey, Arvel Reese, Rueben Bain, and Akheem Mesidor. But his current draft slot aligns with the Vikings’ long-term OLB need if they trade Greenard.
The best way for Minnesota to get McNeil-Warren is probably a trade down a handful of spots, adding a 2nd- or 3rd-Round pick and still filling the safety void that will be evident if Harrison Smith retires.
McNeil-Warren has the prototypical safety size, he’s rangy, and he forces turnovers. Drafting safeties in Round 1 may not be totally ideal, but the Toledo product might just be worth it.
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2. Peter Woods | DT, Clemson
One month ago, the Vikings ended the one-year stays of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They don’t work here anymore. Combined, those two played over 1,300 defensive snaps at DT for the 2025 Vikings.
One might think that a rookie defensive tackle is on the way; Allen and Hargrave leaving is sufficient evidence.
If Minnesota sticks-and-picks at No. 18 and wants a young defensive tackle, Woods is the pick.
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1. Dillon Thieneman | S, Oregon
If you’re reading an article like this, you’ve probably scanned at least 10+ NFL mock drafts by now. There’s a decent chance that Thieneman landed with the Vikings in 90% of them.
Thieneman reminds everyone of Harrison Smith, and Smith could retire at any time. Therefore, probably needing a safety as early as now, Thieneman has morphed into Minnesota’s mock-draft darling.
Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams (20) is brought down by Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during second-half action of the Orange Bowl playoff quarterfinal, Jan 1, 2026, as both teams battle for field position in a high-stakes postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on Thieneman: “With his open-field athleticism, Thieneman has a lot to offer in the NFL because of his versatility making plays over the top in coverage or downhill versus the run. He shows impressive range and anticipation from the deep half of the field, as well as the intelligence to understand what opponents are trying to do.”
“Although he doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, he can guard both sidelines and sort through routes. He can clean up some things in the run game, too — he has a nose for the ball and doesn’t hesitate flying to the contact point.”
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Draft heads perceived him as a 2nd-Rounder two months ago, but he balled out at the Combine, and now the world believes he’ll be a Viking.
2017 winner Sergio Garcia shattered his driver after taking his anger out on the second tee box of the legendary golf course.
Paired with fellow Spaniard and 2023 winner Jon Rahm, Garcia slammed his club into the turf twice after hitting a shot that ended up in the bunker. Then he took a swipe at a table with a green cooler on it.
Sergio Garcia of Spain finishes his first round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 9, 2026.(Eric Gay/AP)
That left the head of his driver dangling from the shaft, and he reached over and yanked it off completely. Garcia eventually received a code of conduct warning.
Garcia entered the day well out of contention and then bogeyed the first hole, so his anger is understandable.
Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 9, 2026.(Michael Madrid/Imagn Images)
Later on that second hole, things turned comical when Garcia started carrying Rahm’s bag while Rahm’s caddie was tending to the bunker. The crowd applauded when Rahm took the bag from Garcia and started carrying it himself as caddie Adam Hayes hustled to catch up to the players.
Garcia was disqualified in 2019 at the Saudi International for damaging greens in frustration. This time he got control of himself before it got to that point, although he eventually received the warning.
According to club officials, Geoff Yang in his role as chairman of the competitions committee spoke to Garcia on the fourth tee and issued the code of conduct warning.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia of Spain carries his bag as he walks off the fairway on the No. 2 hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026.(Logan Whitton/Augusta National/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young are tied for the lead at 11 under and tee off at 2:25 p.m. ET.
Jannik Sinner is the Monte Carlo champion after a 7-6, 6-3 win over Carlos Alcaraz.
The victory secures his first title in Monte Carlo and continues a good run at Masters level.
Sinner has now won four consecutive Masters 1000 titles and is on a 22-match winning streak in these events. He has also won 44 of his last 45 sets in Masters tournaments.
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The Italian will return to world No. 1 when the rankings update.
After the match, Sinner said:
“It means a lot to me. At the same time, the ranking is secondary. I’m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface. I haven’t done it before. It means a lot to me.”
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On his approach during the match, he added:
“I felt close on the return games. I had a feeling the new balls helped me. The ball change was at 2-1. I tried to stay there mentally. Trying to keep pushing. I felt a bit tired. I tried to keep up with the right mentality. Having this trophy with me now means a lot to me. It’s a completely different tournament, I come here, sleeping at home and everything. It means a lot.”
Sinner also took time to acknowledge his opponent:
“Carlos, congrats to you and your team. You’re doing amazing things year after year. You keep showing why you are the player you are.”
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“Facing you especially in finals in the end of the tournaments makes it even more special. Thank you so much and wish you all the best for the rest of the season.”
Alcaraz responded with praise of his own:
“It’s impressive what you’re achieving right now… it’s something incredible. It’s so difficult to make that happen. Congratulations for everything and for the work you’re doing with your team.”
With this win, Sinner becomes just the second player after Novak Djokovic to win Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo in the same season.
Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia made the cut at the 2026 Masters. The way his final round is going so far on Sunday, April 12, maybe he wishes he didn’t.
The 2017 Masters champion started the day at 5-over par and near the bottom of the leaderboard. That earned him a 9:28 a.m. ET tee time, meaning his day will be over by the time CBS begins coverage of the final round.
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The good news? Garcia got to play with countryman Jon Rahm, who also found himself far from contention.
Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to help Garcia’s mood. As shown by ESPN on X, Garcia broke his driver after an especially frustrating tee shot on the second hole.
On the 585-yard par 5, Garcia ripped a poor drive into a bunker. As the ball was in flight, he slammed his driver twice onto the tee box. Then, Garcia rapped the head of the club against a cooler, ensuring he wouldn’t have to use it again.
According to ESPN, Garcia is not permitted to replace the driver, per golf rules. Geoff Yang, the chairman of the competitions committee, spoke to Garcia on the fourth tee and issued the code of conduct warning.
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Later on No. 2, Garcia eased the tension by carrying Rahm’s clubs while his caddie tended to sand in the bunker.
Amazingly, Garcia parred the hole to remain at 6-over after bogeying his opening hole. But he bogeyed the next two holes to fall to 8-over.
Unperturbed, Rahm is 3-under for the day and stands 2-over for the tournament.
The 2017 Masters win, earned in a playoff over Justin Rose, is Garcia’s lone major title. He has 11 PGA Tour wins at 35 victories worldwide. Garcia has earned $55 million on the PGA Tour and an estimated $93.5 million overall.
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Rahm won the 2023 Masters by four strokes. He has claimed two career major, also taking home the top prize at the 2021 U.S. Open.
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Defending champion Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young share the lead at the 2026 Masters entering the final round. CBS begins coverage at 2 p.m. ET Sunday. The final round can be streamed on Paramount+ and Masters..com.
Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Dallas Turner poses with fans after being selected during the NFL Draft, with Apr 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan capturing the moment at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza as excitement built around the franchise’s newest defensive addition. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings’ 2020 draft is no longer part of this article’s criteria; it would’ve taken the cake if so. But as the purple team pivots to the 2026 batch of rookies, let’s look back at the last five years, which have been tumultuous, outside of a few picks, to say the least.
Minnesota’s recent draft record is uneven, though one class clearly stands above the rest.
The worst draft of the last five years is quite obvious; here’s a look at the complete pecking order.
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A Full Ranking of Minnesota’s Most Recent Draft Hauls
Ranking Minnesota’s draft classes from the last half-decade.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) watches the action on Dec 24, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a game against the Detroit Lions. Booth observed from the field as Minnesota navigated a key divisional matchup late in the season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
5. 2022
The Group: Lewis Cine | S, Georgia — R1 Andrew Booth | CB, Clemson — R2 Ed Ingram | G, LSU — R2 Brian Asamoah | LB, Oklahoma — R3 Akayleb Evans | CB, Missouri — R4 Esezi Otomewo | DL, Minnesota — R5 Ty Chandler | RB, North Carolina — R5 Vederian Lowe | OL, Illinois — R6 Jalen Nailor | WR, Michigan State — R6 Nick Muse | TE, South Carolina — R7
This is about as brutal as it gets. None of these men work for the Vikings anymore, and we’re only four years removed from the haul.
Cine can’t even cut it in the UFL, Booth hasn’t had much more luck, and Ingram is now a solid starter — in Houston. Others, like Evans, Otomewo, Chandler, Lowe, and Nailor, received new contracts this offseason, but those all occurred with non-Vikings teams.
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The 2022 draft is one of the worst in franchise history. Perhaps NFL history.
4. 2025
The Group: Donovan Jackson | OL, Ohio State — R1 Tai Felton | WR, Maryland — R3 Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DE, Georgia — R5 Kobe King | LB, Penn State — R6 Gavin Bartholomew | TE, Pittsburgh — R6
The Vikings sold most of the picks from this class in pursuit of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner. So, when the time came to draft players in 2025, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t have many picks.
Jackson and Ingram-Dawkins seem like hits, but that’s about it. Minnesota even [oddly] waived King midseason 2025, and he was quickly scooped by the New York Jets.
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3. 2023
The Group: Jordan Addison | WR, USC — R1 Mekhi Blackmon | CB, USC — R3 Jay Ward | S, LSU — R4 Jaquelin Roy | DT, LSU — R5 Jaren Hall | QB, BYU — R5 DeWayne McBride | RB, Ala-Birmingham — R7
Addison alone made this draft worthwhile; the Vikings are on track to extend his rookie contract. After the 2022 class, that’s pretty rare.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) secures a catch on Dec 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while defended by Giants safety Dane Belton (24). Addison created separation and completed the play during first-half action in a road matchup against New York. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
Ward, too, has turned the corner into a playable safety, and there’s a small chance that he plays a starter’s role in 2026 if Minnesota doesn’t leave this month’s draft with a new safety.
Adofo-Mensah strangely traded Blackmon away last summer for nothing, and he performed decently for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
2. 2024
The Group: J.J. McCarthy | QB, Michigan — R1 Dallas Turner | LB, Alabama — R1 Khyree Jackson | DB, Oregon — R4 Walter Rouse | OL, Oklahoma — R6 Will Reichard | K, Alabama — R6 Michael Jurgens | OL, Wake Forest — R7 Levi Drake Rodriguez | DT, Texas A&M-Commerce — R7
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McCarthy still has time to morph into a long-term starter, but Kyler Murray is now in the house for the 2026 Vikings. Turner is on track to be worth the Round 1 squeeze.
Rouse, Jurgens, and Drake Rodriguez remain dependable depth players.
The real prize, so far, believe it or not, is the kicker. Minnesota has been starved for 25+ years at kicker, and Reichard is the guy fans have dreamt about for eons. This draft wasn’t wholly spectacular, but Reichard is sure as hell wholly spectacular.
The Viking Age‘sLuke Norris noted on Reichard a few months ago, “The best player for the Vikes during that final stretch — and arguably throughout the entire season — was second-year kicker Will Reichard, who went a perfect 12-for-12 on field goals in Weeks 14 to 18, three of which went for 50 yards or more, and also connected on all 12 of his extra-point attempts.”
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1. 2021
The Group: Christian Darrisaw | OL, Virginia Tech — R1 Kellen Mond | QB, Texas A&M — R3 Chazz Surratt | LB, North Carolina — R3 Wyatt Davis | OL, Ohio State — R3 Patrick Jones II | DL, Pittsburgh — R3 Kene Nwangwu | RB, Iowa State — R4 Camryn Bynum | CB, California — R4 Janarius Robinson | DE, Florida State — R4 Ihmir Smith-Marsette | WR, Iowa — R5 Zach Davidson | TE, Central Missouri State — R5 Jaylen Twyman | DL, Pittsburgh — R6
It makes sense that the best Vikings draft of the last five years did not belong to Adofo-Mensah. And that’s not a controversial take. It’s just the truth.
Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) lines up at the line of scrimmage on Sep 19, 2022, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during a game against the Eagles. Darrisaw anchored the offensive front as Minnesota prepared for a physical matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Former boss Rick Spielman departed this draft in Cleveland five years ago with two undisputed starters: Darrisaw and Bynum.
The rest of the draft was ugly — Mond, Davis, and Robinson are out of the NFL — but even Patrick Jones II is a decent EDGE defender.
The powerhouse team of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald prolonged their extraordinary Group 1 dominance during the Sydney autumn carnival, capped by Ohope Wins prevailing in a gripping $1 million ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Now, Waller and McDonald hold a record of securing a Group 1 each of the past seven consecutive Saturdays, beginning with Autumn Glow’s Verry Elleegant Stakes victory on February 28.
It’s a phenomenal run of top-level success for the Sydney pair, who next week will link with Fangirl in the All Aged Stakes and Campione D’Italia for the Champagne Stakes on carnival finale day.
Recently transferred to Waller’s yard, Ohope Wins became merely the fourth filly ever to sweep the New Zealand Oaks and ATC Australian Oaks, trailing Pennyweka (2023), Bonneval (2017) and Domino (1990).
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Waller largely credited Lance O’Sullivan, Ohope Wins’s former trainer, for the Oaks conquest.
“Obviously I’ve been gifted this lovely filly by Yulong and Lance O’Sullivan did a great job with her prior to coming to me,” Waller said.
“Plus they gave me a hand with her as well, they were very friendly and very helpful which we’ve got to thank them for.
“It wasn’t hard to have her ready for this race because you know the horse is good enough, it was just about keeping it simple.
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“I think she needed the run (4th in the Vinery Stud Stakes) and speaking with Lance, the confidence he had in her, he said she’s one of the best horses that he’s ever had anything to deal with so it’s a pretty big comment coming from him.”
Ohope Wins, sent off at $2.60 favourite, delivered a devastating late charge to pip the tough Profoundly ($3.20) by a long neck, as After Summer ($9.50) trailed by a half head for third.
McDonald explained the Oaks’s furious pace was perfect for Ohope Wins.
“I always had a plan to ride her quietly,” McDonald said.”I was blessed when the pace went on and it never stopped so it was going to be the toughest stayer and that’s exactly what she was.
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“She’s a very gritty filly. She had enough on the line, the other two were brave (Profoundly 2nd, After Summer 3rd) and it was lucky we were on a good horse.”
Waller’s fifth ATC Australian Oaks came via Ohope Wins, though he rarely prepares rising four-year-old mares for the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup path.
The 2019 winner Verry Elleegant sat out both Cups that spring as a four-year-old.
Verry Elleegant returned the next year to land the Caulfield Cup before annexing the Melbourne Cup as a six-year-old.
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Speaking of plans, Waller will give Ohope Wins a spell, keeping options open for her spring staying targets.
Trained by Michael Freedman, Profoundly had victory in sight after kicking away over the rise, but Ohope Wins reeled her in fast, making it a battle to the line by a long neck.
After Summer highlighted her staying credentials again with Group 1 placings in successive starts, building on second to Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes to a bold third here in the Oaks.
Visit premier betting sites for competitive racing betting markets on the ATC Australian Oaks.
To produce the conditions the tournament is famed for — firm, smooth, lightning-fast — Augusta National’s maintenance team pushes turf to the limits of survival, letting it go thirsty, cutting it as short as five o’clock stubble.
“Greens were definitely baked out,” Li said after a third-round 69 that left him in a tie for seventh. “It’s just so firm and green runs so quick. The grass are almost died actually.”
Almost. And that’s the point. It’s all part of a risk-reward game that turns the course into a premium playing surface while placing the grass under enormous strain.
The results can be visible to fans, too. Though the Masters is practically synonymous with green, it’s not uncommon for faint hints of brown to appear around the course as the tournament progresses, particularly when the weather is dry and breezy, as it has been this week. Television can exaggerate those discolorations. Still, as one veteran superintendent told Golf.com, those hints of brown have shown up earlier than usual in 2026.
As with most club matters, Augusta National does not comment publicly on its maintenance practices. But another superintendent with experience in Masters preparations said that brown can result from many factors, and that color alone is not a sign of a conditioning problem.
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“At a place like Augusta, soft is unacceptable and slow is unacceptable,” the superintendent said. “If you want elite performance, you’ve got to get right to the edge of agronomic failure without crossing it.”
To do that, he said, “you back off irrigation hard, use heavy rolling, and possibly regulate growth aggressively.”
At Augusta National, he added, everything “is by design.” If the course looks a shade browner in places this year, it doesn’t mean anyone has dropped the ball. But it might reflect a shift in maintenance philosophy since the departure of Brad Owen, the club’s longtime director of agronomy, two years ago. Even the smallest change in any number of practices — fertilizer applications, mowing and rolling patterns, more continuous use of SubAir, the underground system that regulates moisture in the greens — could have a subtle influence on aesthetics. Throw in factors beyond even Augusta National’s control, like high winds or sudden spikes in evapotranspiration, and some variation is inevitable.
It’s unrealistic to expect a golf course to never change. What is realistic is to expect elite playing surface. On that front, no one has complained. Per usual, the course has earned nothing but praise players, including Jason Day, who hailed the course conditions as impeccable after his Saturday round.
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As today’s final round gets underway, Day is part of a packed leaderboard. Every golfer in the mix will experience the pressure. But they won’t be alone in feeling the strain.
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