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Sinner beats Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026, reclaims No. 1 ranking Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world number one ranking from his Spanish rival.Sinner downed Alcaraz 7-6[5], 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the “Sunshine Double” last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.The 24-year-old Sinner joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as only the third player to win four successive ATP 1000 titles. He also triumphed in Paris at the end of last season.“We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a high level from both of us,” Sinner said.“It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought. The result is amazing. Getting back to No.1 means a lot for me… I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven’t done it before and it means a lot to me.” Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. | Photo Credit: REUTERS It was the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since the Italian prevailed at the ATP Finals in November.Sinner, who is now 7-10 in his career against Alcaraz, will return to the top of the rankings on Monday for the first time this year.He has won his last 17 matches and becomes the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to win the first three ATP 1000 titles of the season.“It is impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz said to Sinner during the trophy ceremony. “Just one man had won the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo and you are the second.”Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career. | Photo Credit: REUTERS He jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Sinner pushed a forehand long in blustery conditions, but the Italian broke back in the following game as he gradually found his rhythm.The Spaniard fought off a break point in the fifth game and three more at 4-4, but Sinner’s greater consistency paid off in the tie-break, which he secured when Alcaraz hit a double fault down set point.Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.Published on Apr 12, 2026 #Sinner #beats #Alcaraz #win #Monte #Carlo #Masters #reclaims #ranking

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026, reclaims No. 1 ranking

Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world number one ranking from his Spanish rival.

Sinner downed Alcaraz 7-6[5], 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the “Sunshine Double” last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.

The 24-year-old Sinner joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as only the third player to win four successive ATP 1000 titles. He also triumphed in Paris at the end of last season.

“We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a high level from both of us,” Sinner said.

“It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought. The result is amazing. Getting back to No.1 means a lot for me… I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven’t done it before and it means a lot to me.”

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026, reclaims No. 1 ranking Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world number one ranking from his Spanish rival.Sinner downed Alcaraz 7-6[5], 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the “Sunshine Double” last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.The 24-year-old Sinner joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as only the third player to win four successive ATP 1000 titles. He also triumphed in Paris at the end of last season.“We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a high level from both of us,” Sinner said.“It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought. The result is amazing. Getting back to No.1 means a lot for me… I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven’t done it before and it means a lot to me.” Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. | Photo Credit: REUTERS It was the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since the Italian prevailed at the ATP Finals in November.Sinner, who is now 7-10 in his career against Alcaraz, will return to the top of the rankings on Monday for the first time this year.He has won his last 17 matches and becomes the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to win the first three ATP 1000 titles of the season.“It is impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz said to Sinner during the trophy ceremony. “Just one man had won the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo and you are the second.”Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career. | Photo Credit: REUTERS He jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Sinner pushed a forehand long in blustery conditions, but the Italian broke back in the following game as he gradually found his rhythm.The Spaniard fought off a break point in the fifth game and three more at 4-4, but Sinner’s greater consistency paid off in the tie-break, which he secured when Alcaraz hit a double fault down set point.Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.Published on Apr 12, 2026 #Sinner #beats #Alcaraz #win #Monte #Carlo #Masters #reclaims #ranking

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

lightbox-info

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

It was the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since the Italian prevailed at the ATP Finals in November.

Sinner, who is now 7-10 in his career against Alcaraz, will return to the top of the rankings on Monday for the first time this year.

He has won his last 17 matches and becomes the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to win the first three ATP 1000 titles of the season.

“It is impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz said to Sinner during the trophy ceremony. “Just one man had won the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo and you are the second.”

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros.

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

lightbox-info

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

He jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Sinner pushed a forehand long in blustery conditions, but the Italian broke back in the following game as he gradually found his rhythm.

The Spaniard fought off a break point in the fifth game and three more at 4-4, but Sinner’s greater consistency paid off in the tie-break, which he secured when Alcaraz hit a double fault down set point.

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

#Sinner #beats #Alcaraz #win #Monte #Carlo #Masters #reclaims #ranking

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Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world number one ranking from his Spanish rival.

Sinner downed Alcaraz 7-6[5], 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the “Sunshine Double” last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.

The 24-year-old Sinner joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as only the third player to win four successive ATP 1000 titles. He also triumphed in Paris at the end of last season.

“We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a high level from both of us,” Sinner said.

“It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought. The result is amazing. Getting back to No.1 means a lot for me… I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven’t done it before and it means a lot to me.”

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

lightbox-info

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

It was the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since the Italian prevailed at the ATP Finals in November.

Sinner, who is now 7-10 in his career against Alcaraz, will return to the top of the rankings on Monday for the first time this year.

He has won his last 17 matches and becomes the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to win the first three ATP 1000 titles of the season.

“It is impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz said to Sinner during the trophy ceremony. “Just one man had won the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo and you are the second.”

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros.

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

lightbox-info

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

He jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Sinner pushed a forehand long in blustery conditions, but the Italian broke back in the following game as he gradually found his rhythm.

The Spaniard fought off a break point in the fifth game and three more at 4-4, but Sinner’s greater consistency paid off in the tie-break, which he secured when Alcaraz hit a double fault down set point.

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to put pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

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Expectations were not high for the heavyweight matchup between Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit at UFC 327. There were multiple reasons for that. No one can deny, however, that the two put on a 15-minute performance that blew people away.

Blaydes vs. Hokit was not the matchup a lot of people were excited about entering UFC 327. 

It felt like a fight that was solely designed for Hokit to get another victory and move him, lightning fast, up the ranks of a lackluster heavyweight scene in the UFC.

Josh Hokit

Hokit’s MMA career is still fairly young. He was a standout wrestler at Fresno State; in 2018, he became the college’s first All-American in the sport since 2003. But Hokit chose the football life, having also served as a tight end and fullback at Fresno State. Hokit went undrafted in 2020 but signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately for Hokit, he spent 2020-22 solely on the practice squad or futures contracts with the 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals.

But then Hokit made his way to MMA. He scored a pair of finishes with Bellator in 2023 and 2024 before three straight first-round finishes with the LFA in 2025. That set him up for a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he scored a second-round stoppage over Guilherme Uriel. Hokit then fought at UFC Vegas 111 and UFC 324, scoring first-round finishes over Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman, respectively.

Hokit, however, has been a very big magnet of controversy. He delivers cringe-style promos and characters in a way that makes you think he belongs in WWE more than UFC. He dropped the N-word at UFC 324. He has called Britney Griner and former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama men. The UFC 324 promo, in particular, was lambasted by several outlets, and even UFC CEO and President Dana White couldn’t defend it.

But White also knows eye-drawing attention when he sees it, and it seems he sees that with Hokit.

Curtis Blaydes

Blaydes, however, has also been subjected to a lot of criticism. A lot of it has been centered around feelings that Blaydes hasn’t been the most exciting fighter to watch. Blaydes was an NJCAA national wrestling champion, and he uses that wrestling as his base in MMA. The result is one of those fighting styles that focuses on takedowns and control on the ground that you don’t mind if you appreciate wrestling and grappling, or that you absolutely hate if you want to see heavyweights stand and bang.

White has also been a previous critic of Bladyes’ fight style and attitude.

Blaydes has also not performed in some of his bigger opportunities, from his KO loss to Derrick Lewis in 2021, to getting stopped by Sergei Pavlovich in 2023, and getting quickly finished by Tom Aspinall in their interim title fight in 2024. It’s given him a lot of “low Fight IQ” and “glass jaw” tags.

The Fight

The majority opinion was Hokit vs. Blaydes would go one of two ways: Hokit would finish Blaydes quickly or Blaydes would out-wrestle Hokit in a 15-minute snoozefest.

Instead, for 15 minutes, these two went toe-for-toe and shot-for-shot. It got sloppy at times, it wasn’t the neatest fight, but, my goodness, was it a back-and-forth brawl that was fun to watch.

Hokit looked like he’d get Blaydes out of there quickly. Then Blaydes finally was able to wrestle, and he started to trouble Hokit against the fence. Each man wobbled the other to points where it looked like the fight would get stopped, but it kept going. Each man looked like at one point or another they’d gas out, but both kept going.

Hokit got his hand raised in the end, but it was the kind of fight heavyweight has been needing.

With a murky championship picture and a slew of boring, losing, or undeserved fighters throughout the division, even in the rankings, Hokit and Blaydes put on a performance that is to be remembered. Depending how the rest of 2026 plays out, it might even be Fight of the Year.

White still doesn’t like Hokit’s persona, but no one can deny Hokit has earned his stripes. He even got booked against Lewis for the White House card because of this night!

Hats off to Hokit and Blaydes. Thanks for reminding us what heavyweight MMA can be.

#Curtis #Blaydes #Josh #Hokit #Exceeded #Expectations #UFC #Deadspin.com">How Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit Exceeded All Expectations at UFC 327 | Deadspin.com Expectations were not high for the heavyweight matchup between Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit at UFC 327. There were multiple reasons for that. No one can deny, however, that the two put on a 15-minute performance that blew people away.Blaydes vs. Hokit was not the matchup a lot of people were excited about entering UFC 327. It felt like a fight that was solely designed for Hokit to get another victory and move him, lightning fast, up the ranks of a lackluster heavyweight scene in the UFC.Josh HokitHokit’s MMA career is still fairly young. He was a standout wrestler at Fresno State; in 2018, he became the college’s first All-American in the sport since 2003. But Hokit chose the football life, having also served as a tight end and fullback at Fresno State. Hokit went undrafted in 2020 but signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately for Hokit, he spent 2020-22 solely on the practice squad or futures contracts with the 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals.But then Hokit made his way to MMA. He scored a pair of finishes with Bellator in 2023 and 2024 before three straight first-round finishes with the LFA in 2025. That set him up for a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he scored a second-round stoppage over Guilherme Uriel. Hokit then fought at UFC Vegas 111 and UFC 324, scoring first-round finishes over Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman, respectively.Hokit, however, has been a very big magnet of controversy. He delivers cringe-style promos and characters in a way that makes you think he belongs in WWE more than UFC. He dropped the N-word at UFC 324. He has called Britney Griner and former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama men. The UFC 324 promo, in particular, was lambasted by several outlets, and even UFC CEO and President Dana White couldn’t defend it.But White also knows eye-drawing attention when he sees it, and it seems he sees that with Hokit.Curtis BlaydesBlaydes, however, has also been subjected to a lot of criticism. A lot of it has been centered around feelings that Blaydes hasn’t been the most exciting fighter to watch. Blaydes was an NJCAA national wrestling champion, and he uses that wrestling as his base in MMA. The result is one of those fighting styles that focuses on takedowns and control on the ground that you don’t mind if you appreciate wrestling and grappling, or that you absolutely hate if you want to see heavyweights stand and bang.White has also been a previous critic of Bladyes’ fight style and attitude.Blaydes has also not performed in some of his bigger opportunities, from his KO loss to Derrick Lewis in 2021, to getting stopped by Sergei Pavlovich in 2023, and getting quickly finished by Tom Aspinall in their interim title fight in 2024. It’s given him a lot of “low Fight IQ” and “glass jaw” tags.The FightThe majority opinion was Hokit vs. Blaydes would go one of two ways: Hokit would finish Blaydes quickly or Blaydes would out-wrestle Hokit in a 15-minute snoozefest.Instead, for 15 minutes, these two went toe-for-toe and shot-for-shot. It got sloppy at times, it wasn’t the neatest fight, but, my goodness, was it a back-and-forth brawl that was fun to watch.Hokit looked like he’d get Blaydes out of there quickly. Then Blaydes finally was able to wrestle, and he started to trouble Hokit against the fence. Each man wobbled the other to points where it looked like the fight would get stopped, but it kept going. Each man looked like at one point or another they’d gas out, but both kept going.Hokit got his hand raised in the end, but it was the kind of fight heavyweight has been needing.With a murky championship picture and a slew of boring, losing, or undeserved fighters throughout the division, even in the rankings, Hokit and Blaydes put on a performance that is to be remembered. Depending how the rest of 2026 plays out, it might even be Fight of the Year.White still doesn’t like Hokit’s persona, but no one can deny Hokit has earned his stripes. He even got booked against Lewis for the White House card because of this night!Hats off to Hokit and Blaydes. Thanks for reminding us what heavyweight MMA can be. #Curtis #Blaydes #Josh #Hokit #Exceeded #Expectations #UFC #Deadspin.com

lackluster heavyweight scene in the UFC.

Josh Hokit

Hokit’s MMA career is still fairly young. He was a standout wrestler at Fresno State; in 2018, he became the college’s first All-American in the sport since 2003. But Hokit chose the football life, having also served as a tight end and fullback at Fresno State. Hokit went undrafted in 2020 but signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately for Hokit, he spent 2020-22 solely on the practice squad or futures contracts with the 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals.

But then Hokit made his way to MMA. He scored a pair of finishes with Bellator in 2023 and 2024 before three straight first-round finishes with the LFA in 2025. That set him up for a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he scored a second-round stoppage over Guilherme Uriel. Hokit then fought at UFC Vegas 111 and UFC 324, scoring first-round finishes over Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman, respectively.

Hokit, however, has been a very big magnet of controversy. He delivers cringe-style promos and characters in a way that makes you think he belongs in WWE more than UFC. He dropped the N-word at UFC 324. He has called Britney Griner and former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama men. The UFC 324 promo, in particular, was lambasted by several outlets, and even UFC CEO and President Dana White couldn’t defend it.

But White also knows eye-drawing attention when he sees it, and it seems he sees that with Hokit.

Curtis Blaydes

Blaydes, however, has also been subjected to a lot of criticism. A lot of it has been centered around feelings that Blaydes hasn’t been the most exciting fighter to watch. Blaydes was an NJCAA national wrestling champion, and he uses that wrestling as his base in MMA. The result is one of those fighting styles that focuses on takedowns and control on the ground that you don’t mind if you appreciate wrestling and grappling, or that you absolutely hate if you want to see heavyweights stand and bang.

White has also been a previous critic of Bladyes’ fight style and attitude.

Blaydes has also not performed in some of his bigger opportunities, from his KO loss to Derrick Lewis in 2021, to getting stopped by Sergei Pavlovich in 2023, and getting quickly finished by Tom Aspinall in their interim title fight in 2024. It’s given him a lot of “low Fight IQ” and “glass jaw” tags.

The Fight

The majority opinion was Hokit vs. Blaydes would go one of two ways: Hokit would finish Blaydes quickly or Blaydes would out-wrestle Hokit in a 15-minute snoozefest.

Instead, for 15 minutes, these two went toe-for-toe and shot-for-shot. It got sloppy at times, it wasn’t the neatest fight, but, my goodness, was it a back-and-forth brawl that was fun to watch.

Hokit looked like he’d get Blaydes out of there quickly. Then Blaydes finally was able to wrestle, and he started to trouble Hokit against the fence. Each man wobbled the other to points where it looked like the fight would get stopped, but it kept going. Each man looked like at one point or another they’d gas out, but both kept going.

Hokit got his hand raised in the end, but it was the kind of fight heavyweight has been needing.

With a murky championship picture and a slew of boring, losing, or undeserved fighters throughout the division, even in the rankings, Hokit and Blaydes put on a performance that is to be remembered. Depending how the rest of 2026 plays out, it might even be Fight of the Year.

White still doesn’t like Hokit’s persona, but no one can deny Hokit has earned his stripes. He even got booked against Lewis for the White House card because of this night!

Hats off to Hokit and Blaydes. Thanks for reminding us what heavyweight MMA can be.

#Curtis #Blaydes #Josh #Hokit #Exceeded #Expectations #UFC #Deadspin.com">How Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit Exceeded All Expectations at UFC 327 | Deadspin.com

Expectations were not high for the heavyweight matchup between Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit at UFC 327. There were multiple reasons for that. No one can deny, however, that the two put on a 15-minute performance that blew people away.

Blaydes vs. Hokit was not the matchup a lot of people were excited about entering UFC 327. 

It felt like a fight that was solely designed for Hokit to get another victory and move him, lightning fast, up the ranks of a lackluster heavyweight scene in the UFC.

Josh Hokit

Hokit’s MMA career is still fairly young. He was a standout wrestler at Fresno State; in 2018, he became the college’s first All-American in the sport since 2003. But Hokit chose the football life, having also served as a tight end and fullback at Fresno State. Hokit went undrafted in 2020 but signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately for Hokit, he spent 2020-22 solely on the practice squad or futures contracts with the 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals.

But then Hokit made his way to MMA. He scored a pair of finishes with Bellator in 2023 and 2024 before three straight first-round finishes with the LFA in 2025. That set him up for a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he scored a second-round stoppage over Guilherme Uriel. Hokit then fought at UFC Vegas 111 and UFC 324, scoring first-round finishes over Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman, respectively.

Hokit, however, has been a very big magnet of controversy. He delivers cringe-style promos and characters in a way that makes you think he belongs in WWE more than UFC. He dropped the N-word at UFC 324. He has called Britney Griner and former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama men. The UFC 324 promo, in particular, was lambasted by several outlets, and even UFC CEO and President Dana White couldn’t defend it.

But White also knows eye-drawing attention when he sees it, and it seems he sees that with Hokit.

Curtis Blaydes

Blaydes, however, has also been subjected to a lot of criticism. A lot of it has been centered around feelings that Blaydes hasn’t been the most exciting fighter to watch. Blaydes was an NJCAA national wrestling champion, and he uses that wrestling as his base in MMA. The result is one of those fighting styles that focuses on takedowns and control on the ground that you don’t mind if you appreciate wrestling and grappling, or that you absolutely hate if you want to see heavyweights stand and bang.

White has also been a previous critic of Bladyes’ fight style and attitude.

Blaydes has also not performed in some of his bigger opportunities, from his KO loss to Derrick Lewis in 2021, to getting stopped by Sergei Pavlovich in 2023, and getting quickly finished by Tom Aspinall in their interim title fight in 2024. It’s given him a lot of “low Fight IQ” and “glass jaw” tags.

The Fight

The majority opinion was Hokit vs. Blaydes would go one of two ways: Hokit would finish Blaydes quickly or Blaydes would out-wrestle Hokit in a 15-minute snoozefest.

Instead, for 15 minutes, these two went toe-for-toe and shot-for-shot. It got sloppy at times, it wasn’t the neatest fight, but, my goodness, was it a back-and-forth brawl that was fun to watch.

Hokit looked like he’d get Blaydes out of there quickly. Then Blaydes finally was able to wrestle, and he started to trouble Hokit against the fence. Each man wobbled the other to points where it looked like the fight would get stopped, but it kept going. Each man looked like at one point or another they’d gas out, but both kept going.

Hokit got his hand raised in the end, but it was the kind of fight heavyweight has been needing.

With a murky championship picture and a slew of boring, losing, or undeserved fighters throughout the division, even in the rankings, Hokit and Blaydes put on a performance that is to be remembered. Depending how the rest of 2026 plays out, it might even be Fight of the Year.

White still doesn’t like Hokit’s persona, but no one can deny Hokit has earned his stripes. He even got booked against Lewis for the White House card because of this night!

Hats off to Hokit and Blaydes. Thanks for reminding us what heavyweight MMA can be.

#Curtis #Blaydes #Josh #Hokit #Exceeded #Expectations #UFC #Deadspin.com

Top seed Mirra Andreeva overcame ​a first-set wobble to clinch her ‌second title of the year, ​beating local favourite ⁠Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to win the Linz Open on Sunday. ‌Russian Andreeva, who won the Adelaide International in ‌January, has now won ‌five ⁠WTA titles after breaking ⁠a claycourt title drought stretching back to 2024 ahead of next month’s ​French Open.

Andreeva ‌made 14 unforced errors in the first set, twice as many as Potapova, who broke ‌Andreeva twice to build ​a 4-1 lead and secured the set when the ⁠world number 10’s forehand hit the net.

But Andreeva, a former ‌French Open semifinalist, became more aggressive in the second set, getting two breaks in a row to go 3-2 up before sealing the ‌set with an ace.

World number 97 ​Potapova, born in Russia and looking to win ⁠the Linz Open for the second ⁠time, continued to make unforced errors and 18-year-old ‌Andreeva served accurately to close out the win.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

#Andreeva #fights #beat #Potapova #Linz #Open #final">Andreeva fights back to beat Potapova in Linz Open final Top seed Mirra Andreeva overcame ​a first-set wobble to clinch her ‌second title of the year, ​beating local favourite ⁠Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to win the Linz Open on Sunday. ‌Russian Andreeva, who won the Adelaide International in ‌January, has now won ‌five ⁠WTA titles after breaking ⁠a claycourt title drought stretching back to 2024 ahead of next month’s ​French Open.Andreeva ‌made 14 unforced errors in the first set, twice as many as Potapova, who broke ‌Andreeva twice to build ​a 4-1 lead and secured the set when the ⁠world number 10’s forehand hit the net.But Andreeva, a former ‌French Open semifinalist, became more aggressive in the second set, getting two breaks in a row to go 3-2 up before sealing the ‌set with an ace.World number 97 ​Potapova, born in Russia and looking to win ⁠the Linz Open for the second ⁠time, continued to make unforced errors and 18-year-old ‌Andreeva served accurately to close out the win.Published on Apr 12, 2026 #Andreeva #fights #beat #Potapova #Linz #Open #final

After a wonderful opening two days at The Masters, it felt like Rory McIlroy was going to run away with a second green jacket; however, it wouldn’t be Augusta without a little drama. Rory was far less consistent on Saturday, with two more squares on his score card than the first two days combined.

Just one day ago, McIlroy broke the record for the largest lead ever after 36 holes at Augusta, and in just 18 holes, he finds himself tied with Cam Young. Rory’s no stranger to weekend struggles at Augusta, as during the 2011 Masters, he blew a 4-shot lead heading into Sunday, throwing an 80 on his card, to finish all the way down in a tie for 15th.

I’m not here to languish in Rory’s previous struggles; I’m actually here to talk about the best golfer on the planet, Scottie Scheffler. Through Friday, Scottie sat at even par after a tough Friday round where he finished +2. But that’s the thing with Scheffler, no matter how far back he may feel, he always gives himself a chance on Sunday.

Scottie started the weekend with a bogey-free 65, flying up 17 spots, putting him in a tie for 7th. In 2024, Scottie pulled off a 4-stroke final round comeback to win the Olympics and a 5-stroke come-from-behind victory at The Players Championship. He’s no stranger to massive comebacks, and he was playing out of his mind on Saturday.

There are some great golfers ahead of Scheffler, but when you can find +1000 odds on the best player on the planet when he’s in striking distance on Sunday, I think you have to take it. If Scottie can come out fast on Sunday and immediately put pressure on the guys at the top of the leaderboard, I really think he can pull off the massive upset.

Entering Saturday, Rory was a -250 favorite, and now finds himself at a much smaller +135 favorite. On the other hand, Scottie went from 60/1 to 10/1 in a single day, so the oddsmakers are at least getting concerned about a surging Scheffler.

Before the tournament started this week, I wrote that it’s never a bad bet to take Scottie when he’s playing. I never bet on a guy who opens at 5/1 to win a tournament, but now that he’s in striking distance and 10/1, I think it’s worth taking a shot.

#Scottie #Scheffler #Play #Sunday #Masters #Deadspin.com">Why Scottie Scheffler Is the Play on Sunday at The Masters | Deadspin.com After a wonderful opening two days at The Masters, it felt like Rory McIlroy was going to run away with a second green jacket; however, it wouldn’t be Augusta without a little drama. Rory was far less consistent on Saturday, with two more squares on his score card than the first two days combined.Just one day ago, McIlroy broke the record for the largest lead ever after 36 holes at Augusta, and in just 18 holes, he finds himself tied with Cam Young. Rory’s no stranger to weekend struggles at Augusta, as during the 2011 Masters, he blew a 4-shot lead heading into Sunday, throwing an 80 on his card, to finish all the way down in a tie for 15th.I’m not here to languish in Rory’s previous struggles; I’m actually here to talk about the best golfer on the planet, Scottie Scheffler. Through Friday, Scottie sat at even par after a tough Friday round where he finished +2. But that’s the thing with Scheffler, no matter how far back he may feel, he always gives himself a chance on Sunday.Scottie started the weekend with a bogey-free 65, flying up 17 spots, putting him in a tie for 7th. In 2024, Scottie pulled off a 4-stroke final round comeback to win the Olympics and a 5-stroke come-from-behind victory at The Players Championship. He’s no stranger to massive comebacks, and he was playing out of his mind on Saturday.There are some great golfers ahead of Scheffler, but when you can find +1000 odds on the best player on the planet when he’s in striking distance on Sunday, I think you have to take it. If Scottie can come out fast on Sunday and immediately put pressure on the guys at the top of the leaderboard, I really think he can pull off the massive upset.Entering Saturday, Rory was a -250 favorite, and now finds himself at a much smaller +135 favorite. On the other hand, Scottie went from 60/1 to 10/1 in a single day, so the oddsmakers are at least getting concerned about a surging Scheffler.Before the tournament started this week, I wrote that it’s never a bad bet to take Scottie when he’s playing. I never bet on a guy who opens at 5/1 to win a tournament, but now that he’s in striking distance and 10/1, I think it’s worth taking a shot. #Scottie #Scheffler #Play #Sunday #Masters #Deadspin.com

a second green jacket; however, it wouldn’t be Augusta without a little drama. Rory was far less consistent on Saturday, with two more squares on his score card than the first two days combined.

Just one day ago, McIlroy broke the record for the largest lead ever after 36 holes at Augusta, and in just 18 holes, he finds himself tied with Cam Young. Rory’s no stranger to weekend struggles at Augusta, as during the 2011 Masters, he blew a 4-shot lead heading into Sunday, throwing an 80 on his card, to finish all the way down in a tie for 15th.

I’m not here to languish in Rory’s previous struggles; I’m actually here to talk about the best golfer on the planet, Scottie Scheffler. Through Friday, Scottie sat at even par after a tough Friday round where he finished +2. But that’s the thing with Scheffler, no matter how far back he may feel, he always gives himself a chance on Sunday.

Scottie started the weekend with a bogey-free 65, flying up 17 spots, putting him in a tie for 7th. In 2024, Scottie pulled off a 4-stroke final round comeback to win the Olympics and a 5-stroke come-from-behind victory at The Players Championship. He’s no stranger to massive comebacks, and he was playing out of his mind on Saturday.

There are some great golfers ahead of Scheffler, but when you can find +1000 odds on the best player on the planet when he’s in striking distance on Sunday, I think you have to take it. If Scottie can come out fast on Sunday and immediately put pressure on the guys at the top of the leaderboard, I really think he can pull off the massive upset.

Entering Saturday, Rory was a -250 favorite, and now finds himself at a much smaller +135 favorite. On the other hand, Scottie went from 60/1 to 10/1 in a single day, so the oddsmakers are at least getting concerned about a surging Scheffler.

Before the tournament started this week, I wrote that it’s never a bad bet to take Scottie when he’s playing. I never bet on a guy who opens at 5/1 to win a tournament, but now that he’s in striking distance and 10/1, I think it’s worth taking a shot.

#Scottie #Scheffler #Play #Sunday #Masters #Deadspin.com">Why Scottie Scheffler Is the Play on Sunday at The Masters | Deadspin.com

After a wonderful opening two days at The Masters, it felt like Rory McIlroy was going to run away with a second green jacket; however, it wouldn’t be Augusta without a little drama. Rory was far less consistent on Saturday, with two more squares on his score card than the first two days combined.

Just one day ago, McIlroy broke the record for the largest lead ever after 36 holes at Augusta, and in just 18 holes, he finds himself tied with Cam Young. Rory’s no stranger to weekend struggles at Augusta, as during the 2011 Masters, he blew a 4-shot lead heading into Sunday, throwing an 80 on his card, to finish all the way down in a tie for 15th.

I’m not here to languish in Rory’s previous struggles; I’m actually here to talk about the best golfer on the planet, Scottie Scheffler. Through Friday, Scottie sat at even par after a tough Friday round where he finished +2. But that’s the thing with Scheffler, no matter how far back he may feel, he always gives himself a chance on Sunday.

Scottie started the weekend with a bogey-free 65, flying up 17 spots, putting him in a tie for 7th. In 2024, Scottie pulled off a 4-stroke final round comeback to win the Olympics and a 5-stroke come-from-behind victory at The Players Championship. He’s no stranger to massive comebacks, and he was playing out of his mind on Saturday.

There are some great golfers ahead of Scheffler, but when you can find +1000 odds on the best player on the planet when he’s in striking distance on Sunday, I think you have to take it. If Scottie can come out fast on Sunday and immediately put pressure on the guys at the top of the leaderboard, I really think he can pull off the massive upset.

Entering Saturday, Rory was a -250 favorite, and now finds himself at a much smaller +135 favorite. On the other hand, Scottie went from 60/1 to 10/1 in a single day, so the oddsmakers are at least getting concerned about a surging Scheffler.

Before the tournament started this week, I wrote that it’s never a bad bet to take Scottie when he’s playing. I never bet on a guy who opens at 5/1 to win a tournament, but now that he’s in striking distance and 10/1, I think it’s worth taking a shot.

#Scottie #Scheffler #Play #Sunday #Masters #Deadspin.com

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