LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: Payton Talbott of the United States looks on before a bantamweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesHes back!Top Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight prospect Payton Talbottfinally returns to action against former Flyweight kingpinDeiveson Figueiredo at UFC 332, which goes down in less than two months on Sat., Oct. 3, 2026, inside Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.Talbott was last in action in Dec. 2025, when he retired former champ-champHenry Cejudo in what was easily the biggest victory of his young career.Then, instead of capitalizing on that breakout performance poof! He vanished.So, where did he go?Ive just been doing me, but Ive been training a lot and doing the same old thingsmusic, travel, Talbott recently told reporters during a media scrum. But, yeah, I just took a step back from sharing. You know, youve got to keep really important things inside of yourself, or else you could potentially lose them. So, yeah, just detoxing for a second.Although Talbott stepped away from the media and public eye, the 27-year-old never wanted to take a break from competing.Ive been waiting for the better part of a year, Talbott said. Ive been spoken to about a bunch of fights, but I guess people have had better plans, or I dont know how it all works. If I dont fight before the end of the year, I dont know what will happen with my sanity.I havent wanted to take a step back from fighting at alljust from sharing things with the media, he continued. But Ive heard fighters have had injuries, dates dont line up. I guess I just got stuck being patient because of the position Im in.Before defeating Cejudo, Talbott told MMAmania.com that he was not worried about struggling to find willing opponents once he entered the rankings.Unfortunately, that concern has now become a reality.Ive always wanted to fight up, but I understand the guys in the Top 10its quite risky if they lose, Talbott said. Most people are going to say no to fighting me, and they dont have much to gain by beating me.But at the same time, there are only so many of us, so what else am I supposed to do? he continued. I wasnt offered anyone below meand I havent said no yetand because of that, I have a loss on my record.That lone defeat came against Raoni Barcelos, whom Talbott accepted despite having little to gain in the rankings. The Brazilian veteran pulled off the massive upset via unanimous decision at UFC 311.Thankfully, Talbott finally has another opponent 10 months after his victory over Cejudoand it is a big one for him.Figueiredo is a former UFC champion and currently sits at No. 11 in the Bantamweight rankings, giving Talbott an opportunity to make up for lost time and officially break into the Top 15.To checkout UFCs upcoming schedule of events click here.

Aug 17, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Derek Hill (49) high fives teammates after win against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectHere are the lineups. For the Phillies:Let's keep it rollin'#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/DLNLJf7Kgr Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 18, 2026For the Marlins:Lets talk about it.

Fred Warner is back on the field for the San Francisco 49ers, and he says the defense will look different than the one that took the field without him last season.Warner missed most of last year with a fractured and dislocated ankle, and San Francisco's defense fell from a top-10 unit in yards allowed to 20th in his absence. With Warner back and new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris San Francisco's fifth coordinator in five years installing his scheme, Warner previewed a defense built around more disguise and more moving pieces up front."Being more multiple and different sort of sets personnel-wise that we're bringing out," Warner told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein. "We have some more versatility with guys being able to play on the line of scrimmage, off of the ball. Obviously we've always brought a nickel to play on the field, but having an ability to have an extra D lineman, an extra backer or something like that."It'll kind of be a different look for offenses from what they're accustomed to seeing from us."This tracks similarly to what 49ers cornerback Upton Stout said about Morris' defensive philosophy. The second-year defensive back noted that Morris lets everyone play fast and not worry too much about what they can or cannot do.With a new coordinator, a new scheme wrinkle set and a healthy Warner running the show, San Francisco's defense enters the season with a different look than the one that took the field a year ago. Not only will the coordinator look different, but the team added some new players to the defensive line, such as Osa Odighizuwa and rookies Romello Height and Gracen Halton.This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Fred Warner explains unique advantage 49ers defense will have in 2026

It's the game of the year! Fluminense named to face Rivadavia in The moment of truth has arrived!Fluminense face Independiente Rivadavia from 7 pm (Braslia time) this Tuesday (18).It is the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16.The match will be played at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, in Mendoza.Colombian referee Andrs Rojas will be in charge.ESPN and Disney+ will broadcast it.Match situation Any new draw will send the tie to a penalty shootout, since the first leg ended 0-0.Whoever advances will face Coquimbo Unido or Platense next. They will also secure prize money of 1.7 million dollars.The first leg on Argentine soil ended in a 1-1 draw. And the return leg will be this Wednesday (19).Independiente Rivadavia Alfredo Berti once again has midfielder Florentn available, after he served a suspension in the first leg.The expectation is for a more attacking lineup.The lineup has not yet been officially confirmed.Fluminense Tricolor come in motivated after ending their winless run.Still serving as interim manager, Marco will be without Savarino (pain in his right calf) and Igor Rabello (acromioclavicular dislocation in his left shoulder).Thiago Silva returns after being rested against Palmeiras.The big question was the makeup of the attacking unit.Ganso starts, with Lucho Acosta on the bench.Photo: Reproduction/FluminenseThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

With rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson out of action through ass much as two months, the New Orleans Saints are beginning to look at their options for weathering the storm. On Tuesday, the Saints reported two tryouts on the daily NFL transactions wire: veteran wideouts Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds. Neither of them has signed, yet, but they're clearly on the team's radar.Claypool, 28, was a second-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 but was traded to the Chicago Bears just a few years later. That proved to be a tumultuous experience and he was benched for multiple games before being traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he caught his last pass in 2023. Claypool suffered a season-ending injury in the 2024 offseason after signing with the Buffalo Bills and was out of football in 2025. He tried out for the Green Bay Packers this spring but wasn't signed. Most of the 175 catches, 2,261 yards, and 13 touchdowns in his career came during his first three years in Pittsburgh, a span of 39 games. He's only caught 22 passes for 217 yards and a single touchdown in the 19 games that followed.Reynolds, 31, was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams back in 2017 after setting Texas A&M's school record for touchdown catches in a single season (13). He briefly played for the Tennessee Titans before reuniting with his old quarterback Jared Goff on the Detroit Lions for three seasons. Since then he's dressed for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, and most recently played for the New York Jets in 2025, but his season was cut short by a hip injury. He's totaled 244 receptions for 3,228 yards and 20 touchdowns over his 121-game career.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints work out free agent wide receivers after Jordyn Tyson injury

DraftKings offers $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager for MLB betting on Tuesday

The Wings are now 2-7 since play resumed and holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot

SportsLine's model simulated Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs 10,000 times and revealed its MLB picks for Tuesday's matchup

The Spanish star is back in Spain after joining from Man City, where he won the Champions League, the Premier League and the Ballon d'Or

FC Barcelona added a perfect piece to its midfield with the addition of Rodri, according to one of the club's biggest legends.The World Cup Golden Ball winner officially joined the Blaugrana on Tuesday, Aug. 18, after seven years with Manchester City where he played under former Barca manager Pep Guardiola.It's a move that has delighted Carles Puyol, the former Barcelona captain who was part of the first Spain team to lift the World Cup in 2010."Honestly, its very good news for Barcelona. Were talking about one of the best midfielders in the world. I had the pleasure of watching him live at the World Cup, and to be honest I really like him," the Barcelona legend told U.S.-based reporters Tuesday. "He gives a lot of balance to teams, the system and philosophy Barcelona has fits in perfectly with his game, which hes showed in the Spain national team and also at Manchester City with Guardiola. "I think hes going to help us a ton. I think its a key position for any team, and now the middle of the field for Barcelona will be stronger because I think we already had a very good midfield."Rodri slots into a midfield that already includes Rodri's World Cup teammates Pedri, Dani Olmo and Gavi, elevating the La Liga champions as they look to defend that title and try to win the UEFA Champions League in their first season back at the Camp Nou, which is still undergoing improvements.While Rodri was born in Madrid, coming up in the Atltico academy before making a move to Villarreal, the 30-year-old believes he's joining a team that will suit both his style of play and his winning mentality.Ive come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so Ill try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season," Rodri told the club's official channels.The deal sees the midfielder sign with Barcelona through the 2029-30 season, and he could debut for the club as soon as Wednesday's Joan Gamper trophy match, the La Liga opener on Aug. 23 or the club's home debut Aug. 27.Im very happy and excited about this new stage in my career," Rodri said. "Its a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again."This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FC Barcelona legend thrilled with Rodri's arrival: 'He's going to help us a ton'

Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever are north of the border in Canada on Tuesday and will take on the Toronto Tempo in their latest WNBA game.Per usual, Cunningham showed off her pregame outfit, and she once again kept it simple as she did for her birthday.Cunningham sported a white tank top and wide-leg khaki pants for her arrival at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.Simple game slay for Canada, Cunningham wrote in the caption of her post on TikTok.MORE: Sophie Cunningham debate continues as WNBA addresses fan shirt controversySophie Cunningham looking to bounce backIndiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) dribbles against Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Cunningham has been quiet offensively over her last five games.She has a 12-point performance sandwiched in between games with two, three, five and three points.MORE: WNBA games on today, full TV schedule for Aug. 18Overall, the Fever guard is averaging 8.7 points per contest and shes still shooting at a career-best clip of 44.5% from three-point range.Fever riding a winning streakIndiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against the Atlanta Dream during the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)The Fever have been red-hot of late, with Indiana winning each of its last four games.In that span, the Fever have beaten the Chicago Sky, New York Liberty, Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream.The win over the Dream was particularly important because Atlanta was just a half game back of the Fever in the playoff standings going into that one.MORE: Stephen A. Smith rips Fever coach Stephanie White over latest dramaAside from the win, the best part of that contest was the meme birthed from Angel Reese missing a potential game-winning lay-up as time expired in regulation and Caitlin Clarks hilarious reaction to it.Fevers playoff pushIndiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images.Indiana sits in the No. 4 playoff spot going into the game against the Tempo.But the Fever can jump up into the No. 3 spot with a win and a Las Vegas Aces loss on Tuesday.Another victory would lead to the Fever tying their franchise record for most wins in a season with 24.Indiana is also in striking distance for the No. 2 seed in the playoff hunt, with the Fever sitting just 2.5 games back of the Golden State Valkyries.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter

The bronze statues of Florida football Heisman winners Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier adorn the front of The Swamp.On Sunday, August 23, Florida Gators fans can see all three together in the flesh at a charity event in Gainesville.Tebow, Wuerrfel and Spurrier will be at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center and Spurriers Gridiron Grille in Celebration Pointe for an interactive public appearance. During the event, fans can catch a touchdown pass from Tebow or Wuerffel and take a handoff from Spurrier. Each experience includes an autographed football, a personal photo, and a professionally shot video keepsake.The event is being held in conjunction with the inaugural Florida Legends Card Show, a weekend event for collectors, traders, and enthusiasts for sports and trading card games, like Pokemon. It will take place from August 2223 at theAlachua County Sports & Events Center. Other former Florida greats plan to turn out for the card signing event, including former Florida basketball and NBA center Marreese Speights and former Florida baseball and Major League baseball catcher Mike Zunino, who won the Golden Spikes Award in 2012.Proceeds from the event will benefit the Isaiah 117 House, which benifits Alachua County foster children awaiting placement. More information on the event can be found at fllegends.com.Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville SunsFloridabeat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football great Tim Tebow returning to Gainesville for charity event