General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 6:13 AM ET

Boxing

Aaron McKenna produced a dominant performance against Etinosa Oliha to claim the IBF world middleweight title in his first professional fight on Irish soil in Dublin. Callum Simpson reclaimed the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles with a unanimous decision victory in his rematch with Troy Williamson. Pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales’ Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027.

Tennis & WTA

Cameron Norrie bowed out in the last 16 of the Canadian Open in Toronto with a straight-sets defeat by Arthur Fils. Coco Gauff criticized how the WTA’s gene testing creates "animosity towards the trans community," while supporting fairness in women's sports. BBC Sport analysed Carlos Alcaraz's ongoing absence from tennis and why wrist injuries are so difficult to manage. Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham in their One-Day Cup against Middlesex.

WNBA

The WNBA rescinded a technical foul against Caitlin Clark on Saturday, less than two hours after she received what would have been her eighth of the season, avoiding a suspension. Caitlin Clark already has the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history, but her game remains a work in progress in Year. The Sky's DiJonai Carrington was assessed a flagrant 2 and ejected after a hard foul across the face and neck area of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Chelsea Gray made two buzzer-beating 3-pointers after Caitlin Clark’s uncharacteristic mistakes, the first to force overtime and the second to give the Aces a victory over the Fever. Two men were escorted from their courtside seats during the third quarter of the Aces and Fever matchup. The first-place Minnesota Lynx clinched a WNBA playoff berth after defeating the Las Vegas Aces 98-87 to improve to 26-7. Seven teams look like WNBA playoff locks, with six vying for the final spot. Caitlin Clark said it is up to individuals to "speak when you feel like you want to speak" and that she is "trying to navigate life" as a 24-year-old. USA Basketball announced that Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston will make their first USA appearances at a major international competition next month. The WNBPA released a statement emphasizing diversity and inclusion, saying the organization "will not be used as political pawns."

College Sports & NCAA

Dan Hurley said coaches who are taking advantage of recent court rulings to make late additions to their programs are doing more harm than good. The Protect College Sports Act failed to reach a vote during an all-night Senate session, though it gained a spot on next month’s calendar. North Carolina coach Bill Belichick announced that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on medical leave and out indefinitely. New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland owned that an attempted one-liner at the expense of Indiana was a mistake "the second it left my mouth." Offensive lineman Cole Hutson, following minicamp participation, has returned to Texas after regaining a fifth year of eligibility. Four-star quarterback Christopher Vargas, the top-ranked pocket passer in the 2028 cycle, committed to Ohio State. Every fanbase has someone it absolutely loves to hate, with a list and stories behind the fury for Power 4 teams. No one fuels fans’ ire more than Lane Kiffin these days, but is he the best pot-stirrer of all time? ESPN broke down which teams face the biggest challenges and which have the easiest roads ahead in 2026. How good -- win the national title! -- and bad -- miss the tourney! -- it could get for all 18 Big Ten teams.

MLB & Baseball

Aaron McKenna — wait, that's the wrong link. Here's the correct MLB link. Tommy John, the namesake for the elbow surgery, did not attend the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day on Saturday as he shared a vague message about his health. A panel of baseball insiders weighed in on the biggest blockbusters, which teams had the best deadline and more. ESPN covered it all about a wild conclusion to trade season. Eric Karabell has his annual "Do Not Draft" list, with players going earlier than they should in drafts. How each club's playoff hopes have risen or fallen since the trade deadline, plus how complete every MLB roster is today.

NFL & UFC

After rejoining the Eagles following four missed practices, right tackle Lane Johnson said he is likely entering his final NFL season. Conor McGregor reiterated his desire to return to fighting after undergoing surgery on the knee injury suffered during his UFC comeback. Is the No. 1 pick destined to be a QB such as Dante Moore or Arch Manning in the 2027 NFL draft? After firing him, the Vikings rehired Fitzgerald as a ball boy and assigned him to the receivers, leading to his Hall of Fame journey.

Cricket & International Sports

Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs in Gary Wilson's first one-day international as head coach. Scotland held on for a nervy nine-run victory over Canada to secure a place at next year's World Cup Qualifier. Somerset kept their hopes of qualifying for the One-Day Cup alive with a thumping victory over Surrey, thanks to a brilliant Tom Lammonby ton. Luc Benkenstein scored a brilliant 140 for Essex to keep their One Day Cup hopes alive despite Timm van der Gugten's 118 not out. Jos Buttler said a conversation with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick helped him rediscover the form that took him past the all-time T20 run-scoring record. Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff stepped down as head coach of England Lions. London Spirit became the first side knocked out of the men's Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London. Hampshire and England fast bowler John Turner retired from cricket aged 25 after more than a year out injured. England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum backed Harry Brook as a future captain but says Joe Root will do an "amazing job" in his second stint.

Cycling & Track

Demi Vollering raced clear to win stage eight of the Tour de France Femmes and snatch the leader's yellow jersey with just one stage remaining. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to claim her first Tour de France Femmes stage win and the overall race lead. Kimberley Le Court won a sprint finish to seal victory in stage six of the Tour de France Femmes, as Marlen Reusser held on to the overall lead. Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson spoke publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, clarifying details of payments to athletes. London submitted its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with the London Stadium as the proposed venue. The Hess women's cycling team was owned by a rich benefactor with a background in high finance, but how did they end up failing to pay riders and staff?

Rugby, Football & Other Sports

Ulster second row Fiona Tuite said her side "need to execute more" after their narrow 15-10 defeat against Connacht in the first round of their Interprovincial Championship. A dominant second-half performance by Connacht inflicted a painful 15-10 defeat on Ulster. Fijian Saimoni Vunilagi died of suspected heatstroke after a training session, his Japanese club Kyuden Voltex announced. Swansea City fear Cameron Burgess has a significant Achilles injury after the centre-back limped off in their Carabao Cup defeat to Birmingham City. Chief executive Tom Gorringe said Swansea City are now on track to compete for a return to the Premier League. Matthias Jaissle will take charge of his first friendly as Newcastle United head coach against Valencia as a new era begins. Ian Rush said reaching Euro 2028 is a must for Wales as they bid to put their 2026 World Cup qualifying heartbreak behind them. BBC Sport NI looked at talking points from the match when the much-changed Sky Blues shocked David Healy's side. BBC Sport NI agreed a new three-year broadcast deal with the Irish FA to ensure extensive free-to-air coverage of domestic football. Huddersfield Giants celebrated the announcement of their move to Dewsbury from next season by thrashing Catalans Dragons. Warrington kept alive their outside hopes of a top-two finish with a ruthless 42-4 victory against struggling Bradford Bulls. Wigan Warriors beat Toulouse Olympique 48-18 to go second in Super League, with Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall both scoring twice. St Helens will face Hull FC in Dublin as part of a Super League double-header next April. Wigan Warriors kicked off the new Super Four format of the Women's Super League with a thumping 44-6 win at St Helens. England star Hannah French paid tribute to the team's medical staff after recovering from injury in time to play in next month's women's Hockey World Cup.

Other Sports & Events

The 2026 WSOP final table featured great play and engaging personalities, while the Hall of Fame inducted only one player. Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, Washington, won the 2026 World Series of Poker main event and $10 million. The Sanctuary is an offseason performance retreat for NBA players, and top high school prospect Ahmed Nur earned an exclusive ticket. Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died due to the effects of heroin and cocaine, the Los Angeles medical authority revealed. Mrs. Met and Goldy headline the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Hacky sack has had nostalgic appeal and a grassroots playing base, but this spring things really surged. ESPN's 75-hour tradition showcases obscure competitions. Here's the story on how the iconic Ocho event Slippery Stairs was created and how challenging it is to compete. Hundreds of competitors are poised to take the turf at Emerald Downs for T-Rex races, honoring a tradition that began as a team-bonding experience. Four PLL games and one WLL contest are on the docket for Boston on Friday and Saturday. The European Athletics Championships timetable and BBC coverage times for the event in Birmingham from 10-16 August. Ben Pritchard, the 34-year-old from Mumbles, will head to Amsterdam having overcome a freak pre-Europeans injury to retain his title in Italy.