Umar Nurmagomedov entered his first title fight at UFC 311 against reigning Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili full of confidence. He gave it everything he had but was unable to get his hand raised, losing via unanimous decision. The defeat marked the first loss of his professional career. In his post-fight Octagon interview, Nurmagomedov revealed that...
The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent months entertaining the idea of Aaron Rodgers joining their roster, but that possibility appears to be fading as the offseason unfolds. With the veteran quarterback’s arrival looking increasingly unlikely, the Steelers could be exploring alternative plans to address their quarterback situation. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Kirk Cousins could emerge...
Michael DiRoccoMay 25, 2025, 07:59 PM ET Close Michael DiRocco is an NFL Nation reporter at ESPN and covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously covered the University of Florida for over a decade for ESPN and the Florida Times-Union. DiRocco graduated from Jacksonville University and is a multiple APSE award winner. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville...
Merab Dvalishvili made good use of his high-level wrestling skills to get the better of Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC (UFC 306) and bag the UFC bantamweight gold. O’Malley couldn’t find many openings to unleash his formidable striking skills in the fight, eventually subjecting himself to a defeat. With his rematch against O’Malley less than...
Aaron Rodgers continues to dominate NFL offseason headlines, with speculation about his next destination refusing to die down. The veteran quarterback has been linked to several teams, but recent comments may have revealed where he wants to land. During a recent Mike Stud concert, Rodgers participated in a fan Q&A session. When a young...
Aaron SchatzMay 23, 2025, 07:30 AM ET Close Aaron Schatz is an NFL analyst for ESPN.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working in NFL analytics and is the creator of the DVOA and DYAR metric. He also serves as the Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Network. What does it mean for an...
“I do what I do. Always,” Shaquille O’Neal once said — and that mindset has taken him on some wild adventures. A four-time champion, three-time Finals MVP, and 15-time All-Star, O’Neal didn’t just dominate the court — he steamrolled through it. But what truly sets the “Big Diesel” apart isn’t just his resume; it’s his...
The journey from Mr. Irrelevant to securing $181 million in guaranteed money represents one of the most unlikely success stories in recent NFL history. Brock Purdy’s rise with the San Francisco 49ers forced him to navigate the financial realities of being a seventh-round draft pick. Those lower-paying days are now behind him, and with...
Stephen HolderMay 22, 2025, 07:57 PM ET Close Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest....
Coco Gauff recently reflected on the moment her “biggest dream” of winning a Grand Slam title was shattered by Iga Świątek in the 2022 French Open final. The two players have faced off 15 times on the WTA Tour, with the former World No. 1 emerging victorious in 11 of those encounters. However, Gauff has...
Jake Bates’ rise from an unheralded signing to becoming a crucial piece of an NFL roster speaks to the power of seizing opportunities when they arise. Before Bates was nailing kicks for the Detroit Lions, he was making his mark in the United Football League with the Michigan Panthers. His ability to connect on...
May 21, 2025, 01:47 PM ET The NFL is introducing the Protector of the Year Award, which will be given to the league’s best offensive lineman, it was announced at the league’s spring meeting Wednesday. The winner will be decided by a panel that includes a number of former offensive line greats. NFL executive vice...