This is the Sportacados Discussion Thread, for talking about all things sports! Feel free to live-chat games, talk about the latest news and rumours, discuss sports history, and anything else that relates to watching other grown adults throw or hit a ball. Hateration is allowed, but try to keep it within the realm of light banter.
News and Results
- We had two of the biggest combat sports upsets of the year this Saturday. The heavily favoured British prospect Moses Itauma dominated most of his IBF heavyweight title match with Croatian veteran Filip Hrgovic, only for Hrgovic to take advantage and get the stoppage when Itauma became exhausted, scoring a ninth-round TKO. In the UFC, Song Yadong became the first man to stop Umar Nurmagomedov in a Shanghai fight night. Also in boxing, Chantelle Cameron defeated Mikaela Mayer to become the unified women’s super welterweight champion.
- Alex Palou clinched the IndyCar driver’s championship, winning his fifth title in six years. A tenth-place finish in Milwaukee was enough to seal the season title for Palou. This is also the 18th IndyCar championship for Palou’s team Chip Ganassi Racing. I don’t know much about motorsports, but that seems pretty good!
- Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar signed a record eight-year contract extension, which will pay him an average of $20.4 million per year. This makes him the highest-paid player in NHL history. Meanwhile, Winnipeg Jets goalkeeper Conor Hellyebuck has publicly requested a trad despite having four years left on his current deal. The Jets are not good, but it’s hard not to see a pattern of all the American players trying to move to the same 4-5 teams.
- In another sport with some possible transfer collusion, Liverpool have announced the signing of PSG and France standout Bradley Barcola. Manchester City are “reportedly closing in on” a big deal for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. Tottenham also reportedly had interest in Gakpo, but are shifting focus towards Everton player Iliman Ndiaye. It’s a lot of furor over a player who scored 7 goals last season.
- The US Open’s first day was eventful, as Novak Djokovic lost in a 5-set marathon to Emilio Navone, marking his first first-round Grand Slam exit in twenty years. Venus Williams also lost her first-round match, which began after midnight in the latest ever US Open start. It’s been a long time coming but we may be at the end of the 2000s generation of tennis stars.
- Speaking of the end of 2000s generation, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina National team this morning, after having won a World Cup and two Copa Americas with them. I don’t think anyone really expected Messi to make the next World Cup cycle, but it is a little sad his career ended sitting on the bench while his team embarrassed themselves against Spain.
Select Schedule (Times EDT, TV US/Canada)
Cricket
- Women’s ODI: England vs. Ireland (Tue 8:00 AM)
- Men’s T20: South Africa vs. Zimbabwe (Tue 8:00 AM)
FIBA
- Men’s World Cup Qualifying: Colombia vs. USA (Mon 7:00, DAZN)
- Men’s World Cup Qualifying: Argentina vs. Canada (Mon 7:10, DAZN/TSN5)
MLB
- Miami Marlins @ Washington Nationals (Mon 6:45 PM, FS1/Sportsnet)
- Philadelphia Phillies @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Mon 9:40 PM, ESPN Unlimited/TSN4)
- Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs (Tue 7:40 PM, TBS)
- St. Louis Cardinals @ LA Dodgers (Tue 10:10 PM, ESPN Unlimited/Sportsnet)
- Regional TV games
Soccer
- Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Arsenal (Mon 3:00 PM, USA/Fubo)
- La Liga: Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano (Mon 3:30 PM, ESPN Unlimited/TSN5)
- Canadian Championship: Supra de Quebec vs. Forge FC (Tue 6:00 PM, FS2/TSN2)
- DFB Pokal: HEBC Hamburg vs. Borussia Dortmund (Tue 2:45 PM, Fandango?/DAZN Canada)
- All fixtures
Other
- US Open tennis (see Avocado thread)
- Vuelta a Espana cycling (Tue, Peacock)
- NCAA Women’s Volleyball: Georgia @ Indiana (Tue 6:00 PM, FS1)
- UFC Dana White’s Contender Series (Tue 7:00 PM, Paramount+)