New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg will face former champion Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light-heavyweight title at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday.
The 35-year-old enters the Octagon at the Kaseya Centre riding a formidable nine-fight win streak.
This championship opportunity arises after Brazilian star Alex Pereira vacated the 205lb belt to move up to the heavyweight division.
While the bout represents the pinnacle of his sporting career, the surging contender credits a turbulent upbringing for his elite resilience.
Forged in foster care
Moving between dozens of different families from the ages of four to 13, the challenger experienced a remarkably challenging childhood.
He acknowledges that while some households provided stability, others left him facing daily physical abuse from fellow foster children.
That’s what has created me into this space that I am now and it’s a good thing. That’s what’s brought the best out of me.
I grew out of that kind of feel-sorry-for-yourself mentality and started to just push forward, and that’s what built a resilience in me.
An unconventional path to the top
The Auckland native has lived an exceptionally diverse life before focusing entirely on mixed martial arts.
Known for his explosive athleticism, the former reality television star previously played semi-professional rugby league and competed in professional boxing.
He believes experiencing such a wide spectrum of family dynamics during his youth ultimately fostered a crucial sense of empathy and open-mindedness.
I was really understanding at that age how different families would be, how loving some would be.
I guess it just made me understand people. It just made me open-minded.
The final hurdle in Miami
Standing between him and championship glory is the formidable Czech fighter Prochazka.
Ranked third in the division, the New Zealander has frequently visualised the moment the referee raises his hand in victory.
When I get that belt raised, it’s gonna feel amazing because time will flash at that moment.
When you’re visualising it you just know you’ll be thinking back to the times you had and the stresses – the physical stress, the emotional stress and everything that you’d gone through.
Arsenal can move 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League if they defeat Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Mikel Arteta has urged supporters to create a hostile atmosphere as the title race enters its defining stage.
The north London club host Andoni Iraola’s rested side knowing a vital home victory puts immense pressure on chasing Manchester City.
“The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us,” Arteta said.
Capitalising on the schedule
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions face a difficult trip to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Playing a day earlier provides the current table-toppers with a golden opportunity to dictate the weekend’s narrative.
Four points from their next two league fixtures would leave the title contenders on the verge of securing a monumental domestic crown.
However, an unexpected defeat to the Cherries could allow their main rivals to significantly close the gap with games in hand.
“It’s an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, and let’s go all together for it,” the Spaniard added.
Fatigue factors and squad depth
The visitors arrive with a distinct physical advantage having not played a competitive fixture since late March.
In stark contrast, the hosts endured a taxing European tie in Portugal on Tuesday evening.
That grueling travel schedule has severely reduced preparation time for this demanding domestic encounter.
Consequently, the home dugout is expected to play a pivotal role in deciding the final outcome.
No squad in Europe’s top five divisions has recorded more goal involvements from substitutes this campaign.
Key attacking figures Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka continue to be assessed ahead of the vital clash.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli could be deployed in a specialised finishing role from the bench to exploit tiring legs late in the game.
Paul Pogba has made his first competitive appearance of 2026, returning from a calf injury as a second-half substitute during Monaco’s 4-1 defeat by Paris FC on Friday.
The 33-year-old midfielder entered the field with 21 minutes remaining at Stade Jean-Bouin and received a warm reception from both sets of supporters.
His introduction provided a rare positive note on a difficult evening for the visitors.
Goals from Ciro Immobile, Luka Koloesho and a Jonathan Ikone brace ultimately secured a resounding victory for the home side.
World Cup ambitions reignited
The French World Cup winner had previously managed just three appearances during his initial comeback in November before suffering a significant calf setback.
With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, his return to fitness has immediately prompted discussions among supporters regarding a potential international recall.
During his 21-minute cameo, the former Juventus playmaker completed 21 of his 25 passes and successfully executed three long balls.
“It feels good to be back here at this stadium, honestly, it’s nice to see this again.”
Paul Pogba
“I just want to get back in shape and help my team as much as possible to achieve our goal, which is the Champions League.”
Champions League chase continues
Monaco currently sit fifth in the Ligue 1 table with five matches remaining in the 2025-26 season.
Manager Sébastien Pocognoli is hoping his returning star can provide the crucial creativity needed to secure European qualification.
“We’re seeing what’s happening in training, and against a deep-lying defense, I think Paul has the ability to bring that technical touch and a spark.”
Sébastien Pocognoli
However, the head coach acknowledged that conceding a fourth goal shortly after the substitution altered their tactical approach for the final stages.
Arsenal and Manchester City are bracing for a pivotal April in the Premier League title race, a month that historically favours the reigning champions over the current leaders.
The Gunners currently hold a nine-point advantage at the summit with seven games remaining, aiming for their first league crown since 2004.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side boast a vital game in hand and possess vast experience in navigating the relentless pressure of a season finale.
The two title contenders will collide in a monumental showdown at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 19 April, in a fixture that could effectively decide the championship.
Contrasting April fortunes
Statistical analysis reveals a stark contrast in springtime form between the two managers, making this upcoming period uniquely treacherous for the North London outfit.
April stands as Manchester City’s most successful month under their Catalan manager in terms of win percentage, while simultaneously ranking as the worst month during Arteta’s tenure at the Emirates.
The Manchester club have secured an astonishing 30 victories from 38 April fixtures under their current boss, netting 102 goals at a devastating rate of 2.7 per game.
March traditionally favours the current league leaders, which perfectly contextualises how they recently extended their impressive advantage at the top of the table.
Managers demand perfection
Both bosses recognise the razor-thin margins for error as the campaign reaches its climax, with crucial fixtures scheduled for this weekend.
Arsenal have the opportunity to stretch their lead when they host Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off, before the title holders travel to sixth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.
“We need to get a lot of points,” said Guardiola. “We have not been consistent enough in the season.”
The former Barcelona manager stressed that his squad cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to claw back the deficit.
“We have dropped points that we should have taken, which is why we are now in the position where we cannot do it differently. We have to win every single game.”
Meanwhile, the former City assistant manager is desperate to guide his current squad over the line after finishing as runners-up in recent seasons.
“The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases,” admitted Arteta. “Tomorrow is a big day for us.”
The Spanish tactician issued a rallying cry to the club’s supporters ahead of their crucial weekend fixture.
“It is an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch and let’s go altogether for it because it has to be a big day.”
Victor Wembanyama has secured his eligibility for NBA postseason awards by playing his 65th game of the season during a 139-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The French centre delivered a dominant 40-point performance, adding 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks to seal the win.
Despite returning from a bruised left rib, the 22-year-old showed no signs of slowing down during his 26 minutes on the court.
“I tried to protect the injured rib as much as possible while still being respectful of the game,”
the towering defender explained to reporters after the match.
“It didn’t bother me that much, just a few times where it was a specific moment or specific hit where it was painful.”
Matching a Spurs legend
The basketball prodigy’s latest display marks his fifth game this season with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.
That achievement ties him with Hall of Famer David Robinson, who set the franchise record during the 1993-94 campaign.
San Antonio have been in formidable form recently, boasting an impressive 24-3 record since the mid-season All-Star break.
“I’m sure he’ll be sore tomorrow, but he made it out good,”
stated Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, praising his star player’s resilience following the commanding victory.
Questioning the 65-game rule
Reaching the mandatory appearance threshold makes the French international the clear favourite for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
However, he expressed empathy for peers like Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, who currently fall short of the required game count due to injuries.
Engaging with the media, the former top draft pick questioned whether total minutes played might offer a fairer metric than total games.
“Because a guy that plays 50 games, 35 minutes a game, that’s 50 times 35. That’s 1,750 minutes, right? And if a guy plays 75 games at 20 minutes, it’s 1,500 minutes.”
He then suggested that a threshold of 75% of the season, or approximately 62 games, might be a more logical benchmark for future campaigns.
At least 168 players, including recent Most Valuable Player award winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, were held out of Friday’s penultimate NBA regular-season fixtures.
All 30 franchises were in action for game 81 of the gruelling 82-game basketball schedule.
However, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets opted to rest all of their regular starters.
The Memphis Grizzlies were among the most severely depleted rosters, with 14 squad members absent through injury or illness.
Focus shifts to the postseason
The Thunder have already secured the number one overall seed for the upcoming Western Conference playoffs.
Head coach Mark Daigneault insisted his squad had earned the right to manage their physical workloads.
“If we didn’t clinch coming into tonight, everybody would be playing.”
Mark Daigneault explained to reporters before tip-off.
The situation remains slightly different for the Nuggets and their Serbian superstar.
Award eligibility drives playing time
Denver entered the weekend still battling for vital playoff seeding.
Furthermore, their three-time league MVP requires one more appearance to meet the NBA’s strict 65-game threshold for end-of-season awards.
It is widely expected he will feature in Sunday’s finale to ensure his name remains on the official ballot.
San Antonio Spurs phenomenon Victor Wembanyama successfully cleared that identical hurdle on Friday night.
The French rookie needed to play precisely 20 minutes to reach his required 65-game total.
“If I had 65 games before, I for sure wouldn’t have played.”
Victor Wembanyama admitted after logging 26 minutes on the court.
The towering center still managed to deliver a breathtaking performance, finishing with 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Record-breaking shooting in Boston
Elsewhere across the league, the Boston Celtics equalled an all-time NBA record by sinking 29 three-pointers.
It marks only the fourth time in league history a franchise has hit that astonishing number from beyond the arc.
“Hopefully, we didn’t use them all up in one game.”
Joked Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla following the historic shooting display.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors utilised their penultimate fixture to fine-tune their starting lineup.
Head coach Steve Kerr reunited veteran mainstays Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as the team prepares for the high-stakes play-in tournament.
Two-time WNBA scoring champion Brittney Griner is finalising a seven-figure deal to join the Connecticut Sun ahead of their 2027 relocation to Houston.
The blockbuster transfer was initially reported by Sun sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby and subsequently confirmed by multiple sources.
This move carries added significance for the 35-year-old, as the Connecticut franchise is currently preparing to move to her Texan hometown in three years.
A fresh start after statistical dip
The impending transfer marks the beginning of another transitional phase for the 6-foot-9 forward.
She departed the Phoenix Mercury last season to join the Atlanta Dream, leaving the only WNBA organisation she had ever previously represented.
However, her recent stint in Georgia proved challenging within an offensive system that prioritised a rapid pace and high-volume perimeter shooting.
The 10-time All-Star recorded career lows across almost every major statistical category, averaging just 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
An elite basketball pedigree
Despite a quieter recent campaign, the three-time Olympic gold medallist boasts one of the most decorated resumes in women’s basketball history.
Over her 12-year professional career, she has secured a WNBA championship and consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The Sun will now hope her formidable interior presence can propel them toward championship contention before their permanent move to the South.
Real Madrid suffered a major blow to their La Liga title hopes following a controversial 1-1 draw against Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Federico Valverde opened the scoring with a distance strike early in the second half before Thomas Lemar secured a point for the visitors just 11 minutes later.
The defining moment arrived in the closing stages when Kylian Mbappe appeared to be struck in the face by defender Vitor Reis inside the penalty area.
Arbeloa furious with refereeing standards
Referee Javier Alberola dismissed the late appeals and the Video Assistant Referee opted against intervening.
Speaking after the match, Alvaro Arbeloa expressed his disbelief at the officiating and suggested a pattern of questionable decisions against his side.
“For me it’s a penalty from here to the moon,” Arbeloa said.
“I don’t understand it, and I don’t think anybody does. You know my opinion about referees, and the facts maintain it.”
Bernabeu unrest amid poor domestic form
Home supporters voiced their frustration at the final whistle following a third consecutive match without a victory for the Spanish giants.
The dropped points leave them six points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona, who also hold a crucial game in hand.
Despite the recent slump in form, Arbeloa refused to criticise the attacking output of his superstar forwards.
“I can’t worry about players with the figures Mbappe and Vinicius Junior have,” he added.
“They’re two of the four or five best players in the world.”
Bellingham returns as European test looms
One positive for the hosts was the return of Jude Bellingham to the starting lineup following a recent injury layoff.
Arbeloa noted that the England international looked agile and confident as he regained vital match fitness.
The squad must now regroup rapidly ahead of a pivotal trip to Germany next Wednesday.
They will face Bayern Munich looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final second leg.