Sports
Court OKs this weekend's UFC event at White House
Jun 11, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; The UFC octagon ”The Claw” on the White House South Lawn during a press tour for the UFC Freedom 250 at White House. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images This weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House will proceed as planned after a federal judge denied a legal challenge to the festivities on Friday.
Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., denied an emergency injunction application filed last weekend by the Public Integrity Project, which argued that the Trump administration had unlawfully organized a private sporting event on public property in violation of National Park Service rules.
Mehta’s ruling said the plaintiffs failed to establish that they would suffer any irreparable harm or aesthetic injury if the defendants — the Department of Interior and National Park Service — allowed the UFC fights to happen.
Mehta noted that the UFC event had been public knowledge for nearly a year, but the plaintiffs did not file “until June 7, 2026 — more than two weeks after visible preparations commenced at the White House — to seek emergency relief.” The late filing “undercuts their claims of irreparable harm,” the judge wrote.
Mehta said the large claw-shaped stadium set up on the South Lawn is a temporary structure and “the risk of any significant environmental damage is doubtful.”
The weekend’s schedule includes a press conference Friday at the Lincoln Memorial, weigh-ins on Saturday at The Ellipse, and the fight card on the South Lawn on Sunday, which is also President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
The card is headlined by lightweight champion Ilia Topuria taking on interim champion Justin Gaethje in a belt unification fight. An interim heavyweight title bout between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira is billed as the co-main event.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Brooks Koepka (hand) WDs from RBC Canadian Open
Jun 13, 2026; Caledon, Ontario, CAN; Brooks Koepka hits his tee shot at the 17th hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Brooks Koepka acknowledged an injury to his hand after he labored through a 2-over-par 72 on the third round at the RBC Canadian Open on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, Koepka officially withdrew from the tournament at Caledon, Ontario.
The five-time major champion admitted that he was struggling with the grip of his club ahead of the fourth round.
“Yeah, I don’t know what it is. I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can’t grip it,” Koepka said.
“So the club is kind of just, my fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb. I don’t know what the deal was but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”
He opened the tournament with rounds of 64 and 68.
Koepka, 36, was spotted receiving treatment on the 11th tee box at the TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) during the third round.
“Yeah, the whole warm-up, I felt fine, I was absolutely good,” he said. “Then got to the range and went to grip the club and I just couldn’t even grip it.
“So it lasted — it was all day. Felt better the last few holes. I don’t know if that’s just the meds kicked in or what it is. But hopefully we’ll figure it out now.”
Figuring it out is paramount given the U.S. Open is next week at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y. He won the second of his two consecutive U.S. Open championships at Shinnecock Hills in 2018.
Koepka has been back on the PGA Tour since January after more than three years away with LIV Golf. He’s placed in the top 20 in six events this year but his next win would be his first in a standard PGA Tour event since the 2021 WM Phoenix Open.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Thunder's Nikola Topic (back) expected to be ready for 2026-27 season
Apr 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (44) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing what the team called a minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy procedure.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the surgery repairs a bulging disk in the lower back. Dr. Andrew Dossett performed the procedure at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas with Thunder medical personnel on hand.
The Thunder selected the 6-foot-6 point guard with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Serbia, but he has had a difficult start to his career.
He missed his rookie season due to a pre-draft knee injury. In the preseason ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent treatment.
Topic, 20, returned to play 10 games for the Thunder last season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. In limited opportunities, he shot 40.0% (9-for-15) from 3-point range.
He is not expected to play in the NBA summer league in July.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Royals place 1B Vinnie Pasquantino on 10-day IL
Jun 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) scores against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamate fracture.
Pasquantino exited Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the Houston Astros after appearing to injure himself on a swing in the fifth inning.
He was replaced in the lineup by Isaac Collins, who took over in left field. Jac Caglianone moved from right field to replace Pasquantino at first base, and Lane Thomas shifted from left to right field.
“It stinks a lot. He’s a big part of our team,” catcher Carter Jensen said. “He’s a leader on this team, so seeing him go down, it’s never fun. But we’re backing him up and wishing him a speedy recovery [so he can] get back and help us win some games just like he does every night.”
Pasquantino, 28, is batting a career-worst .224 this season to go along with six homers and 32 RBIs in 68 games. He has a career .260 batting average with 76 home runs and 294 RBIs in five seasons with the Royals.
Last season, Pasquantino hit 32 homers and drove in 113 runs in 160 games.
Also Sunday, the Royals recalled outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha.
Rave, 28, is hitting .278 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 60 games with the Storm Chasers.
He batted .196 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 72 games last season with the Royals.
–Field Level Media
Brooks Koepka (hand) WDs from RBC Canadian Open
Thunder's Nikola Topic (back) expected to be ready for 2026-27 season
