General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 2:32 AM ET

Poker and Combat Sports

Lucas Jumalon a 22-year-old professional poker player from Spokane, Washington, secured a significant victory by winning the 2026 World Series of Poker main event. He defeated Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti in a heads-up match to claim the championship title and a $10 million prize. He is now the second-youngest player in history to achieve this prestigious accomplishment. In other combat sports news, a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja is scheduled to headline UFC. This highly anticipated bout was officially announced by UFC officials on Thursday. WWE superstar Lesnar, a 10-time world champion in WWE and former UFC heavyweight champion, announced his retirement from professional wrestling and combat sports. Lesnar stated that his recent match at WWE Summer Slam was his final professional bout.

College Football and Basketball

The 2026 college football season promises some highly competitive matchups, with several games projected to have high combined SP+ ratings and close scoring margins. ESPN's preseason highlights teams facing the most demanding schedules, as well as those with comparatively easier paths. Texas has moved into the top five of the Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, while North Carolina has fallen out, though UCLA remains a significant contender. The analysis also identifies 31 teams with a strong probability of reaching the College Football Playoff in 2026, based on their returning talent and schedule strength. Key nonconference games have been identified for every ranked team, offering critical early-season tests. The publication also ranks the 40 most impactful players for the 2026 season, focusing on quarterbacks like Manning and Moore who are expected to significantly influence their teams' CFP aspirations. For Big Ten teams, projections range from national championship contention to missing the NCAA tournament entirely, assessing each team's maximum and minimum potential outcomes. Indiana Hoosiers defensive end Stephen Daley participated in a limited practice session on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a season-ending knee injury sustained in December. Longtime college announcer Dick Vitale shared optimistic news regarding his health, stating that his recent tests have been "very good" following his fifth cancer diagnosis in April.

WNBA and Other Basketball News

A'ja Wilson is currently considered the front-runner for the WNBA MVP award, with four other players, including a notable rookie, expected to garner significant votes. The Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx are currently ranked first and second, respectively, following an offensive showcase game between the two teams. The Las Vegas Aces round out the top three in the latest power rankings. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed a desire for the focus to return to basketball matters, following a period of intense national debate and public attention surrounding her previous comments on transgender athletes.

Golf and Tennis

LIV Golf reportedly secured funding from an unnamed outside investor, ensuring the circuit's continuation beyond the current season, according to league CEO Scott O'Neil. The Irish Open golf tournament, scheduled to take place from September 9-13 at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, will feature notable Ryder Cup stars. The field will include Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari, and Sepp Straka. In tennis, Cameron Norrie advanced to the Round of 32 at the Canadian Open with a decisive straight-set victory over Ignacio Buse.

Cricket

Surrey secured a crucial 95-run victory over Kent in the One-Day Cup, strengthening their position and maintaining pace with the Foxes at the top of the standings. This win keeps Surrey on track for a potential home semi-final appearance. Jos Buttler reached a significant milestone in men's T20 cricket by becoming the highest run-scorer in the format's history. Phil Salt of the Welsh Fire, expressed that he would ideally prefer The Hundred tournament to be extended by a week, noting that his team played three matches within a five-day span. Sophia Dunkley's impressive fifty guided the Trent Rockets to a victory against the Birmingham Phoenix. Meanwhile, Orla delivered a stellar bowling performance, taking four wickets to help Welsh Fire secure a win over the Manchester Super Giants.

Other Sports News and Events

The Preakness Stakes horse race will be moved to a Sunday for the first time in its history, occurring three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby. ESPN's unique 75-hour "The Ocho" tradition is set to return, showcasing a variety of obscure and unconventional sporting events. This year's broadcast will include competitions ranging from T. rex races and pumpkin tossing to death diving and sign spinning, highlighting the event's ten-year history rooted in a "Dodge Ball" joke. A new variation of chess, described as "the strangest sport in the world," will also be featured on The Ocho, airing at 8 a.m. ET August 8. WWE superstar couple Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child together. Jemima Lines made history by becoming the first woman to be selected for the British America's Cup team in 90 years, calling it a "pivotal moment" for her sport. Mary Falconer, an elite climber, is pursuing a dream of competing in the 2028 Olympics, finding solace and determination in the sport following the loss of her mother. Officials at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift are implementing clothing checks for riders to prevent the use of aerodynamic gains, specifically addressing concerns about bra padding. Demi Vollering won the fifth stage of the Tour de France Femmes with a sprint victory, while Marlen Reusser maintained her lead in the yellow jersey. San Antonio center Luke Kornet demonstrated his sportsmanship by assisting a stranded motorist whose car had broken down in the rain in San Antonio. The Premier Lacrosse League's (PLL) Week 12 rankings place the Waterdogs in the top spot as the playoffs approach. A powerlifter has stated she "does not feel safe" competing due to alleged racism and frequent booing of black athletes. The former rugby player Joe Marler is set to become the first celebrity Gladiator, known as "Mauler," in the fourth series of the show airing in 2027. Television presenter Nick Knowles has acquired a stake in the Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates, becoming a shareholder. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels has dismissed the idea of a merger with the Ospreys and is seeking greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union amid uncertainty about the future. Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty indicated that manager Tiernan Lynch's departure was a "pretty much a snap decision" and that "it was time to make a change." Great Britain Sevens players are seeking alternative employment and teams to maintain their passion for rugby after their contracts were reduced to part-time last summer. James Arminio a sprinter from Gloucester, is competing at the Under-20 World Championships, having only started the sport two years prior. Golfer Jackson Koivun and Brooks Koepka are among the players on the bubble for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with their qualification hopes resting on their performance at the Wyndham Championship. Boxing divisional rankings show William Zepeda climbing to the top of the lightweight division after capturing the WBC title with a dominant performance against Lamont Roach.