General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 11:49 AM ET

MMA

Francis Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round before declaring himself the "best" heavyweight in the world, while UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Conor McGregor is targeting a July return, though his actual Octagon arrival remains uncertain. The blockbuster MVP MMA 1 event delivered on its promise, with Ronda Rousey securing a storybook mother-daughter moment in her victorious comeback, an outcome she masterminded to reconstruct her MMA legacy. The card also featured returns for Gina Carano and Nate Diaz, cementing the summer as a pivotal period for the sport's biggest stars.

Golf

The US PGA Championship is set for a thrilling finale with thirty players within five shots of surprise leader Alex Smalley. Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm made significant moves in the third round, joining Justin Rose in the hunt. Meanwhile, Simon Seungmin Lee claimed the G4D Open at Celtic Manor, finishing three-over par to win one of the premier events for golfers with disabilities.

Rugby Union

Wales suffered a record-extending ninth consecutive Test defeat after Italy condemned them to the Six Nations Wooden Spoon, a result that extended their winless run. The outcome overshadowed Super Sunday, where Ireland, desperate to show their best version, aimed to avoid a similar fate against Scotland. In the club game, Saracens beat Gloucester to charge towards the top four, while Exeter's play-off hopes were hit by a superb Harlequins comeback. Leinster warmed up for next week's Champions Cup final with an emphatic win, and in the Ulster SFC, Monaghan will relish facing Armagh in Sunday's decider.

NFL

New York Jets running back Breece Hall believes he and the team can "really flourish" following his new contract, citing the impact of recent offensive additions. The league also revealed it views Wednesday play as "only good" for fans, citing increased ratings and a strategic focus on holiday-season matchups as potential drivers for more nontraditional kickoffs.

Soccer

Celtic's Premiership title celebrations in Glasgow descended into serious disorder as riot police dealt with fan unrest following the 3-1 victory over Hearts. In international hockey, Great Britain fell to the champions United States 5-1 at the 2026 World Championship in Switzerland.

Tennis

Elina Svitolina handled Coco Gauff in three sets to claim her third Italian Open title in Rome, denying Gauff her first championship there in her second consecutive final loss.

Horse Racing

Napoleon Solo bested Iron Honor down the stretch to win the Preakness Stakes, rebounding from two prior fifth-place finishes for his first victory of the year.

NBA

The NBA playoffs saw the Spurs close out the Timberwolves in their series, with takeaways focusing on San Antonio's execution and what lies ahead for the Cavs-Pistons and Wolves-Spurs matchups. Off the court, Drake referenced LeBron James multiple times on his new album, suggesting lingering tension between the rapper and the Lakers star.

Snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Kyren Wilson 6-3 to book his place in the Snooker 900 Global Championship final against Luca Brecel.

Other Notables

In baseball fantasy news, the latest call-ups—including Gasser and Rodriguez—prompted key roster moves and streaming picks for the weekend. The WC race billing feud between New York and New Jersey deepened, with FIFA awarding top billing to New York despite New Jersey bearing the expense burden. Finally, after a nasty divorce from MMA a decade ago, Ronda Rousey returned to the cage in the very event she orchestrated, seeking a triumphant narrative conclusion.