Deadspin | Senators regain playoff spot, deny Canes division title  Apr 5, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Carolina Hurricanes fgoalie Frederik Andersen (31) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images   Brady Tkachuk scored twice among the final four Ottawa goals as the Senators beat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Sunday.  Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto all had a goal and an assist and the Senators picked up a much-needed result to win for the second time in their last six games. Ottawa (40-27-10, 90 points) holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.  Claude Giroux had the other goal — an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining — and goalie Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for the Senators, who tallied two goals on power plays.  Ottawa has consecutive 40-win regular seasons for the first time since 2007-08.  Logan Stankoven, Andrei Svechnikov and Taylor Hall scored for the Hurricanes (49-22-1, 104 points), who lost for only the second time in their last six games. Jackson Blake provided two assists and goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots. Carolina remained one point away from clinching the Metropolitan Division with five games to play.  The Senators had more shots than Carolina in the first and second periods, then the Hurricanes, who often have high shot totals, to six in the third period.  Ullmark played in his fourth consecutive game.   The game’s first two goals came on power plays, first for Stankoven at 5:22 and then for Cozens at 7:17.  The Senators took their first lead 1:34 later at 2-1 on Stutzle’s 33rd goal of the season. But the Hurricanes were even by the end of the first period as Svechnikov posted an unassisted goal with 20 seconds left.  Tkachuk’s tip-in 8:33 into the second regained the lead for Ottawa. Pinto’s goal and Tkachuk’s second goal came in the opening 6:32 of the third period. Hall cut the deficit to 5-3 late in the third before Giroux’s empty-net tally sealed it for the Senators.  Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson, who played in back-to-back weekend games since missing nearly a month with an injury, picked up an assist on the game’s last goal.  The Senators improved to 2-1-0 on a five-game homestand.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Senators #regain #playoff #spot #deny #Canes #division #title

Deadspin | Senators regain playoff spot, deny Canes division title
Deadspin | Senators regain playoff spot, deny Canes division title  Apr 5, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Carolina Hurricanes fgoalie Frederik Andersen (31) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images   Brady Tkachuk scored twice among the final four Ottawa goals as the Senators beat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Sunday.  Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto all had a goal and an assist and the Senators picked up a much-needed result to win for the second time in their last six games. Ottawa (40-27-10, 90 points) holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.  Claude Giroux had the other goal — an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining — and goalie Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for the Senators, who tallied two goals on power plays.  Ottawa has consecutive 40-win regular seasons for the first time since 2007-08.  Logan Stankoven, Andrei Svechnikov and Taylor Hall scored for the Hurricanes (49-22-1, 104 points), who lost for only the second time in their last six games. Jackson Blake provided two assists and goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots. Carolina remained one point away from clinching the Metropolitan Division with five games to play.  The Senators had more shots than Carolina in the first and second periods, then the Hurricanes, who often have high shot totals, to six in the third period.  Ullmark played in his fourth consecutive game.   The game’s first two goals came on power plays, first for Stankoven at 5:22 and then for Cozens at 7:17.  The Senators took their first lead 1:34 later at 2-1 on Stutzle’s 33rd goal of the season. But the Hurricanes were even by the end of the first period as Svechnikov posted an unassisted goal with 20 seconds left.  Tkachuk’s tip-in 8:33 into the second regained the lead for Ottawa. Pinto’s goal and Tkachuk’s second goal came in the opening 6:32 of the third period. Hall cut the deficit to 5-3 late in the third before Giroux’s empty-net tally sealed it for the Senators.  Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson, who played in back-to-back weekend games since missing nearly a month with an injury, picked up an assist on the game’s last goal.  The Senators improved to 2-1-0 on a five-game homestand.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Senators #regain #playoff #spot #deny #Canes #division #titleApr 5, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Carolina Hurricanes fgoalie Frederik Andersen (31) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Brady Tkachuk scored twice among the final four Ottawa goals as the Senators beat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Sunday.

Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto all had a goal and an assist and the Senators picked up a much-needed result to win for the second time in their last six games. Ottawa (40-27-10, 90 points) holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Claude Giroux had the other goal — an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining — and goalie Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for the Senators, who tallied two goals on power plays.

Ottawa has consecutive 40-win regular seasons for the first time since 2007-08.

Logan Stankoven, Andrei Svechnikov and Taylor Hall scored for the Hurricanes (49-22-1, 104 points), who lost for only the second time in their last six games. Jackson Blake provided two assists and goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots. Carolina remained one point away from clinching the Metropolitan Division with five games to play.

The Senators had more shots than Carolina in the first and second periods, then the Hurricanes, who often have high shot totals, to six in the third period.


Ullmark played in his fourth consecutive game.

The game’s first two goals came on power plays, first for Stankoven at 5:22 and then for Cozens at 7:17.

The Senators took their first lead 1:34 later at 2-1 on Stutzle’s 33rd goal of the season. But the Hurricanes were even by the end of the first period as Svechnikov posted an unassisted goal with 20 seconds left.

Tkachuk’s tip-in 8:33 into the second regained the lead for Ottawa. Pinto’s goal and Tkachuk’s second goal came in the opening 6:32 of the third period. Hall cut the deficit to 5-3 late in the third before Giroux’s empty-net tally sealed it for the Senators.

Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson, who played in back-to-back weekend games since missing nearly a month with an injury, picked up an assist on the game’s last goal.

The Senators improved to 2-1-0 on a five-game homestand.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Senators #regain #playoff #spot #deny #Canes #division #title

Apr 5, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Carolina Hurricanes fgoalie Frederik Andersen (31) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Brady Tkachuk scored twice among the final four Ottawa goals as the Senators beat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Sunday.

Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto all had a goal and an assist and the Senators picked up a much-needed result to win for the second time in their last six games. Ottawa (40-27-10, 90 points) holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Claude Giroux had the other goal — an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining — and goalie Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for the Senators, who tallied two goals on power plays.

Ottawa has consecutive 40-win regular seasons for the first time since 2007-08.

Logan Stankoven, Andrei Svechnikov and Taylor Hall scored for the Hurricanes (49-22-1, 104 points), who lost for only the second time in their last six games. Jackson Blake provided two assists and goalie Frederik Andersen stopped 25 shots. Carolina remained one point away from clinching the Metropolitan Division with five games to play.

The Senators had more shots than Carolina in the first and second periods, then the Hurricanes, who often have high shot totals, to six in the third period.

Ullmark played in his fourth consecutive game.

The game’s first two goals came on power plays, first for Stankoven at 5:22 and then for Cozens at 7:17.

The Senators took their first lead 1:34 later at 2-1 on Stutzle’s 33rd goal of the season. But the Hurricanes were even by the end of the first period as Svechnikov posted an unassisted goal with 20 seconds left.

Tkachuk’s tip-in 8:33 into the second regained the lead for Ottawa. Pinto’s goal and Tkachuk’s second goal came in the opening 6:32 of the third period. Hall cut the deficit to 5-3 late in the third before Giroux’s empty-net tally sealed it for the Senators.

Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson, who played in back-to-back weekend games since missing nearly a month with an injury, picked up an assist on the game’s last goal.

The Senators improved to 2-1-0 on a five-game homestand.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026: Once the blue-eyed boy in yellow, Sameer Rizvi dazzles in Delhi colours <div id="content-body-70826899" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Twenty-two-year-old Sameer Rizvi, still very much in the early days of his cricketing career, has already had quite the journey in the Indian Premier League.</p><p>The youngster, who hails from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has been the story of the IPL 2026 season so far, playing two match-winning innings in Delhi Capitals’ unbeaten start to the tournament.</p><p>Rizvi has always been touted as an explosive six-hitter and one for the future. The Chennai Super Kings bought him for a whopping Rs. 8.4 crore at the IPL 2024 auction and while it’s taken him two years to properly establish himself, he had already showed signs of that special talent in his very first match in the IPL.</p><p>Facing Rashid Khan, the best T20 bowler in the world at the time, he was unfazed and confident in his approach, whacking him for a six on his first ball.</p><p>The 22-year-old was eventually dismissed for 14 runs in that game. But in that brief innings, coming in at six, he had shown he had the potential to be the next finisher, a role that MS Dhoni has been serving with aplomb for almost two decades.</p><p>However, as things panned out, Rizvi failed to make an impact thereafter and went on a downward spiral. He managed to score only 51 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 118.60 that season, a pale shadow of the ability he had shown for UP in the domestic circuit and in that first game against Gujarat Titans.</p><p>The UP batter was subsequently not retained by CSK ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Second chance</h4><p>Rizvi, after a difficult first stint with CSK, went back to the domestic circuit to prove his mettle once again. His breakthrough came in the BCCI U-23 ODI Trophy.</p><p>In the 2023-24 edition of the tournament, Rizvi scored two centuries and half-centuries, and also hit the most sixes in the tournament (37).</p><p>But in the 2024-25 edition, Rizvi did not just deliver; he made a statement. Eager to prove a point, the right-handed batter became the first batter to score two double centuries in a single edition of the tournament, both at a strike rate over 190.</p><p>His first double century, 201 against Tripura, came off just 97 balls — the fastest in the tournament’s history.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/j1haao/article70826252.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/_DSC8530.JPG" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/j1haao/article70826252.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/_DSC8530.JPG" alt="After two good seasons in the U-23 State A Trophy, Rizvi played more frequently for Uttar Pradesh in the 2025-26 domestic season." title="After two good seasons in the U-23 State A Trophy, Rizvi played more frequently for Uttar Pradesh in the 2025-26 domestic season." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> After two good seasons in the U-23 State A Trophy, Rizvi played more frequently for Uttar Pradesh in the 2025-26 domestic season. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> After two good seasons in the U-23 State A Trophy, Rizvi played more frequently for Uttar Pradesh in the 2025-26 domestic season. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR </p></div><p>On top of that, Rizvi finished the tournament as the second-highest run getter and once again hit the most sixes — he hit 62 sixes.</p><p>He was rewarded for his efforts with another opportunity in the IPL, as Capitals acquired him for INR 90 lakh at the 2025 IPL auction.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Lighting up the capital</h4><p>The UP batter got only limited opportunities in his first season with DC, but he impressed every time he got the chance to play. In DC’s last game of the season against PBKS in 2025, Rizvi was the player of the match, scoring an unbeaten 58 from 25 balls to help his side chase down 206.</p><p>Rizvi had another productive stint for the Uttar Pradesh senior team in the 2025-26 domestic season, scoring crucial runs in the middle order in the Syed Mushtaq Ali and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, despite not breaking the selection door down.</p><div class="inline_embed article-block-item"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back-to-back fifty-plus scores ✅<br/>Back-to-back POTM awards ✅</p><p>Sameer Rizvi has delivered two brilliant knocks for Delhi Capitals so far. 🙌</p><p>📸: R V Moorthy, PTI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2026?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2026</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SameerRizvi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SameerRizvi</a><a href="https://t.co/hxOyItdGJg">pic.twitter.com/hxOyItdGJg</a></p>— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportstarweb/status/2040428749628506576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2026</a></blockquote></div><p>And after two topsy-turvy years of setbacks and comebacks, Rizvi finally announced himself in style in DC’s first match of the IPL 2026 season. With DC pushed to a corner and reeling at 26/4 in the Powerplay, Rizvi, coming in at four, scored an unbeaten 70 of 47 balls to take his side home. What stood out in that innings was not his boundary-finding ability, a skill that has been central to Rizvi’s gameplay.</p><p>It was the maturity he showed, the manner in which the 22-year-old curbed his natural attacking instincts and played responsibly to help his side cross the line, a quality that we are perhaps witnessing for the first time in the youngster. Rizvi followed it up with an equally responsible and highly impactful innings of 90 off 51 against a Jasprit Bumrah-led Mumbai Indians bowling lineup, when DC got into early trouble while chasing yet again.</p><p>And just like that, from not knowing if he’ll get the chance to play in the IPL again, Rizvi has cemented himself as a vital cog in the Delhi Capitals batting lineup. Rizvi idolises Dhoni, going by his profile picture on his Instagram account. While he isn’t exactly playing the finisher role for DC, there is no doubt the master would be looking at his apprentice feeling proud of his development as a cricketer.</p><p>It’s only going to be up and upwards for the 22-year-old from UP from here on.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 05, 2026</p></div><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> #IPL #blueeyed #boy #yellow #Sameer #Rizvi #dazzles #Delhi #colours

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ISL 2025-26 points table — Mohun Bagan pips Mumbai City to top spot; Indian Super League standings <div id="content-body-70784445" itemprop="articleBody"><p>The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season got underway in February 14 after months of uncertainty with 14 teams vying for the title.</p><p>The curtailed season means the traditional play-offs have been abondoned with the table-topper at the end of the league stage being crowned champion.</p><p>The team finishing bottom of the table at the end of the league phase will be relegated to the Indian Football League (IFL).</p><p>Following is how the ISL points table looks after SCD vs KBFC:</p><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Position</td><td> Team</td><td> Matches</td><td> Wins</td><td> Draws</td><td> Losses</td><td> GD</td><td> Points</td></tr><tr><td> 1</td><td> Mohun Bagan Super Giant</td><td> 7</td><td> 4</td><td> 3</td><td> 1</td><td> 11</td><td> 14</td></tr><tr><td> 2</td><td> Bengaluru FC</td><td> 7</td><td> 4</td><td> 2</td><td> 1</td><td> 5</td><td> 14</td></tr><tr><td> 3</td><td> Mumbai City FC</td><td> 6</td><td> 4</td><td> 2</td><td> 0</td><td> 4</td><td> 14</td></tr><tr><td> 4</td><td> Jamshedpur FC</td><td> 7</td><td> 4</td><td> 2</td><td> 1</td><td> 3</td><td> 14</td></tr><tr><td> 5</td><td> East Bengal FC</td><td> 6</td><td> 3</td><td> 2</td><td> 1</td><td> 12</td><td> 11</td></tr><tr><td> 6</td><td> Punjab FC</td><td> 6</td><td> 4</td><td> 1</td><td> 1</td><td> 4</td><td> 11</td></tr><tr><td> 7</td><td> FC Goa</td><td> 7</td><td> 2</td><td> 4</td><td> 1</td><td> 1</td><td> 10</td></tr><tr><td> 8</td><td> NorthEast United</td><td> 6</td><td> 1</td><td> 3</td><td> 2</td><td> -5</td><td> 6</td></tr><tr><td> 9</td><td> Odisha FC</td><td> 4</td><td> 1</td><td> 2</td><td> 1</td><td> -1</td><td> 5</td></tr><tr><td> 10</td><td> Chennaiyin FC</td><td> 5</td><td> 1</td><td> 2</td><td> 2</td><td> -2</td><td> 5</td></tr><tr><td> 11</td><td> Inter Kashi</td><td> 6</td><td> 1</td><td> 2</td><td> 3</td><td> -3</td><td> 5</td></tr><tr><td> 12</td><td> Sporting Club Delhi</td><td> 6</td><td> 1</td><td> 2</td><td> 3</td><td> -4</td><td> 5</td></tr><tr><td> 13</td><td> Kerala Blasters</td><td> 7</td><td> 0</td><td> 1</td><td> 6</td><td> -9</td><td> 1</td></tr><tr><td> 14</td><td> Mohammedan Sporting</td><td> 6</td><td> 0</td><td> 0</td><td> 6</td><td> -16</td><td> 0</td></tr></table></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Mar 25, 2026</p></div> #ISL #points #table #Mohun #Bagan #pips #Mumbai #City #top #spot #Indian #Super #League #standings

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are still waiting for their first win in their new home.

Germán Berterame scored off a rebound in the 76th minute and Inter Miami finished in a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution on Saturday night, keeping the defending MLS Cup champions winless in three matches at their new Miami stadium.

The Herons are 0-0-3 in the new building — compared with 5-1-1 in MLS road matches this season. Inter Miami is now unbeaten (5-0-4) in its last nine MLS matches following a season-opening loss at LAFC, and unbeaten in its last 11 matches (5-0-6) across all competitions.

Former MLS MVP Carles Gil scored in the 56th minute for New England, which had lost each of its last four meetings with Inter Miami.

Gil’s goal started when Will Sands’ long throw-in into the box was settled by Dor Turgeman — who basically just left the ball where the charging Gil could get it. Gil chipped the ball past Inter Miami goalie Dayne St. Clair, opening the scoring.

That goal came just a couple minutes after Inter Miami thought it had struck first, but Tadeo Allende’s right-footed blast was waved off by an offside call.

About 20 minutes later, Inter Miami knotted the match. Luis Suárez spun around and tried a shot from near the goal mouth, the low roller getting saved by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner. The ball deflected off Turner’s hand and went right to Berterame, who scored with ease to make it 1-1.

Until then, it looked like the Revolution would get their first win in the series since June 10, 2023 — a couple days after Messi stunned many in the football world by saying he was coming to MLS and joining Inter Miami. Messi didn’t begin actual play for Inter Miami for several more weeks.

Inter Miami had outscored New England 16-5 in the four matches since that 2023 contest, winning all four handily.

Messi had a few good chances, including in the 38th minute when he — with two defenders at his back — ran down a ball that had been flicked into the box.

Messi seemed to stumble the tiniest bit while pushing the ball to his left foot. He sent a weak shot wide, looking skyward and smiling in disbelief after the play.

He tried swinging a corner kick into the net midway through the first half and had a decent chance again from about 12 yards during first half stoppage time. Both of those shots were easily corralled by Turner, and the teams went to the break tied 0-0.

Inter Miami has five matches left before MLS’ seven-week stoppage for the FIFA World Cup begins. None of those five looming opponents — Orlando, Toronto, Cincinnati, Portland and Philadelphia — have a winning record at this point.

Toronto (3-3-4) is at .500 while none of the other four clubs opened play Saturday better than 12th in their conference standings.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Messi #Inter #Miami #settle #home #tie #draw #England">Messi and Inter Miami settle for another home tie, this one a 1-1 draw against New England  Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are still waiting for their first win in their new home.Germán Berterame scored off a rebound in the 76th minute and Inter Miami finished in a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution on Saturday night, keeping the defending MLS Cup champions winless in three matches at their new Miami stadium.The Herons are 0-0-3 in the new building — compared with 5-1-1 in MLS road matches this season. Inter Miami is now unbeaten (5-0-4) in its last nine MLS matches following a season-opening loss at LAFC, and unbeaten in its last 11 matches (5-0-6) across all competitions.Former MLS MVP Carles Gil scored in the 56th minute for New England, which had lost each of its last four meetings with Inter Miami.Gil’s goal started when Will Sands’ long throw-in into the box was settled by Dor Turgeman — who basically just left the ball where the charging Gil could get it. Gil chipped the ball past Inter Miami goalie Dayne St. Clair, opening the scoring.That goal came just a couple minutes after Inter Miami thought it had struck first, but Tadeo Allende’s right-footed blast was waved off by an offside call.About 20 minutes later, Inter Miami knotted the match. Luis Suárez spun around and tried a shot from near the goal mouth, the low roller getting saved by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner. The ball deflected off Turner’s hand and went right to Berterame, who scored with ease to make it 1-1.Until then, it looked like the Revolution would get their first win in the series since June 10, 2023 — a couple days after Messi stunned many in the football world by saying he was coming to MLS and joining Inter Miami. Messi didn’t begin actual play for Inter Miami for several more weeks.Inter Miami had outscored New England 16-5 in the four matches since that 2023 contest, winning all four handily.Messi had a few good chances, including in the 38th minute when he — with two defenders at his back — ran down a ball that had been flicked into the box.Messi seemed to stumble the tiniest bit while pushing the ball to his left foot. He sent a weak shot wide, looking skyward and smiling in disbelief after the play.He tried swinging a corner kick into the net midway through the first half and had a decent chance again from about 12 yards during first half stoppage time. Both of those shots were easily corralled by Turner, and the teams went to the break tied 0-0.Inter Miami has five matches left before MLS’ seven-week stoppage for the FIFA World Cup begins. None of those five looming opponents — Orlando, Toronto, Cincinnati, Portland and Philadelphia — have a winning record at this point.Toronto (3-3-4) is at .500 while none of the other four clubs opened play Saturday better than 12th in their conference standings.Published on Apr 26, 2026  #Messi #Inter #Miami #settle #home #tie #draw #England

Deadspin | Aljamain Sterling calls for title shot after UFC Vegas 116 decision win  Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   After nearly two full slow-paced rounds in the UFC Vegas 116 main event from the Meta APEX Saturday night, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found an opening with under a minute left in Round 2 against Youssef Zalal. But it was only the beginning of Sterling’s relentless pace.    Several submission attempts, including a fourth-round rear-naked choke opportunity in the closing minutes from Sterling, led to a unanimous decision win across 25 minutes, 49-45, 49-45, 49-45. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) was comfortable in all areas against his former training partner, but his objective for the rest of his career is simple.    “(Alexander) Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass,” Sterling said, calling for a featherweight title shot.    Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was classy in defeat.    “I’ve come back before and I’ll come back again,” Zalal said, crediting Sterling’s efforts.    Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit more five-round experience, the Moroccan competitor will find himself fighting for a championship.     The co-main event saw UFC women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama move a step closer to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little trouble with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to five. Dumont fell just short of a four-year unbeaten run, having won her previous six outings before taking her first loss since May 7, 2022.    In the lightweight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight winning streak, earning a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has won three in a row, keeping the fight on the feet, taking Hernandez’s best punches while giving back his own at a much higher rate. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not lost since April 6, 2024.    Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous decision against UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has won five of his last seven fights, while Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, had not lost since Sept. 20, 2017.    At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win against Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) extended his winning streak to five, dating back to Feb. 24, 2024. On the other side, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights since his six-fight winning streak which spanned March of 2021 until last October.    Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing right hand to send Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, finishing the fight by KO at 2:10 of Round 2 to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight main card with what became the only finish. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has won back-to-back fights and three of his last four. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, remains winless in the promotion.    -Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Aljamain #Sterling #calls #title #shot #UFC #Vegas #decision #winApr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After nearly two full slow-paced rounds in the UFC Vegas 116 main event from the Meta APEX Saturday night, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found an opening with under a minute left in Round 2 against Youssef Zalal. But it was only the beginning of Sterling’s relentless pace.

Several submission attempts, including a fourth-round rear-naked choke opportunity in the closing minutes from Sterling, led to a unanimous decision win across 25 minutes, 49-45, 49-45, 49-45. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) was comfortable in all areas against his former training partner, but his objective for the rest of his career is simple.

“(Alexander) Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass,” Sterling said, calling for a featherweight title shot.

Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was classy in defeat.

“I’ve come back before and I’ll come back again,” Zalal said, crediting Sterling’s efforts.

Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit more five-round experience, the Moroccan competitor will find himself fighting for a championship.


The co-main event saw UFC women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama move a step closer to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little trouble with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to five. Dumont fell just short of a four-year unbeaten run, having won her previous six outings before taking her first loss since May 7, 2022.

In the lightweight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight winning streak, earning a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has won three in a row, keeping the fight on the feet, taking Hernandez’s best punches while giving back his own at a much higher rate. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not lost since April 6, 2024.

Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous decision against UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has won five of his last seven fights, while Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, had not lost since Sept. 20, 2017.

At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win against Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) extended his winning streak to five, dating back to Feb. 24, 2024. On the other side, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights since his six-fight winning streak which spanned March of 2021 until last October.

Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing right hand to send Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, finishing the fight by KO at 2:10 of Round 2 to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight main card with what became the only finish. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has won back-to-back fights and three of his last four. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, remains winless in the promotion.

-Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Aljamain #Sterling #calls #title #shot #UFC #Vegas #decision #win">Deadspin | Aljamain Sterling calls for title shot after UFC Vegas 116 decision win  Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   After nearly two full slow-paced rounds in the UFC Vegas 116 main event from the Meta APEX Saturday night, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found an opening with under a minute left in Round 2 against Youssef Zalal. But it was only the beginning of Sterling’s relentless pace.    Several submission attempts, including a fourth-round rear-naked choke opportunity in the closing minutes from Sterling, led to a unanimous decision win across 25 minutes, 49-45, 49-45, 49-45. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) was comfortable in all areas against his former training partner, but his objective for the rest of his career is simple.    “(Alexander) Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass,” Sterling said, calling for a featherweight title shot.    Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was classy in defeat.    “I’ve come back before and I’ll come back again,” Zalal said, crediting Sterling’s efforts.    Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit more five-round experience, the Moroccan competitor will find himself fighting for a championship.     The co-main event saw UFC women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama move a step closer to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little trouble with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to five. Dumont fell just short of a four-year unbeaten run, having won her previous six outings before taking her first loss since May 7, 2022.    In the lightweight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight winning streak, earning a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has won three in a row, keeping the fight on the feet, taking Hernandez’s best punches while giving back his own at a much higher rate. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not lost since April 6, 2024.    Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous decision against UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has won five of his last seven fights, while Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, had not lost since Sept. 20, 2017.    At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win against Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) extended his winning streak to five, dating back to Feb. 24, 2024. On the other side, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights since his six-fight winning streak which spanned March of 2021 until last October.    Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing right hand to send Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, finishing the fight by KO at 2:10 of Round 2 to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight main card with what became the only finish. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has won back-to-back fights and three of his last four. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, remains winless in the promotion.    -Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Aljamain #Sterling #calls #title #shot #UFC #Vegas #decision #win

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