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We are just a couple of weeks removed from the first GFL draft and today we learned of the first official matchup that’s been booked by the promotion. It’s a rematch of former world champions as Luke Rockhold (16-6) and Chris Weidman (16-8) will fight for a second time.
Our first confirmed matchup:
— Global Fight League (@mmagfl) February 13, 2025
The All-American @chrisweidman takes on @LukeRockhold in a highly anticipated rematch between 2 former champions! pic.twitter.com/pZeOfTWJHx
Their first fight took place all the way back in 2015 so their rematch will be a full decade after their first fight. When they fought for the first time, Weidman was the undefeated UFC middleweight champion. After both men had early success, it was Rockhold who was able to score a fourth round TKO to become the middleweight champion.
Since then, both men have expressed interest in running the fight back. In fact, the UFC had booked the two to fight in an immediate rematch but Weidman had to pull out of the fight. Rockhold went on to lose the title to Michael Bisping and the rematch never came together until now. The GFL is making this fight happen.
GFL’s First Matchup
Chris Weidman announced that he was walking away from the UFC a week prior to the GFL draft. Many considered this to be a retirement from Weidman, however, “The All American” had other plans. Weidman is a member of Team New York and he will be getting back in the cage. Weidman won a technical decision over Bruno Silva in March 2024 which was his first win since 2020 before he broke his leg. He lost to Eryk Anders back in December by second round TKO.
While Luke Rockhold has been active in competing in other combat sports, we haven’t seen him in MMA since his loss to Paulo Costa back in 2022. He’s only fought in MMA once since 2019 but he’s making his MMA return with the GFL and he’ll be looking to make it 2-0 against his longtime rival.
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Angels, Orioles fill needs with this surprising trade
The Baltimore Orioles were looking to add a right-handed hitting outfielder during the offseason. The Los Angeles Angels, meanwhile, needed to add talent to a thin pitching staff. A trade between the two teams has begun the process of filling those holes on the roster. The Orioles traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels on Tuesday night. In exchange, the Angels sent outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore. This trade may provide a window into the expectations of both teams. Ward is slated to become a free agent after the upcoming season, a win-now move for a team looking to prove that a dismal 2025 showing was an aberration. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is under team control through the 2029 season. Angels, Orioles trade a possible win for both teams In addition to balancing out a lefty-hitting outfield, the 31-year-old Ward gives the Orioles a power element that they were lacking in the lineup. He produced a .228/.317/.475 batting line over 663 plate appearances, hitting 36 homers and 31 doubles. Although Ward is strictly a left fielder at this stage of his career, his powerful bat mitigates his lack of defensive versatility. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season due to a myriad of injuries. A consensus top-100 prospect from 2020-23, Rodriguez had begun to live up to expectations in 2024 before a strained right lat ended his season. He posted a solid 3.86 ERA and a 1.243 WHiP over 116.2 innings, striking out 130 batters with 36 walks. Rodriguez underwent elbow surgery in August and is expected to return to the mound in either March or April. This trade may end up as a victory for both sides. Rodriguez gives the Angels a needed starter to slot behind Yusei Kikuchi in the rotation and could establish himself as a top-of-the-rotation arm if he is fully healthy. Ward adds a dangerous power hitter to a solid lineup. Should the Orioles return to the postseason with Ward as a factor, he would be well worth the cost.
Taylor Swift's Emotional Letter to Late Liam Payne Set to Fetch $13,000 at Auction
Taylor Swift's emotional handwritten letter to Liam Payne is expected to draw significant attention when it goes up for auction next month. The note, sent in December 2017, is projected to sell for as much as $13,000 due to its deeply personal and historic nature. Swift wrote the message shortly before Payne took the stage at the Jingle Bell Ball in London, at a time when he was gaining traction as a solo artist after One Direction began its hiatus. According to the auctioneers, interest has already grown ahead of bidding. Taylor wrote: "Liam, long time no see! I'm so excited for you. You're crushing it out there. I'm obsessed with Bedroom Floor. It's so cool to see you from afar, I'm always cheering you on. Good luck tonight!" The Mirror reports that the letter showed up in an envelope labeled only "Liam," covered in stars. The envelope was wax-sealed with a "T," and on the back appeared "Nashville, Tennessee." Payne reportedly gave the letter to a friend shortly after receiving it. The sale of the note comes just over a year after Payne's death in October 2024. The singer died at age 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. According to the People, an autopsy later revealed polytrauma along with traces of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system. His sister, Ruth Gibbins, described ongoing grief in the months since his death. She said: "My brain is locked on your last minutes on this earth, the unaccounted minutes, the minutes I will never have the answers to, the minutes that changed everything." She also posted on Instagram : "I underestimated grief, woah, did I underestimate it. I am paralysed by it daily. I thought I had felt it before but I know the losses before you were just intense sadness, you are the loss of my life, the one person who l will miss at every single occasion in my life." Omega Auctions is expected to see much interest from collectors once it begins accepting bids for the item, since the letter is a rare personal exchange between two major pop figures. According to the source, the timing has added an emotional weight to the sale, aligning as it does with the anniversary of Payne's death.
Steelers work out two QBs amid Aaron Rodgers injury
With Aaron Rodgers dealing with a left wrist injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers worked out veteran quarterbacks Jason Bean and Tanner Mordecai on Tuesday, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Steelers currently have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and zero on their practice squad. Backup Mason Rudolph, and third-stringer Will Howard will both move up a spot on the depth chart for at least a week, leaving the Steelers without a third option should either of them get injured. Bean, 26, signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Kansas in 2024. He did not make the 53-man roster, but stuck around on the practice squad for the entire season. He was waived during final roster cuts this year and did not draw practice squad interest from the Colts or any other team. Mordecai is also a 26-year-old who entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2024. Mordecai finished his college career at Wisconsin and signed with the 49ers last spring. He spent the season on San Francisco’s practice squad and was repeatedly cut and re-signed during training camp as the team balanced their other roster needs. He was waived due to injury a final time during roster cuts. The Steelers did not sign Bean or Mordecai, though that could be coming in the next few days as they continue to assess Rodgers’ wrist. They could also work out other available quarterbacks later this week.
'I can confirm reports' – Fabrizio Romano with some fresh Chelsea transfer news
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has some fresh Chelsea transfer news as he confirms some reports out this week. It seems like Chelsea are linked with a new rising star every single day, and it’s often tough to know what has legs and what doesn’t, or what transfer move is likely to happen and what one isn’t. But it’s been clear for a long time now that if there is the next biggest thing coming through in football, Chelsea will be looking to try and sign them before anyone else. We have all see the story with Estevao Willian. Chelsea moved ahead of others to make sure they signed him as he was the biggest young name coming through in the game. They landed him, and now look at him, he’s absolutely smashing it in the game for Chelsea and for Brazil. He even scored for Brazil last night to become only second to Brazil legend Pele to reach a certain milestone. We have been writing constant stories about Estevao and how much praise he is getting. Only yesterday, he was described as the new football genius in the game with some more massive compliments for the youngster, who is still only 18-years-old! And now, Chelsea are chasing the next biggest thing, or at least one of them! Romano confirms Morais interest The transfer expert spoke on his Podcast this week and said: “Chelsea will keep going with their strategy of trying to bring in the best young talents in world football. Sam Jewell went to close the deal in South America for Deinner Ordonez and I can confirm reports that Chelsea are tracking Brazilian midfielder Felipe Morais.” Morais another future star for Brazil If Chelsea can land Morais, they have another Brazilian gem on their hands and another future star for the country who seems to produce thousands of them!
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