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NFL

Sources: Ex-NFLer Hardy sets pro MMA debut

The UFC will take a serious look at signing former NFL defensive lineman Greg Hardy to an exclusive contract this summer.

Hardy, 29, has booked a heavyweight fight on June 12, on the “Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series,” sources said. It will mark Hardy’s professional MMA debut. He has posted an amateur record of 3-0.

The DWTNCS consists of a handful of live fights in Las Vegas. White, along with UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, offer at least one multifight deal with the UFC at the conclusion of each episode.

Greg Hardy hasn’t played football since 2015. He has won all three of his amateur MMA fights via first-round knockout. Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire

According to sources, Hardy will face Brandon Sayles (5-1) in the first episode of the upcoming season, which UFC officials have not formally announced. MMA Today first reported the news.

Hardy hasn’t played football since 2015. He was arrested in 2014 after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend. A domestic violence case against him was eventually dropped and expunged from his record. He pleaded guilty to an unrelated misdemeanor drug charge in 2016.

Hardy (0-0) fights out of American Top Team, in Coconut Creek, Florida. He has won all three of his amateur MMA fights via first-round knockout.

Soccer

Marcelo wasn't worried about reliving Barcelona's failure

Real Madrid defender Marcelo was relieved to avoid the same outcome as La Liga rival Barcelona after Wednesday’s thrilling Champions League quarter-final triumph over Juventus.

A day after Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League when Roma overturned a first leg defeat with a decisive 3-0 victory in Italy, Serie A leader Juventus nearly repeated a similar remarkable comeback until a stoppage-time penalty ultimately secured Real Madrid’s place in the semi-finals.

Marcelo admitted Barcelona’s stunning elimination was on his mind, but insisted his belief in Real Madrid’s ability to progress never wavered.

“What happened to Barcelona wasn’t going to happen to us because we’re Real Madrid,” he said, as translated by Marca.

“I said ‘imagine the same thing happening to us?'” he added, according to ESPN FC

“… We believed we could score a goal that would help us go through the round and we did it.

While Barcelona is on the verge of winning La Liga for the third time in four seasons, Real Madrid will have to get past either Roma, Liverpool, or Bayern Munich for a chance to win its third consecutive Champions League trophy.

NFL

Source: Foles gets raise in restructured deal

The Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Nick Foles agreed to a reworked contract Friday, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The restructured deal includes a $2 million signing bonus, incentives if he starts and hits certain benchmarks, and a mutual option for 2019. Foles was in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to make a base salary of $4 million this season.

2 Related

NFL Network first reported the contract restructuring.

Both parties would have to be on board to exercise the ’19 option. The move gives the Super Bowl MVP a pay bump and provides an avenue for Foles to remain in Philadelphia beyond this season, depending on circumstances.

Foles stepped in for the injured Carson Wentz, who tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams in December, and guided the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win.

He completed 73 percent of his passes in the postseason with six touchdowns and one interception, including three TD passes in a 41-33 win over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Wentz has set the 2018 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, Sept. 6, as his target return date. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Wentz said he is in the “running progression” stage of his rehab and is “feeling good with where I’m at” on the comeback trail.

Foles recently expressed the desire to be a starter again during an interview with a Texas ABC affiliate, while also highlighting the positives of remaining with the Eagles for another season.

“We love Philly. I know there was some stuff going around [about] a possible trade, and I would love the opportunity to be a starter again,” Foles said. “I know my spot in Philly. I think I’ve shown what I can do. I’m signed for one more year and I love the team, I love the city. I’m excited for Carson to get back on his feet. I’ll be ready to go whenever they need me. But we’ll see; just living in the moment.”

While some teams inquired about potentially trading for Foles at the beginning of the league year, the Eagles set the price high and no deal was struck.

Soccer

Italian, Catalan press blast late penalty decision that knocked Juventus out

The Champions League quarter-final encounter Wednesday featuring teams from Italy and Spain triggered another round of emotional reactions from the great footballing nations following Tuesday’s dramatics.

Juventus’ attempt to repeat the unlikely feat that Roma accomplished a day before against Barcelona ended in heartbreaking fashion. A controversial penalty, followed by the sending-off of legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, helped Real Madrid progress to the semi-finals.

Unlike the reaction that followed Roma’s triumph, the Italian press was up in arms over Juve’s elimination, while the outlook of Catalan papers contrasted with the views of other Spanish outlets that praised the tenacious Los Blancos. Here’s a look at the front pages and headlines (translated by Football Italia).

Related: Italian press hails Roma while Spanish papers lampoon Barca’s humiliating loss

Italy

‘What a robbery!’

Corriere dello Sport was outraged by Juve’s elimination, suggesting a non-existent penalty benefited Real Madrid and that referee Michael Oliver should be ashamed.

‘The rage and the pride’

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the penalty call that paved the way for Juve’s elimination was “very dubious.”

‘Not like that! Immense Juve go out’

Tuttosport saluted Juventus for putting up an admirable fight at the Bernabeu.

Spain

‘It was a penalty!’

Madrid-based outlet Marca, meanwhile, didn’t see what all the fuss was about and declared that Oliver made the correct call.

(Photo courtesy: Marca)

‘Master in refereeing’

Mundo Deportivo chose a somewhat controversial image of Medhi Benatia appearing to win the ball fairly for its front page. Although some accused the Catalan-based paper of photoshopping the image, it appears that Mundo Deportivo chose a picture of the incident after Benatia made contact with Lucas Vazquez.

‘The theft of the century’

Catalan newspaper Sport didn’t sugarcoat its opinion on the penalty decision, as it slammed Oliver’s call and subsequent sending-off of Buffon in what was expected to be the goalkeeper’s final Champions League match.

(Photo courtesy: Marca)

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Soccer