Rich Fay

Ian Machado Garry lost to Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, suffering only the second defeat of his professional career. Garry said he was proud of his performance, described himself as mentally “bulletproof,” praised Makhachev and his team, and vowed to return stronger. Makhachev extended his UFC winning streak to 17 fights and suggested Garry showed excessive kindness for a sport he views as a form of war.

Max Verstappen will wear a bespoke black-and-orange race suit and a Delft-inspired blue-and-white helmet for the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort after the event ends following the 2026 season because of rising costs and insufficient government funding. His Red Bull Racing teammate Isack Hadjar will wear a similar suit with white accents, while wave-shaped driver numbers will reference the coastal circuit. Verstappen enters the race sixth in the championship with 109 points, 110 behind leader Kimi Antonelli, and is seeking his first win of the 2026 season after finishing second in Hungary.

Manchester City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield, with £115 million signing Elliot Anderson making an underwhelming competitive debut. Used in a No. 8 role alongside Mateo Kovacic, Anderson completed 81% of his passes, failed to make a tackle, won only 33% of his duels and was substituted after an hour. City fans and rival supporters questioned Enzo Maresca’s tactics and argued that Anderson should play more centrally, leaving the club with concerns to address before the Premier League season begins.

Liam van Nistelrooy, the 18-year-old PSV Eindhoven academy striker, has attracted widespread attention after scoring a composed lob against Chelsea Under-19s in the Otten Innovation Cup. Fans were struck by his finishing, movement and running style, which closely resemble those of his father, Ruud van Nistelrooy. The goal was compared with Ruud's 2003 strike against Arsenal, while the former Manchester United forward's career achievements were highlighted. Ruud is expected to remain part of the Netherlands coaching staff as Liam seeks to break into senior football.

Harry Maguire has publicly expressed hope that Marcus Rashford remains at Manchester United, describing the forward as a major asset after his substitute appearance in a 4–2 friendly defeat to AC Milan. Rashford returned to United after Barcelona declined to make his loan permanent, following a season in which he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists. Manager Michael Carrick has also welcomed Rashford back into training and indicated that he can play a role this season, although United had initially hoped to transfer him because of his roughly £325,000 weekly wages and the limited serious interest in signing him.

Dana White was surprised to learn after UFC 330 that longtime coach and analyst Din Thomas had retired from cornering fighters. Thomas made the announcement after Gillian Robertson’s loss to Mackenzie Dern, saying the demanding schedule and his uncertainty about providing Robertson with the support she needs had led to his decision. White, who is close to Thomas through their work on Lookin' For A Fight, said he had not been told in advance and suggested Thomas may be burned out. The event also saw Edson Barboza announce his retirement, while Islam Makhachev defeated Ian Machado Garry to defend his welterweight title and extend his UFC winning streak to 17 fights.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has praised reserve and development driver Leonardo Fornaroli's maturity, preparation and performances in Formula 1 practice sessions. The 21-year-old Italian won the championship in his rookie season with Invicta and is now reportedly in discussions over a possible 2027 seat at Haas, potentially replacing Esteban Ocon and partnering Oliver Bearman. McLaren is said to support loaning Fornaroli to another team to gain race experience, while leaving open the possibility of him eventually driving for McLaren.

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a bothersome right knee, but reports from Italy describe the decision as precautionary and say he is not currently expected to miss the US Open. Sinner plans to spend another five or six days working with physiotherapist Gianluca Melegati before preparing for the final Grand Slam of the season. His withdrawal follows Carlos Alcaraz's exit because of a wrist injury, adding uncertainty around the participation of two of the sport's leading players. Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic remain among the headline names scheduled for Cincinnati.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has suggested that Omar Marmoush could leave the club if he decides he needs more playing time. Marmoush, who joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £60 million in the previous January transfer window, has struggled to establish himself behind Erling Haaland and amid competition in wide positions. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have reportedly made initial enquiries, while several Bundesliga clubs are also said to be interested. City maintain that they would replace any player sold before the transfer deadline, but Marmoush’s future remains dependent largely on his own decision.

Dana White was criticized after telling Nina Drama during Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin that ring card girls were absent because UK rules required ring card boys as well. The claim was inaccurate: Dublin is in the Republic of Ireland, the event was sanctioned by the Boxing Union of Ireland, and the British Boxing Board of Control does not prohibit ring girls. Social media users condemned White’s geography and boxing-related error, while the exchange also drew criticism of Drama’s apparent double standard toward ring card performers.

Mariusz Wach, who lost to Tyson Fury by seventh-round stoppage in Thailand three weeks earlier, was forced to quit after three rounds of a five-against-one K-1 kickboxing bout against the Gypsy Team, organized by Prime MMA. Wach suffered repeated blows, cuts and leg injuries before his corner withdrew him. The bout followed a previous three-against-one victory by Wach and renewed attention on Fury's potential November fight with Anthony Joshua.

Charles Barkley said he declined an invitation to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s reported July wedding at Madison Square Garden because he does not attend weddings. Although he described Travis and Jason Kelce as close friends and expressed respect for Swift, Barkley said he wanted the bride to receive the attention on her special day. He also said he generally avoids funerals, making exceptions only for people especially close to him. The event was reportedly attended by around 1,000 guests, including celebrities and sports figures.

Cristian Romero is reportedly open to a controversial move from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, but Tottenham are said to have no intention of allowing their contracted defender to join their North London rivals. Atlético Madrid is considered the most likely destination, with Inter Milan also interested and Atlético reportedly preparing a £40 million bid. Romero’s potential departure follows Tottenham’s signing of Jan Paul van Hecke as a possible replacement and would revive memories of Sol Campbell’s move to Arsenal in 2001.

Real Madrid starlet Endrick is reportedly considering his future because of intense competition for playing time following the club’s summer recruitment and Vinícius Júnior’s contract renewal. Manchester United and several other Premier League clubs have reportedly been contacted, but Madrid prefer a straight loan without a purchase option. That structure could suit Fulham more than United, while Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is said to remain unwilling to sanction a permanent sale.

TKO Group Holdings reported that the UFC’s Freedom 250 event at the White House cost about $60 million to stage but generated only $30 million in sponsorship revenue, producing an estimated $30 million loss and reducing the company’s second-quarter profit margins. Limited ticket sales resulted from the 4,300-seat South Lawn arena and the event’s restricted guest list, although premium access was reportedly offered for $1.5 million. Despite the financial shortfall, the event drew about 8.2 million U.S. viewers and 34 million worldwide, and was streamed exclusively on Paramount+. Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria in the headline fight.

Madison Square Garden has reportedly become the leading candidate to host Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua in November, replacing Wembley Stadium as the likely venue. Netflix’s focus on North American audiences and the logistical difficulties of staging a winter event in Britain favor a New York location, although the event would face questions about US interest and the fighters’ recent defeats. A delay until spring 2027 could require both boxers to take interim fights and risk the bout being overshadowed by rising heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma.

Former WWE wrestler Ethan Carter III, also known as EC3 and Michael Hutter, reassured fans after footage from an ASW event in Canada showed him appearing to struggle during his ring entrance. He explained that the clip came from his second match of the day after extensive travel, little sleep, training and an intentionally painful leg-selling performance. EC3 also discussed the effects of travel and disrupted routines on his body, and said his focus is on improving wrestler training, recovery, nutrition, mental resilience and long-term health through Exodus Pro.

Two players, Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns, shot rounds of 62 at The Open Championship within minutes of each other, tying the lowest score ever recorded in a men’s major. Their achievements matched historical records set by several others, though only Xander Schauffele has previously converted such a round into a major win. Herbert leads after the second round, with Burns three shots behind, both positioned to contend despite the unpredictability of early leads in major tournaments.

Lewis Hamilton says stopping use of Ferrari’s Formula 1 simulator has significantly improved his performance after he felt its correlation was misleading during the previous season. He has scored 96 points across the last five races, more than Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, and finished third at the British Grand Prix. Hamilton remains an outsider in the title fight but is encouraged by Ferrari’s steady car improvements ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, where he expects the team to face a larger pace deficit on the track’s long straights.

Lucas Herbert’s record-tying 62 at the Open Championship drew scrutiny when his caddie Nick Pugh was seen using a rangefinder, which is normally prohibited. The R&A confirmed the device had no battery and functioned only as binoculars, making its use legal. Pugh had sought approval earlier in the week and received confirmation from officials, preventing any penalty for Herbert.

Netflix edited Brock Lesnar’s T-shirt in the on-demand replay of WWE RAW, removing the profanity that had been partially censored during the live broadcast. The replay also avoided showing Lesnar in some segments, blurred blood from Bron Breakker’s injury, and altered chants and other violent imagery. No official explanation was given, though the changes appear intended to make the programming accessible to a wider audience. Lesnar is also rumored to be preparing for a possible retirement match against Oba Femi at SummerSlam.

Sky Sports apologized after Keegan Bradley was heard swearing during live coverage of the second round of The Open. The American Ryder Cup captain opened with a double bogey and a missed putt, continuing a difficult period following the previous year's Ryder Cup. Bradley is also trying to improve his form and move from 75th into the top 70 of the FedEx Cup standings to qualify for the playoffs.

Colombian striker Jhon Duran is reportedly in talks to join Benfica on loan, potentially marking his fourth club move in 18 months following stints with Al Nassr, Fenerbahce and Zenit. Al Nassr have informed him he is no longer part of their plans, allowing him to seek a transfer. Benfica, long-term admirers of the 22-year-old, are rebuilding their squad under Marco Silva and may reunite him with former Fenerbahce director Mario Branca. Duran aims to revive his career after missing out on Colombia’s World Cup squad.

Michael Olise has informed France teammates he wants to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid after the World Cup, despite Bayern's insistence they will not sell him. His strong form since joining Bayern and standout World Cup performances have increased Madrid's interest, though his long-term contract and Bayern's resistance make any transfer difficult. Real Madrid are aware of his desire to move, while Bayern figures and teammates are attempting to convince him to stay. Questions remain about where he would fit among Madrid’s attacking stars.

Dustin Poirier expressed doubt about ever fighting in the UFC again as he addressed his airport arrest in Atlanta, explaining that drinking triggered by thoughts of his father’s alcoholism led to the incident. He described how casual drinking escalated during a layover, resulting in a confrontation with gate staff and police, and apologised to those involved. He said returning to competition would require significant steps, including six months of drug testing, and estimated only a small chance of attempting a comeback.

Arthur Fery enters Wimbledon’s second week as the last remaining British singles player, supported by a family deeply connected to elite sport. His mother is a former tennis professional, and his father, businessman Loic Fery, previously owned Lorient and once considered buying Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. Arthur has reached a career-best fourth round at Wimbledon, securing £300,000 in prize money with the potential for significantly more depending on his progress.

Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the Wimbledon quarter-finals after defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a five-set match marked by controversy over a medical timeout taken during a crucial service game. The interruption disrupted his momentum and led to heated post-match exchanges, prompting him to call for stricter rules on mid-game medical interventions. Despite losing the fourth set following the stoppage, he dominated the decider and will next face Novak Djokovic.

Paddy Pimblett aims to re-enter the UFC lightweight title picture as he returns to face Benoît Saint Denis, acknowledging that a win is unlikely to guarantee an immediate title shot. Reflecting on his earlier defeat to Justin Gaethje, he believes a rematch would go differently while crediting Gaethje’s subsequent upset victory over Ilia Topuria. His bout takes place on the undercard of Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return against Max Holloway.

Rafael Nadal challenges calls from top tennis players for a greater share of Grand Slam revenues, arguing prize money has risen sufficiently and should instead follow fixed annual increases agreed with tournaments. His stance contrasts with Novak Djokovic’s long-standing push for higher revenue distribution to support lower-ranked players and address inflation. Despite a 20% rise to £64.2 million, Wimbledon’s prize fund remains below player demands, underscoring ongoing tensions between athletes and tournament organizers over compensation.

Novak Djokovic apologised for emotional outbursts during his four-set Wimbledon victory over Roman Safiullin, a win that broke Roger Federer’s record for most men’s singles wins at the tournament. Despite frustration in the third set and boos from the crowd after striking a ball in anger, he regained control to close out the match and advance to the quarter-finals, where he will face Felix Auger-Aliassime. Djokovic reflected on his struggle with rhythm in windy conditions and acknowledged several on-court ‘meltdowns’ while expressing hope for stronger performances in the tournament’s second week.

Jordan Spieth warns that increased legal betting is contributing to worsening fan behaviour in golf, citing incidents involving Wyndham Clark and past Ryder Cup hostility. He argues that betting enables spectators to influence play and believes the issue has intensified over the past five years. Concerns about integrity and player intimidation highlight the need for the sport to re-examine its approach to gambling-related fan conduct.

Manchester United are reserving funds in hopes of signing Aurelien Tchouameni after missing out on Mateus Fernandes, who is set to join Tottenham. The club is targeting significant midfield reinforcements, having already agreed a deal for Ederson and considering several Premier League‑experienced players. Tchouameni remains their preferred choice, though uncertainty surrounds his availability and wage demands, with Real Madrid’s stance under Jose Mourinho yet to be clarified. Rio Ferdinand suggests United are intentionally holding back funds in anticipation of pursuing the French midfielder later in the transfer window.

Manchester United have shifted their transfer focus after missing out on Mateus Fernandes, targeting Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and identifying West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville as their preferred option for a new left‑sided winger. Summerville’s World Cup performances have strengthened his appeal, though a move depends on Marcus Rashford’s unresolved future, with United favouring a permanent transfer over Barcelona’s renewed loan interest. Discussions continue about reintegrating Rashford should no sale occur, while United also explore additional midfield options including Carlos Baleba and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

Serena Williams avoided a potential $50,000 fine at Wimbledon after skipping mandatory post‑match media duties following her first‑round loss to Maya Joint. The All England Club accepted a brief statement she provided and ruled she had reasonable grounds to miss the session. Williams prepares to compete in doubles with her sister Venus, while fan reactions to her post‑match handshake drew mixed responses.

France’s dominant 3-0 win over Sweden strengthened their position as favourites for the 2026 World Cup, with strong performances from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola. Gary Neville argued on ITV Sport that only Argentina possess the mentality and unity needed to stop France from winning the tournament. France face Paraguay next, while their side of the draw leaves them likely to avoid teams such as Brazil, Argentina and England until the final. The team also set new World Cup scoring and winning records as they advanced.

LeBron James chose to leave the Los Angeles Lakers to maximise his chances of winning another NBA title, with his agent stating he seeks both competitiveness and personal happiness in the final years of his career. Reports indicate the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are leading the pursuit, with other teams also showing interest. Golden State is preparing an aggressive approach, including roster and salary adjustments involving Draymond Green and potentially Anthony Davis, while James’ decision is expected to be driven by competitive opportunities rather than financial incentives.

LeBron James will leave the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent and intends to continue his NBA career, with the Golden State Warriors emerging as early leaders to sign him. Several other franchises, including the Cavaliers, Celtics, Spurs and Heat, are also reportedly interested. Rich Paul has informed the Lakers of James’ decision, while Golden State are preparing an aggressive pursuit and considering additional moves to create salary flexibility. The potential move could reunite James with Draymond Green and pair him with Stephen Curry for the first time.

Red Bull have offered Max Verstappen a substantial financial incentive to remove a contract clause that would allow him to exit the team if he is not in the top two by the summer break. Verstappen’s poor start to the 2026 season leaves him far behind the championship leaders, increasing the likelihood he could trigger the option. The offer comes amid broader instability at Red Bull, with key technical and engineering staff, including Paul Monaghan and Gianpiero Lambiase, departing for rival teams, adding to the series of high-profile exits in recent years.

Top tennis players paused their media protest at Wimbledon after the All England Club committed to presenting proposals addressing their demands for increased prize money, welfare contributions and a player committee. Despite a 20% rise in prize money, the total remains below what players requested, and the share of revenue allocated to prizes is still lower than ATP and WTA events. Dialogue between player representatives and Grand Slam organisers will continue while the underlying issues remain unresolved.

Cadillac’s upgraded Formula 1 car suffered major reliability failures at the Austrian Grand Prix, forcing both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to retire within four laps due to brake issues. The setback followed earlier problems in Canada and Barcelona, leading Perez to call the situation unacceptable and criticise the lack of progress. He expressed confidence that the team could resolve the issues before Silverstone but stressed the need for better reliability to advance performance.