General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 10:02 PM ET

Top Stories This Week

sports world has been dominated by NFL training camp storylines, a frenetic MLB trade deadline, and the continued rise of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA. Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from combat sports after his match at WWE Summer Slam, ending a legendary career that included 10 WWE world championships and a UFC heavyweight title. In a tragic turn, UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento died of an apparent heart attack at the age of, as announced by the promotion on Monday.

NFL Training Camp Buzz

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is showing off his focus during training camp, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield is feeling the heat from the competition. The quarterback battle in Minnesota between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray is a major storyline, though their teammates are focused on helping both of them succeed rather than taking sides. Bears safety Coby Bryant will miss eight to 10 weeks with a leg injury, according to sources, a significant blow to the team's secondary. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is keeping his team focused on their season opener rather than dwelling on last year's College Football Playoff miss. Indiana defensive Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role for the Hoosiers on Wednesday as he ramps up from a season-ending knee injury suffered in December.

WNBA Playoff Race and Off-Court Drama

Caitlin Clark the ongoing debate around political and social issues, stating that it is up to individuals to "speak when you feel like you want to speak" as she navigates life as a 24-year-old. The WNBA playoff race is heating up with seven teams looking like locks, leaving the Mystics, Sparks, Mercury, Sky, Fire and Tempo to battle for the No. 8 seed. Indiana Fever Sophie Cunningham said Wednesday that she wants the focus to return to basketball after her comments on transgender athletes sparked heated national debate and three rallies. The Cleveland Sirens unveiled their new logo and branding for the expansion team that will join the WNBA in 2028. In the latest power rankings, Minnesota and Indiana rank 1-2 after an offensive showcase, with Las Vegas rounding out the top three. Basketball's youth movement is official, as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston will make their first USA appearances at a major international competition next month.

MLB Trade Deadline Fallout

MLB executives scouts are weighing in on the biggest blockbusters from the trade deadline, analyzing which teams had the best overall approach. fantasy fallout from all the key deals that went down before Monday's MLB trade deadline is being tracked closely. The Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Mets and Phillies all had notable showings in a wild conclusion to trade season. In the awards race, Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as the new odds leader for NL MVP, while odds for Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in both leagues are also shifting.

College Football Preview

Ohio State the 2026 season as the No. 1 team in the AFCA Coaches Poll as the Big Ten tries to extend its run of college football national champions to four. Texas moves into the top five in the Way-Too-Early Top, while North Carolina falls out for UCLA, with key nonconference games circled on the calendar. The 40 most important players for the 2026 season have been ranked, starting with CFP-hopeful quarterbacks like Arch Manning and others. A remarkable 31 teams have been identified as having the best chance to make the College Football Playoff in 2026. Bill Connelly identified the best games of the 2026 college football season, highlighting Power 4 matchups with the highest combined SP+ ratings and a projected scoring margin under eight points. New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland took a dig at Indiana, apparently forgetting the Hoosiers won the CFP national championship in January when he said "we are here to win championships." Miami coach Mario Cristobal, who led the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff title game last season before losing to Indiana, has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the school. North Carolina Bill Belichick announced Thursday that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on medical leave and out indefinitely. In recruiting news A.J. Williams, the No. 1-ranked player in the class of 2028, plans to reclassify into the 2027 class. Alabama and UNC have entered the updated top 35 in the 2027 class rankings as summer recruiting winds down. Big Ten's ceiling and floor for all 18 teams has been analyzed, from winning the national title to missing the tournament entirely.

The Ocho's 10th Anniversary

Ocho will celebrate its 10th anniversary in style, airing the world's quirkiest, most unconventional and obscure sports over 75 hours. What began as a joke from the movie "Dodge Ball" has become a 10-year tradition showcasing everything from T. rex races to pumpkin tossing and death diving. Hundreds of competitors are poised to take the turf at Emerald Downs for the T-Rex races, honoring a tradition that began as a team-bonding experience. A new variation on chess, called "the strangest sport in the world," will be broadcast on The Ocho at 8 a.m. ET Aug. 8.

The Hundred and Cricket

London Spirit the first side to be knocked out of the men's Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London at Lord's. Jos Buttler became the highest run-getter in men's T20 cricket, breaking the record during a Manchester Super Giants win over Welsh Fire in The Hundred. Welsh Fire Phil Salt says he would ideally like The Hundred to be a week longer after his side played three matches in five days. Sophia Dunkley helped Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix, while Orla Prendergast took four wickets in Welsh Fire's victory over Manchester Super Giants. In other cricket news, Hampshire and England fast bowler John Turner has retired from cricket aged 25 after more than a year out injured. maintained their push for a home semi-final in the One-Day Cup with a 95-run win over Kent.

Tour de France Femmes

Kimberley Le won a sprint finish to seal victory in stage six of the Tour de France Femmes, as Swiss rider Marlen Reusser held on to the overall lead. Vollering won stage five following a sprint victory over yellow jersey holder Marlen Reusser. Reusser took the first yellow jersey of her career by winning a 21km time trial to Dijon in the fourth stage. Officials at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift will check the clothing worn by riders to prevent attempts to make "aerodynamic gains" through bra padding.

Golf

LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to league CEO Scott O'Neil. After withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing earlier this year, LIV Golf says it has secured a deal with an unnamed lead investor to continue next season. Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari and Sepp Straka will play the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare from 9-13 September. FedEx Cup bubble is a major storyline, with players from Jackson Koivun to Brooks Koepka needing strong showings at the Wyndham Championship to make the top.

Boxing and MMA

William Zepeda climbed the lightweight rankings after dominating Lamont Roach to capture the WBC title. A flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline UFC 331 in September, officials announced Thursday. Ian Machado Garry explains how switching to a plant-based diet helped him earn a welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on 15 August. owners lost $30m (£22m) staging the Freedom 250 event, which was attended by US President Donald Trump, at the White House in June.

Tennis

Coco Gauff she supports "fairness in women's sports" but criticized how the WTA's gene testing creates "animosity towards the trans community." Carlos Alcaraz's ongoing absence from tennis due to a wrist injury is being analyzed, with experts noting that wrist injuries are particularly difficult to manage. Cameron Norrie to the Canadian Open last 32 with a straight-set win over Ignacio Buse. Alex Eala is preparing for the US Open, back on the hard courts that have produced many of the biggest moments of her career. making history in Washington, Alexandra Eala's journey to her first title is being celebrated, with many calling her the "most exciting player" showing "Filipino heart."

College Basketball and Other Sports

Longtime college announcer Dick Vitale said he is making positive strides after announcing in April that he had been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time. The San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet stopped in the rain to help out a stranded motorist in San Antonio whose car broke down. The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the United Kingdom to the "next level," says the New York Knicks' OG Anunoby. The Preakness Stakes is moving to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby and is set to be run on a Sunday for the first time. Lucas Jumalon 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, Washington, beat Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up to win the 2026 World Series of Poker main event and $10 million.

Rugby and Other International Sports

Helens will face Hull FC in Dublin as part of a Super League double-header next April, the day after Warrington Wolves take on Wigan Warriors. Warriors kicked off the new Super Four format of the Women's Super League with a thumping 44-6 win at St Helens. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels dismissed any talk of a merger with Ospreys and wants greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union as their future hangs in the balance. Former England Joe Marler will become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator, known as Mauler when the fourth series airs in 2027. Television presenter Knowles has become a shareholder in Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates. Hooker Tom is staying grounded after being tipped as one to watch for Wales before his debut for Cardiff. Jemima Lines has been selected as the first woman in the British America's Cup team in 90 years, hailing it as a "pivotal moment" in her sport. British Grand Prix will remain on the Moto GP World Championship calendar until at least 2028 as Silverstone extends its partnership with Moto GP. London has submitted its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with the London Stadium, built for the 2012 Olympics, as the proposed venue. Winter Olympic medallist Eve Muirhead has revoked her retirement, saying being Team GB's chef de mission at this year's Games inspired her to return to curling after four years away.

Soccer and Other Stories