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Rampage & Evans 2 Just Announced
Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

As reported by MMAFighting.com, Former UFC light heavyweight champions, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Rashad Evans to meet a boxing match sometime this year ICS Mania.

Promotion Influencer Crossover Series revealed via Instagram.

The fight does not have an official date as of yet. The Announcement does mention that the fight will take place this year in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In the first meeting between the two, Evans was victorious in UFC 114 in May 2010 via unanimous decision in a non-title main event after the two coached against one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

Evans returns to combat sports after he announced his retirement in 2022 with a decision win over Gabriel Checco for Eagle FC.

Jackson has been out of the sport since December 2019 first-round knockout against Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 237.

Jackson went a total 20-10 through his runs in the UFC and PRIDE, along with winning five of eight Bellator fights.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
NFL

Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should absolutely see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.

Packers holding LT competition; latest on Elgton Jenkins
NFL

Packers holding LT competition; latest on Elgton Jenkins

Zach Tom‘s four-year, $88M extension affirmed the right tackle’s status as a cornerstone Packer, but a question about the team’s direction at left tackle remains. A position battle is ongoing. Rasheed Walker will need to hold off 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan for the job, Brian Gutekunst said. The eighth-year Green Bay GM called this, via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, an open competition but pointed to Walker’s 32 starts as a reason he is the front-runner for the gig. On the surface, a former seventh-round pick competing with a priority add (via the 2024 first round) is odd. But Walker has proved to be a late-round find for Green Bay. Pro Football Focus graded the former No. 249 overall pick just outside the top 40 in each of the past two years, after he played in just one game as a 2022 rookie. Walker’s rookie deal expires after the season, and with two big-ticket O-line payments (to Tom and Aaron Banks) made this year, a free agency path appears clear. Morgan also could be in line to take over at LT in 2026, provided he cannot unseat Walker in training camp. This would set up Walker, with a good contract year, to be one of the 2026 market’s top prizes. He started 15 regular-season games in 2023 and all 17 last season. A decorated left tackle at Arizona, Morgan split time between left and right guard as a rookie. His injury-shortened season included 120 RG snaps and 65 on the left side, but the former No. 25 overall pick did not see too much action last season. Sean Rhyan operated as the Packers’ primary right guard; the former third-round pick is now in a contract year. Morgan working as a swingman in Year 2 would suggest something is off here, but it also could be possible he loses this competition but unseats Rhyan at RG. The Morgan-at-right guard plan is technically on the Packers’ back burner, but Elgton Jenkins‘ back injury slid Rhyan to center and allowed Morgan reps at RG, per Channel3000.com’s Jason Wilde. Rhyan said (via Wilde) he believed he has solidified himself as a starting guard. In 543 snaps last season, PFF ranked him 46th among guard regulars. It would surprise if Morgan did not have another chance to crack the starting lineup, but Rhyan would stand in his way if the high-level investment cannot beat out Walker at LT. Shifted from left guard to center this offseason, Jenkins does not appear in danger of missing regular-season time. Gutekunst hopes the Pro Bowler returns soon, though the team is dealing with a frustrated new snapper thanks to a contract issue. Jenkins, who has played all over Green Bay’s line, expressed frustration with his deal now that Banks supplanted him as the Packers’ highest-paid blocker. Tom eclipsed both last week. Jenkins is on the Pack’s active/NFI list, meaning he sustained the injury away from the team facility. No guarantees remain on Jenkins’ four-year, $68M extension — one that runs through the 2026 season. Additionally, the Packers confirmed (via the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood) they are playing it safe with Christian Watson‘s ACL rehab. Not expected back until around midseason, the contract-year wide receiver will not go through a full practice during training camp. This makes him a clear candidate for the reserve/PUP list, which would bring at least a four-game absence. Gutekunst added (via Wood) Watson’s rehab has gone “great.”

Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade
MLB

Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade

The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.

Padres Predicted to Cut Ties With 23-Year-Old Top Prospect at Trade Deadline
MLB

Padres Predicted to Cut Ties With 23-Year-Old Top Prospect at Trade Deadline

The San Diego Padres desperately need another strong bat before the July 31 deadline. If the Padres want to fill that need, they will need to part ways with some of their top prospects. The Athletic named right-handed starting pitcher Miguel Mendez as a top trade option for San Diego. The Padres signed Mendez as an 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in February 2021. Mendez played one game in High-A in 2022 but was not able to earn a regular spot in the division until this season. He pitched all of 2023 and 2024 in Single-A then made three starts in the division this season before earning his second promotion to High-A in May. Mendez has put together the strongest season of his career in 2025, logging a 1.89 ERA in 14 starts. He has accrued a 1.46 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 11 starts in High-A. The Athletic highlighted how Mendez’s pitches have reached 100 mph, and he has demonstrated more control with his pitches this season. His recent improvements have reportedly caught the attention of several MLB scouts, which will benefit the Padres if they choose to trade him at the deadline. San Diego needs a left fielder and could use an upgrade at catcher. But most importantly, the Padres need someone who can also produce offensively. Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran has been a big name surrounding the Padres ahead of the deadline. He is a strong batter and would fill the hole in left field for San Diego. The Padres reportedly made an offer to the Boston Red Sox for Duran, which included starting pitcher Dylan Cease, their No. 2 prospect Ethan Salas and one unnamed prospect, per MassLive's Sean McAdam. McAdam confirmed the other prospect is not No. 1 Padres prospect and No. 3 MLB prospect Leo De Vries. Given the attention Mendez has received in recent weeks, the 23-year-old could be the other prospect the Padres included in their offer to the Red Sox. Although the Red Sox have expressed interest in Cease, Boston ultimately rejected this offer. "Similarly, the Red Sox have signaled interest in Dylan Cease, who would be a rental," McAdam wrote. "The Padres, in their never-ending quest to acquire Duran, proposed a package involving Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another prospect (not shortstop Leo de Vries) for Duran, which was quickly rejected." The Padres will likely continue their pursuit for Duran, which could still include Mendez as part of the package. For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.

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