General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Global Combat Sports & MMA

The middleweight championship at UFC 238 saw Sean Strickland dethrone the previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev via a razor-close split decision, leading Chimaev's team to declare him "obsessed" with securing an immediate title rematch, which they state is "the only fight he will accept right now". Despite the main event earning only an A grade on the UFC 328 fight card which featured seven total finishes, the focus now shifts to potential follow-ups, while Gina Carano announced her return to the sport after 17 years away, preparing to pioneer MMA again in a bout against Ronda Rousey.

Boxing & Individual Combat

Heavyweight Daniel Dubois cemented his status by securing a second world championship on Saturday, finishing Fabio Wardley via a brutal Round 11 knockout, while maintaining his position in the latest ESPN divisional rankings, where David Morrell was dropped from the 175-pound list. Across the channel, Belfast's Lewis Crocker is scheduled to defend his IBF welterweight title against Liam Paro on 24 June in Brisbane, and Northern Ireland confirmed its 12-strong boxing contingent for the Commonwealth Games.

NBA & Basketball Postseason

The NBA playoff picture saw the Spurs take a 3-2 series lead over the Wolves in one Western Conference battle, providing key takeaways about the teams' current trajectory as the series heads toward a potential closeout game. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards unexpectedly secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft lottery during Sunday's drawing in Chicago, setting the stage for next year's influx of talent. For the established stars, LeBron James expressed uncertainty regarding "what the future holds for me" after his Lakers team was eliminated from the postseason picture.

College & Amateur Football

College football generated buzz following spring practice wrap-ups, with news confirming that R.J. Day, the son of Ohio State coach Ryan Day, has committed to Northwestern as part of the 2027 class. Separately, Missouri star running back Ahmad Hardy, who finished second in FBS rushing yards, was released from the hospital after being shot early Sunday morning, with sources indicating a goal of returning to play. Furthermore, Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian publicly criticized Ole Miss academics, labeling them "basket weaving," a comment that drew further reaction after recent remarks made by Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin.

Golf & Tennis Updates

As the focus shifts to the US PGA Championship, the competition pits top contenders like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy against each other, with McIlroy having to halt early practice rounds due to soreness from a troublesome toenail, even after joking about ripping it off earlier in the week. Matt Fitzpatrick's recent strong form positions him as a leading contender to end England's 107-year drought at the Pennsylvania event, while Jon Rahm stated his job is simply to play golf, not to involve himself in the business complexities of the LIV circuit. In tennis, Iga Swiatek dropped only one game while dispatching Elisabetta Cocciaretto, setting up a high-profile fourth-round clash against Naomi Osaka at the Italian Open, where Coco Gauff also managed to avoid an upset by fighting back from a set down.

Women’s Soccer & Player Milestones

Former USWNT star Alex Morgan announced on Mother's Day that she and her partner are expecting their third child, marking a personal milestone for the forward. In league play, Arsenal took a major step towards securing their first Premier League title in two decades after defeating West Ham 1-0 on Sunday, benefiting from a crucial goal by Trossard and escaping a potential penalty via VAR review.

Rugby Union & League

The Premiership playoff race tightened significantly as Saracens, Leicester, and Exeter all claimed important wins over the weekend, putting pressure on the top-four standings entering the final stretch. In the United Rugby Championship (URC), Glasgow Warriors face the prospect of needing to host the final in Belfast's Affidea Stadium if they advance, as they are forced to look outside Scotland for a suitable venue. Meanwhile, the push for professional women’s rugby in Ireland continues, with Sam Monaghan stating that introducing an Irish club into the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) structure would be "amazing" for the national team's development, a sentiment echoed by the WRU lodging interest to enter a team in the expanded PWR.

International Cricket & Field Hockey

Bangladesh secured a historic first home Test victory over Pakistan, propelled by fast bowler Nahid Rana, who claimed figures of 5-40 in the deciding match. In T20 World Cup squad news, South Africa received a boost as fast bowler Shabnim Ismail reversed her international retirement to be included in the Proteas' traveling party, though England faces fitness concerns as bowler Issy Wong awaits a scan on a hamstring issue. Australia captain Sophie Molineux was declared fit and named to her squad, while former England spinner Kirsty Gordon earned a recall for Scotland after nearly a nine-year absence.

European Rugby & Farewell Tours

Saracens' teenage breakout star Noah Caluori expressed confidence in his readiness for an England senior debut during the summer Test window following a stellar club campaign, contrasting with the imminent departure of veteran commentator Brian Moore, who will retire his microphone after covering the Women's Six Nations decider. In club rugby, Harlequins inflicted a 76-17 humiliation on Newcastle Red Bulls in a clash between the bottom two Premiership sides, while St Helens advanced to a repeat Challenge Cup final against the Wigan Warriors.

Motor Sports & Endurance Racing

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is preparing for an unusual transition, swapping his usual two-hour Grand Prix setup for a grueling 24-hour stint at the Nürburgring, while F1 analysts addressed ongoing concerns about the 2026 rules and the strain caused by calendar congestion.

Darts, Cycling, & Other Sports News

Northern Ireland's Josh Rock captured his first European Tour title in nearly two years, defeating Kevin Doets 8-6 in the final of the Austrian Darts Open, while in cycling, three-time Olympic medalist Katie Archibald announced her retirement, having decided to pursue her new career as a nurse after "falling in love" with the profession. In equestrian news, Britain's Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo made history by becoming the first combination to claim the Badminton Horse Trials title for a third time. Tragically, Ethiopian long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese passed away at age 36 after falling ill during a training session.

NCAA & Collegiate Sports

The Women's College World Series is underway, with news covering the ongoing NCAA softball tournament schedule and scores, while college baseball saw its latest Top 25 rankings released after a busy Week 13. In basketball rivalries, UConn is scheduled to face South Carolina on November 24 in a neutral-site game, marking the first meeting since the sideline altercation between coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley last month. Swansea City coach Kristian O'Leary reflected on his three decades dedicated to the club, stating there is "no better feeling" than representing the team.

Hockey & General Athletics

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy received a substantial six-game suspension from the league for slashing Buffalo's Zach Benson during Game 6 of their opening-round series. Meanwhile, Belmont ace Maya Johnson, who manages lupus, is preparing for postseason action after being overlooked by major collegiate programs due to medical concerns. An unheralded South African golfer, Yurav Premlall, stunned the European Tour by winning the Catalunya Championship by 14 shots, finishing just one stroke shy of tying Tiger Woods' record performance. Furthermore, a UK Anti-Doping survey revealed a "concerning" prevalence of young people viewing social media ads promoting "life-threatening" performance-enhancing substances.