General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Combat Sports & Boxing

UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento has died of an apparent heart attack at the age of. Brock Lesnar a 10-time WWE world champion and former UFC heavyweight champion, has retired from combat sports after his match at WWE Summer Slam. UFC owners lost $30 million staging the Freedom 250 event at the White House in June, which was attended by US President Donald Trump. Ian Machado Garry credits a vegan diet with helping him earn a welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15. A flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja is scheduled to headline UFC 331 in September.

College Football

Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the 2026 season ranked in the AFCA Coaches Poll, aiming to extend the Big Ten's national championship streak to four. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wants his players to focus on the opener rather than the College Football Playoff, despite missing it last season. Miami coach Cristobal has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the school, following a season where the Hurricanes reached the College Football Playoff title game. USC and Notre Dame will renew their rivalry starting in 2030, but Notre Dame's planned home-and-home series with Indiana beginning that year is now canceled. Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role as he returns from a season-ending knee injury suffered in December.

WNBA

A'ja Wilson is the clear front-runner for the WNBA MVP award, with four other players, including a rookie, expected to receive votes. The Cleveland expansion team has unveiled its logo and branding and will be known as the Cleveland Sirens, joining the WNBA in 2028. The Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever rank as the top two teams in the latest Power Rankings, with the Las Vegas Aces rounding out the top three. Sophie Cunningham stated her desire for the focus to return to basketball following her controversial comments on transgender athletes, which sparked national debate and protests. Seven teams appear to be playoff locks, while the Mystics, Sparks, Mercury, Sky, Fire, and Tempo are competing for the final playoff spot. Plum's trade to the Mercury is being evaluated, with her long-term future with the team beyond 2026 being a key factor in the grade.

MLB

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has not ruled out any possibilities regarding Aaron Judge's status, which depends on the results of his next rib imaging. Baseball insiders are weighing in on the biggest blockbusters and which teams had the most successful MLB trade deadline. A panel of baseball insiders is analyzing the fantasy fallout from the key deals made before the MLB trade deadline.

Other Sports

Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old poker professional from Spokane, Washington, won the 2026 World Series of Poker main event, earning $10 million after defeating Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up. The British Grand Prix will remain on the Moto GP World Championship calendar until at least 2028, with Silverstone extending its partnership with Moto GP. LIV Golf secured funding from an unnamed lead investor to continue its circuit beyond the current season and into 2027. The Preakness Stakes is being moved to a Sunday for the first time, occurring three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby. Longtime college basketball announcer Dick Vitale reported that his recent cancer tests are "very good" following his fifth diagnosis in April. WWE superstars Bianca Belair and Montez Ford have welcomed their first child together. Winter Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead has revoked her retirement, inspired by her role as Team GB's chef de mission at the recent Games, and is returning to curling after a four-year absence. The Irish Premiership 2026-27 season is set to begin after a summer of transfers, preparation, and uncertainty. The 2026-27 Irish League season will start on time after votes to endorse three proposals were passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Cameron Norrie progresses to the last 32 of the Canadian Open with a straight-set victory over Ignacio Buse. Jemima Lines has become the first woman to be selected for the British America's Cup team in 90 years, calling it a "pivotal moment" for her sport. Elite climber Mary Falconer is pursuing an Olympic dream in bouldering, a sport that helped her cope with the loss of her mother. Bouldering helped Mary Falconer deal with the loss of her mother and could also set her on the path to becoming an Olympian. The former rugby star Joe Marler will be known as "Mauler" when he appears as the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator in the fourth series airing in 2027. Television presenter Nick Knowles has become a shareholder in the Championship Rugby side Cornish Pirates. A powerlifter who was disqualified following an alleged racially motivated act stated she "does not feel safe" competing and that black athletes are frequently booed. The former England prop Joe Marler will become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator. Scotland's one-day international match against the United Arab Emirates was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain. Ireland's five-game ODI series against Afghanistan marks the beginning of their preparations for next year's World Cup qualifying tournament.

Golf & Tennis

Robert Mac Intyre Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari, and Sepp Straka are confirmed to play in the Irish Open from September 9-13 at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare. Alex Eala is preparing for the US Open, returning to the hard court surface where she has experienced significant career moments. Alexandra Eala made history in Washington, and BBC Sport is examining her journey to her first title.

Cricket

Surrey secured a 95-run victory over Kent, maintaining their pursuit of a home semi-final in the One-Day Cup. Dunkley's fifty helped Trent Rockets defeat Birmingham Phoenix, while Orla Prendergast took four wickets in Welsh Fire's win over Manchester Super Giants. Jos Buttler became the highest run-scorer in men's T20 cricket during the Manchester Super Giants' nine-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in The Hundred. Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt expressed a desire for The Hundred to be a week longer, noting his team played three matches in five days.

Cycling

Demi Vollering won stage five of the Tour de France Femmes, with Marlen Reusser retaining the yellow jersey. Marlen Reusser took the first yellow jersey of her career by winning a 21km time trial to Dijon in the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes. Norway's Sigrid Haugset won stage three of the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift after a 68km solo breakaway. Officials at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift will inspect riders' clothing to prevent attempts to gain aerodynamic advantages. Experts describe Emma Finucane as a "generational talent" who is already an Olympic, world, and Commonwealth champion at, and question if she can be beaten.

American Football

Bears new safety Coby Bryant will be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks due to a leg injury.

Basketball

The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby believes the planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league could elevate basketball in the United Kingdom to the "next level."

Other News

ESPN's 10th anniversary of "The Ocho" will showcase obscure competitions, including T. rex races, pumpkin tossing, death diving, and sign spinning. Chad le Clos revealed his apartment in South Africa was destroyed by a fatal fire, a "heartbreaking tragedy" that occurred the night after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has invited Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn to a personal meeting following the swimmer's plea for increased funding and resources for brain cancer research. UK Sport will no longer provide investment for skiing and snowboarding through the governing body GB Snowsport, though athletes will remain unaffected. Agent Eddie Hearn stated that Henry Pollock is seeking an annual salary of £1 million to remain at Northampton, a significant increase on his current contract. A.J. Williams the No. 1 player in the 2028 class, intends to reclassify to the 2027 class. Ohtani's former interpreter is serving his sentence in a Pennsylvania prison as Ohtani pursues another MVP award. Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran has been ruled out of the upcoming Hockey World Cup due to injury.