Last updated: August 16, 2026, 10:08 AM ET
UFC 330: Makhachev Makes History
Islam Makhachev, moved to 29-1 at UFC 330, surpassing Anderson Silva's all-time record of 16 consecutive wins with a dominant victory over Michael Page in Philadelphia. The 34-year-old lightweight champion further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters ever, extending his win streak to 17 in a performance that showcased his evolving striking and suffocating grappling. In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern successfully defended her strawweight title with a methodical decision win, setting up her next potential matchup while demonstrating the poker patience that has become her trademark inside the octagon.
European Championships Shake Up Athletics
The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham delivered dramatic moments across multiple events, beginning with Lani Pallister's stunning victory over Katie Ledecky in the 800-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships, marking Ledecky's first international loss in the event. Closer to home, Amy Hunt completed a historic sprint treble for Great Britain while Dina Asher-Smith matched the British record book with her relay gold performances. However, not all British stars shone brightly as Katarina Johnson-Thompson finished a disappointing 21st in the heptathlon, vowing she still has the hunger to compete despite a difficult season.
Marathon and Road Racing Highlights
Amber Donnelly became the first British woman to win a marathon medal at the European Championships, claiming bronze in Birmingham on Sunday as the event was overshadowed by transport delays caused by a fraud arrest that forced medal ceremonies to be postponed. The disruption affected crowds outside the venue while organizers scrambled to reschedule the remaining events, casting a shadow over what had been otherwise competitive racing on the streets of Birmingham.
WNBA Growth and Controversy
Angel Reese continues to rewrite the record books in the WNBA, and her rebounding prowess has become the subject of intense study across the league. Despite not being the tallest player or the best leaper, Reese is grabbing rebounds at a pace never before seen in WNBA history, drawing praise and scrutiny in equal measure as the league's icons acknowledge that increased discourse is a natural byproduct of the women's game's rapid expansion. Diana Taurasi added another chapter to her legendary career by announcing her hopes to join the Phoenix Mercury's ownership group, just two days before her No. 3 jersey retirement ceremony.
Swimming Records Fall at Pan Pac Championships
Kate Douglass set a world record in the women's 50-meter freestyle during preliminary heats at the Pan Pacific Championships, but the story didn't end there as she broke the mark again later in the day, becoming the first woman to break the 24-second barrier twice in one session. The American's dominance in Irvine, California, provided a highlight reel for swimming fans worldwide, though Adam Ramsay-Peaty expressed confusion over his own early exit from the 50m breaststroke at the European Championships, admitting his poor run of form continues to puzzle him.
College Sports and Recruiting Updates
Joey Logano ended a nine-year drought at Richmond Raceway with a late-race charge on fresh tires, continuing his surge toward the NASCAR playoffs while Ty Gibbs prepared to honor former teammate Kyle Busch with a special M&M's paint scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway. In college football, Tennessee suffered a major setback as starting safety Edrees Farooq will miss the entire 2026 season with a torn patellar tendon, while Alabama faces a six-week absence for running back AK Dear after an ankle injury in a preseason scrimmage.
Golf and Tennis News
Scottie Scheffler tied the course record at TPC Southwind with a 9-under, taking a three-stroke lead in the FedEx St. Jude Championship while LIV Golf faces uncertainty as the season-ending Team Championship appears set for cancellation. Josh Allen tops the quarterback strength rankings according to Matt Bowen's analysis, though questions remain about whether his massive frame has gotten too big for optimal performance.
Cricket and International Sports
Afghanistan completed a 4-0 one-day series sweep over Ireland thanks to captain Rahmat Shah's unbeaten 143 at Stormont, while Scotland crushed Canada by 170 runs in the World Cup League, with captain Richie Berrington and debutant Lyle Robertson leading the charge. Bangladesh made history as Tanzid Hasan Tamim became the first player from his country to score a Test century in Australia during their match against the Baggy Green in Darwin.
Rugby and Football Developments
The Welsh Rugby Union announced plans to reduce professional teams from four to three by 2028, citing financial realities that make sustaining four teams beyond that timeframe unfeasible, prompting Jonathan Davies to call for the entire WRU board to step down. Alun Wyn Jones will join the Ospreys board ahead of the 2026-27 season, bringing his legendary status to the administrative side of Welsh rugby.
Tragic Losses in Sport
The sports world mourned the loss of several figures this week, including Prichard Colon, who died at age 33 eleven years after suffering a severe brain injury during a 2015 fight, and Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old Australian golfing prospect who passed away after a brain haemorrhage while preparing for a tournament in Thailand. Skip Bertman, the legendary LSU baseball coach who won five Men's College World Series titles, also passed away at age, leaving behind a legacy that transformed college baseball.
WNBA Fantasy and Lineup Advice
Fantasy basketball enthusiasts received guidance for the playoff push with key players to target in weekend lineups, while fantasy baseball managers got advice on stacking lineups with players like Cameron who appeared poised for a bounce-back performance. Matt Bowen provided his favorite draft targets ranging from first-round superstars to late-round dart throws, while his tight end tiers breakdown helped identify where value drops off throughout the draft process.
Soccer and Rugby Updates
Cameron Burgess will undergo surgery on a ruptured Achilles that threatens to sideline the Swansea City defender for the entire Championship season, dealing a heavy blow on the eve of the new campaign. Declan Devine made it clear that Glentoran aims to deliver silverware this year after falling short in the previous season's trophy ambitions.
NBA and Basketball News
The Los Angeles Lakers completed a record $12.5bn (£9.3bn) sale that shocked the NBA world, agreeing to the deal over a single weekend that will reshape the franchise's future. Mike D'Antoni reflected on his Hall of Fame legacy during NBA HOF week, discussing his "seven seconds or less" offense philosophy and the "doomed" Lakers tenure that followed his departure from Phoenix. Lamar Jackson is adapting to a new offensive system under OC Declan Doyle, embracing what some are calling an "MVP adapter" season for the Ravens quarterback.
Cricket Development and Youth Sports
Rocky Flintoff continues to make his case for an England call-up after a impressive Somerset ton, with former England coaches suggesting he be "fast-tracked" to international cricket. Moises Henriques is chasing "cricket nirvana" by helping Portugal qualify for their first-ever men's T20 World Cup, adding another chapter to his storied international career.
Little League and Youth Baseball
The 2026 Little League World Series preparation is underway with comprehensive schedules and coverage plans already in place, providing families and fans with everything they need to know about the upcoming tournament. Notts and Durham reached the One-Day Cup semi-finals with centuries from Jack Haynes and Kyle Verreyne powering their respective teams past Yorkshire and other quarter-final opponents.
Hundred and Cricket League Updates
Welsh Fire may not be in the Hundred final at Lord's, but Welsh batter Aneurin Donald is ready to take center stage for his team. The tournament's first year under new private ownership has seen attendance numbers dip compared to 2025, prompting discussions about the rebranding efforts and their impact on fan engagement. A combined trophy concept combining men's and women's points has sparked debate about how such innovations might translate to other sports competitions.
NFL and Training Camp News
NFL training camps are in full swing with comprehensive updates from all 32 teams, highlighting camp standouts and addressing key questions heading into the regular season. Nazeeh Johnson revealed that fertility medication led to his positive test for a banned substance, resulting in his suspension and highlighting the complex intersection of personal health issues and professional sports regulations.
College Football and Recruiting
The 2026 college football season approaches with a tiered ranking of all 138 FBS teams, providing early projections and expectations for programs across the country. Kalani Sitake remains one of college football's most popular coaches as BYU positions itself for College Football Playoff contention, while college football games have evolved with new sequencing patterns and strategic approaches that coaches are quick to implement.
Boxing and Combat Sports
Fin Tarling's team withdrew from the Volta a Portugal after the British cyclist's death, with his father describing the outpouring of support as both "heartbreaking and heartwarming." The cyclists' union expressed "fury" over the circumstances surrounding Tarling's death and is calling for better helmet standards Lacrosse Playoffs
The PLL final week brings high-stakes action as playoff berths hang in the balance for the men's teams, while the WLL championship sees the Charm and Palms facing off for the women's title in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.
Preseason Recognition
ESPN's preseason All-America team features standout players from the Longhorns, Tigers, and Buckeyes among others, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive 2026 college football season. Elena Delle Donne, and Candace Parker join the 1996 U.S. Olympic team in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame class of 2026, recognizing their contributions to advancing women's basketball.
Golf Tournament Updates
The FedEx St. Jude Championship delivered exciting second-round highlights as Scottie Scheffler surged ahead with his course-record, while LIV Golf players face uncertainty as their season-ending championship appears set for cancellation.
International Cricket
Bangladesh made history in Australian cricket as Tanzid Hasan Tamim became the first player from his country to score a Test century on Australian soil, leading the visitors to dominance on day two of their match in Darwin. Scotland enjoyed a commanding 170-run victory over Canada in the World Cup League, with captain Richie Berrington and debutant Lyle Robertson starring in the comprehensive win at Forthill.
Women's Sports Recognition
Keely Hodgkinson settled for European silver after a thrilling 800m final where Switzerland's Audrey Werro denied the Briton a third consecutive title, though Hodgkinson remains determined to "continue to fight" against fresh rivals emerging in the middle-distance scene. Kate O'Connor secured Ireland's heptathlon European gold with mixed emotions after day one, honoring her late grandmother who she said "would have been jumping for joy."
Rugby League Results
Wigan Warriors scored six tries to hammer wasteful Bradford 34-6, maintaining their second-place position in the Super League while trailing Leeds only on points difference. Castleford Tigers put their coaching problems aside to defeat Hull FC 18-14 at the MKM Stadium, recording only their third Super League away win of the season in a performance that showcased their resilience under pressure.
Olympic and Flag Football
Great Britain's women's flag football team fell short in their first opportunity to qualify for the Olympics, missing out on the golden ticket but keeping their hopes alive for another chance at qualification on Sunday in what remains a crucial moment for the sport's Olympic debut.
Swimming Championships
Filip Nowacki became a dramatic European gold medalist in the men's 200m breaststroke final at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, adding another name to Britain's swimming roll of honor at just 18 years old. Josh Kerr disappointed Jakob Ingebrigtsen by missing the European Championships in Birmingham, with the Norwegian expressing that he was "very" disappointed by the British rival's decision to skip the event.
NBA In-Season Tournament
The 2026 NBA Cup group stage schedule has been revealed, setting the stage for the fourth annual in-season tournament with comprehensive details on groups, format, and key dates that will determine which teams advance to the knockout rounds.
NFL Suspensions and Appeals
Four Canadian hockey stars remain suspended following their acquittal on sexual assault charges, though a fifth player has been reinstated after an appeals board found that the entire group violated Hockey Canada's code of conduct, highlighting ongoing governance challenges in professional hockey.