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Silva unanimously outpoints Cong to claim the UFC women’s flyweight championship

SALT LAKE CITY — Natalia Silva unanimously outpointed Wang Cong to claim the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship Saturday night at UFC 332. Silva (21-5-1) extended her winning streak to 15 bouts after largely dominating Wang (10-2) over five rounds. “This is incredible for me,” Silva said. “I have worked hard for this moment and now I am the new (champion) and I am so so so happy.” Silva went from challenger to favorite in the title bout after Valentina Shevchenko vacated the title nearly a month ago because of back and shoulder injuries. She proved far more aggressive than Wang early, using her speed, fluid movement, and strong legs to create an advantage. Silva knocked Wang to the canvas midway through the second round with a sharp head kick. She kept Wang on her heels with her quick striking ability through the next two rounds and connected on other roundhouse kicks. Wang fought back in the final round, but Silva landed enough blows to stay in control and had winning scores of 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 from the judges. “I think if she had stepped on the gas a little earlier, it would have been a completely different fight,” UFC President Dana White said. Payton Talbott earned a victory via TKO over Delveson Figueiredo with 2:51 left in the first round of the bantamweight bout billed as the co-main event. Talbott (12-1) dominated Figueiredo (25-8-1) from the start of the fight. He put him on the canvas early with a right-handed strike and then delivered an elbow along the fence that sent Figueiredo reeling. Talbott pressed his advantage, raining down blows and forcing his opponent to cover up until he forced a TKO. “Definitely thought he was going to be more durable,” Talbott said. It marked a successful return to the octagon for the Nevada fighter after going 10 months between bouts. Talbott said he wished the latest bout had not ended so quickly. “I wanted to just feel that war,” Talbott said. “I’m really happy to get the finish because it’s been a while since I got that finish. Deep down, that’s who I am. I chase finishes. But, yeah, I definitely wanted it to come a little bit later in the fight.” Roman Kopylov defeated Ateba Gautier by TKO with 3:12 remaining in the first round of the middleweight bout that served as the first of three main card fights leading into the co-main event. Kopylov swarmed Gautier with several clean strikes before finally dropping him to the canvas with a left-handed blow. He earned his second UFC victory of the year while handing Gautier his second career defeat. UFC newcomer Roberto Soldic debuted with a unanimous decision victory, scoring 29-28, 29-27, 29-27 over Khaos Williams in the welterweight bout. The fight lasted all three rounds, but Soldic dominated his opponent throughout with timely blows and bottled him up on the canvas at the end of each of the first two rounds. Esteban Ribovics edged King Green by TKO with 52 seconds to go in the first round of the lightweight bout. Ribovics dropped Green to the canvas three times with well-timed strikes, overwhelming him after the third fall. White reported a gate of $2.7 million for the event with 16,492 fans in attendance.

Rybakina loses in China Open second round while Zverev wins to face Djokovic

BEIJING — No. 1-ranked Elena Rybakina was ousted from the China Open by No. 118 Alina Charaeva of Armenia in the second round on Saturday. Charaeva held her head in her hands in disbelief after winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. "I was just trying to stay really hard mentally and keep believing that at some point I could turn it around again to my side. And I guess I just never stopped believing,” said Charaeva, only the ninth woman outside the top 100 to beat a No. 1. Rybakina had seven double faults and dropped her serve five times, the last time to fall behind 4-2 in the third set. New US Open champion Rybakina became only the second woman to lose her first match as world No. 1. Naomi Osaka was the other, in 2019. “There was a lot going on after the US Open victory. I didn't get a lot of chances to sleep and recover," Rybakina said. “Congratulations to Alina. She played a very good match.” Coco Gauff, who lost to Rybakina in the US Open semifinals, won her first match since then against Camila Osorio 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2. In the men's tournament, top seed and US Open champion Alexander Zverev beat wild card Shang Juncheng 6-0, 6-3 to set up a quarterfinal against Novak Djokovic. Third-seeded Daniil Medvedev advanced by beating Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-3. In a second-round match, Alex de Minaur beat Quentin Halys 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

20th Asian Games Final medal tally

Despite logistical problems, OCA says Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are a success

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Sunday that a near 20% jump in revenue, strong viewership figures and a slew of world records proved the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games were a success, despite logistical problems plaguing the multi-sport showpiece.

Philippines posts biggest Asian Games medal haul since 1966

The Philippines has struck four gold, nine silver, and 16 bronze medals throughout the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, and in the process, put together its biggest haul in six decades.

Bartunkova stuns Sabalenka in China Open

BEIJING — Aryna Sabalenka was swatted aside in straight sets by 34th-ranked Nikola Bartunkova in the third round of the China Open on Sunday, leaving the event without its top two seeds. Czech player Bartunkova, 20, sent down four aces to beat the former world number one 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes. "I focused on myself, to be calm," Bartunkova said. "She's a legend... so I'm really happy that I won the match," she said of the four-time Grand Slam champion. Bartunkova next faces Austria's Sinja Kraus in the round of 16. Second-seeded Sabalenka squandered five chances to break serve in the sixth game of the first set, with Bartunkova strong on defence and firing deep. The 28-year-old from Belarus threw on a cap for the eighth game of the first set as the women switched between playing in the shade and the sun, but it did not turn the tide in her favour. A frustrated Sabalenka tossed her racquet at a break down in the fourth game of the second set, and lost on the first match point when she returned into the net. Top seed Elena Rybakina -- who weeks earlier replaced Sabalenka as World No. 1 -- was ousted by Alina Charaeva in the second round on Saturday. Top seed Alexander Zverev was scheduled to play Novak Djokovic later on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the men's 500-level event also taking place. The 39-year-old Serbian great enters the match with an extraordinary unbeaten streak in Beijing, but Zverev -- last month's US Open champion -- is in the running for the top men's ranking. AFP

Eala and her peers are in the ‘danger zone’ 

I was not at all surprised that Alex Eala lost to Tatiana Prozorova at Singapore, and to Wang Xiyu at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. I simply applied “Murphy’s Law” that states: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." And it did. Twice. While Eala was basking in the limelight and made to carry a big weight of the game on her shoulders at the WTA loved it, Prozorova was getting ready to upset her. And the Russian’s preparation may have included studying the numerous reels of Eala’s best plays, studying how she can beat the Filipina. For her part, Eala may have had no time to study Prozorova, or maybe somebody in her camp must have thought that since the Russian was ranked below the top 100 in the WTA rankings, Prozorova could be treated as a “gift” opponent. And the same scenario can apply when Eala faced Wang in Japan. Eala’s events to endear the fans also may have robbed her of precious time to get focused and put in more work in the gym and practice. Then there’s Eala’s need to compete in doubles events, just like in the 2026 Asian Games. Prozorova also fell victim to the need to compete in doubles, sustaining an injury that saw her exit Singapore for good. And the truth is - the tennis players ranked below the top 20 have more time to study the top 20 players. On the other hand, the top 20 players do not have time to identify the possible threats below the top 20 who can emerge as spoilers, like Prozorova. Eala herself was a spoiler before she made waves at Miami 2025, having been ranked at No. 140 in the WTA listing at that time. Now, Eala has entered the “danger” zone, where she now becomes a “target” of aspiring players below the top 20 or 100.  The top 10 players are also more aware of Eala’s prowess. Eala now has to face top 10 players more often, which is more challenging compared to facing unheralded opposition. That won’t be easy if you look at the records of Coco Gauff, Mira Andreeva, Linda Noskoiva, and Iva Jovic against top 10 players. Gauff has a 38-42 record against top 10 players, and holds a commanding 6-0 record against Andreeva. However, Gauff’s record against Swiatek is 5-11. Noskova’s record against the top 10 is 14-23, and is 1-6 against Swiatek and 0-3 against Elena Rybakina, the current No. 1. Andreeva is 11-14 against the top 10, while Eala is 9-4, and holds a 2-1 record against Swiatek, 2-0 versus Elina Svitolina, and 1-0 over Rybakina. Meanwhile, Jovic is 2-9 against the top 10. So, what can we expect from Eala from here? My answer: A more unpredictable path to reach the top 10, and that includes wins against top 20 and unheralded opponents, and losses against the top 20 and unheralded rivals. Also expect a higher level of burnout that also happens to the best, such as Swiatek whose fans at one point asked for more respect for her in the past months after the Polish sustained high-profile losses. The same should go for Eala. She still deserves respect. Because the truth is, Eala has faced higher level of competition this year, which is more taxing. And the sad fact is the lower-tier players always have the chance to beat top-tier players because the former have more time to rest and have time to study the moves of the top 20 players. Hence, let us rally behind Eala to keep swinging that racket, the same way Andreeva, Gauff, Noskova, and Jovic do. In fact, the five of them are already in the “danger zone.” But has Gauff slowed down because she is 5-11 against Swiatek? No.  Did Andreeva consider lying low because Gauff beat her six times? No.  Noskova bravely faced the top 10 even if that meant losing more matches to them. And will she buckle down? Not at all. And do you think Jovic is going to give up because she is 2-9 against the top 10? Definitely not. How about Eala? She will surely keep on fighting. Gauff, Andreeva, Noskova, Jovic, and our very own Eala demonstrate they have the fighting spirit that comes with entering the danger zone. They all deserve our respect.

NBA: Pistons announce contract extension for Jalen Duren

The Detroit Pistons officially announced the contract extension involving All-NBA center Jalen Duren on Saturday.

Fernandes hails Portugal's 'greatest symbol' Ronaldo, calls for unity

PORTO, Portugal — Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes said Cristiano Ronaldo remains the country's greatest footballing icon despite walking out on the squad this week after finding out he would not start a match. The 41-year-old superstar said Wednesday he had left the team after coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo would not start against Denmark in the Nations League, a match Portugal won 4-2 without him. Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ronaldo's future with the national team, for whom he is the leading goalscorer and most capped player, is in doubt after his walk out. "Regarding Cristiano, I had a conversation with him, and what I told him, and what I repeat here, is this -- the most important thing is that, regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world," Fernandes told reporters Saturday. Manchester United midfielder Fernandes called for unity after a tumultuous few days in which Portugal fans' opinions have been split over Ronaldo's decision. "He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things," said Fernandes. "There are no divisions in the national team, it is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside... "We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides, but, at the same time, Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone's respect, regardless of who likes him more or (who likes him) less." Portugal beat Norway and Denmark away from home without Ronaldo starting and face Norway again on Sunday. Coach Jesus said Ronaldo was a "symbol of Portugal" and said there would be time to speak about him after Sunday's game in Porto. "I'm going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe. That's the problem right now," said the 72-year-old coach.

Performing under pressure helps produce record-setting gold, medal totals for Hong Kong

There has been a common theme running through Hong Kong’s Asian Games gold medallists when it comes to talking about the pressure of being on top: Siobhan Haughey and James Christie both referred to it as a privilege, and it would not be a surprise to discover it is an entirely alien concept to Coleman Wong Chak-lam. Before Saturday, Hong Kong had never won a medal in men’s tennis at the Games, let alone gold. Faced with making history, adding another title to the city’s growing collection and...

Rybakina's first match as world number one ends in China Open defeat by Charaeva

Three-times Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina crashed out of the China Open with a shock 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat by unseeded Alina Charaeva in the second round on Saturday, marking a disappointing start to her reign as world number one.

LeBron puts on a show in 76ers' scrimmage debut

PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers' public address announcer ended a brief retirement over the summer in large part to get behind the mic and do what he did for the first time ahead of the team's annual scrimmage. Matt Cord introduced LeBron James in the Sixers' starting lineup. "At 6-9, from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s, No. 23, LeBron James! James!' Close to 10,000 fans who plunked down $10 a ticket on Saturday to essentially witness a glorified practice at the Sixers’ home arena went wild for James' debut. No, James didn't wear No. 23. He historically wore No. 6 over his career in practice gear but with that number retired in Philadelphia because of Julius Erving, James went with No. 9. No, the dunks and 3s and assists didn't count in any official capacity. And no, James wasn't even introduced last. That honor remained reserved for Joel Embiid. What the new 41-year-old on the block did do was give — along with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe — a sneak preview that maybe, just maybe, the long underperforming Sixers might finally rise to the moment this season and meet their championship expectations. “It was a great first step in a direction we're trying to go,” James said. “It was great to hear some cheers from our fans.” Sixers fans that crammed aisles and stairways trying to catch a first glimpse or a snapshot of James were shooed back to their seats. Vendors hawked James merchandise outside the arena and told fans they could own the first pieces of his merchandise. Sixers fans that inched near the court screamed and outright begged James to stop and turnaround and pose for pictures. They also crammed into team stores buying No. 23 jerseys. The Sixers started the scrimmage early with what they hope is a familiar sight: Maxey in transition hit James for an alley-oop dunk. James hung and swung on the rim for a few seconds. James made a nifty behind-the-back pass to Edgecombe (who missed a corner 3) and even squared up and buried a long 3 from about Caitlin Clark range. James did it all — he even bounced Maxey's baby daughter, Marvel, on his knee for a moment on the bench. No word yet on James' hourly babysitting rate. Not a bad first week in Philadelphia for the NBA’s career scoring leader. “Everybody's been super welcoming,” James said. “I've been able to implement some things with my voice and just my command of how I play the game and my experience playing the game. I'm still getting more and more comfortable off the floor, with travel and without my family and things of that nature. That's going to be a little bit of a challenge, but everything's been good so far. Great first week." The Sixers traditionally hold the scrimmage in Delaware on the home court of their G League team. The Sixers donated 5,000 tickets to local community groups and Sixers Youth Foundation grantee partners and more than $80,000 was raised for the Sixers Youth Foundation. The $10 tickets were a deal. They are hovering around $1,000 a ticket for the 100 level on the secondary market for the Sixers' Oct. 22 home opener against Cleveland. James was expected to play Monday in the first of four preseason games and mark the start of his record 24th NBA season. “It’d be good to get out there with some of our guys to just get a rhythm," James said. “At the same time, also not overdo it. We're putting a lot into our practices right now. We're fine-tuning what we want to do once the game comes. I think there will be opportunities once we get out there in the preseason." Philadelphia opens the season Oct. 20 in New York against the NBA champion Knicks. James and the rest of the Sixers were encouraged that the oft-injured Embiid has been a full participant in camp and seems to be in leaner, lighter shape. Embiid pulled off a driving left-handed dunk in the scrimmage and later joked; it was “probably the last dunk of my career.” Jerseys flew off the racks, Sixers flew through the air, and excitement swirled around the team and for all that James brings to the city. “They've welcomed me with open arms,” James said, “and I'm getting more and more comfortable every day.”