標籤: Alternatives

In the headliner of UFC 328, Sean Strickland entered as the underdog against UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev last Saturday. However, the prospects of conflict were nothing new for the Anaheim, California native. After a dominant performance in the first round where Chimaev controlled Strickland on the ground, it looked like the challenger was in for a long night.

Then Strickland (31-7) turned the tide in round two, as he scored several takedowns from the defending champion. Chimaev (15-1) suddenly looked vulnerable inside the octagon, with Strickland jabbing and landing a straight right hand. After five tough rounds, “Tarzan” won by split decision to become a two-time champion at 185 pounds and hand the Russian native his first defeat.

As Strickland enters his second reign as the Middleweight Kingpin, we look at who he might face in his first title defense.

joe pifer

“Bodybagz” has compiled an impressive 7-1 record since his UFC debut in 2022. Only one of those wins has come via decision. Joe Pfeiffer suffered a setback in February 2024 after losing a unanimous decision against Jack Hermansson. Since then, he has been on a four-fight winning streak, with three Performance of the Night bonuses. The Vineland, New Jersey native is coming off the biggest win of his career.

In March, he defeated former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO. As one of the top rising contenders at 185 pounds, Pifer is closing in on a title shot.

dricus du plessis

The native of Welcome, South Africa previously reigned as the 185-pound kingpin from 2024 to 2025. In two defenses of the UFC middleweight title, Darius du Plessis achieved victories over Adesanya and Strickland (in a rematch for the title). However, last August, “Stillknox” suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss against Chimaev and was deprived of the championship title.

Although Du Plessis may need a bounce-back win to get back into title contention, he remains one of the biggest names in the division.

Khamzat Chimaev

Although a rematch between Strickland and Chimaev is unlikely, they fought a very close and competitive match. Given his competitive nature, it is surprising that Chimaev might not choose to avenge his first professional defeat. The former UFC middleweight champion has been vocal about the difficulties he faced in losing weight at 185 pounds.

The native of the Chechen Republic, Russia will likely look to move up to light heavyweight. UFC boss Dana White also revealed that after the fight Chimaev told him he no longer wanted to compete at middleweight. But money talks, and he can always be persuaded to participate in a rematch.

Nasourdin Imavov

“The Sniper” is currently on a five-fight winning streak and is possibly the frontrunner for the title. Nasourdin Imamov scored a major upset TKO victory over Adesanya in February 2025. He followed that up with a wide unanimous decision win against fellow top-contender Caio Borralho last September. It was the only defeat of the Brazilian native’s UFC career since his debut in 2022.

Imavov previously met Strickland in January 2023, where he lost via unanimous decision. If they meet a second time, can Imavov change the narrative with the championship title at stake?

Born and raised in New York City, Jimmy Robles received a journalism degree from Queens College in 2017. Before… More About Jimmy Robles

While the New York Yankees classic jerseys are iconic in MLB circles, it seems like the team’s players are a little bored with the look and would like some alternatives.

There are only a few sports brands that are known not only nationally, but across the world. The Yankees are one of them. Caps and shirts bearing their branding are worn all over the world as the club has become synonymous with winning after bringing home 27 MLB championships.

The franchise is also one of the oldest in the United States, having first graced the diamond in 1903 as the New York Highlanders. Their famous pinstripes are almost as old and were introduced in 1912. It’s a vintage look that ownership loves, and they’re the only team in the league that doesn’t use alternate jerseys. Even their rivals for over 100 years, the Boston Red Sox, have alternate uniforms.

But times change. Last year, for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Yankees allowed their players to grow beards. It seems that the move in a more modern direction may have prompted New York’s players to request another major change for the team.

New York Yankees players want alternative road jerseys

According to The Athletic, “New York Yankees players recently showed off the team by wearing alternate jerseys for the first time in franchise history.”

Now, the pitch rarely had to stray far from their classic home pinstripes. Instead, a request was made to get different jersey options for road games. The Yankees have long worn gray uniforms with New York written on them for road games.

Furthermore, the pitch was not for them to indulge in the wild designs that other teams have used for the annual City Connect alternate jerseys. Instead, Yankees players asked for permission to use their navy batting practice jerseys as a substitute.

This seems like a reasonable request that doesn’t mess with their iconic home form and spice up a very boring presentation for road games. It will be interesting to see if the Steinbrenner family accepts their players’ petition.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

leicester city The scout was at FC Porto’s 2-0 win over Tondela on Sunday. However, it didn’t feel like a trip built around Porto’s major names.

record It was reported that Leicester was one of three English clubs represented at the Dragão, along with Stoke City and Wolverhampton. However, Fox isn’t buying from a position of comfort just yet.

Sitting 23rd in the Championship table after 43 matches and in real danger of dropping into League One, it changes the type of market they can realistically attack.

Porto still offers obvious quality. Gabriel Veiga changed the match from the bench, Victor Frohold scored again and Rodrigo Mora was one of the more lively players before the break.

However, these are names that top-flight clubs would also have written down. Froholdt has now scored in consecutive league matches, while Veiga’s profile has long been well ahead of the English second-tier side.

That’s the glamorous end of The Notebook. The more useful Leicester section could start on Tondela’s side.

Tondela looks like a more realistic market

If Leicester City are making summer plans based on financial caution and the prospect of third-tier football, Tondela’s team makes more sense.

One who stands out is Bernardo Fontes. The 23-year-old Brazilian-born goalkeeper, who holds Italian citizenship, saved a penalty and prevented a major loss.

He has been Tondela’s most consistent pillar this season, with over 20 league appearances, and already has a strong reputation by being named Liga Portugal’s second goalkeeper of the year in 2024–25.

Rodrigo Conceição is another man who fits into the more realistic Leicester conversation. He is 26 years old and has experience at right-back, including time spent with Portugal’s youth national teams. He is not a high-profile target, but he is a viable target for a club in need of reliability.

Brian Medina offers a different profile. The 24-year-old Colombian centre-back is left-footed, stands around 1.95 metres, and has already shown strong defensive numbers this season.

Juanes Rodriguez is more of a developmental bet. The 20-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder is on loan from LDU Quito. He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder. He is still in the early stages of his career. Nevertheless, his performances at this level keep him on the radar for clubs looking to build ahead of schedule.

There was also a name on the teamsheet that might have surprised some people. Joe Hodge stood in midfield for Tondela. As has been the case this season, he looked absolutely at home there.

Still only 23 years of age, he has carved out a regular starting role and has become one of the key parts in Tondela’s midfield structure. His path to this point has already been pretty well covered. He developed in the academies of Manchester City and Wolverhampton. After that, he stepped up to senior football with Wolves and spent time on loan at QPR and Huddersfield.

Tondela secured him from Wolves for a relatively modest fee, and now it looks like smart business. He brings consistency and experience at different levels of English football. Plus, he also brings the added bonus of counting as a domestic player in England. All of this makes him a very practical profile for clubs looking for reliable options rather than high-risk bets.

Porto’s names attract attention, but Tondela fits the reality

This is probably the main takeaway from a visit to Leicester City.

Yes, there was more attainable talent on display in Porto. Left-back Alberto Costa and young striker Deniz Gul could fall into the “cheaper” bracket compared to Veiga, Mora and Frohold. Still, if Leicester are indeed preparing for a tough summer, Tondela looks far more aligned with their situation.

Bernardo Fontes is at the forefront in that regard. He combines performance, consistency and timing. For a club in need of value and advancement, that seems like the kind of opportunity that won’t be available for a long time.

Ultimately it may be about identifying gems before others. In that sense, Tondela’s team may prove to be a more important achievement than this trip.