Sports
Dricus Du Plessis prefers Khamzat Chimaev to Sean Strickland rematch
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images UFC middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis said he would be “more excited” to fight Khamzat Chimaev than have a rematch with Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defeated Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) by split decision to win the title at UFC 297 in January in Toronto and was widely expected to face him again in his next title defense.
Du Plessis, however, turned his attention to Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) following the latter’s first-round win by submission over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
“We always knew that, between Rob and Khamzat, if it was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight,” Du Plessis said during an interview with the YouTube channel Radioraps that was posted Wednesday. “We have no clarity on that, but as a fan of the sport, and as the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that gets me more excited — taking somebody’s 0. I’ve beaten Strickland before, and I know I’ll beat him again.
“Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited. I think the whole world, the fans want to see it. The fans ultimately pay to watch the fights. So, the fight the world thinks is the best next fight, that’s what I want. I think the Khamzat fight is 100 percent what I want. The UFC is going to do what they’re going to do, but from a fan perspective and from a fighter’s perspective, I think Khamzat should get the next shot.”
Du Plessis’ coach, Morne Visser, expressed a similar sentiment on Instagram.
“We want Khamzat next in February,” Visser posted. “Prepare to be amazed once again.”
Du Plessis last fought at UFC 305 in August in Australia, where he submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round in his first title defense.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Timo Werner's brace propels San Jose past St. Louis City
Apr 22, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal against Austin FC in the second half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images Timo Werner’s brace late in the second half Saturday night enabled the visiting San Jose Earthquakes to rally for a 3-2 win over St. Louis City SC.
San Jose (9-1-0, 27 points) trailed 2-1 when Werner went to work. After Conrad Wallem was called for a foul in the box, Werner went to the spot and wired his shot into the upper left corner past Roman Burki in the 69th minute.
Fourteen minutes later, Werner supplied the match-winner with Ousseni Bouda providing service to the left side of the box. Werner’s right-footed shot found the mark, enabling the Earthquakes to improve to 6-0-0 on the road and maintain MLS’ best record.
San Jose overcame an early injury to goalie Earl Edwards Jr., starting his first match of the year, that forced coach Bruce Arena to insert Daniel in the 24th minute. Edwards made two saves and Daniel finished with one.
St. Louis (1-5-3, 6 points) controlled the ball most of the night, compiling a possession rate of 56.4%, and finished with a 17-10 advantage in shots. It converted those numbers into a second-half lead, thanks to Marcel Hartel.
In the 52nd minute, Hartel’s slick feed in the box teed up Sergio Cordova for his first goal to level the match. Hartel then put St. Louis ahead 2-1 when Simon Becher collected a turnover and fed him at the top of the box. Hartel’s curling shot slithered between Daniel and the right post.
It was precisely that kind of scoring St. Louis has lacked in struggling out of the gate. It came into the fixture with only seven goals. Hartel said on Thursday that finding ways to finish was a focus of the team during training this week.
St. Louis drove play early but the Earthquakes scored first. Striker Preston Judd turned Nick Fernandez’s pass into the middle of the box into his team-high sixth goal eight minutes into the match, a margin they carried into halftime.
The result was San Jose’s first victory in seven all-time meetings with St. Louis.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Phillies snap 10-game skid with extra-inning defeat of Braves
Apr 25, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) runs to third on an RBI triple against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday to end their 10-game losing streak.
After Tyler Kinley (3-1) started the inning with a walk and left-hander Jose Suarez walked the first batter he faced, Harper, who was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, lined a sinker into left to drive in automatic runner Garrett Stubbs and Trea Turner. Brandon Marsh followed with a two-run single to widen the lead and help the Phillies win their first game since April 13.
Brady Keller (1-0) retired all four batters he faced, and Kyle Backhus pitched the 10th, allowing one run on two hits.
Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since August 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out six. He left after throwing 84 pitches.
Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, striking out two.
The Phillies scored a run in the first inning when Harper walked with two outs and scored when Adolis Garcia lined a ball to left field that Mike Yastrzemski missed on a dive for an RBI triple.
Philadelphia scored another run in the fourth inning when Bryson Stott smacked a triple off the right-field brick wall to score Brandon Marsh.
Atlanta tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Harris II hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and Austin Riley followed with an RBI double, knocking in the 500th run of his career.
The Phillies regained the lead in the fifth. Rafael Marchan singled and came around to score on Harper’s infield single which snapped Philadelphia’s 0-for-18 drought with runners in scoring position against the Braves this season.
The Braves took their first lead in the sixth, scoring twice against reliever Tanner Banks on an RBI double from Ozzie Albies and a run-scoring single from Harris.
The Phillies evened the game 4-4 in the eighth against Dylan Lee. Kyle Schwarber tripled when center fielder Eli White slipped on the wet turf and allowed the ball to get past him. He scored on Harper’s sacrifice fly.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo (leg), Anthony Edwards (knee) exit early in win over Nuggets
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates after a three-pointer during the second half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was ruled out after injuring his lower right leg in the first quarter and was late joined on the sidelines by injured teammate Anthony Edwards in the first half of Saturday’s 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their playoff series in Minneapolis.
DiVincenzo sustained the injury on a non-contact play 79 seconds into the game. He planted his foot to go toward a loose ball, and he quickly went down as he grabbed toward the back of his right leg.
The team ruled out DiVincenzo before the end of the first quarter. ESPN reported that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, hasa torn right Achilles.
Edwards, a four-time All-Star, appeared to hyperextend his left knee while leaping to defend Nuggets wing Cam Johnson’s drive to the basket with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly and grabbed his left knee. Edwards was helped to the locker room.
Minnesota ruled him out for the rest of the game just after halftime. Edwards, who had five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes, is slated to get an MRI to determine the injury’s severity.
The Timberwolves lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, with Game 5 on Monday in Denver.
DiVincenzo averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 37.9% from 3-point range during the regular season. He averaged 14.3 points in the first three games of the playoff series against the Nuggets.
-Field Level Media
