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Justin Gaethje Batters Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324

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The stage was set Saturday for Paddy Pimblett to continue his giant-killing run when he stood across from Justin Gaethje ahead of a lightweight thriller at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The 31-year-old has been on a statement-making run, defeating Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler in the last two years to cement his status at the top of the 155-pound division. But, against Gaethje, he was fighting someone who had made a career of running a gauntlet against the very best fighters of the planet.

On Saturday, though, none of that mattered. Gaethje did what he’s done all his life as he thrived in the chaos, battering Pimblett, before grinding out a bloody decision win after five nasty rounds of ultimate fighting.

Justin Gaethje Beats Paddy Pimblett

Pimblett got the party started before he even entered the Octagon, throwing his hands in the air and walking the cage with the energy of a man used to electrifying arenas. Fans in the crowd, wearing Pimblett-style wigs, bounced up and down. If it wasn’t clear through a fight week in which Gaethje appeared unusually bristled, now was the time it was clear — this was a Paddy party, and we were all invited.

Only Gaethje spoiled it.

Pimblett got dropped early in the fight and was left scrambling to recover, tasting Gaethje’s feral power again and again, until Pimblett was eventually able to get back to his feet. For the Brit, it would have been an embarrassing moment as he’s long said Scousers like him don’t get knocked out. And, judging from his recovery he might be right.

After referee Marc Goddard warned Gaethje about an eye-poke, telling him that’s one, and he wouldn’t be getting another, another war broke out with both guys trading their own fair share of solid strikes.

With Gaethje seeking the Hollywood finish, loading up on blows with bad intentions, Pimblett appeared more strategic, with leg kicks, and looking to fight his way into the bout, shaking off the bruising and the swelling to out-strategize the American.

With Gaethje seeking the Hollywood finish, loading up on blows with bad intentions, Pimblett appeared more strategic, with leg kicks, and looking to fight his way into the bout, shaking off the bruising and the swelling to out-strategize the American. But Gaethje hurt Pimblett again — late in the second, with the Englishman on the floor again, and then again … for the third time in the fight. At the end of the round, Pimblett could only retreat to his stool wearing a mask of blood.

Weeping blood in the third, Pimblett sought to get back into the fight with his jab, and threw combinations of shots, but was unable to find the opportunities to take him to the ground and take heed of his corner who implored him to not fight Gaethje’s fight — stand-up — and instead grapple on the mat. Just as Pimblett was in full striking flow, a knee cracked Gaethje on the cup and Goddard allowed the veteran a timeout. The break did little to thwart Pimblett’s momentum, and he kept punishing his opponent with leg kicks that Gaethje was yet to create a defense for.

The car crash nature of Gaethje’s attacks continued into the championship rounds, and Pimblett was unable to maintain the momentum from the third, unable to take Gaethje to the ground and force a different kind of fight, and unable to undo the 3-1 swing Gaethje had already built. It was Gaethje’s fight to lose, yet he stayed standing tall having prevailed in one of the most brutal, brilliant wars the UFC has ever seen.

Gaethje won with scores of 48-47, 49-46 x 2.

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Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Morgan Rogers After Fernandes and Summerville

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Manchester United are eyeing a move for a £100m star as they consider launching a £120m double transfer raid on West Ham United to sign Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, according to the Telegraph.

Man United have wrapped up their first signing of the summer already, with Ederson set to complete a move to Old Trafford next month after the Red Devils reached a full agreement to sign the Brazilian from Atalanta in a deal worth less than £40m.

United identified the central midfield position as their biggest transfer priority as they look to complete a major rebuild in that area following Casemiro’s departure, with Manuel Ugarte likely to join him through the exit door.

One more player will arrive in the position after Ederson, and it could even be two should Ugarte complete a move away, with full focus right now on signing Fernandes.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that United are in official talks with both the player and West Ham over a switch to Old Trafford, with the Portugal international keen on the move.

The Red Devils are also considering a move for the Netherlands international Summerville, which could see them launch a £120m bid for the Hammers duo.

Man United ‘Strongly Interested’ in Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers celebrates winning the Europa League final against Freiburg via Reuters

While United have interest in a potential double swoop on West Ham, they are also targeting a player from another English club in Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa.

The Red Devils had been linked with the England international earlier in the summer, but recent reports have suggested that Arsenal are the frontrunners for his signature and that the player is keen to join the Premier League champions.

However, a new report from the Telegraph says that United have ‘strong interest’ in signing Rogers as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

Michael Carrick and director of football Jason Wilcox have both worked with the 23-year-old ‘superstar’ in the past at Middlesbrough and Manchester City respectively, so the interest in him isn’t a shock.

Rogers’ £100m price tag is a big issue though, with United earmarking the majority of their summer transfer budget to bolster their midfield.

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Man United Winger Move Depends on Rashford

Marcus Rashford in action for England Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The report adds that any move for a winger, or a forward who can play out wide and centrally like Rogers, will depend on the future of Marcus Rashford.

The England international is available for £40m this summer due to a release clause, after Barcelona failed to activate their buy option on the forward.

The release clause is valid for everyone except Manchester City and Liverpool, with the Red Devils only willing to entertain permanent exits for the 28-year-old following his loan switch to Barcelona.

United need to offload the £325,000-a-week player if they are to be able to bring in a new forward, with Rashford keen on another move abroad following his successful spell at the Camp Nou.

Several Premier League clubs are thought to be monitoring his situation.

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Crystal Palace Target Celtic Midfielder Arne Engels in Summer Transfer

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Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a move to sign a Celtic star in the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri.

The Eagles will be looking to enjoy an impressive summer transfer window as they look to back new manager Pierre Sage, who joined the club earlier this month.

Sage came in to replace Oliver Glasner, and he has some big shoes to fill, considering the Austrian manager won three trophies during his time at the club.

Glasner decided to leave Selhurst Park at the end of his contract just days after they lifted the Europa Conference League title.

The former Palace boss often complained about the lack of ambition from the club in terms of recruitment, so it will be interesting to see how much they back Sage this summer.


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Crystal Palace Eyeing Celtic Man

Steve Parish

According to a report from Sky Sports journalist Tavolieri, Crystal Palace are in the race to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer transfer window.

Palace are hoping to convince Engels, described as ‘outstanding’ by former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, to join the club and beat Nottingham Forest to his signature.

Reports suggested last month that Engels is one to watch for the summer transfer window, with a departure from the club planned.

Although a Belgian international, Engels failed to make the World Cup squad for this summer.

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Palace May Need Midfield Reinforcements

Adam Wharton playing for England vs Albania

One of Crystal Palace’s priority positions in the summer transfer window could be to bring in a new midfielder for Sage.

Adam Wharton has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with reports claiming that Liverpool are plotting a move to secure his signature this summer.

Daichi Kamada is also out of contract, although Palace have confirmed they are in talks over a new deal. If both leave, they will be desperately in need of midfield reinforcements.

Palace also need to bring in players that are going to suit Sage’s style, so it could be a busy summer transfer window for the Eagles.

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Supercomputer Predicts Top 25 in Full

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The third major of the 2026 golf season, the US Open, is on the horizon.

The tournament, which will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, New York, begins on Thursday, June 18 and will conclude four days later on Sunday, June 22.

A tough week is in store for the best golfers in the world. The last time the tournament took place in Long Island was in 2018, and it was Brooks Koepka who battled his way to victory.

The American could only muster an overall score of one-over par, but that was enough for him to retain his title as he navigated the tricky conditions better than the rest of the field.

The tournament is expected to play very tough once again this year. On the eve of the tournament, GrokAI has been asked to predict the final top 25 in full, with the winner once again finishing over par.

25-11

Bryson DeChambeau at the 2026 US Open Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have both won the US Open before. The American won his maiden major title in 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club, before winning the tournament again in 2024. The Spaniard, meanwhile, was triumphant in 2021.

Despite their success in the tournament and being among the very best golfers in the world right now, AI is not expecting either player to challenge at the top of the leaderboard.

Koepka, who like DeChambeau has won two US Open titles before, is predicted to finish just outside the top 20 on +11, alongside compatriots Daniel Berger and Maverick McNealy.

Three players are expected to finish on +10, including European Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland, while Englishman Justin Rose is one of four players that AI thinks will end the tournament on +9.

Aaron Rai produced an incredible performance to win this year’s PGA Championship in May, becoming the first English winner of the tournament since Jim Barnes in 1919.

AI thinks that Rai, now 14th in the official world golf rankings, will finish just outside the top 10 at +8.

AI Predicts 2026 US Open Top 25 (25-11)

Final Position

Player

Nationality

Score

25

Bryson DeChambeau

United States

+13

24

Jon Rahm

Spain

+12

=21

Daniel Berger

United States

+11

=21

Maverick McNealy

United States

+11

=21

Brooks Koepka

United States

+11

=18

Viktor Hovland

Norway

+10

=18

Chris Gotterup

United States

+10

=18

Wyndham Clark

United States

+10

=14

Colin Morikawa

United States

+9

=14

Patrick Reed

United States

+9

=14

Sam Burns

United States

+9

=14

Justin Rose

England

+9

=11

Aaron Rai

England

+8

=11

JJ Spaun

United States

+8

=11

Patrick Cantlay

United States

+8

10-1

Scottie Scheffler at the 2026 US Open Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Scottie Scheffler is bidding to win the career Grand Slam this week. The world number 1 has triumphed at the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, but the US Open continues to allude him. He has finished inside the top seven on four occasions, but is yet to reign supreme.

Scheffler, considered one of the best golfers ever, has been in good form during 2026, but he has only won once – all the way back in January when he won The American Express.

AI doesn’t think he will become just the seventh player in golf history to complete the Grand Slam this week, as he’s predicted to finish on +6 alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Xander Schauffele, and one shot clear of Ludvig Aberg and SI Woo Kim.

Cameron Young has finished in the top four of all four majors, but he is yet to win his first one. AI thinks it’ll be another near-miss for the American at Shinnecock Hills as he finishes +5, alongside former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick.

European Ryder Cup stalwarts Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are predicted to finish at +4, one shot off the eventual winner. The latter has form at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, having finished second in the 2018 US Open.

AI thinks that Russell Henley will break through and win his first major title this week. The 37-year-old has been in brilliant form this year and won the Charles Schwab Challenge just a few weeks ago. Explaining why it thinks Henley will be the surprise winner this year, GrokAI said:

“World #5 with elite precision irons, driving accuracy, and recent form. He led after Round 1 here in 2018 and is built for firm, windy setups like this. A deserving first major.”

AI Predicts 2026 US Open Top 25 (10-1)

Final Position

Player

Nationality

Score

=9

Ludvig Aberg

Sweden

+7

=9

Si Woo Kim

South Korea

+7

=6

Tyrrell Hatton

England

+6

=6

Xander Schauffele

United States

+6

=6

Scottie Scheffler

United States

+6

=4

Cameron Young

United States

+5

=4

Matt Fitzpatrick

England

+5

=2

Rory McIlroy

Northern Ireland

+4

=2

Tommy Fleetwood

England

+4

1

Russell Henley

United States

+3

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