Sean O’Malley is still less than two weeks removed from a dejecting submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili, but the UFC star already thinking about his next fight.

O’Malley met Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316, in hopes of reclaiming the bantamweight title. However, he suffered a decisive submission loss to the champion. It was his second loss in a row to the Georgian, after surrendering the belt with a decision loss last September.

On Monday, O’Malley appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show, where he opened up on his loss to Dvalishvili for the first time.

During the interview, Helwani asked the former champ if he knows who he wants to fight next. O’Malley admitted he has a name in mind, but didn’t specify who.

“Yes,” he said when asked if he knows who he wants to fight next. “I mean, we’ll see. We’ll see how I feel this week.

“Just depends on how I feel. The date depends on how I feel. There’s a lot to unravel. As of right now, I’m chilling, recovering, hanging out.”

Kamaru Usman’s title dreams are still alive in 2025.

The former UFC Welterweight Champion had a long road to get back into the win column. After nearly four years and a three-fight losing skid to Leon Edwards (twice) and Khamzat Chimaev, Usman returned in the main event of UFC Atlanta where he notched a dominant decision win over Joaquin Buckley.

His #5 ranking intact, Usman has set his sights on a title fight next.

However, Usman could be a ways from a title opportunity as champion Jack Della Maddalena will more than likely defend his title against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev later this year.

In the meantime, a UFC legend has suggested Usman fight someone else for the next title shot and he knows just the guy.

Chael Sonnen thinks Kamaru Usman should fight ‘alpha male’ Shavkat Rakhmonov in title eliminator

Shavkat Rakhmonov is the #3-ranked UFC Welterweight contender and holds a perfect 19-0 record.

Rakhmonov won a title eliminator bout against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 after then champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from a title defense. Unfortunately for Rakhmonov, injuries got in the way of a title fight, leaving him on the sidelines ever since.

Three-time UFC title challenger and analyst Chael Sonnen thinks the 38-year-old Usman should make a play for the undefeated contender.

“If you’re trying to get right to the title… I think one strategy, because I do believe Shavkat to be the true number one contender,” Sonnen said on Good Guy / Bad Guy.

“I do believe when Shavkat comes back, he’s probably gonna walk right into a title fight. I do believe between Islam [Makhachev] and Jack [Della Maddalena], I think Shavkat is the alpha male in that room

“I just think he’s the right size, and I think he matches up really well. I offer you that because I think that Kamaru could come out publicly and start going after Shavkat, saying let me fight him. Let me fight him for a number one contendership, of which if he won, I think he would be granted [a title shot].”

Sonnen continued.

“But even absent of getting that fight, should Shavkat walk right into a title fight, Usman’s now still aligning himself with one of the top two guys.

“I think strategy-wise, if he could align himself properly with Shavkat, and nobody’s gonna ask for that job. Nobody out there’s gonna ask to fight Shavkat. If he could come in and somehow get some business with him, it could pay off big.”

Shavkat Rakhmonov has fought once in the last 500 days

While one of the scarier contenders at 170 lbs with a 95% finish rate, injuries have kept Rakhmonov out of the Octagon.

Rakhmonov reportedly fought at UFC 310 last December with a torn MCL where he defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision.

Prior to that, ‘Nomad’ hadn’t fought in a year with his last fight coming against Stephen Thompson in Dec. 2023.

Time will tell when we’ll see Shavkat Rakhmonov back in action.

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Heidrick actually opens the show by taking a moment to talk about the WNBA. “First and foremost, Caitlin Clark missed five games for the Fever, and it has been a struggle for them,” Heidrick says. “But she was back … [with] 32 points in her big return. … She got hot, she found a rhythm.” Per Heidrick, the Fever needed that.

Later on, Heidrick discusses the implications of the House settlement and how it will affect current and former college athletes. “The NCAA is going to pay almost $3 billion in back damages over the next 10 years to athletes who competed in college at any time from 2016 to the present day,” Heidrick informs listeners. She goes onto provide more context for this massive update, including how the funding will be allocated and which programs will benefit the most from this settlement.

Save 30% when you preorder “Becoming Caitlin Clark”

Howard Megdal’s newest book will be released this June! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.

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Heidrick closes out the show by discussing how roster limits, another aspect of the House settlement, will affect some women’s sports. Per Heidrick, unless some teams and programs find other ways to generate revenue, “someone is going to get left behind.” As Heidrick warns, “there are going to be cuts, people are going to feel this, because that money just does not grow on trees.”

Make sure to subscribe to the Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast to keep learning about women’s college basketball, the WNBA, basketball history and much more!

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For years, his face was synonymous with charm on American television. Eric Dane, the actor who brought to life the unforgettable Dr. McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy, has gone public with a diagnosis that offers no cure—but many questions. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, has transformed his life. But Dane is not giving up.

“I don’t think this is the end of my story,” the actor said in an interview aired Monday on ABC News’ Good Morning America.

In April, Dane revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS after a long stretch of medical consultations. It all began with a slight weakness in his right hand, something he initially attributed to fatigue. “I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued,” he recalled. But as the weeks went by, the deterioration became clear. What followed was a journey through multiple specialists, until nine months later, he received the diagnosis that would change his life.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively destroys motor neurons. It affects a person’s ability to move, speak, swallow, and eventually breathe. “I’ll never forget those three letters,” he said. “It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream.”

At 52, Dane spoke with honesty and vulnerability. He shared that only one of his arms is still functional, and he fears that the other will soon lose mobility as well. “I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either.” Though he is still able to walk, he worries constantly about losing strength in his legs. Alongside the fear, there is anger. “I’m angry because my father was taken from me when I was young, and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young.”

His personal history gives that fear an added emotional weight. Dane’s father died by suicide when he was only seven years old. Now, as the father of two teenage daughters, he faces the painful possibility that history might repeat itself in a different form.

In the interview, Dane recounted a heartbreaking moment during a boat trip with his youngest daughter. Once a competitive swimmer and water polo player, he jumped into the ocean—only to realize he could no longer generate enough strength to return to the boat. “I jumped into the ocean that day and realized I couldn’t swim and generate enough power to get myself back to the boat. I thought, ‘Oh god.’” It was his daughter who rescued him.

The experience shattered him. But even in that moment of anguish, he made sure his daughter wouldn’t carry that memory with her. “I made sure she got back in the water with her friend and continued on with the snorkeling. But I was just heartbroken.”

In the midst of this struggle, Dane has found comfort in someone important: Rebecca Gayheart, his former partner and the mother of his daughters. Though they were once separated, they now maintain a close and supportive relationship. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents. She is my biggest champion and most stalwart supporter.”

News of his diagnosis was first shared in an interview with People and later covered by The New York Times, which highlighted not only his career but also his resolve to keep going. Despite his physical decline, Dane plans to return to the set of Euphoria, where he plays Cal Jacobs. He also has a new series on the way: Countdown.

His response to the disease defies the stereotypes often associated with ALS. Rather than retreating, he chose to be visible. Rather than stopping, he plans to move forward. “There’s so much about it that’s out of my control… All I want to do is spend time with my family, work a little if I can, and make sure that I tell them that I love them every day.”

Stories like his put a human face on a disease that, according to Good Morning America, affects around 5,000 people each year in the United States. And while the famous Ice Bucket Challenge raised $200 million a decade ago, the path to a cure remains long.

Amid it all, Dane holds onto something that transcends his acting career: “I don’t feel like this is the end of me.”

Albury swim star Sienna Toohey after her win in the women’s 100 metres breaststroke at the national selection trials in Adelaide on 10 June, securing her place at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore next month. Photo: NSWIS.

The father of Albury swimming sensation Sienna Toohey has described his daughter as a “champion kid” – in and out of the pool – after her stunning win at the Australian selection trials in Adelaide on 10 June.

The 16-year-old claimed the women’s 100m breaststroke with a personal-best time of 1:06.55, securing her spot at the world titles in Singapore next month (27 July to 3 August).

Paris 2024 Olympian Ella Ramsey entered the event as the favourite but was pipped at the post by the Albury Swim Club member.

“She swam beautifully,” said proud dad Damian Toohey, who is the principal at Albury High School.

“She was in good form going in [to the trials], she’s put in a lot of hard work and it’s taken a big commitment – but it’s paid dividends.

“It’s been a great couple of days for her and she got very emotional after that race because it’s just such a massive goal to swim for Australia. When you reach that, it’s almost overwhelming.”

Mr Toohey said Sienna had spent the past six weeks travelling back and forth to Canberra with her mum, Simone, for more intensive training at the AIS’s ACT Performance Hub with head coach Shannon Rollason.

The pair would leave on a Sunday night and return Thursday, in time for Sienna to hand in school work and assignments and reconnect with her family and friends for the weekend, he said.

But it’s been the support of long-term Albury Swim Club coach Wayne Gould, 71, miles upon miles of laps in the local pool, surrounded by an incredible swim “family”, that has helped hone this young superstar’s skills, according to Mr Toohey.

He recalls the early days when the family would head off to the Albury pool on a Friday night with Sienna and her brothers Archie, now 18, and Jed, now 13, in tow.

All keen swimmers, the kids went down the “well-trodden path” from Gould Swim Academy to the Albury Swim Club where Sienna would eventually land with accomplished breaststroke coach Jo Gibbs at the age of nine … and the stage was set.

“Jo always said, ‘Don’t push them too hard too early’,” Mr Toohey recalled.

“We could turn her into an out-and-out champion right now but …

“So Sienna was doing PSSA [Primary Schools Sports Association] events and training three or four times a week – she wasn’t flogged but just developed technique and she loved her swimming.”

Sienna was already winning medals for swimming at state level but at the same time she was also proving a highly talented water polo player, under the tutelage of none other than Wayne’s daughter Kristy, Mr Toohey said.

She played for Albury team Pool Pirates and two years ago made the Australian Under-15 water polo squad.

But there came a time when the “big decision” had to be made, he added.

Sienna came to the attention of former Australian Olympic head swimming coach Leigh Nugent, who worked with Wayne and Sienna and encouraged her at 13 “to have a crack” towards realising her potential.

It’s been an incredible journey of dedication, discipline and determination ever since.

In an interview with the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) after her incredible achievement, Sienna said she was “very happy” with herself.

“I really wanted to make the national team, and I knew that if I didn’t make it in the 100m, I always had the 50m tomorrow,” she said. “But I’m definitely happy that I’ve done it now.”

Sienna has now sealed her place in the Dolphins squad that will compete at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

Her parents revealed they had not quite been prepared for this imminent overseas trip but their daughter was no stranger to international competition, having competed in Japan last year.

“She’s had unbelievable experiences and she has great people around her,” Mr Toohey said.

“There are a lot of people involved in getting Sienna to where she is, and the building blocks Swimming Australia have put in have provided incredible opportunities to get racing experience that build to winning a national-level race.”

Mr Toohey said there was no doubting the calibre of swimmers in the Albury-Wodonga and wider region.

“We are punching above our weight and the swim clubs do a great job,” he said.

“We love our sport on the Border and there are a lot of people putting in a lot of time and effort into training and supporting our kids.

“Sienna is very proud of coming from Albury and it’s a big thing to represent our community.”

For Sienna, it’s been a huge dream to be on the pool deck competing alongside role models she has idolised for many years, according to Mr Toohey.

She had been met with kindness from swimmers who had proven role models both in and out of the pool – “and every part of her said, ‘I want to be part of that’,” he said.

Describing his daughter as a “calm, loving kid who adores her brothers”, Mr Toohey revealed Sienna didn’t mind her downtime at home on the couch.

With a super-close circle of friends at Albury High, she was the type of person who was just as happy cheering on the success of others as she was striving for her own, he said.

But in the pool, this young girl now being hailed as the “future of Australian swimming” is a tenacious competitor.

“Leigh [Nugent] said she swims fearlessly – and I think that says it all,” Mr Toohey said.

GAME 2: AUSTRALIA 19 d ARGENTINA 11

Australia have notched up another win at the Men’s U20 World Championships in Croatia overnight, with a 19-11 victory over Argentina.

The Aussies shot out to an early lead in the first quarter, with two goals to the green and gold while managing to keep their opponents to one.

In the second quarter, the Australians managed five goals with the Argentinians slotting four into the back of the cage.

With the scores standing at 7-5 at half time, the Aussies were eager to up the ante in the second half.

A 6-4 third quarter saw the Aussies extend their lead to 13-9 heading into the last quarter, before a fourth quarter push saw them slot another six goals while keeping their opponents to two, the final score 19-11 in the Aussies favour.

GAME 1: AUSTRALIA 16 d COLOMBIA 11

Australia have opened their U20s World Aquatics Championships campaign with a strong 16-11 win over Colombia in Zagreb, Croatia.

Both teams took a conservative start to the match, working on their combinations to get things moving in the pool. A low scoring affair, Colombia would go on to hold a 2-1 lead at the completion of the first quarter.

That would all change in the second quarter when Australia came out firing with back-to-back goals to Daniel Magasanik and Zac Izzard startle their opponents, heading into the second half with a healthy 7-4 lead over their South American counterparts.

Head Coach Dragan Bakic’s men continued their dominance on the scoreboard in the second half and despite having less shots on goal, the Aussies defence held strong to run out 16-11 victors at fulltime.

Harper Stewart who was awarded Man of the Match, was impressed with his team’s performance.

“We had a really good preparation and it’s exciting. It was good to get those first game jitters out and I think a couple of the players felt the same.”

The team’s focus on building on their performances throughout the tournament was clear post match. As each match is crucial in the lead up to the crossover phase of the tournament.

“I felt like as a team our counter-attack was really good, but we’ve just got to fix a couple things defensively and I think we’ll be good for the rest of the games coming up.”

Australia will shift back into gear this evening when they meet Argentina this at 6:30pm AEST.

AUSTRALIAN 20&U MEN’S DRAW

Sunday 15 June | 6:30pm AEST | Australia v Argentina

Monday 16 June | TBC | TBC

Friday 20 June | TBC | Quarter-Finals

Saturday 21 June | TBC | Semi-Finals

Sunday 22 June | TBC | Finals

AUSTRALIAN 20&U MEN’S TEAM

Sam Bloomfield (Sydney Uni, NSW), Sean Bright (Queensland Thunder, QLD), Ashton Brown (Sydney Uni, NSW), Zac Izzard (Sydney Uni, NSW), Daniel Magasanik (Phoenix, VIC), Jake Martin (Fremantle, SA), Rex Palazzi (Cronulla, NSW), Ethan Payne (Cronulla, NSW), Oliver Purcell (UTS Balmain, NSW), Lewis Saupin (Sydney Uni, NSW), Thomas Serhan (UTS Balmain, NSW), Jamie Sharman (Sydney Uni, NSW), Harper Stewart (UNSW), Harry Tucker (UWA, WA), Cory Webber (Sydney Uni, NSW) Head Coach: Dragan Bakic