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Yan and Van’s wins at UFC 323 throw kinks into the MMA timeline

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Yan and Van’s wins at UFC 323 throw kinks into the MMA timeline


The final UFC pay-per-view of 2025 delivered two new champions who will enter the new year with golden hardware around their waists. Petr Yan and Joshua Van unseated Merab Dvalishvili and Alexandre Pantoja, respectively, and threw their divisions into a tizzy.

At men’s bantamweight, it’s hard to see Yan hold up a title belt and not wonder how things could have been different if the moment that he lost it by disqualification in 2021 had never happened. And at flyweight, a new hard-to-watch moment that resulted in an injury and a changing of the guard may end up affecting that weight class for quite some time.

Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim give their takeaways on how those moments have altered the timeline of the UFC.


What if Yan didn’t throw that knee?

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Petr Yan completes stunning win over Merab Dvalishvili

Petr Yan somehow pulls off the stunning upset in the main event of UFC 323 to defeat Merab Dvalishvili.

There is an alternate universe where Petr Yan did not throw an illegal knee against Aljamain Sterling and is considered an all-time great.

That illegal knee, man. I hate to go back and get stuck on it, but what a career-changing moment. Remember, Yan was genuinely considered one of the absolute best pound-for-pound fighters in the world at that time. He was 15-0. Undefeated. Perfect. He was cruising through Sterling in 2021 when he was disqualified for one of the most egregiously, unforgivable illegal knees in the sport’s history. And that single moment stuck with him for two years.

He went on to win an interim belt against Cory Sandhagen in his next bout then lost to Sterling via split decision in 2022 — in a fight I scored for Yan at the time. If we’re honest, it had to be a little hard for Yan to get up for that bout. He dominated Sterling in their first meeting. It was a “trap” kind of title fight, if there is such a thing. After that, a split decision loss to Sean O’Malley appeared to rob him of some of his competitive soul. By the time he fought Merab Dvalishvili in 2023, he was on a 1-3 run and, as he later admitted, injured. And he got run over.

None of this is to make excuses or create a false narrative, but in my opinion, Yan fell victim to a perfect storm of awful circumstances — the first of which, to be fair, he did to himself with the illegal knee. But if he never threw that knee and he’s never lost that momentum he was carrying in 2021, who is to say he wouldn’t have put together an all-time historic run? His fight against O’Malley would have been five rounds instead of three. He never would have had to face Sterling in a rematch that was probably hard to get up for. And he would have fought Dvalishvili the first time in a far different scenario.

Say I’m making things up. Fine. I stand by it. A single illegal knee changed the course of history in the bantamweight division, more than we have ever known. Because the fighter I watched on Saturday is a legit pound-for-pound talent. — Okamoto


The top of the men’s flyweight division changed in an instant

Tatsuro Taira was on a rocket ship headed to the top of the MMA world as he won the first 16 fights of his career, including six UFC victories. But then he lost a split decision to Brandon Royval in October 2024 and seemed to disappear from men’s flyweight contendership. Taira certainly made his presence felt in a big way on Saturday by knocking out Brandon Moreno, a former champion. That surely will boost the 25-year-old from Japan toward the top of the rankings.

It’s hard to say how long Taira will have to wait for a title shot, however, because in the very next fight at UFC 323, Alexandre Pantoja suffered a brutal injury seconds into his flyweight title defense and lost the championship to Joshua Van. A Pantoja loss by any other means likely would have resulted in an immediate rematch, since he entered the night with more title defenses than any current UFC champion. With the shoulder injury, however, Pantoja could be out for a while. And some of the other top-10 flyweights who had lost to Pantoja might suddenly be back in the running to challenge Van.

Taira has maybe the strongest case. Saturday’s victory was his sixth finish in the UFC. Perhaps even more impressive: It was the first time Moreno has been finished in 20 UFC fights. Pantoja didn’t do it in two fights with Moreno. Former champion Deiveson Figueiredo couldn’t in four tries. Taira’s opportunity to climb to the top spot seems imminent. — Wagenheim



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Liverpool’s Andy Robertson in talks over Tottenham transfer – sources

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Liverpool’s Andy Robertson in talks over Tottenham transfer – sources


Tottenham Hotspur have entered talks with Liverpool over a potential deal for defender Andy Robertson, sources told ESPN.

The left-back, who joined Liverpool from Hull City in 2017, is out of contract at the end of the season.

Earlier this month, Robertson admitted he was unsure where his long-term future lies and sources told ESPN that Tottenham have now made an approach to sign the 31-year-old, though no agreement has yet been reached.

Robertson has slipped down the pecking order for Liverpool this season following the £40 million ($54.1m) signing of Milos Kerkez in the summer, though sources told ESPN any move this month would have to be right for both the player and club.

Spurs’ interest in Robertson comes amid the club’s drive to add more experience and leadership to Thomas Frank’s misfiring team who sit 14th in the Premier League table.

“I’m a player who wants to play,” Robertson said earlier this month. “I’ve got five months left and we need to see what the option is to stay or if there’s options to go and things like that.

“I need to sit down with my family and decide. After a stressful summer, I’m just trying to enjoy being a part of it and being a Liverpool player.

“I wanted to qualify for the World Cup and thankfully, we’ve managed to do that. I need to see what myself and my family wants going forward.”

Incoming Liverpool transfers unlikely in January – Arne Slot
If Liverpool want to be successful, all roads lead through Szoboszlai

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank quells Micky van de Ven exit talk

Frank’s difficult start to life at Spurs as been hindered by a lengthy injury list that includes key first-team players such as Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, while the broken ankle suffered by Ben Davies has added to the Dane’s issues.

Destiny Udogie has been the team’s first-choice left-back since his arrival in 2023 but repeated muscular injuries have often made him unavailable for selection and Djed Spence has often deputised in the Italian’s place.

Should Robertson’s move to Spurs be completed, he would become the second left-back through the door at Hotspur Way during the January transfer window after Souza’s arrival from Santos in a €15 million deal on Thursday.

Robertson has made 363 appearances for Liverpool, winning a number of major honours including two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019.

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Transfer rumors, news: Saudi league eyes Salah, Vinícius Jr. plus 50 more

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Transfer rumors, news: Saudi league eyes Salah, Vinícius Jr. plus 50 more


The Saudi Pro League has big plans to sign Liverpool‘s Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid‘s Vinícius Júnior, while Arsenal and Chelsea have held talks about a potential move for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRANSFERS TO WATCH

TRENDING RUMORS

– The Saudi Pro League (SPL) wants to focus on signing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior this summer, according to The Daily Telegraph. Meanwhile, TalkSPORT claims they have plans to bring in 50 “peak-age foreign players” and a host of older players as well. The report names Salah and Vinicius Jr. as well as Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, and Manchester United midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. Al Ittihad could be one club in particular that is set for a major revamp with star players N’Golo Kanté, Fabinho and Karim Benzema potentially leaving.

Arsenal and Chelsea have held talks about a potential move for Atletico Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, according to TEAMtalk, with the 25-year-old growing increasingly frustrated by life at the Metropolitano Stadium. Alvarez’s preferred option would be to join Barcelona, and the Catalan club admire him, but their financial situation would complicate any potential deal. Paris Saint-Germain also like the Argentina international and are aware of his situation, while if Alvarez were to consider a move to the Premier League it would only be for a club based in London.

– Chelsea are considering a move to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz on loan for the rest of the season, says The Athletic. Luiz, 27, is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest and, despite not being a regular starter at the City Ground, the Brazil international is viewed as a player who can add quality and depth to the Chelsea midfield. Luiz’s loan at Forest includes a conditional obligation to sign him permanently based on a set number of appearances and a €30 million option if that number isn’t hit.

– Following Manchester United’s announcement that Casemiro will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires this summer, The Daily Mail has reported that LA Galaxy is one of the clubs to have shown an interest in signing the midfielder. The 33-year-old reportedly has interest from the Saudi Pro League, Brazilian Serie A and MLS, but his preference is to remain in Brazil, according to ESPN Brasil. Sources have also told ESPN that Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton and Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Carlos Baleba are three of United’s options to replace him.

– Liverpool see Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as an option for the summer transfer window if he becomes available, according to The Daily Mail. The 21-year-old could be the Eagles’ next big departure, after captain Marc Guéhi‘s £20 million move to Manchester City and the fact sources have told ESPN that star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta wants to leave. Even so, Liverpool will face competition from Real Madrid, Man United and a host of other top clubs for Wharton and will have to meet a valuation of around £80 million.

DONE DEALS

To follow…

EXPERT TAKE

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Why is Erling Haaland struggling to score for Man City?

The ESPN ‘FC TV’ crew breakdown the reasons why Erling Haaland is struggling to score for Manchester City.

OTHER RUMORS

– Corinthians defender Iago Machado, 16, is being tracked by Arsenal. (Globo)

– A final decision regarding Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is expected soon, with Roma among the clubs still wanting to sign the 24-year-old on loan. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Internazionale see Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as the perfect replacement for Yann Sommer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Fenerbahce have given the green light for Juventus to sign Youssef En-Nesyri on loan with an option to make the deal permanent. The package is worth €25 million plus bonuses and Juve are now in advanced talks with the striker. (Nicolo Schira)

– Juve haven’t given up on Jean-Philippe Mateta but have informed Crystal Palace that they won’t offer above €33 million for the striker. The proposal is a loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent if they qualify for the Champions League. (Nicolo Schira)

– PSV Eindhoven are reluctant to let winger Ivan Perisic join Internazionale, but the Nerazzurri‘s chances of completing a deal could improve if PSV don’t reach the Champions League playoffs. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Roma have made an offer to sign Al Shabab winger Yannick Carrasco on loan with an option to make the deal permanent. The 32-year-old would like to return to Europe but his wages could be an issue. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Bayer Leverkusen want to replace goalkeeper Mark Flekken, and the options being considered are Manchester City pair James Trafford and Stefan Ortega, plus Chelsea’s Filip Jorgensen. (Kicker)

– Crvena Zvezda midfielder Vasilije Kostov, 17, is being tracked by Arsenal in addition to receiving interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. (Mirror)

– Barcelona have finalized a deal for 18-year-old Al Ahly striker Hamza Abdelkarim, with it being a loan with the option to sign him for up to €3m while that figure could rise to €5m due to performance-related bonuses. (Mundo Deportivo)

– Juventus view Sevilla full back Juanlu Sanchez as a back-up to Pierre Kalulu if the club are open to a loan with an option to make the deal permanent. (Sky Sports Italia)

– Toulouse have rejected Wolfsburg’s raised offer of €23 million to sign defender Charlie Cresswell as they want over €30 million. (Athletic)

– Roma, Nice and Marseille have asked for information about 18-year-old Chelsea full back Genesis Antwi. (TEAMtalk)

– Nottingham Forest have agreed a loan deal with Napoli for 6-foot-7 striker Lorenzo Lucca, which includes an option to make the deal permanent for around €40m. (Athletic)

– Cruzeiro winger Kaua Prates, 17, has reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund. (Nicolo Schira)



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Urban Meyer tabs Rutgers as next program to match Indiana’s improbable CFP run

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Urban Meyer tabs Rutgers as next program to match Indiana’s improbable CFP run


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Indiana football claimed the school’s first-ever national championship earlier this week. The Hoosiers’ stunning rise has sparked questions about which program could be next.

Urban Meyer, who coached Florida and Ohio State to national championships, made his pick. The college football studio analyst believes Rutgers could be the next program to take the sport by storm, saying the Scarlet Knights are in prime position to become the “next Indiana.”

“Give me three programs that could be the next Indiana, meaning teams that are used to losing, have really bad records and can somehow rise from the ashes to become national champion,” Meyer said on “3 and Out,” a  podcast Meyer co-hosts alongside Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II and Rob Stone.

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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts with the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

The Hoosiers’ rise from college football’s most loss-laden program to dominance started last season, when Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington and coached Indiana to its first playoff appearance.

Indiana was defeated in the first round by last year’s eventual national champion runner-up Notre Dame. But the latest edition of the playoffs was a much different story. Indiana dominated Alabama in the Rose Bowl before soundly defeating Oregon in the semifinals.

The Hoosiers then outlasted Miami in this past Monday’s title game to secure a 16-0 record and claim the national championship trophy.

Rutgers football helmets

Rutgers Scarlet Knights football helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Oct, 7, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports)

Meyer worked with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano at Ohio State, with the current Rutgers head coach serving as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator for three seasons. In addition to the Scarlet Knights, Meyer also named Rice and Wake Forest as programs that could go from among the worst teams to the best.

INDIANA’S CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: A HISTORIC RUN BY THE NUMBERS

“I have no idea about Rice, no idea about Wake, but I’m going to throw them out there because if Indiana can, they can,” Meyer added. “But I will say Rutgers because Greg Schiano — who I’m biased; he’s a great friend and a great football coach — he had him in the top five in the country at one point in (2006).”

Urban Meyer looks on during a game

Urban Meyer on the sidelines prior to the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff between the Oregon Ducks and the Indiana Hoosiers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)

Rutgers got off to a 9-0 start in the 2006 season and surged to No. 7 in the AP Top 25. After winning the Texas Bowl, the Scarlet Knights finished the season ranked No. 12.

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Rutgers ended its most recent season with a 5-7 record. The school’s 708 defeats currently rank third on college football’s all-time list. Despite recent success, Indiana still leads college football’s all-time losses list. Rutgers is scheduled to play Indiana in 2026.

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” he said on Wednesday’s edition of his Triple Option podcast.





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