The UFC’s return to Winnipeg is chock full of Canadian mixed martial arts talent.
Burlington, Ont.’s Mike Malott will become the first Canadian to headline a UFC event in Canada in a decade when he faces Brazil’s Gilbert Burns in a five-round welterweight main event.
The stakes for Malott heading into Saturday’s 13-bout Fight Night card at Canada Life Centre are straightforward. Any win over Burns will result in Malott cracking the 170-pound contender rankings when they update next week.
An impressive knockout or submission victory, on the other hand, would send a message to the rest of the division that Malott is ready to begin taking on the top 10 contenders in the weight class.
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Malott is one of nine Canadians scheduled to compete on the card this weekend, so with that in mind, let’s look at what’s at stake for the others.
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Charles Jourdain: Saturday’s co-main event is a bantamweight contest between Beloeil, Que.’s Jourdain and American Kyler Phillips, two fighters heading in opposite directions. After getting knocked out by featherweight contender Jean Silva two years ago, Jourdain dropped down from 145 pounds to the 135-pound division where he has gone 2-0 with submission wins over Victor Henry in 2024 and over Davey Grant six month ago in Vancouver.
“The loss to Jean Silva was quite tremendous loss because even though he’s a fantastic fighter – I’m not taking anything away from him – this is where I realized I was riding a wave of talent instead of being a professional,” Jourdain told Sportsnet this week. “So, I became a professional when it comes to taking care of the mind, taking care of the body, and now I’ve never been bigger. I’m actually stronger and bigger than when I was a featherweight … so everything changed (after) that night.”
The 30-year-old Canadian used a guillotine technique to submit both Henry and Grant and it’ll be a real feather in his chapeau if he can get a stoppage win in Winnipeg considering Phillips has never been finished in his mixed martial arts career.
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Phillips, 30, is 12-4 as a pro with all four losses being via decision, including one early in his career to Henry, but he also has gotten the better of contenders such as Song Yadong and Raoni Barcelos.
UFC on Sportsnet
Canada’s Mike Malott and Brazil’s Gilbert Burns headline a Fight Night in Winnipeg. Watch all the UFC action on Saturday, April 18 on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+ with coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
Mandel Nallo: It took the 36-year-old until the twilight of his fighting career to finally make it to the UFC, but a first-round knockout win this past September on Dana White’s Contender Series earned him a shot in the big show. Now, he gets to debut in front of a home crowd against experienced English kickboxer Jai Herbert, who has shared the cage previously with the likes of Ilia Topuria and Renato Moicano.
Nallo is former training partner of Georges St-Pierre at Tristar Gym and fought eight times under the Bellator MMA banner from 2017 to 2023. He has won five consecutive fights by first-round stoppage, one of which earned him Samourai MMA’s vacant lightweight title in the summer of 2024.
Jasmine Jasudavicius: The popular Niagara Top Team member had been closing in on women’s flyweight title contention, however her five-fight winning streak was snapped by Manon Fiorot just 74 seconds into her most recent appearance in Vancouver in October. Jasudavicius gets her first chance to regroup against Karine Silva on the main card. It’s another home game for Jasudavicius, who fought on both Canadian cards last year and has fought in her home country in five of her past eight overall. The 37-year-old from St. Catharines, Ont., is the No. 7-ranked contender at 125 pounds, while her 32-year-old Brazilian opponent has lost two of her past three and has gone the distance in each of her past four fights.
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Jamey-Lyn Horth: A spot in the rankings is on the line when Horth faces American JJ Aldrich on the prelims. Horth, 36, has won two in a row and showed off her power in December in a two-minute knockout of Tereza Bleda. It was Horth’s first stoppage win in four years and it earned her a step-up in competition. Aldrich enters the weekend ranked No. 14 in the women’s flyweight division 125 pounds with wins in three of her past four. Horth and Jasudavicius are friends and often train together so the fact both are competing on the same card could end up being a good omen.
Julien Leblanc: The 34-year-old from Gatineau, Que., is one of three Canadians and one of six total fighters this weekend making their UFC debuts. Leblanc has been finding success in Canadian promotions Unified MMA and Samourai MMA the past few years with five consecutive wins and three in a row by KO/TKO. Leblanc gets to show whether or not he is a UFC-calibre middleweight. His opponent, Robert Valentin, was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 32 in 2024 but is 0-3 in UFC bouts and is coming off a 70-second knockout loss to Ateba Gautier in July.
Melissa Croden: Calgary’s bantamweight has gotten off to a hot-cold start to her UFC career. She debuted in October with a third-round TKO, but then had that momentum dissipate due to a decision loss in her sophomore showing in December. Croden, 34, lost a decision to Luana Santos in December after winning her UFC debut by TKO at UFC Vancouver a couple months earlier. Her opponent, Darya Zheleznyakova, is coming off a decision win over Melissa Mullins last summer to improve to 2-1 in the UFC. Zheleznyakova, 30, has also alternated wins and losses during her brief UFC tenure.
Tanner Boser: He’s back! The Alberta heavyweight has returned to the UFC for the first time in nearly three years. Boser went 5-5 in the UFC from 2019 to 2023. He had knockout wins over Ovince Saint Preux and Philipe Lins and two of his losses were decision to multiple-time heavyweight title contender Ciryl Gane and former champ Andrei Arlovski. Boser’s most recent match in the UFC was when he debuted at 205 pounds and was stopped by Ion Cutelaba in the opening round. The 34-year-old returned to heavyweight and is coming off a TKO win at a UAE Warriors event 10 months ago. His opponent is 35-year-old striker Gokhan Saricam of Turkey who’s making his UFC debut.
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Jamie Siraj: This is perhaps the feel-good story of the entire UFC Winnipeg card. A few years ago, it wasn’t certain Siraj would be alive in 2026 let alone competing in the UFC. The 31-year-old, who is from Lower Mainland in B.C., made his professional debut in 2014 and holds a 14-3 record but his career and life nearly ended earlier this decade. There was a four-year span from mid-2019 to mid-2023 during which Siraj did not compete due to life-threatening health issues. Siraj got a brain infection in 2020, ended up in a coma and then developed an autoimmune disease.
Long story short, Siraj slowly recovered and returned to fighting where he has gone 6-1 since his comeback. He now makes his UFC debut against American John Yannis in a 135-pound preliminary matchup. Siraj is coming off consecutive second-round submission victories and his only loss since 2016 happened early last year against Diego Brandao, a UFC veteran and past winner of The Ultimate Fighter who has been having tons of success on the regional scene recently. Other than that loss, Siraj is 11-1 over the past decade.
Canadian fighters went 4-2 at UFC 315 in Montreal last May (Malott and Jasudavicius were among the winners on that card) and went 5-2 at UFC Vancouver (Malott, Jourdain and Croden won on that card; Jasudavicius lost)
Projected bout order for UFC Winnipeg below (subject to change):
Arsenal secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals after a tense goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium, sealing a narrow 1-0 aggregate win on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side were far from their best in the second leg of the quarter-final, struggling to impose themselves and lacking sharpness in attack. However, they managed to protect their slender first-leg lead as Sporting failed to capitalize on Arsenal’s inconsistent performance.
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The Gunners will now meet Atletico Madrid in the last four, with the Spanish side progressing 3-2 on aggregate against Barcelona. Arsenal had earlier beaten Atletico 4-0 at home in the group stage, but they will need a far stronger display to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
Scrappy Arsenal getting desired results
Despite reaching the semi-finals for a second straight year, a first in the club’s history, Arsenal’s form remains patchy, with just one win in their last five matches across competitions.
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Arteta had urged his team to play with intensity and fearlessness, but Arsenal started brightly only to fade quickly, allowing Sporting to grow into the game. Defensive lapses and a lack of fluency in attack kept the visitors in contention.
Viktor Gyokeres struggled to make an impact against his former club, while missing key players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard left Arsenal short of creativity. Sporting also came close through Francisco Trincao and Geny Catamo, but Arsenal held firm amid mounting pressure.
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In the second half, Arsenal created chances through Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke, but failed to convert. Late substitutions, including Kai Havertz and Max Dowman, helped steady the side as they survived a nervy finish to progress.
Bernardo Silva has announced he will leave Manchester City this summer, bringing an end to nine years at the club.
The 31-year-old has made over 450 appearances, scored 76 goals and provided 77 assists, playing a key role in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
During his time at City, he won 19 major trophies: six Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the Treble in 2023.
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In a message shared on social media, Silva reflected on his journey at the club.
“When I arrived 9 years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life… much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart.”
He also thanked manager Pep Guardiola, his teammates, and his family.
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“To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget… My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch.”
Silva urged supporters to continue backing the team as the season closes.
“I arrived a City fan. I leave as one, supporting this amazing team, and I’m pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future.”
Manchester City has confirmed his departure, while tributes have continued to come in from across the football fans.
Barcelona say refereeing “errors” cost them a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and have caused “significant sporting and financial harm to the club”.
As a result, the Spanish giants have made a second complaint to Uefa about officiating across both legs of the tie.
Barca had a player sent off in each leg of their 3-2 aggregate defeat by Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid, with their 2-1 win on Tuesday not enough to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first game.
In both cases, a yellow card was upgraded to a red after the referee was instructed to review at a pitchside monitor the possible denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
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Pau Cubarsi was dismissed by Istvan Kovacs in the first leg, and fellow Barca defender Eric Garcia was sent off by Clement Turpin in the second.
Kovacs was also criticised by Barca after he and video assistant referee (VAR) Christian Dingert allowed play to continue when Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball in his own penalty area.
Barca had already protested a “grave lack of VAR intervention” following the first leg, with Uefa deeming the club’s complaint “inadmissable”.
After filing a second complaint to Uefa, the club released a statement claiming that “several refereeing decisions were made that did not comply with the laws of the game”.
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Barca accused officials of “incorrect application of the regulations” and criticised the lack of VAR intervention “in incidents of clear significance”.
The statement added that “the accumulation of these errors had a direct impact on the course of the matches and on the final outcome of the tie, causing significant sporting and financial harm to the club”.
Barcelona forward Raphinha, who missed each game through injury, told reporters after the second leg: “For me, this match was a robbery. Not just this match but the other one as well.”
A Barcelona statement added: “Through this complaint, the club reiterates the requests previously made to Uefa and, at the same time, offers to collaborate with the organisation with the aim of improving the refereeing system to ensure a more rigorous, fair and transparent application of the laws of the game.”
Anfield Watch can exclusively reveal Liverpool are lining up a move for a new right-back ahead of the summer window.
As this season has unfolded, the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield has grown more apparent.
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There are very few players in world football who can match his quality, especially in terms of distribution and creativity from deep and especially from right-back. His ability to dictate play and break down defences is unrivalled – there is no one like him.
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Although Conor Bradley has often been seen as the natural heir, ongoing injury issues have raised concerns about his reliability as a long-term first-choice option.
There’s no doubt he still has a role to play within the squad, but Liverpool need more certainty in such a vital position.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong has yet to prove himself as a dependable defensive presence, with his strengths clearly better suited to more advanced, attacking roles.
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That lack of confidence in Frimpong and the doubts over Bradley’s fitness has forced Liverpool into action and they will be tempting to reinforce the right-back position this summer in order to replace Alexander-Arnold ‘properly’ once and for all.
So, who could Liverpool be targeting?
Anfield Watch can exclusively reveal that one of the club’s top targets for the position is Daniel Banjaqui and Liverpool are exploring a potential move for the 18-year-old right-back, who is seen as an ideal profile for the football the Reds want to play.
Banjaqui has only made two senior appearances for Benfica’s first-team under Jose Mourinho, but he has caught the eye in those games.
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In his first ever start, he won the most tackles (4) and the most duels (12) in the game, but perhaps the most important aspect of his performance was his assist, a clever cross finding Anisio Cabral to help Benfica to a 4-0 victory.
Banjaqui also caught the eye at the U17 World Cup, where he played a key role in Portugal triumphing in the tournament, playing all of his country’s eight matches en-route to lifting the trophy and becoming a world champion.
Liverpool had a lot of scouts present at that tournament in Qatar, and the Reds have already signed two players from the tournament in Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye.
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In terms of his playing style, Banjaqui is quick, and he loves to bomb forward but he’s also a very good defender. In many ways, you can draw similarities with his style of play to that of his compatriot Nuno Mendes who came through the ranks at Sporting CP and plays for Paris Saint Germain.
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Mendes was a player Liverpool really liked at Sporting but never ended-up signing because at the time they had Andy Robertson.
The reason why Liverpool are ready to move for Banjaqui now, who recently penned a new deal with Benfica until 2031, is because securing him this summer will ensure that he could become a homegrown player by the time he turns 21-years-old as per current Premier League squad registration rules.
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The same will apply to Giovanni Leoni, and the aforementioned Ndukwe and Ndiaye.
It would be a genius move from Liverpool, who believe Banjaqui would be ready to play a role in the first-team immediately.
With less than three months left for the FIFA World Cup 2026, India remains without an official broadcaster, an unusual situation for one of the world’s biggest sports markets. While private media companies hesitate due to valuation concerns, attention is now turning toward an unexpected name: Prasar Bharati, which has already held preliminary discussions with FIFA.
A senior government official confirmed that exploratory talks have taken place to understand the pricing structure and feasibility of acquiring the rights.
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Private broadcasters hold back as valuation gap widens
FIFA launched its India media rights sale process in mid-2025, bundling the 2026 and 2030 World Cups to attract buyers. However, negotiations have stalled despite multiple rounds of discussions.
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The governing body is believed to have reduced its asking price from nearly $100 million to around $35 million for both tournaments. Even after this revision, no agreement has been finalized.
On the other side, industry estimates suggest that the merged entity JioStar values the package at closer to $25 million, significantly lower than FIFA’s expectations. For comparison, Viacom18 had paid about $62 million for the 2022 World Cup alone, highlighting the sharp correction in perceived market value.
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Prasar Bharati emerges as a possible alternative buyer
Prasar Bharati has previously stepped in to broadcast major FIFA events in India. In 2023, Doordarshan aired the FIFA Women’s World Cup through a sub-licensing arrangement with US-based partner 1Stadia, bringing the tournament to a wide audience across the country.
Officials argue that the public broadcaster operates under a different framework than private networks, where commercial returns are not the sole priority. Instead, large-scale sporting events are often viewed as part of its public service mandate.
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With DD Free Dish reaching a massive television audience and the WAVES OTT platform expanding its digital presence, Prasar Bharati now has a stronger distribution setup than in earlier years.
Guaranteed exposure through public service broadcasting rules
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Under India’s Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, key sporting events classified as “national importance” must be shared with the public broadcaster. This ensures that marquee matches such as semi-finals and finals are likely to be shown on Doordarshan regardless of the primary rights holder.
This regulatory framework effectively guarantees Prasar Bharati access to the tournament’s most high-profile content.
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JioStar still seen as frontrunner despite delays
Despite the uncertainty, industry experts continue to view JioStar as the most likely eventual rights holder. The combined strength of Star Sports on television and JioHotstar on digital platforms gives it strong monetisation potential across India’s fragmented media landscape.
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In the previous World Cup cycle, digital platforms showed strong revenue potential, with JioCinema (Now JioHotstar) reportedly generating substantial advertising income through brand partnerships during the 2022 tournament.
However, analysts say the current deadlock is less about interest and more about price alignment. While FIFA wants a higher valuation, broadcasters are waiting for a correction before committing.
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Final outcome depends on pricing compromise
Industry insiders believe a resolution will eventually be reached, but only once either side adjusts its expectations. If negotiations continue to stall, broadcasters like JioStar may still enter the deal closer to the tournament window, when FIFA’s bargaining position weakens further.
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For now, India’s FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights remain in limbo, with no confirmed partner despite growing urgency.
One of the biggest questions going into WWE WrestleMania 42 has to do with Stone Cold Steve Austin’s potential involvement, and recent reports regarding the topic are sure to excite fans.
With WrestleMania 42 just two days away, there’s growing buzz around a potential appearance by Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake schedule has not aligned with WWE Wrestlemania events in recent years, but that could change this weekend. According to a report from Bodyslam, Austin is currently scheduled to be backstage at the event. While it’s unclear whether he’ll simply be present or take part in an on-screen segment, his involvement hasn’t been ruled out. Adding to the speculation, Austin is also advertised for meet-and-greet sessions across both days at WWE World.
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Thanks for the submission!
Whether Stone Cold Steve Austin does make an on-screen appearance at WrestleMania 42 or not is a question that remains unanswered for now.
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Stone Cold Steve Austin has previously spoken about a WWE return
While Stone Cold does want to return to the active WWE scene, he is not quite interested in a full match.
Speaking on Busted Open, The Texas Rattlesnake stated that his legs were good now after a replacement surgery, but he was not looking to put them through the grinder of another match. He said:
“It’d be to go back for one of those moments. Not a match itch… I got a left knee replacement a little over a year ago and God dang, my leg feels good. I’m glad I got it done. But, yeah, I get the itch for certain moments but, to try to do a match? No.” Austin was asked who he would want that moment to be with, and he replied, “Sh*t, line ‘em up and let me Stun ‘em. All those guys that are selling the tickets now, put ‘em in a line, f*ck ‘em,” he laughed. “I don’t know. It’s not something that I think about. I’m so far gone. I’m happy that 3:16 Day is here and lasts with wrestling fans. I’m happy for the career I had but, in my current life, I don’t think about (it),” he said.
It remains to be seen what his plans are for the future.
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Braxton Berrios has nothing to say about the Alix Earle-Alex Cooper drama. However, the Houston Texans receiver is making headlines for a different reason. He was spotted leaving Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles on Wednesday night with model Hollie Ford.
Berrios and Ford appeared comfortable together and dressed casually for the outing. The Texans star was seen opening the door for the blonde model before the pair climbed into his G-Wagon.
Thanks for the submission!
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Photographers peppered Berrios with questions about the celebrity feud involving his ex-girlfriend and podcast star Alex Cooper. Berrios played it smartly and refused to take the bait. He said he had no new information to offer.
The Alex Cooper-Alix Earle catfight was one of the most talked-about things across social media this past week. Over the months, there had been rumors of tension between the two, but Cooper finally called out Earle directly in a TikTok video on Monday.
“You’re gonna need to get specific and just say what you gotta say about me,” Cooper said.
She outrightly accused Earle of taking “passive-aggressive” shots while also dismissing speculation that Earle was staying quiet for legal reasons.
“I’m really tired of waking up and seeing you using this fake drama to distract from other s*** going online for you,” she added. I know what happened and so do you… Unless you actually have something to say, I’m out. This is over,” Cooper concluded.
Earle also responded in the comments with a short message:
“Okay on it!!”
The “Call Her Daddy” host hinted that more is happening behind the scenes.
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) lines up during game action against the Arizona Wildcats, Nov. 28, 2025, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, competing in the 99th Territorial Cup rivalry matchup as Arizona State battles its in-state opponent in a late-season showdown. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
The NFL draft is now one week away, and according to SI.com, the Minnesota Vikings have a very specific dream scenario, which includes drafting Jordyn Tyson (WR), Dillon Thieneman (S), and Jake Slaughter (C).
The proposed Minnesota outcome would give the front office help at receiver, safety, and the interior offensive line.
Most teams had a simpler scenario, but Gilbert Manzano wants those three guys in Minnesota.
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A Three-Player Haul Would Cover Major Ground
The trio would certainly cross off roster needs.
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) celebrates a touchdown during first-half action against the TCU Horned Frogs, with Sep 26, 2025 marking the game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Tyson reacted to quarterback Sam Leavitt’s scoring play while helping fuel the Sun Devils’ offensive momentum early. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images.
Manzano’s Dream Scenario for MIN
Every team received a “dream outcome” from Manzano, with the Vikings looking like this: “Dream Scenario: Stars align with Tyson, Dillon Thieneman, Jake Slaughter. The Vikings don’t necessarily need a wide receiver, but they shouldn’t reach to fill a roster need with their No. 18 pick. Tyson is a versatile playmaker who can make plays on the inside and outside.”
“Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison need a wideout who can get open in a hurry to set up more downfield shots. There’s a chance that Thienemen slips to the second round because teams tend to avoid drafting safeties early. And Slaughter is the best true center in the draft, and he could be available in the middle rounds. That’s three starters right there for Minnesota.”
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If that exact selection combination plays out, no Vikings fan would be too upset.
Jordyn Tyson (WR)
Tyson, listed at 6’2″ and 205 pounds, wins with finesse. He consistently creates separation with sharp route-running and reliably finishes catches through contact, even in tight coverage. Quarterbacks can trust his timing and placement, knowing he’ll be where he needs to be, and his hands are reliable.
However, concerns exist regarding his availability and potential. Recurring injuries are a problem, his speed isn’t a significant threat to defenses, and his decision to skip both the Combine and Arizona State’s Pro Day raised questions.
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He accrued 711 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Tyson: “Tyson is a slightly taller version of Stefon Diggs. That’s what I see on tape — a smooth yet ultra-sudden route runner with an insatiable approach to hunting down the football.”
“Like Diggs, he’s not nearly as dangerous after the catch as he is a skilled downfield route runner. But also like Diggs, he’s a WR1 with inside-out versatility.”
The Vikings must decide a) do they want a wide receiver when they already have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison headlining the enterprise b) are the injuries fears worth it?
Dillon Thieneman (S)
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Thieneman is a mainstay in Round 1 of mock drafts — basically everybody’s — and that’s just been the way of it since his fantabulous Combine showing. It’s quite wild for Manzano to assume that Thieneman slips into Round 2 — and all the way to the Vikings’ pick at No. 49. That’s probably not happnening.
If Thieneman turns into a Viking next week, it will be because the club picked him with the 18th pick, not the 49th.
Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) pauses for a drink during a team practice session, with Aug 1, 2024 marking workouts at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana. Thieneman prepared for the upcoming season while continuing development as a key piece in Purdue’s secondary. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Still, fans would enjoy the Thieneman pick; his 4.35 forty, the 41-inch vertical are to die for. At 6’0″ and 200 pounds, he immediately impresses with his range and versatility. He capably plays single-high safety, drops into the box, and offers a defensive coordinator flexibility in both coverage and run support.
Across 39 games at Purdue and Oregon, he tabulated 306 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 10 tackles for loss. His time in the Big Ten established him, and his transfer to Oregon further elevated his profile heading into 2025.
On film, Thieneman covers ground quickly and reads developing plays with uncommon confidence for a young safety. Though occasional hesitation is present, it’s typical for a player still gaining experience. Overall, his processing speed and closing burst suggest a player with Round 1 draft stock, not Round 2.
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Jake Slaughter (C)
Slaughter possesses ideal size at 6’4,” 300 pounds, and a strong resume, having started for three years at Florida. If the Vikings prioritize college production in this year’s draft — there are reports of that as their preference — Slaughter fits the bill and could be on their radar next week.
Florida offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (66) embraces a teammate following a matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers, with Nov 22, 2025 marking the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Slaughter showed postgame emotion after Florida’s 31-11 loss while anchoring the offensive line. Mandatory Credit: Alan Youngblood-Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Turning 24 as a rookie, he will likely see playing time early, especially given his strength in run blocking, where he excels at moving defenders and creating lanes. However, teams will want to see improvement in his pass protection.
If Manzano has it wrong, the draft will also feature three other promising centers: Sam Hecht (Kansas State), Logan Jones (Iowa), and Connor Lew (Auburn).
Last year’s center, Ryan Kelly, retired last month, and if the season started tomorrow, veteran lineman Blake Brandel would reportedly hold down the center position.
On Wednesday afternoon, after reporting from several news outlets cast doubt over LIV Golf’s future, the league’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, sent his staff an email that later in the day made its way to reporters. The message read in part: “Our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle. While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass.”
O’Neil was responding to reports from several outlets — including the Financial Times, New York Times and Wall Street Journal — that indicated LIV’s financial backer, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, was on the verge of pulling its funding.
Those reports came on the same day that the PIF announced a strategic shift for the next five years by which the fund said it would transition from “a period of rapid growth and acceleration to a new phase of sustained value creation, with a strengthened focus on maximizing impact, raising the efficiency of investments, and applying the highest standards of governance, transparency and institutional excellence.” (On Thursday, the PIF announced that it has sold off its 70 percent stake in the Saudi Pro League soccer club, Al Hilal.) The reports also came against the backdrop of the war in Iran, which has led to significant cuts in the Kingdom’s oil production, which largely funds the PIF.
As the news buzzed around the golf world, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and the rest of LIV’s players were in Mexico City for this week’s LIV event. An on-site source told GOLF.com that the scene at Club de Golf Chapultepec was “business as usual.” Rahm and his teammates played a practice round Tuesday. Tee times for Thursday’s opening round were released, right on schedule, and a pro-am played out on Wednesday. Asked in a press conference about the reports, Sergio Garcia said, “We haven’t heard anything other than what Yasir [Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor] told us at the beginning of the year. That he’s behind us, that they have a long-term project. You know there are always a lot of rumors, and I can’t tell you anything more than what we already know.”
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But behind the scenes, weighty discussions reportedly were afoot. According to James Corrigan of The Telegraph, LIV executives were summoned to LIV’s New York City offices Wednesday for an emergency meeting. One agent told GOLF.com he flew to Mexico City Wednesday morning in response to speculation about the intent of that meeting.
The Wednesday reports came just three days after the conclusion of the Masters, where O’Neil was in attendance and there was no indication on the grounds that LIV was facing such a crisis. In recent months, in fact, LIV appeared to have been gaining momentum with a wave of new sponsors and other corporate partners. Beginning this season, LIV players became eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points, creating more pathways for its players to qualify for the majors. Last month, in South Africa, the league conducted one of its most successful events to date. And earlier this year, Al-Rumayyan approved for LIV a $266.6 million capital injection.
The league also has shaken up and, in some ways, reinvented the upper rungs of the men’s professional game. The ubiquitousness of $20-plus million purses, the prevalence of team golf and increased importance of the major championships all are correlated with LIV Golf’s arrival.
But the league also has faced considerable challenges, beginning with its bottom line. Since its 2022 inception, LIV reportedly has posted losses climbing into the hundreds of millions. (On Wednesday, Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard reported that several LIV players and vendors told him that they had not been paid “for the last few weeks”; LIV has not responded to GOLF.com’s inquiry on the matter.) The league’s viewership numbers have been light, particularly in the U.S. And a couple of the league’s stars, in Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, have moved on.
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LIV and the PGA Tour have tried but failed to find a path forward together. After the leagues agreed to pursue a partnership in June 2023, discussions continued all the way to the White House in February 2025, where President Donald Trump hosted Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. While the meeting was publicly deemed “constructive,” it was one of the final, if not the final, times the sides would meet.
Much of the last year has been spent with each side going its own direction, with little talk of reunification. The Tour hired a new CEO, Brian Rolapp, and is taking an aggressive route to recreate itself with a new competitive structure based on fewer events with harsh promotion and relegation. LIV Golf pursued scale with its international events and occasionally found success, particularly in golf markets, like Australia and South Africa, that the PGA Tour has not visited for years. But a few key factors matter more than on-site attendance, namely how many events draw meaningful broadcast audiences and generate big-time sponsor interest.
LIV’s players are contracted to play 14 events annually. The league has settled into a yearly calendar where most of its first half of events are played abroad and its summer events in the States. In 2025, LIV saw big crowds at plenty of its domestic events, setting records in Chicago and Indianapolis last August. But hosting events in the winter and spring in far-reaching corners of the world has been challenging when it comes to attracting U.S. television audiences. The time-zone differential between, say, Saudi Arabia for the league’s season-opener, and the American East Coast, requires tee times be scheduled late to serve U.S. fans … or ignoring that audience all together.
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As GOLF.com’s James Colgan reported last spring, the Tour has out-rated LIV repeatedly by a scale of 10x to 11x. For any number of reasons — like the decades-old viewing habits pushing golf fans to CBS and NBC, not FOX Sports — golf viewers have not tuned in to LIV competition like they have for other pro events. Considering that more than half of the PGA Tour’s core revenues are tied up in television rights, similarly to other major pro sports leagues, the value LIV could accrue from a small TV audience was a glaring void on its profit and loss sheet.
Despite that, LIV continued to spend lavishly to host its tournaments. From its debut event — outside London in 2022 — it was clear that few costs had been spared in building its futuristic fan village, locking in courses and, most important, paying for talent. Those expenditures continued to this day, with LIV landing superstar DJ Calvin Harris’s first-ever performance on the African continent.
The cost of creating mega-wattage events with massive musical acts and building out a different version of what golf tournaments could look like has not been cheap. According to business filings in the United Kingdom, LIV’s international events business incurred losses of more than $460 million in 2024 alone, and north of $1 billion over the last four years. LIV’s rate of loss had slowed in recent the years, but O’Neil explained to the Financial Times in early 2026 that he didn’t see the league turning a profit in the next five years, or maybe even 10 years. And yet, the money always been there. Business filings in the U.K. show steady capital support from LIV’s backers.
If the PIF does divest from LIV, the league will, of course, need new investors to stay operational beyond this season. One path forward could be selling minority ownership stakes in LIV teams, which earlier this year league officials and players said was a possibility. Partnering with another tour or tours might also be an option.
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This week marks LIV’s sixth event of its 2026 season. Next on the schedule is the league’s first U.S. tournament of the year, at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, from May 7-10. The following week, LIV’s top players will convene in Philadelphia for the PGA Championship at Aronomink.
Gary Lineker has opened up on Cristiano Ronaldo unfollowing him on Instagram, with the former England striker giving his opinion
Gary Lineker believes Cristiano Ronaldo unfollowed him on social media due to his assertion that Lionel Messi is the superior footballer. The Messi versus Ronaldo debate remains one of football’s most enduring rivalries.
The two icons have amassed 13 Ballon d’Or titles between them, with Messi claiming eight and former Manchester United star Ronaldo collecting five throughout their illustrious careers.
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Lineker, who spent considerable time at Barcelona, has consistently maintained his view that Messi is above Ronaldo as the greater of the two.
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Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Lineker said: “He doesn’t like me very much, Cristiano Ronaldo. I didn’t upset him by anything I said about him.
“Other than the fact I’m honest and think overall Messi’s a better football. He unfollowed me on Instagram. I’ll get over it.”
After the remark drew laughter from co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker joked: “I will always like him. I’ve met him a lot of times. I know he’s got the hump with me. But that’s OK. And on that note… Please Cristiano… give me a call. Let’s be friends again.”
For Ronaldo, however, the question of who betters Messi is no laughing matter. During a Spanish television interview in February last year, he elaborated at length on why he considers himself the superior player.
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Ronaldo told LaSexta TV: “I’m the best player in football history. I haven’t seen anyone better than me in football history, and I’m saying truth from my heart.
“I’m talking about numbers. I think I’m the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it’s me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I’m fast. I’m strong.
“One thing is taste. If you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that, but saying Ronaldo isn’t complete … I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart.”
Following his achievement of becoming the highest goalscorer in history after netting twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League last year, he further remarked: “Who’s the best goal scorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop.
“Who’s the player in history who’s scored the most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks?
“I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I’m in the top 10 goal scorers with their left foot in history – and with my head and with my right foot and penalties. All of them.”
;)
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