Chad Mendes intends to get back on the mats with Real American Freestyle it's just about pinning down the correct timeline.Three-time UFC title challenger Mendes made his RAF debut in November with a loss to Michael Chandler. He was scheduled to compete against former UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson in February, but an injury popped up during preparation, and it was deemed not worth the risk.I tweaked my knee pretty good," Mendes told MMA Junkie. "I think I partially tore my MCL. I'm getting old. I'm 41 years old. I don't recover as quick. I'm going to wait for two or three weeks and then I'll be good, and then the more I started thinking about it and the closer it got I'm like, 'Why? I don't need to push through this like it's a big fight.' So I ended up just pulling out and playing it safe, but we're all back to normal now. It took a good seven, eight weeks to really heal that damn thing up."Now healthy, Mendes, who retired from MMA competition in December 2018 but has since competed in a pair of BKFC bouts, is eager to get back to his wrestling roots soon, but admits it's not the top priority.Mendes has settled comfortably into post-combat life with Finz and Featherz, a fishing and hunting exploration company he founded that is thriving.He made a contractual commitment to RAF, though, and whether it's in late 2026 or early 2027, he wants to start knocking off some of his obligations."I've still got four matches on the contract with them I definitely want to do it," Mendes said. "The tricky part with my schedule and with hunting season kicking off now, basically as soon as August hits, I'm pretty much gone on the road either filming hunts or guiding until December. I don't think I'm going to have time to jump back in there until maybe December or January. "I'm just going to keep working out here and there and keep the cardio and the body as in-tune as I can, and as soon as my schedule clears up I'm going to jump back in full-bore and hopefully get two matches at the beginning of the year. I loved it. That was such an awesome event. I love what those guys are doing with the sport, for the up-and-comers."This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Chad Mendes intends to fulfill RAF contract, gives return timeline

Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Liverpool have all been linked with Yan Diomande -Credit:NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty ImagesParis Saint-Germain have gone on the offensive against Real Madrid in new remarks concerning their former transfer target, Yan Diomande. PSG confirmed on Sunday that they're no longer pursuing the 19-year-old, who RB Leipzig will require at least 100 million ($132.9 million) for after rejecting an 85 million ($113 million) offer from Real last week.However, the French and European champions haven't stopped there. On Monday, PSG asserted via French newspaper L'Equipe that the 'crazy money' which Real could ultimately pay for the Ivory Coast international 'shows where they are right now.'The club stated: "They were asking for crazy money for a player who has potential but was playing in the Spanish second division one year ago. We won't break the bank because a club arrived with fireworks."Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup commentsArgentina World Cup Final red card rescinded, face potential FIFA disciplinary action -Credit:NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTwisting the knife, PSG added: "This shows where Real Madrid are right now."Diomande transferred to Leipzig from Spanish second-tier side Leganes last summer and enjoyed an outstanding season in Germany. The winger secured the Bundesliga's young player of the season award for 2025-26, having netted 12 goals and contributed eight assists, via The Mirror.The inter-club controversy follows PSG declaring that they would 'not break its principals' by yielding to Leipzig's demands. "The asking transfer fee and salary demands were completely disproportionate and distortive - and PSG will not break its principles of rational financial management and squad balance," the Ligue 1 side stated."As a two-time consecutive Champions League winner and the most successful club in recent years, PSG will also not engage in the inflationary and manipulative games of certain player agents - and will instead calmly and confidently continue its transfer planning."To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HEREDiomande had also attracted interest from Liverpool, but Real Madrid appear to be the overwhelming frontrunners. His potential arrival could have significant implications for the future of Vinicius Junior.Arsenal have their sights set on Vinicius, who has entered the final year of his 400,000-a-week ($531,590) deal with Real, who would be required to pay him a substantial loyalty bonus should he remain for the 2026-27 season. The Brazilian failed to return to training on Monday as previously scheduled, amid mounting uncertainty surrounding his future.Should Real decide to sell, Arsenal are prepared to offer him a lucrative contract that would significantly boost his earnings. New Real manager Jos Mourinho, however, has no intention of losing Vinicius just weeks into his second stint at the Bernabeu.

The season hasn't even started, and Aaron Glenn and the Jets are already getting props originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As a New York Jets fan the past few years, there haven't been too many reasons to smile. There haven't been hardly any, really. But, hey, that changes now, because the Jets are getting big props ahead of the new season.Aaron Glenn wasn't able to turn this team around in his first year with the Jets. But, that was a big ask, anyway. Heading into year two, the pressure is on in a big way. But it's nothing he can't handle. At least, that's the hope.Either way, the public is watching. In a USA Today piece released on Monday, reporter Nick Brinkerhoff names the Jets the No. 5 team on his "vibe check" radar. That means they have a really good vibe right now and people care about this team.Jets have a great 'vibe' this season"The New Jersey Turnpike often has a noticeable stench to it and it's nothing you'll find in candle form," he says in the piece. "Of course, that is thanks to the factories and marshes, even if the Jets and Giants are major contributors most seasons. This year might be different though."Different? We like that. From there, Brinkerhoff highlights some of the best moves this team has made during the offseason, like adding Jets like Geno Smith and Demario Davis."And with three first-round picks next offseason, hopes are high for Jets fans maybe for good reason, too," he adds.More NFL news:Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets honor that speaks volumes about his riseHave the Bears already peaked?Bengals' Dexter Lawrence could hold the key for Joe Burrow in 2026

LAWRENCE After the speculation about whether former Kansas basketball standout Melvin Council Jr. would seek another year of eligibility at the Division I level in college, Council is going through the legal system to get it.According to Douglas County court records from July, Council is the plaintiff in a case against the NCAA and Josh Whitman in the state of Kansas. Whitman, a defendant alongside the NCAA, is described in the petition as being in his official capacity as chair of the NCAA Division I cabinet. The petition is for damages and injunctive relief against those parties.The bid for another year of eligibility addresses how the NCAA handles the eligibility of athletes whove spent time at the junior college level, as Council did before moving up to Division I at Wagner, then St. Bonaventure, and then Kansas. It also addresses how not allowing Council to participate in another season of Division I basketball would keep him from potentially making millions of dollars through NIL, and hinder his ability to get selected in a future NBA draft. He is seeking the chance to play one more year of Division I basketball, and KU coach Bill Self has reacted to this news.RELATED: Can Kansas basketballs alumni team continue to advance in TBT?Were aware of Melvins legal efforts to pursue an additional year of Division I eligibility, similar to what a number of student-athletes across the country are doing, Self said in a statement. At this point, were simply monitoring the process and allowing it to play out.According to the petition, Council had submitted a waiver request to the NCAA through KUs compliance office in May this year. Later that month, the request was effectively denied. The petition takes issue with that as well.If this is permitted, Council who spent time in the NBA summer league this year with the New Orleans Pelicans would be eligible to play for a school in the 2026-27 season. During the 2025-26 season, he helped the Jayhawks to the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament and the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game across 35 starts and was named the Big 12s newcomer of the year as a senior guard.Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Associations sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Bill Self reacts to Melvin Council Jr.s pursuit of more eligibility

The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed an unusual arrangement with Red Bull to secure Jrgen Klopp's release as national team head coach, involving a 1 million donation to charity and a commitment to stage three future Germany matches in Leipzig. Charitable Donation Was The Price Of Klopp's Release It has now emerged just how far the DFB had to go to get their man. Confirming the terms at Klopp's official unveiling on Friday, president Bernd Neuendorf revealed that the federation agreed to make a 1 million donation to the Red Bull-backed "Wings for Life" foundation as part of the deal to free Klopp from his prior commitments. Neuendorf explained that the gesture was designed to acknowledge how smoothly Red Bull had handled his release. "The German Football Association has made these special arrangements in recognition of the fact that the release was handled in such an uncomplicated and unbureaucratic manner," he said. Leipzig Secured As Venue For Future Internationals The donation, it turns out, was only part of the agreement. As part of the wider arrangement with Red Bull, the DFB also committed to staging three senior Germany internationals at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig across the course of Klopp's contract a tangible concession that ensured the Red Bull-owned stadium and its local supporters benefited directly from a deal that saw one of the company's most high-profile executives depart prematurely. Landing Klopp is widely regarded as a major coup for a federation desperate to return German football to the top of the international game. Hans-Joachim Watzke, the DFB's first vice-president and a long-time ally of Klopp from their years together at Borussia Dortmund, also made clear his relief that the situation had finally been resolved. Behind The Scenes Of The Red Bull Negotiations Getting Klopp out of his role as head of global soccer required sustained, high-level dialogue between the DFB and Red Bull's leadership. Neuendorf disclosed that he held "very intensive talks with RB, specifically with Oliver Mintzlaff", the company's chief executive, in order to reach an agreement both parties could accept. Reflecting on how those discussions concluded, Neuendorf praised the professionalism shown throughout by the Red Bull hierarchy. "I am very grateful to Oliver Mintzlaff for the discussions and how we were able to conduct them. We were both quickly in agreement that the simultaneous execution of Jurgen's function at RB and the exercise of the office of national team coach would be difficult to reconcile with one another," he said. Years Of Struggle Across Three Coaching Eras Klopp inherits a national team still searching for the identity it lost following the golden generation of 2014. Germany suffered a shock group-stage exit as defending champions at the 2018 World Cup under Joachim Low before Hansi Flick took over in 2021 and oversaw an equally painful group-stage elimination in Qatar a run of results that made Flick the first head coach ever sacked by the DFB. Julian Nagelsmann was subsequently appointed in September 2023, given less than a year to prepare the hosts for Euro 2024, where he guided the team to a respectable quarter-final finish before extending his stay through to this summer's World Cup. That tournament, however, brought fresh heartbreak rather than the redemption Germany craved, with Nagelsmann's side eliminated in the round of 32 on penalties against Paraguay extending the nation's wait for a run deep into a major tournament to more than a decade. It is against that backdrop of near-constant disappointment across three different coaching regimes that Klopp now arrives, tasked with restoring a team that once defined footballing excellence back to the level its history demands.

CHICAGO (AP) New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday, a day after he got hurt running the bases during a 3-1 win at Philadelphia. He had more tests on Monday in New York that revealed the extent of the injury.So the good thing is hes obviously able to move around right now, manager Aaron Boone said before the opener of a four-game series at the Chicago White Sox. So well continue to do that and just allow this thing to heal and get him right.The loss of Bellinger is another major injury for a New York team already playing without reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, who has been out since May 31 because of a fractured rib. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has been sidelined since April 24 because of a strained right calf.The Yankees trailed AL East-leading Tampa Bay by three games going into Monday's action.Weve had some tough injuries to some really important people, Boone said. But again, that is part of it. As I say, the season waits for no one.Max Schuemann got the start in left field for the series opener against the White Sox. Spencer Jones, who was brought up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when Bellinger was placed on the IL, was in center, and Jasson Domnguez was in right.The MLB trade deadline is next week, but Boone downplayed the effect of Bellinger's injury on the strategy for general manager Brian Cashman and the team's front office.I get the sense that they have been working on this in different ways, shape and form for the last several weeks, getting ready for trade deadline stuff, Boone said. I expect them to try and do all they can to improve our team, but again, you never know how thats going to shake out.Bellinger, 31, felt tightness in his hamstring while rounding first on a double in the eighth inning on Saturday night. He is batting .259 with 11 homers and 53 RBIs in 102 games this season.Bellinger re-signed with the Yankees last winter for $162.5 million over five years. He was the MVP of the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia.Judge and Stanton are with the team in Chicago, and Boone said Stanton is continuing with his running progression.The strength stuff, explosive stuff hes doing in the weight room has been very good, Boone said. So we just got to get him up to a level obviously on the running side of things to be able to go out there.Left-hander Carlos Rodn and right-hander Clarke Schmidt are both expected to throw again this week, Boone said. Rodn is coming back from elbow inflammation, and Schmidt had Tommy John surgery a year ago.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

MANSFIELD The Richland County Junior Golf Championship is shaping up for an epic finish.No one golfer across the RCJGC tournament divisions owns a lead of larger than five strokes after the first day of play at Twin Lakes Golf Course on Monday, July 27. The final round is slated for Tuesday, July 28 at Oak Tree Golf Club.The tightest race for the championship comes in the boys 17-18 year old division where Madison's Josh Maglott and Lexington's Jackson Durchik sit tied at the top of the standings after matching 70s on Day 1. Maglott shot a 34-36-70 while Durchik was consistent with a 35-35-70 as both golfers shot one under for the day. Chase Dininger, Kolbe Ramion and Bryar Ousley are all in the hunt for the division championship. Dininger shot a 37-36-73 while Ramion added a 38-37-75 and Ousley shot a 36-39-75 to remain five shots back of the lead.In the lone girls division, Kristin Combs ended the day with a solid round of 38-38-76 while Aniyah Monica fired a 37-42-78 to make it a close competition. Sarah Combs added a 41-42-83 while Isabella Deal added a 40-46-86, Erika Hollard had a 41-47-88 and Leah McDowell shot a 49-40-89 to remain in the hunt.In the boys 15-16 year old division, Cullen Hart owns a two-shot lead after the first round when he fired a 35-40-75. He sits just ahead of Carson Pigg who had a 37-40-77, Beckett Slaughter (38-40-78) and Ben Sheets (38-40-78). Brandon Maglott had a 41-39-80 and Jackson Curry added a 38-42-80 to remain in the hunt for the division title.The boys 13-14 year old division is a two-golfer race after the first round. Vincent Studer owns a five-shot lead after Day 1 when he shot a 36-38-74. Gabe Owens sits in second with a 40-39-79 and Benjamin Drueschler is in third with a 43-42-85.There were 83 golfers signed up for the RCJGC with 81 tallying Day 1 scores.Below is the complete leaderboards for each division.2026 Richland County Junior Golf Championship LeaderboardBoys 17-18 DivisionJosh Maglott, 34-36-70Jackson Durchik, 35-35-70Chase Dininger, 37-36-73Kolbe Ramion, 38-37-75Bryar Ousley, 36-39-75Caleb Murfield, 37-39-76Lincoln Shepherd, 39-39-78Jacob Brokaw, 42-36-78Grady Schroeder, 41-39-80Branson Porter, 40-42-82Kaile Beachy, 42-41-83AJ Studer, 44-41-85Jackson Henry, 43-44-87Tobin Amos, 43-46-89Gavin Lamb, 46-44-90Kayne Cooke, 42-48-90Finn McAuley, 45-49-94Nate Riggle, 44-51-95Jaydon Fultz, 51-52-103Jace Germann, 50-58-108Girls DivisionKristin Combs, 38-38-76Aniyah Monica, 37-42-79Sarah Combs, 41-42-83Isabella Deal, 40-46-86Erika Hollar, 41-47-88Leah McDowell, 49-40-89Ella Schmidt, 46-48-94Leah Zigler, 46-48-94Lyla Belcher, 42-52-94Olivia Heuss, 50-51-101Saleen Miller-Beck, 52-50-102Sydni Setser, 50-52-102Delaney Carver, 55-49-104Anna Amrose, 52-53-105Hailey Stuff, 53-53-106Aimee Greene, 50-57-107Fairy Tomecko, 54-55-109Laynee Carter, 53-56-109Gabby Brinkman, 54-56-110Raegan Welsh, 50-60-110Sophia Jacobs, 56-60-116Addilynn Padgett, 54-63-117Randi Beck, 60-70-130Boys 15-16 DivisionCullen Hart, 35-40-75Carson Pigg, 37-40-77Beckett Slaughter, 38-40-78Ben Sheets, 38-40-78Brandon Maglott, 41-39-80Jackson Curry, 38-42-80Myles Smith, 40-41-81Christian Hart, 41-42-83Dawson Dreibelbis, 44-42-86Thomas Lenahan, 44-42-86Brycen Carrocci, 42-44-86Evan Miller, 45-41-86David Crundwell, 46-42-88Jakob Schmidt, 47-41-88Aaron Swendal, 44-45-89Max Anderson, 46-43-89Brady Watts, 45-45-90Carson Isaac, 44-46-90Michael Brown, 45-45-90Camden Conrad, 43-49-92Daniel Moritz, 47-45-92Miles Doehla, 45-48-93Justin Williams, 49-49-98Nathan Mumford, 42-56-98Julian Joyce, 53-48-101Elijah Jones, 51-50-101Reece Bauer, 51-53-104Hunter Cline, 54-53-107Boys 13-14 DivisionVincent Studer, 36-38-74Gabe Owens, 40-39-79Benjamin Drueschler, 43-42-85Ethan Nester, 47-47-94Jacob Bonte, 46-49-95Colt Marriotta, 43-52-95Bradyn Tuttle, 43-53-96Ryder Wallace, 54-50-104Grayson Bradley, 53-54-107Dylan Milligan, 60-62-122This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Races tight after Day 1 of Richland County Junior Golf Championships

The Kansas basketball and Wichita State alumni teams are going to face off Monday in The Basketball tournament, in a game thatll be played in Wichita.JHX Hoops, KUs team, has reached the semifinals of the alumni portion of the TBT bracket. JHX Hoops had to beat Purple Reign, Kansas States alumni team, in a three-game series to reach this point. Should JHX Hoops win against the AfterShocks, Wichita States team, it would advance to the finals of the alumni side of the bracket and have a chance to advance to the championship game which would be played against the winner of the non-alumni side of the bracket.RELATED: JHX Hoops, Purple Reign recap: JHX Hoops wins game 3, takes TBT seriesFollow along for updates from the matchup, which is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. (CT):JHX Hoops vs AfterShocks live score updatesThis will be updated.JHX Hoops vs AfterShocks time todayDate: Monday, July 27Start time: 8 p.m. (CT)Where: Charles Koch Arena in WichitaJHX Hoops and the AfterShocks will play against each other in a TBT matchup at 8 p.m. (CT) on Monday at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita.What channel is JHX Hoops vs AfterShocks on todayTV channel: FS1Streaming: FuboThe Kansas basketball and Wichita State alumni teams in the TBT will play each other in a game thatll be televised on FS1. Streaming options include Fubo.Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Associations sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesnt influence our coverage.This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: JHX Hoops vs AfterShocks live score updates: Kansas TBT run continues

The best solution to the current chaos in college football could be a nationwide union. It's a big job, like eating an elephant.And the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.Via Amanda Christovich of Front Office Sports, Stanford's football team has formed a "fraternity chapter." The move comes in partnership with the College Football Players Association. The CFBPA has been trying to get college players to organize for several years. Stanford's chapter could be the first of many throughout the country.Stanford senior Fisher Anderson told Christovich thatthe ultimate goal is to do what the NFLPA does for college football.There are legal impediments to creating a college version of the NFLPA. Public universities wouldn't fall within the purview of federal labor law. One potential workaround would be to make the players joint employees of their schools and their conferences, which are private entities.A political hurdle exists as well. The current administration is staunchly pro-business; the push to unionize would be better timed to occur under an administration that is more favorable to employee rights.Here's the overriding question that the players should consider before unionizing. Why do it? The current chaos is good for them, both as to money and as to flexibility to transfer.Of course, a union is better for players than a Congressional antitrust exemption that would allow the schools to restrict both money and mobility.For the programs, having a multi-employer bargaining unit would create an antitrust exemption, allowing the universities to create rules regarding pay, transfers, etc. The downside (and the main reason why the powers-that-be resist unionization) is that it would give the players real power at the bargaining table.Coaches who in some college towns answer to no one would be subject to union rules regarding practices and offseason workouts. And the coaches don't want to give up their control over the players.Still, the problems in big-money college sports trace to decades of rampant antitrust violations. Those who made the mess should have to clean it up. And the cleanest solution comes from embracing, not shunning, a players union that would encompass all players in all conferences.

Red Sox may have to walk away from Zach Neto if Angels demand Franklin Arias at trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Red Sox made some noise when they started the trade deadline a week before the actual date, sending Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals for Curtis Mead. Now, it looks like they arent stopping anytime soon either.However, who they get is still a question mark. One of their top targets is Los Angeles Angels slugger Zach Neto, but he might be out of their price range now.Neto would play well in Boston Imagn Images Without cost in mind, Neto would be a solid-to-great fit in the Red Sox offense. This season, hes slashing .234/.323/.441/.764 with 21 doubles, 19 home runs, and 46 RBI in 103 games played.While his average is a little low, his heavy pull tendency on a right-handed swing would play very well in Fenway Park, as he could raise his average by slamming singles and doubles into the Green Monster in left field. Overall, Neto profiles as a great hitter for Boston, and thats exactly why his fee might be too high.Netos price might be too great Ashley Green/WooSox Photo / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesNow, the Angels know Neto would be perfect in Boston, which contributes to raising his price. Combine that with the three and a half years of control left on his contract, and Los Angeles could ask the moon for Neto.According to the Boston Globes Alex Speier, that means if Boston wants Neto, they have to give up their No. 1 prospect and No. 7 in the Top 100, Franklin Arias. Arias has an MVP-level ceiling, as he is a great hitter, and plays great defense at shortstop, which is also Netos position. And with the fact that hes so close to the MLB, the Red Sox should be adverse to trading him.How Boston could swing it Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesNow, the Red Sox could still pursue Neto, and just try to use a different avenue. The Sox could sell Marcelo Mayer, Jarren Duran, or many of their other prospects, save Arias and Anthony Eyanson.As for where hed play, Netos defense is pretty bad, so they could decide to make him the full-time DH if they were to acquire him, and make Masataka Yoshida the everyday left fielder until Roman Anthonys return.In the end, Neto would be a great addition to Bostons squad, but if his price includes Arias or no deal, then no deal it is.MOREMLBNEWSRed Sox may sacrifice Marcelo Mayer or Jarren Duran to land another impact batRed Sox reportedly not done after Curtis Mead trade as Jeff Passan hints at bigger deadline movesCurtis Mead's breakout season makes Red Sox trade look smarter than expected