VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a 1-0 loss to Atlante FC on Tuesday.
Jhojan Julio scored in the 40th minute to seal his side’s victory in the tournament between Major League Soccer and LIGA MX teams.
The ‘Caps came into the game as favourites, sitting tied with Los Angeles FC atop the MLS Western Conference standings, but struggled across much of the first half, missing passes and looking uncharacteristically sloppy.
The club improved in the second half but couldn’t get a ball past Atlante keeper Oscar Jimenez, who made a total of four saves.
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The Whitecaps host LIGA MX side FC Juarez on Friday before wrapping the group stage against Tigres UNAL in San Nicolas, Mexico on Aug. 11.
After the group stage, the top four MLS clubs in the tournament will face the top four LIGA MX sides in the quarterfinals, running from Aug. 25 to 27.
Vancouver skipped Leagues Cup last season after reaching the round of 32 in both the 2023 and 2024 iterations.
Goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer kept the Whitecaps in Tuesday’s game despite some testy first-half moments.
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He came up big in the 24th minute when Luis Puente got past defender Ralph Priso and sprinted up the field. The Atlante forward uncorked a blast from the top of the penalty area, but Boehmer read the play and got his right foot in the ball’s path.
The 24-year-old Canadian couldn’t repeat the magic in the 40th minute.
Stationed at the top of the box, Julio bodied Whitecaps defender Mathias Laborda off a ball, collected it at his feet and sent a shot soaring in past Boehmer’s outstretched fingertips.
The ‘Caps nearly equalized three minutes later when striker Rayan Elloumi fired a right-footed attempt on goal from just above the six-yard box, only to see Jimenez make a diving save.
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The home side dominated 63.5 per cent possession across the first half but were outshot 4-3, with Atlante holding a 3-2 edge in on-target attempts. The visitors took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen made three halftime substitutions in an apparent attempt to spark his group.
Emmanuel Sabbi — who came on for winger Cheikh Sabaly — provided instant offence and came within inches of levelling the score with left-footed shots that Jimenez turned away in the 47th and 48th minutes.
Vancouver’s star midfielder Thomas Muller injected some further life into the group in the 64th minute, coming on for J.C. Ngando.
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Two minutes later, the ‘Caps got a pair of prime chances when Elloumi sent a left-footed shot over the crossbar and, moments later, Laborda’s header went up and over the net.
The announced crowd of 19,824 booed lustily in the 89th minute when Tate Johnson was cut down inside the penalty area without a call from referee Ekaterina Koroleva. Chants of “ref you suck!” rang out as the Vancouver defender lay on the turf. He got up moments later and resumed play.
The Whitecaps continued to press with a flurry of stoppage-time attempts, but couldn’t net the equalizer.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had an underwhelming outing against the New England Patriots’ defense during a joint practice session on Wednesday. Hurts and the rest of the Eagles’ offense came under scrutiny as they sought to find a rhythm under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
However, Hurts’ poor performance, conceding three interceptions and a pick-six, became the highlight of the afternoon, as fans poured onto social media to share their reactions.
“I can’t wait til we’re smoking everybody in the regular season. Hurts has taken better care of the ball than your favorite QB over the last few years, guaranteed. It’s the offseason. He will be sharp and ready to go when the time comes. Always is.”
“Dart clears this bum. Glorified running back and without the tush push is nothing.”
How Jalen Hurts’ performance affected the Eagles’ offense
The Eagles’ offense struggled to make an impact against New England’s starting defense. Hurts’ passing was greatly limited during the two-minute drill by the Patriots’ well-executed blitzes.
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The Eagles’ drive was effectively disrupted by a Kevin Byard pass breakup and a sack by defensive end Christian Barmore to end the practice.
Meanwhile, former Eagles star wide receiver AJ Brown dropped a dominant performance against his former teammates. He connected with quarterback Drake Maye for a team-high seven catches.
Brown added a layer of intrigue to the reunion during his interview after the practice. He admitted that he hasn’t spoken to Jalen Hurts since he got traded.
Hurts and the Eagles have another opportunity to redeem themselves with a second joint session scheduled for Thursday. It is a window for the team to clean up its sloppy execution and find its footing before Saturday’s preseason matchup.
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The stakes are high for Jalen Hurts entering the new season. Tasked with leading an offense that’s essentially in a transition period, the 28-year-old has much to prove.
A major talking point will be his ability to perform without Brown in front of him.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill waits with teammates Levi Drake Rodriguez and Blake Cashman near the tunnel at Lambeau Field before facing Green Bay. On Nov. 23, 2025, the group prepares to take the field as Minnesota completes its final pregame routine ahead of the NFC North road matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
Some do a stock report. Allow me to pivot in a minor way toward a baseball metaphor.
Vikings training camp involved a well-attended day of work under blue skies and warm sun. At times, the practices got chippy as both sides jostled to win reps. Consider some of the players to have played well versus those who weren’t so impressive. Do so with the understanding that the Vikings had a ton going on, meaning I missed much.
Moreover, I’m not a trained scout or coach, so my take on things isn’t nearly as significant as what the Vikings’ decision makers think. Oh, and another thing: even if I’m bang on with a correct take, what took place earlier was just a single day of work. The Vikings will be assessing the totality of the work.
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Vikings Training Camp Update After Debut Ravens Day
Up No. 1 — LB Blake Cashman
Minnesota Vikings defenders Blake Cashman and Jonathan Greenard converge on Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during NFC North action at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Minnesota pass rush created havoc throughout the contest, forcing a key turnover that helped swing momentum early. The play occurred on Dec. 16, 2024, during a divisional showdown in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Recently, so much of the discussion has focused on the draft haul, the perceived lack at edge rusher, and then Chuck Demmings proving capable of playing corner and rapping (don’t forget those quarterbacks, either). Blake Cashman has remained. Better yet, he played well, proving to be quite frisky in a day full of feisty moments. Seeing today’s trend continue means that the veteran has a great contract year.
Down No. 1 — DT Caleb Banks
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To begin, consider a caveat: there’s a lot going on when a pair of teams are battling. Oftentimes, my focus was on watching whichever side was rolling with the starters and Banks was mostly with the backups.
What I did see, though, wasn’t super encouraging.
He looks long out there, which is a good thing. He can long-arm the offensive tackle with a stab move but is too often slowed down before driving his man back or shaking free of the blocker’s hands. Indeed, he looks a hair slow getting off his blocks. Maybe that’s to be expected but there’s room for growth here. Being just okay isn’t good enough for a No. 18 selection.
Up No. 2 — Levi Drake Rodriguez
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Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez celebrates with Bo Richter in 2024 after an impactful play. Mandatory Credit: Alli Rusco, Vikings.com
He’s a jack-in-the-box just waiting to explode out of his 3-point stance. Mr. Rodriguez is going to earn a nice workload.
He got through for a sack at one point when I was watching (or, at least, what counts for a sack in a training camp setting). Seeing him work off Jalen Redmond means boasting two DTs entering their prime NFL years who have the capacity to create plays behind the line of scrimmage. I like him and you should, too.
Down No. 2 — WR Dontae Fleming
In some ways, Fleming is working against the clock. I didn’t see him do anything egregiously bad but the huge plays weren’t there.
What was sometimes apparent was that Minnesota was leaning on Jeshaun Jones, Tai Felton, and Myles Price a lot when rolling out 11 personnel with the backups. That’s not a good outcome for a player who is looking to snatch away a WR5 or WR6 job. He’s down to less than two weeks before there’s a roster cut, so plays are precious.
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Up No. 3 — CB James Pierre
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Jacob Thomas (39) and cornerback James Pierre (23) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
At one point, James Pierre had a chance for a kill shot on Zay Flowers. Wisely, the veteran corner pulled up rather than wallop Baltimore’s WR1 in a hospital ball over the middle.
Later on, Pierre had a great rep in one-v-one special teams. He’s long and speedy. So, too, does he offer some snarl. Good pickup who looks like he’ll make the corner crew more well rounded.
Down No. 3 — QB J.J. McCarthy
To be sure, the kid QB wasn’t all bad. Nor, for that matter, was every tough rep solely on him. He may have nevertheless desired a better day of work.
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The QB1 job isn’t coming back before Week 1. The Vikings are going to go with Kyler Murray when hosting Green Bay. Maybe something opens up down the road but that’s where the Vikings find themselves.
Some are now questioning whether the third-year 1st-Round passer slides down to QB3. Count me among those who doesn’t think it makes sense but he hasn’t been great.
Former Australia opener David Warner was recently convicted of mid-range drink-driving by a Sydney court and was fined AUD 1,500 for the offence. The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge last month following a random breath test on April 5 (Easter Sunday).
As per a report in The Times of India on Tuesday, August 18, Warner made an attempt to switch seats with a female passenger. However, the police identified him as the driver of the vehicle. The Aussie subsequently underwent testing and blew more than twice the legal alcohol limit.
The report added that Warner must have an interlock device fitted to his vehicle before he can drive again. The technology prevents a vehicle from starting in the event of alcohol being detected in the driver’s system.
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Warner was arrested after he returned to Australia from Pakistan for a brief mid-season trip. The Aussie captained Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Warner played seven matches in PSL 2026, scoring 256 runs at an average of 51.20 and a strike rate of 147.97, with three half-centuries.
Potential repercussions of Australian star Warner’s drink-driving conviction
Warner is set to captain Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, with Sydney Thunder being part of a state government campaign that discourages drink-driving, the opening batter’s leadership position could come under the scanner.
Another report in The Guardian quoted Warner’s barrister, Awais Ahmad, as stating that his client should be spared a conviction because the incident had already caused significant damage to his reputation, particularly the media coverage. Ahmad argued that the conviction could potentially impact Warner’s commercial opportunities in Asian countries like India and Bangladesh, where he could explore chances to feature in T20 franchise leagues. Ahmad commented:
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“The consequences of his offending are profound. Commercial opportunities (are) being affected.”
Ahmad further added that ‘media onslaught has been quite profound’ after the NSW Police issued a press release about the Australian cricketer’s arrest.
Judge reacts to David Warner’s conviction
Judge Clare Farnan, who delivered the verdict, acknowledged that the media coverage led to Warner and his wife Candice Warner being subjected to some cruel trolling on social media platforms. She, however, emphasized that the punishment was warranted since there were children in the vehicle at the time of the offence. Farnan said (via aforementioned source):
“I accept Mr Warner is unlikely to reoffend. (But) regrettably, drink-driving is still a significant factor in many crashes in NSW.”
She also pointed out that over 17,000 people had appeared before the court for mid-range drink-driving offences in the last five years.
David Warner is no stranger to controversies
Former Australian opener Warner has been part of a number of controversies over the years. The southpaw, along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, was found guilty in the shocking 2018 ball-tampering scandal during a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
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Warner, who was the vice-captain of the Australian Test side back then, was involved in a cheating plan with then skipper Smith. The duo urged Bancroft to use sandpaper on the cricket ball to alter its condition, but the act was caught on camera. Subsequently, Cricket Australia (CA) suspended Warner from international and domestic cricket for 12 months and barred him from leadership roles.
Earlier, following a Champions Trophy match in 2013, Warner punched star England batter Joe Root at the Walkabout bar in Birmingham. He later claimed that he hit the English star since he had misinterpreted Root’s actions with a green and gold wig as being ‘racially insensitive’.
David Warner’s legacy as an Australian cricketer
Warner is second on the list of Australian batters with most runs in international cricket. He played 383 matches across formats and, in 474 innings, amassed 18,995 runs at an average of 42.39 and a strike rate of 86.56, with 49 tons and 98 fifties. Only Ricky Ponting (27,368) has scored more runs for Australia across formats.
Warner was part of the Australian ODI squad that won the 2015 World Cup at home and the 2023 edition in India. He was also the Player of the Tournament when Australia won their maiden T20 World Cup title in the UAE in 2021. The southpaw scored 289 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 146.70, with the aid of three half-centuries.
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Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee and miss the remainder of the season, the team announced Wednesday. Fudd has not played since Aug. 5 due to ongoing knee soreness.
“Most of you probably already saw. I’ve got a small procedure coming up on my knee, and I’ll be out as I recover,” Fudd wrote in a statement on social media. “I know exactly what comes next: rehab, put in the work, come back ready and better than before. Grateful for my family, my circle, and the Wings organization for the support.”
In 30 games, Fudd averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals, while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range. As of Wednesday, she leads the Wings in both 3s and steals, and is fourth on the team in scoring.
Despite a premature end to her season, Fudd set a Wings rookie record with 62 3s and joined Caitlin Clark, Rhyne Howard and Tamika Catchings as the only rookies in WNBA history to record at least 50 3s, 50 steals and 25 blocks. She also became the first rookie ever to win the 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend.
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With the season Olivia Miles is having for the Minnesota Lynx, Fudd was not going to win Rookie of the Year, but she was well on her way to a spot on the All-Rookie Team and will probably still make it. As of Wednesday, she is fourth among rookies in scoring, steals and 3-pointers.
Fudd’s absence will be major blow to Wings’ postseason hopes
The Wings are just 2-7 since the All-Star break and have dropped to eighth place in the standings in large part due to Fudd’s absence in recent weeks. Including this stretch, they are 19-11 with Fudd and 1-5 without her. Now, they won’t have her the rest of the way.
Fudd is the team’s best shooter, and the spacing she provides makes it much easier for Paige Bueckers, Jessica Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale to operate. Even though Fudd doesn’t put up huge numbers herself, the Wings’ offense is significantly better with her on the floor.
ON
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935
114.2
56.2%
OFF
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451
108
53.1%
Additionally, the Wings shot 35.5% from 3-point range with Fudd on the floor (1.3% above league average) and 29.7% with her off (5% below league average). And thanks in part to better spacing with Fudd, they also shot 70.2% at the rim when she was on the floor (5.9% above league average) and 61.9% with her off (2.4% below league average).
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Fudd’s high-level off-ball defense will also be a major loss for a Wings team that has been inconsistent on that side of the ball this season. She was constantly in the right place and making smart reads to help on cutters and jump into passing lanes. Her absence will be more noticeable on offense, but the Wings have a 108.1 defensive rating with her on the floor and 111.4 defensive rating when she sits.
The 20-16 Wings are four and a half games ahead of the ninth-place Portland Fire for the final playoff spot, and are almost certainly still going to make the postseason for the first time since 2023. Their chances of going on a run were already looking slim, especially with the first-place Lynx looming as their first-round opponent if the season ended today.
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Now, without Fudd, there’s even less hope.
Fudd has extensive history of right knee injuries
Heading into the 2026 WNBA Draft, one of the main knocks on Fudd was her extensive injury history, particularly with her right knee. This will be her fourth surgery on that knee since 2019. Here’s a closer look at her previous incidents
In 2019, ahead of her junior year of high school, Fudd tore the ACL and MCL in her right knee while playing with Team USA. The injury was so severe that she needed multiple surgeries.
2022: Unspecified injury costs her five weeks
Early in Fudd’s sophomore season at UConn, ironically in a game against Notre Dame and Miles, the No. 2 pick behind Fudd in this year’s draft, a teammate fell into Fudd’s right knee. The program did not disclose the specifics of the injury, but she missed five weeks.
2023: Unspecified injury costs her seven weeks
Just two games into her return from the injury in her sophomore season, Fudd went down again, this time versus Georgetown. The team initially thought the issue was not serious, but Fudd ended up missing seven more weeks. The nature of that injury also remains unclear.
2023: Torn ACL and meniscus
After playing just two games in her junior season, Fudd tore her ACL and meniscus during practice and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. She underwent surgery and took a medical redshirt.
2024: Unspecified sprain costs her two weeks
Fudd made her return from her second ACL injury on Nov. 20, 2024. Less than a month later, she sprained her knee in a game against Louisville. This time, the injury actually was minor, and she only missed two weeks. She would not miss a single game the rest of her senior season or in her fifth and final season.
2026: Soreness leads to season-ending surgery
Fudd, who notably came off the bench to begin her WNBA career, missed the Wings’ second game of the season on May 12 against the Atlanta Dream due to right knee soreness. Wings coach Jose Fernandez said they decided to sit her that night “out of an abundance of caution and her long-term health.”
Fudd would not miss any further time until this latest bout of knee soreness, which popped up early this month and initially did not appear serious. She last played on Aug. 5 against the Washington Mystics, but participated in practice on Aug. 11 and seemed to be ramping up for a return.
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It’s unclear what happened in the interim, but the team has decided that season-ending surgery is the best long-term option.
Derby victor Green Spaces is not expected to contend with the likes of Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes, but the race is set to be a significant platform for his spring campaign.
This Group 1 event represents the entire’s initial foray into open company, and jockey Rachel King highlights it as a crucial transition from his three-year-old racing career.
“You never know how these three-year-olds are going to come back into their four-year-old year, but he has definitely grown. He’s taller again, and he’s filled out again,” King stated. “He’s got that cool attitude as well. He’s a proper dude, so I’m looking forward to seeing where he’s at. Obviously, it’s way short of his best distance-wise, but it will be a good starting point to kick him off and see where he’s at.”
Having won Newcastle’s Spring Stakes (1600m) last year, Green Spaces faced the elite of his age group in the autumn, excelling when stepped up to middle distances and beyond.
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He finished runner-up to Autumn Boy in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) before delivering a commanding performance to win the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) prior to being spelled.
While Green Spaces proved his stamina at three, King does not consider him to be one-dimensional.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s more like a 2000 metre horse, and I can see him being competitive at a mile to 2000,” she said. “He’s not a slog. He’s got some gears about him, and he did win a Newcastle Stakes over a mile, so he has got a bit of speed there. He’s also a very relaxed customer, so it gives us options.”
Green Spaces is set to start from the outside alley, 14, in Saturday’s Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. The field includes star mares Autumn Glow (barrier three) and Aeliana (barrier 11), as well as Sheza Alibi, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, who has drawn gate one.
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Although lofty expectations are not placed on Green Spaces for this weekend, King indicated that connections are eager to see him finishing strongly.
“We’ll be happy to let him go to sleep and just hit the line, similar to how I trialled him,” King commented. “First trial he was a little bit fresh and wanted to be there. Second trial he came out, put his head down, and went to sleep like he does. He built up nicely, and his best furlong was after the post. First-up would be something similar.”
For those tracking the race, checking out the racing odds will give you a clear picture of the contenders.
After more than a decade and a half of delivering thrilling knockouts, Edson Barboza called it a career and retired from MMA at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. As it stands today, the veteran lightweight is feeling the effects of his 16-year UFC run.
Barboza, 40, came up short in his final walk to the Octagon against Esteban Ribovics this past Saturday. Despite his best efforts, Barboza (25-14) took heavy shots early in the fight that carried over en route to a second-round TKO stoppage. The loss extended Barboza’s losing skid to four straight, but the lasting damage was done two fights prior, he said.
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Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Barboza revealed that he’s been fighting virtually blind in one eye since his loss to Lerone Murphy in May 2024 — the first blemish of his career-ending losing streak. That was the moment he initially started thinking about retiring from MMA.
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“I was like, man, I don’t know if I want to do this for a long time, because I have a bad injury in my eye. I can’t see with my right eye,” Barboza told Uncrowned.
“It’s crazy. … I don’t see anymore with my right eye. I see nothing coming from outside, and I did two surgeries, and I had a hard time going back to training because it’s been super hard. I’ve always seen with both eyes. Imagine you start training with only one eye — it’s not easy. I have a hard time. So, last two fights, I didn’t feel 100%.”
Barboza described his vision in his right eye as more of a flashiness rather than being fully blacked out. His peripheral vision is essentially gone, and he can’t explain how he was cleared for competition other than telling doctors he was ready to go.
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“I said I want to fight, and I said, ‘Hey, if anything happens, it’s my fault,’” Barboza said.
“I love the doctor, my eye doctor — he gave me big support, and yeah … it’s crazy because some days, I feel a little bit better. I start to see a little bit. Some days I don’t see nothing. When I go outside with the sun, I can’t see nothing with this eye.”
Fortunately, Barboza said doctors have told him that his vision is potentially recoverable.
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After making his UFC debut in late 2010, Barboza quickly became a fixture in the promotion’s lightweight division and eventually enjoyed a six-year stint at featherweight as well. Although he never challenged for UFC gold, Barboza still looks back fondly on his highlight-filled career and said he’s very happy with the run he had.
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Barboza decided the Ribovics fight would be his sendoff, he said, when he signed the contract. Once fight night came around, he felt even more justified in his decision.
Edson Barboza spent 16 years competing at the highest levels of the UFC in two divisions.
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(Ed Mulholland via Getty Images)
“It’s crazy because I never sleep after the fight,” Barboza said. “Thank God, on Saturday night, I finish the fight, go to my room, and I slept like a baby. The first time in my career, I sleep after the fight. That’s crazy. It means a lot for me because I think that’s the end. I’m happy and proud of myself.
“I’m not competitive in the high level anymore. I still had a hard time when I lost — look at my last three fights I lost. When UFC offered me to fight this guy, I said, ‘Whoa, that’s going to be a perfect fight for me. That’s the fight for win.’ And I lost.
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“I feel on this level, I’m not competitive anymore. That’s why I decide to stop. I promised my wife and I promised my mom, I would never fight for money. And I’m not going to do this for money.”
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Barboza may still compete in some fashion in his new life in retirement, he admitted. The likeliest place for a return would be on the mats for jiu-jitsu matches above all else. He intends to leave MMA fully in his rearview mirror, but knows he’ll still face the eventual tough decision of whether or not he should fight again at some point.
What will help suppress his urges to return for one more? Well, to all the promoters out there, don’t contact the man. Let him instead enjoy the rest of his days in peace.
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“It’s hard to say [I won’t fight again] because I’m a fighter. I was born into this. I’ve never done nothing [else] in my life. My first professional fight I was 16. I’m still fighting. I do this my whole life,” Barboza said.
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“To be honest, my wife gets crazy, but I hope, please, any organization, don’t call me. Please don’t call me, don’t call me or my manager. Please forget me, because, to be honest, I don’t want to go back to fight.”
NEW DELHI: A 31-year-old former national-level wrestler, who had been on the run for nearly three years after being declared a proclaimed offender in an alleged opium smuggling case, has been arrested by the Delhi Police, officials said.Amit Sheoran, a bronze medallist at the 2013 National Cadet Wrestling competition, was apprehended near Madhuban Chowk Metro Station on Tuesday night following a coordinated operation. The Rohtak resident was wanted by Jharkhand Police in connection with an NDPS case registered at Dhurwa (Tupudana) police station in Ranchi.According to police, Sheoran was allegedly involved in sourcing opium for supply to wrestling training centres, or akhadas, across Haryana and Delhi. He was subsequently handed over to the Jharkhand Police for further judicial proceedings.
‘Many wrestlers used to take opium’
The investigation has drawn particular attention to Sheoran’s disclosure about alleged opium use among wrestlers at prominent training centres.During interrogation, Sheoran reportedly told investigators that he had observed several wrestlers using opium during his time training at the Mehar Singh Akhada in Rohtak and Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium.“Many wrestlers used to take opium to increase their working hours and practice sessions,” he told investigators, according to the Delhi Police.The claim has emerged during an investigation into an alleged drug-supply network targeting wrestlers in North India. Police said a Jharkhand-based supplier, Rajesh Nag, was arrested in April 2023 with nearly half a kilogram of opium. During questioning, Nag reportedly told investigators that his supplies were “specifically dedicated to the wrestlers of North India” and identified Sheoran as one of the primary receivers.The allegations are part of the police investigation and do not establish that wrestlers at either training centre generally use opium.
From national-level wrestling to alleged drug network
Sheoran had been evading arrest since December 6, 2023, when a court declared him a proclaimed offender. Police said he had previously worked as a bouncer at bars and nightclubs in Delhi before allegedly becoming involved in drug trafficking.Despite winning a national-level medal, Sheoran’s ambitions of securing a job with the Indian Railways were eventually derailed, according to the Crime Branch. Police said he was allegedly “lured to work as a drug supplier with the promise to earn quick and easy money” by an associate identified as Ranjeet.A “credible human intelligence input” regarding Sheoran’s movement in the Ranibagh-Pitampura area eventually led investigators to him. On August 18, a joint team of the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Jharkhand Police laid a trap near Madhuban Chowk Metro Station. Sheoran was identified and apprehended at around 10pm.Police records indicate that Sheoran is currently involved in six criminal cases. The Crime Branch described the arrest as “a major blow to organised crime” and said it followed continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated field operations targeting suspects evading the judicial process.Sheoran has now been handed over to Jharkhand Police.
Atalanta midfielder Ederson was on the verge of a move to Manchester United this summer, until a deal fell through as a result of concerns with his medical
Ederson has explained that he ‘doesn’t know what happened’ regarding his failed move to Manchester United this summer. Well ahead of the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, the Atalanta midfielder was on the verge of arriving as the Reds’ first signing of the summer.
United had been long-time admirers of the 27-year-old, and had planned to utilise him as a straight replacement for an outgoing Casemiro, who left the club as a free agent at the end of the season. After weeks of negotiations, a £39million price tag was agreed for the Brazilian, who headed to Greater Manchester to undergo what was meant to be a routine medical.
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However, during examinations, it emerged that Ederson was carrying a knee injury significant enough for the Reds to pull the plug on their swoop. As a result, the midfielder returned to Atalanta, where he was handed a fresh contract which runs through until 2031 – committing practically the rest of his career to the Serie A club.
And now, Ederson has broke his silence on exactly what occurred during his United medical which prevented a move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Speaking ahead of Atalanta’s Europa Conference League play-off clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv, which is set to take place on Thursday, he said: “I honestly don’t know what happened.
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“I always had interest from other clubs, and I could’ve gone to another English side. The tests went well, I don’t know what changed.
“I’ve been with Atalanta for four years and always played. I could’ve just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract.”
Countdown to Kickoff: The Essential 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle
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Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.
This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.
It comes as United were quick to target and secure other options for their engine room in the days following Ederson’s failed move. The Reds first snapped up Tielemans in a £35m agreement with Aston Villa, following a stellar season with the Midlands club which saw them secure a fourth-place Premier League finish.
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They then announced the £52m signing of Santos from Chelsea, ensuring plenty of variation in the heart of midfield for the coming season.
Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.
The club were linked with the 23-year-old for the majority of last summer’s window, only for a £100m price tag to deter any concrete move.
While the Cameroonian is currently harbouring a minor ankle ligament injury, United have now submitted a £65m offer, with hopes of finally landing the up and coming talent at a cut price. Whether the Seagulls will consider a move for that fee remains to be seen.
Much like it is a tradition for a footballer to take away the match ball after scoring a hat-trick, a bowler will pocket the cricket ball after claiming a five-wicket haul.
But what happens if two bowlers take five-wicket hauls in the same innings?
England seamers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue came up with a solution after they snared five apiece on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan.
“Robbo said we can split the ball in half,” Tongue told Test Match Special. “The groundstaff have kindly done that.
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“It’s the first time I’ve seen that happen. I’m sure I’ll be putting that up somewhere.”
Robinson showed off his half in a media conference and explained: “We were walking off the field.
“Josh said it and I said: ‘We actually should do that, it would be quite cool.’
“You don’t really have too many halves of a cricket ball, so it would be something that we never forget.”
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The efforts of the pace-bowling duo helped Joe Root get off to an ideal start on the first day of his second stint as England Test captain.
Tongue claimed 5-46 and Robinson 5-51 to skittle Pakistan for 171 after England won the toss. The home side moved to 112-2 by the close in Leeds.
Tongue and Robinson are the first pair of England bowlers to register five-wicket hauls in the same Test innings since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2006.
They led England off the field at Headingley hand in hand, hatching their plan to make one ball into two halves.
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“Wayne Bentley, the team manager, took it down to the groundstaff,” said Robinson.
“I said: ‘Do you reckon they will be able to do it?’ Within five minutes he brought it back up and it was done. It’s really nice.”
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has set his sights on the Ballon d’Or after receiving his second European Golden Shoe in Munich on Wednesday. The England captain collected the prize after scoring the most goals in Europe’s top divisions last season. Kane won the 2023-24 award after a prolific first season at Bayern, but said this year’s honour “tasted even better than the first”. The 33-year-old scored 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga games last term, the third most in a German top-flight campaign, while winning the league and cup double.
He also netted six times at the World Cup, becoming England’s top goalscorer at the competition with 14 career goals.
In total, he scored 73 goals for club and country last season.
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Kane said he hoped to receive football’s highest individual honour after his “best season ever”.
“Obviously, that’s out of my control. I know, of course, there’s going to be a lot of talk about it from now until October when it’s announced,” he said.
“Ultimately, I’ve done everything I can last season. It was my best season by far. I achieved a lot with the teams I was in.”
Kane made it to the Champions League semi-finals with Bayern, who were narrowly defeated by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
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He also reached the semi-finals of the World Cup with England before an agonising 2-1 loss to Argentina.
Only serial Ballon d’Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Golden Shoe more often than Kane.
Messi won the award six times, all with Barcelona, while Ronaldo won it three times at Real Madrid and once at Manchester United.
“That’s for you guys to debate and fans to debate,” Kane said of the possible winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or, which will be handed out in London in late October.
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“That’s what makes the Ballon d’Or so special as well. Many players have had great seasons.”
Kane said on Monday he was about to begin negotiations to extend his contract at Bayern, which will expire in 2027.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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