One of the louder talking points for MVP MMA's first show back in May centered around the objective. By putting Ronda Rousey in a main event against Gina Carano, alongside a Francis Ngannou fight and Nate Diaz's return, was MVP jumping into the MMA game headfirst, to kick off what would become a new league?Or were they simply putting on a specific show that could beat, given its platform on Netflix, the UFC's best numbers? The UFC had its own hootenanny planned for the White House a month later, a big show for its new deal on Paramount+, and with MVP co-founder Jake Paul's competitive gene against Dana White there were plenty of motives in play.On Thursday we got a definitive answer.As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, MVP MMA is merging with the PFL, which is another way of saying that the PFL, in the end, stands for Paradise F***ing Lost. The PFL, as we know it, will become MVP MMA by the beginning of 2027, to emerge as a very clear No. 2 in the MMA space behind the UFC.It turns out that MVP MMA doesn't want to just beat the UFC's numbers; it wants to photobomb MMA's big picture.This is unlike other league absorptions we've seen in MMA in that MVP didn't have a roster. The PFL had a roster but didn't have a direction. In fact, the PFL was the slow evolution of other MMA leagues that continuously morphed into the shapeless mass that it is today. It began as the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) only to rebrand as the PFL years later, a promotion that acquired Bellator in 2023 to create one of the clumsier mega-forces of integration the combat world has ever seen.Owning to this, a couple of months back PFL's CEO John Martin who will now act as MVP MMA's CEO said that yet another PFL rebrand was being considered, which couldn't help but sound like a death rattle. In fighting as in life, when you're in constant search of an identity it means you have no identity.But MVP MMA, which has a hydra leadership group of Paul and former UFC executive Nakisa Bidarian at the helm, doesn't lack for direction. If anything, that's the one thing MVP has been exceptional at. On its boxing side of the ledger, Most Valuable Promotions has become the flagship for women's boxing in a short time, having secured a broadcast deal with ESPN and stacked its roster. In fact, on Tuesday it was announced that rising star Skye Nicholson had signed on to MVP, as it continues to build on its lead.On the MMA side, though it was roundly criticized for components of matchmaking and production, MVP made a pretty unforgettable foray by having its first ever show stream live on Netflix, which did a nearly 17 million global viewership average. Had Rousey not submitted Carano in 17 seconds (which became the center point of much criticism), that number would have been bigger, but as is it blew away anything the PFL/Bellator/WSOF has ever done.The subplot of the whole venture centered on creating competition for the UFC, and to give fighters an alternative.In fact, the whole event acted as a subtweet to the UFC's ownership group, TKO, in that MVP's billed itself as "fighter first," meaning that under its banner the fighters would receive the compensation they deserve. And in truth, the payouts were extraordinary by MMA standards. Philipe Lins, who never cracked six figures in the UFC, made a disclosed purse of $100,000 for his fight with Francis Ngannou that night, and was rewarded another $100,000 from Ngannou himself (in an act of largesse).Ngannou himself did well into the seven figures.Paying "fair" wages is a precedent that MVP is running with as it acquires the PFL roster, which has nearly 400 fighters under one umbrella."Our goals at MVP have always been bigger than just building a boxing promotion," Bidarian said in a statement. "It has been to build the future of combat sports with a true fighter-first approach. In less than five years, MVP has become one of the most influential and culturally relevant brands in the industry, producing some of the biggest events in combat sports history, elevating women's boxing to unprecedented heights, and bringing millions of new fans into the fight game."The success of MVP MMA's first event confirmed our belief that there is demand for a modern, fighter-first approach to MMA. This merger accelerates our MMA ambitions while strengthening our ability to continue investing in boxing and MVPW. Now the real fun begins. In the words of the great DMX Let's Get It On.(Italics are mine.)What does it all mean? We have seen players drift in and out of the sport before, ranging from blowhards (poor Affliction) to delusionists (read: Davis, Donn) to sellers of the dream (did GFL circle its first date yet?), but if nothing else MVP has shown the chutzpah to back up everything its professed to be.There is still much to be determined, as we wait to find out what kind of broadcast rights deal(s) come out of it. That will be a major factor in MVP's success. As will the philosophical approach. Does MVP bring in aged relics, as it did with 57-year-old Mike Tyson in boxing, and Carano in MMA? Does it bring in disgruntled UFC stars? Influencers like Paul? Or does it try to build its own stars, starting with what's available with the roster its acquiring?Does it zero in on certain markets, as the PFL tried to do in Europe?There's also a third competitor, as Scott Coker's "Strike MMA" league (as it's been at least temporarily dubbed) is set to kick off in 2027, an independent promotion that enters this race as a kind of Ross Perot reform party.If nothing else, MMA is going to turn into a nighttime soap come 2027, because MVP MMA is gunning for the UFC and its business practices. We've seen the UFC snap up two MVP fighters in the last week, the heavyweight Robelis Despaigne, who knocked out Junior dos Santos on MVP MMA's initial card, and Salahdine Parnesse, the French star who will headline a UFC Fight Night in Paris against Dan Hooker.The gamesmanship will be fierce in the new corporate combat sports world. And the conglomerates will be battling on every level, as both TKO and MVP have boxing's old guard to contend with, as well as the strongholds in MMA. Whether you're optimistic or pessimistic about MVP's big declaration into MMA, the old adage continues to be true, even if history has shown it to be a fleeting thing.That is, competition is good.

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Howe spent nearly five years at the club and led the team to their first trophy in 70 years with the EFL Cup triumph in 2025

The 55 UEFA members are in favor of the boycott as a tense situation continues to unfold

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Don't call it a rebuild. Miami Dolphins players and coaches aren't viewing this season as one.The team has a first-year head coach, a new general manager and a reshaped roster with a lot of young, unproven players but no one wants this to be just a bridge year.I don't know how you can have a conversation with a competitive player or a competitive coach and have it sit right with them where we're just going to say, 'We're just going to rebuild this year,' Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Thursday ahead of Miami's second full day of training camp practice. I mean, that's just not the mentality of any competitor who's made it to this level or any coach that's made it to this level. Whether it's practice or whether it's a drill. I think we all want to win. And our mindset is we need to get better.When GM Jon-Eric Sullivan arrived in January, one of his immediate goals was to help the Dolphins out of their woeful financial situation.More than half of the Dolphins salary cap space for the upcoming season will go to players who are no longer on their roster. That includes $54 million they will pay to former starter Tua Tagovailoa after cutting him in March and starting over at quarterback with Malik Willis. The move resulted in a $99 million dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history, to be split over two years.Over the past few months, Sullivan began a process that has included trading and releasing established cornerpieces with lucrative contracts and bringing in younger players, mostly on one-year deals. The former Green Bay executive is also employing the same philosophy that he has said allowed the Packers to build sustained success over the years: by drafting a developing their own players.Both Sullivan and Hafley have said it will take time to develop into the perennial winner they're aiming to be, but that doesn't mean they don't believe they can see immediate returns from the current players on their roster.Everything we do is going to be about competing to get better throughout the process, and we want to win, Hafley said. "So I just dont think any player or any coach is going to sit here and say Im just going to throw in the towel and just rebuild. Thats probably why no ones hearing that. I think if you had a group of players saying that, then I think weve got the wrong players.That mindset has trickled down to players.I dont look at it as a rebuild because Im in it and I play the game, said veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who recently signed a three-year contract extension. I realize being in the league, everybody is super talented, and its not always what it looks like on paper. ... I dont really care if people think that its a rebuild or they think were going 0-17 or whatever people have been saying. I look at it as we've got a bunch of football players whos hungry, super talented. Nobody in this locker room would be here if they didnt have what it takes."Practices so far under Hafley have been lively and physical: characteristics the coach wants his team to embody all year.Thursday's session was highlighted by a forced fumble and recovery by edge rusher Chop Robinson on running back De'Von Achane early in 11-on-11 drills. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson also forced and recovered a fumble on running back Ollie Gordon II.Hafley has opted to forgo typical 7-on-7 drills during the first two days of training camp, instead having team drills take place in a more game-like 11-on-11 format. The former Packers defensive coordinator said he prefers it that way to build better situational down-and-distance habits.All those little things with the officials being there in 11-on-11 and theyre throwing the flags will send the message of this is important,' Hafley said. If they werent there, and we were just doing 7-on-7 I mean, we had a great play on defense yesterday. It was third-and-10, and our defensive end lined up offsides. That doesnt happen in 7-on-7. Like all those things, we have to get the rust off, and thats what training camp is all about.Players like it that way as well.It's real life football, said veteran center Aaron Brewer, also coming off an offseason contract extension. We're not here playing flag football. When you go to gameday, it's 11-on-11 not 7-on-7. It's more work to translate from practice to game day. That's what we're trying to do.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach and New Zealand great Stephen Fleming has been appointed as England men's Test head coach, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirming one of the biggest coaching moves in world cricket.The 53-year-old replaces fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum, who stepped down from the Test role after England's series defeat to New Zealand in June, although he continues to oversee the white-ball teams.Fleming will officially begin his tenure later this summer after spending time with his family in New Zealand. Marcus Trescothick will remain interim coach for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan before Fleming takes charge ahead of England's tour of South Africa.The appointment also marks a reunion with Joe Root, who returns as England's Test captain after replacing the retired Ben Stokes.Fleming eager to build on England's foundationsDespite never coaching an international side before, Fleming arrives with one of the strongest coaching resumes in franchise cricket.He spent 18 years with CSK, guiding the franchise to five IPL titles and 10 finals, while also coaching Southern Brave in The Hundred, Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, and CSK's affiliated teams in South Africa and the United States.As a player, Fleming captained New Zealand in a record 80 Tests, winning 28 matches, and remains one of the country's greatest Test leaders.Speaking after his appointment, Fleming said he was honoured to take charge of one of cricket's biggest jobs."I'm incredibly excited to be joining England as Test Coach. It's one of the most prestigious coaching positions in world cricket, and I am honoured to be appointed," he said.He added that England's immediate ambition would remain winning matches while ensuring the team continues to develop for the future."The ambition is always to win now. But equally, it's about ensuring the team is well placed for the medium and long-term future. There is a lot of young talent in and around the team and our aim is to help them fulfil their potential as world-class cricketers," he added.Fleming also welcomed the opportunity to work alongside returning skipper Root."I'm particularly looking forward to working with Joe Root as Captain... There is still plenty more to come from him," Fleming said.He also identified Harry Brook's development as a key priority, adding: "The best players are never finished products."Reflecting on his long association with English cricket, Fleming said: "English cricket gave that to me, and it is a privilege to have this chance to give something back."Root and ECB back new partnershipRoot described his return as England captain as "a great honour and privilege" and said working with Fleming was a major reason for accepting the role again."The opportunity to do that alongside Stephen is also a huge motivator. He has proved over a long period of time that he is an exceptional leader with a great knowledge of the game," he said.ECB managing director Rob Key called Fleming "one of the most highly respected figures in cricket" and said he believes the New Zealander can turn England's talented squad into "a world-class outfit" capable of sustained success.England currently sit seventh in the World Test Championship standings, and Fleming's arrival signals the start of a fresh chapter as they attempt to rebuild their red-ball fortunes.

Baker Mayfield isn't happy with how the Tampa Bay Buccaneerstreated a possible contract extension for the veteran quarterback. That's probably how he should feel after throwing 95 touchdowns to just 37 interceptions over the last three years while leading the Buccaneers to two NFC South division titles. While Mayfield, 31, who is entering the last year of his current deal, is seemingly ready to soldier on and focus on his teammates, it doesn't sound like he's simply going to let bygones be bygones. If anything, it sure seems like he wants people on the outside to understand how much the Buccaneers screwed him (by his perception, of course).During his media availability on Thursday, Mayfield maintained that he felt "disrespected" by the Buccaneers front office when discussing a new contract; in essence, it was a "disappointing" feeling he hadn't expected. I understand that Mayfield is ready to move forward, but that definitely doesn't sound like a quarterback who is all that ready to move on after what happened behind closed doors:"To feel disrespected a little bit, and that's really the disappointing part."Bucs QB Baker Mayfield's full statement on not having a new contract heading into training camp pic.twitter.com/wIRBMuHVCj SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 30, 2026In a conversation with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Mayfield clarified that he wanted to enter the $50 million-plus (per year) club of quarterbacks on his new deal. The Buccaneers were apparently far away from that figure. Twelve active quarterbacks are currently part of that club, including guys like Brock Purdy, Jalen Hurts, and Trevor Lawrence, with two quarterbacks there, Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott, making upwards of $60 million per year. Baker Mayfield tells ESPN the Bucs offered him a two-year deal, which was probably the most disappointing part. Wanted long-term commitment. Added Bucs were pretty far from $50+M per club, which he wanted to enter. More to come on @SportsCenterpic.twitter.com/B0ydNRWG8U Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2026Mayfield might have a point about his past production necessitating his belonging to a club that doesn't really feel all that exclusive anymore, but that's probably the thought process the Buccaneers are operating on. Why wouldn't the Buccaneers want to give Baker Mayfield $50 million-plus per year?Well, for one, NFL contracts are almost never about past performance. Especially for non-elite quarterbacks like Mayfield who are entering the thick of their 30s. It's great that Mayfield has taken the Buccaneers to the playoffs a bunch of times (in arguably the NFL's worst division by far, mind you). It's great that he usually puts up gaudy numbers that give the Buccaneers a decent chance to win every single week. Those sorts of markers do matter. At the same time, Mayfield is coming off a 2025 season in which his production more or less cratered midway through the season. A season in which he fought a debilitating shoulder injury that eventually sunk a once-promising Buccaneers campaign. Now, at 31, as a quarterback who doesn't elevate the sum of his parts, he wants the Buccaneers to commit term and absurd money to him? I don't know; I kind of understand why Tampa Bay balked at the quarterback's asking price!We'll see how Mayfield and the Buccaneers move forward here. Based on his commentary from Thursday, it sounds like Mayfield will personally move forward by trying to go scorched Earth and show the Buccaneers what they could miss without him. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Baker Mayfield was 'disrespected' by Buccaneers contract talks. How much was he asking for?

From the cauldron of the Commonwealth Games to the white heat of the kitchen, Emily Campbell is all about being centre stage.Britain's greatest weightlifter carries the heavy burden of being a sporting trailblazer like a champion, so don't bet against her when she makes her MasterChef debut later this summer.The truth about this simple but gripping sport is that the bigger they are, the more emotional they often seem to become, and Campbell duly blinked back the tears after brilliantly defending her Commonwealth Games +86kg weightlifting title.Emily Campbell broke the Commowealth Games record on her way to gold in Glasgow (Reuters)With gold secured, she set about breaking her own Commonwealth record, hoisting the equivalent of two adult humans above her head with a new clean and jerk best of 163kg. Her winning total, added to her 115kg snatch, was also a new Games record of 278kg.But you sense Campbell has a higher purpose than just the 'bling', as she refers to her medal quests. With her hair, lashes and nails on point, the others never stood a chance, her victory followed by a Highland jig."I want to show people that you can love what you do and still be absolutely fabulous while you're doing it," said Campbell, who had spent hours braiding her hair in red and white, with accompanying Team England logos."As an athlete, you always want to give your best performance, but the reason I've stayed in the sport so long is because I still genuinely enjoy lifting."Representing England means everything to me. The Commonwealth Games are incredibly special. In 2018, I really started believing in myself and realised I could do this.Emily Campbell added another medal to her collection (Reuters)"Without those Games, I don't think I'd have achieved what I have now. Whenever I represent my flag, I do it with pride."People message me all the time saying they're inspired by what I do. If I've encouraged someone to follow something they're passionate about, then I've achieved far more than just winning medals."You couldn't really ask for the crowd to be any louder I could barely hear myself think. I just knew I had to go out there and do my job."It's just five years since her breakthrough Olympic silver in Tokyo, Britain's first medal in the sport. That campaign was funded by friends and family in Nottingham, who donated bags of fruit and veg to the Campbell cause.In a Team England squad that perhaps lacks a little sparkle, Campbell is now the undisputed superstar.However, whether she'll exit stage left or continue to a third Olympics is a decision that now comes into sharp focus. Though she only took up the sport 10 years ago, at 32 she admits she feels the aches and pains that come with the hours spent in the gym pushing her body to new heights.That means Los Angeles and a bid to complete her Olympic medal set after silver in Tokyo and bronze in Paris could prove a stretch target."Elite sport is tough at any age, but doing it in your thirties is a different challenge," she added."Recovery takes longer, and I've had to adapt to my body changing. Thankfully, I have an outstanding support team nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, physios who make sure I'm in the best possible position to perform."Where do I feel it after competition? Everywhere. Knees, shoulders, back you name it. We're lifting serious weight, so you have to be smart with your preparation, recovery and conditioning. It's not an easy sport, but I still absolutely love it."Our qualification system is based on performances over time rather than one event, so we have to make sensible decisions about how we manage my body. If I go to LA, I want to go there genuinely capable of competing for a medal."We'd love to get to Los Angeles, but we have to look at the practicalities. If everything lines up, you'll see me starting qualification later this year. For now, though, we're going to enjoy this moment."Los Angeles can wait. For now, Campbell has time to consider what's on the menu.Thanks to National Lottery players, more than 33m is raised every week for good causes. Its because of you that sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.Sportsbeat