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Mixed martial artist Phil Davis, who won an NCAA wrestling title at Penn State, has sued UFC, bringing a new antitrust claim against the promotional company. Davis' suit claims that UFC was unfair to fighters by limiting them from signing with other organizations, according to ESPN.
"I am proud to stand up for professional MMA fighters to unlock the UFC's stranglehold on the entire sport," Davis said in a statement to ESPN.
The antitrust suit is one of two filed recently against UFC, which last year settled a $375 million claim that dated to 2014. Davis' suit was filed by the same firm that negotiated the settlement.
"The suit alleges the UFC impairs the ability of would-be UFC competitors to attract a critical mass of top-level MMA fighters necessary to compete with the UFC at the top tier of the sport," Eric Cramer, the lawyer representing Davis, said in a statement to ESPN. "We intend to prove that the UFC engaged in a predatory scheme to undermine would be competitors to the UFC, which the suit claims had the effect of maintaining and enhancing the UFC's dominance, and thereby impairing the careers and pay not just of the UFC's own fighters, but also of professional MMA fighters like Mr. Davis competing for MMA promotions across the MMA industry."
Davis, 40, competed exlusively with UFC for five years, according to ESPN. He then signed with Ballator and now fights in the PFL, which acquired Bellator in 2023. Davis recently made his promotional debut with PFL, defeating former light heavyweight champ Tom Wilkinson.
PHIL DAVIS SHUTS DOWN WILKINSON! SEMIFINALS BOUND!
— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 2, 2025
[ #PFLWorldTournament LIVE NOW ESPN2 ] pic.twitter.com/uMthChy9IF
Davis, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was a four-time All-American at Penn State and 2008 national champion at 197 pounds. He went 116-20 in his career with the Nittany Lions. Davis also made the NCAA final in 2006. Davis compiled a 17-5 record in the NCAA Championships.
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Top Micah Parsons landing spots as Cowboys' contract talks deteriorate
The relationship between superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys doesn't appear to be improving. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that the two sides were moving backward in their contract negotiations. On Friday, Parsons posted on his social media that he had requested a trade out of Dallas. However, The Athletic's Dianna Russini claimed the Cowboys have "no intention" of trading him. Given this information, let's take a look at three landing spots that make the most sense for Parsons. Denver Broncos The Broncos allowed the third-fewest amount of points in 2024-25 (311 points), per ESPN stats, and already have one of the best defensive units in football. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Jahdae Barron were added to the group this offseason, so why not continue to bolster? Denver owns all of its upcoming draft picks over the next three years, which could be used in a package to acquire Parsons. They are also set to have a ton of cap space available for 2026 and 2027, enabling them to put forth the contract offer that Parsons is seeking. With three more seasons of quarterback Bo Nix on a rookie deal, the Broncos could take advantage and go all in on the superstar pass-rusher, making a potent front seven that much more dangerous. Los Angeles Chargers The team that allowed even fewer points than the Broncos last season? The Chargers (301 points). Head coach Jim Harbaugh immediately righted the ship defensively upon his arrival, but there remain holes to fill. They've shed plenty of money in recent years, which included a former third-overall pick from 2016 in DE Joey Bosa. It's now time to use that cap space to bring in a difference maker on defense. Like Denver, Los Angeles holds all of its own draft picks from 2026 through 2028 and is capable of putting the pieces together to pry Parsons out of Dallas. Not only could the Chargers compensate the 26-year-old, but it's likely he would be fine with calling Los Angeles home. New England Patriots The Patriots currently have the most cap space in the NFL and are in a prime position to strike at any moment. It's been a difficult last few seasons in Foxborough, but the vibe has changed with new head coach Mike Vrabel taking over. The Patriots culture is back, and it's now up to the front office to provide Vrabel with more talent on both sides of the ball. New England is in desperate need of a game-breaking player. Parsons fits the mold perfectly. The Pats had a league-worst 28 sacks last season, per ESPN stats, so the pass rush could use some help. General manager Eliot Wolf is well-equipped with draft capital to feel comfortable making such a move.
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Erik Karlsson's Trade Demands to the Penguins Release Publicly
Erik Karlsson is one of a few Penguins likely on the move soon, and now the one thing the veteran blue liner wants in a new team has been officially revealed. After missing the Stanley cup Playoffs for three straight seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins come into this off-season as sellers, with the trio of Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson becoming notable names in trade speculation. While all three have a high likelihood of being moved as Kyle Dubas and the Penguins look towards the future, NHL Insider Frank Seravalli has suggested this off-season that Karlsson is the most likely of all to be moved in the summer. Now, Seravalli has followed up on the speculation, revealing another key piece of this scenario, as the veteran NHL Insider notes the one demand that Karlsson has in potential trade talks. According to Seravalli, Karlsson wants a chance to win, and given the contract that a team would potentially need to take on to bring him in, it's safe to say that only contending teams out there would be interested, with very little in it for teams that won't be chasing a Stanley Cup in the near future. As of right now, there are very few teams around the NHL that could fit Karlsson in as well as giving him the opportunity to win, with Detroit, Dallas and Carolina three teams that fit the bill, with all three having rumoured interest in an upgrade on their blue line. Ultimately, all the signs this off-season point to Karlsson being moved at some point before the 2025/26 campaign begins, and while the options are limited given his contract and his desire to win, there's no reason why a trade can't be made in the next few months.
'I see a clear role for him' — Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell speaks highly of new defender who's having a great training camp
The cornerback position for the Minnesota Vikings has seen a lot of questions over the last few months. Arguably the biggest one is whether or not the Vikings added enough talent to really make the Super Bowl run. Through the first week and a half of training camp, it looks to be the right decision by the Vikings. Their depth at cornerback has been really impressive, leaving a lot more confidence in the cornerback group than we had previously. The biggest standout has been Jeff Okudah, which was a fascinating addition in real time. During his press conference on Friday, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about Okudah's performance in training camp, and he also raved about him. "You guys probably felt it. I mean, when he gets up and presses, you know, at that line of scrimmage and wins that early fight in the down, you don't see him lose very much, you know, when he gets his hands on people. I think I've been probably surprised. I actually got a chance to spend some time with him many years ago, at Ohio State, went for the pro day. A friend of mine, who happens to be the coordinator up in Green Bay now, was the coordinator there, and I got to spend some time with Jeff. And just remember thinking to myself, This guy is going to be a top-five pick. I mean, felt like he was as tall as I was, you know, big, strong, fast, and then he was and we're very fortunate to have him. I see a clear role for him. Not all corners in our defense play the same spots, play the same roles, so to think that we're going to have him in a role we feel pretty strongly about, it's great to see him take it and run with it early on, because I think he's had a phenomenal camp. And I hope you know that'd be a good question for Flo [Brian Flores]. You probably asked him already, but I know flow in my dialog about Jeff has been really positive early on." The line from O'Connell talking about how they see a clear role for him resonates hard here. The Vikings have done a good job in putting players in position to be successful. Okudah's role is likely going to be similar to what Shaquill Griffin's was last year. The biggest difference between Okudah and Griffin? The former can run with really fast wide receivers. Will Okudah end up being a quality starter for the Vikings? That remains to be seen, but it's certainly possible, especially with how well the coaching staff is talking about him.
The three most confusing MLB trade-deadline deals
The July 31 MLB trade deadline was a whirlwind. Among the 49 trades were deals that sent stars such as relievers Mason Miller (to Padres), Jhoan Duran (Phillies) and Ryan Helsley (Mets), starting pitcher Shane Bieber (Blue Jays) and third baseman Eugenio Suarez (Mariners) to new clubs. The quantity and pace of the deals left many MLB fans feeling a rush of excitement. But some of the deals were confusing. Here are the three most confusing trades from the deadline. 1. Cincinnati Reds trade for 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes The Reds were seeking a boost to their lineup as they attempt a second-half postseason push. Unfortunately, Hayes does not profile as an impactful addition. Once a top prospect, the former Pirates cornerstone has failed to develop as an offensive threat. Hayes’ .569 OPS this season ranks second worst among qualified hitters in the majors. His lowly three home runs (in 397 plate appearances) prove that Hayes is a below-average hitter. That said, the 2023 Gold Glove winner ranks in the 99th percentile in fielding range, making him a top-tier defender at the hot corner. Additionally, the Reds are absorbing all of the money left on Hayes' eight-year, $70M contract that runs through the 2029 season. This financial commitment does not justify adding such a low-impact bat. 2. San Diego Padres trade top prospect Leo De Vries for Miller Death, taxes and Padres general manager A.J. Preller making blockbuster trades to help his club -- you can count on all of these happening. The ultra-aggressive San Diego added one of the top arms on the market to a bullpen that already featured All-Stars in Jason Adam, Robert Suarez and Adrian Morejon. On paper, this gives San Diego the best bullpen in baseball, providing it with a plethora of weapons and flexibility as it seeks a spot in the postseason field. Miller, one of MLB’s hardest-throwing pitchers, is also under club control through the 2029 season. Adding Miller was no surprise. The confusing aspect of this trade is the package that Preller sent to the Athletics in return. The headliner was budding star De Vries, who ranks as MLB.com's third overall prospect. The 18-year-old has a sky-high ceiling and is one of the most coveted assets in the league. Two things must happen for this move to pay off in San Diego. First, the oft-injured Miller must stay healthy and provide a substantial boost to the club’s bullpen. Second, the Padres must remain a postseason threat while riding their newest weapon toward a deep playoff run. Anything less will make the franchise regret moving such a talent. 3. Atlanta Braves keep DH Marcell Ozuna and RP Raisel Iglesias The injury-riddled and underperforming Braves are 46-62 and 15.5 games out of the NL East lead. It seems clear that 2025 is a lost season for the perennial postseason contenders. This makes retaining Ozuna and Iglesias, who are scheduled to hit free agency after the season, a confusing strategy. While having a down season, Ozuna still has 15 home runs and 48 RBI with a .235 batting average. The 34-year-old is just one year removed from hitting .302 with 31 homers and 104 RBI. Iglesias, meanwhile, has struggled (4.74 ERA with 13 saves). The 35-year-old was superb last season, posting a dazzling 1.95 ERA and 34 saves. Neither is worth as much as he would have been last season, but both could have fetched Atlanta packages of mid-to-low-end prospects. Now, the club will lose both in free agency as it probably finishes with a below .500 record. Honorable mentions: Boston Red Sox opted for Dustin May and Steven Matz over a true ace Minnesota Twins traded 10 players from their 26-man roster The league collectively chose to target relief pitching instead of starters Sandy Alcantara (Miami), Edward Cabrera (Miami), Zac Gallen (Arizona), Dylan Cease (San Diego), Joe Ryan (Minnesota) or Mitch Keller (Pittsburgh).
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