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UFC Kansas City is down one fight this weekend following news that a debutant has been arrested.
Dana White's Contender Series graduate Ahmad Hassanzada was arrested on April 18 and removed from his fight with Evan Elder, as well as terminated from the UFC.
Police reports from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department accuse Hassanzada of sexual violence against a minor. h/t Ag.Fight. He is being charged with two felonies, per the report: "Lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14," and "Lewd act on child victim 14 or 15."
His bail has been set at $400,000 USD, and his first hearing will happen on April 22.
Hassanzada's replacement is Gauge Young, who will take on Evan Elder on the night.
In a statement given to MMA Mania, UFC officials explained, "Ahmad Hassanzada was removed from his bout and is no longer signed to the organization."
In the UFC's official fight card update, Hassanzada was not mentioned.
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Dolphins quickly become NFL's most hopeless situation
There are a lot of teams in the NFL that are already out of the playoff race this season and facing long roads back to contention. There might not be a single franchise that is facing a grimmer, bleaker situation than the Miami Dolphins. The franchise has not won a playoff game in 26 years, the longest ongoing drought in the NFL, and it is going to continue this season. They have mostly been mediocre in recent years only qualified for the playoffs just four times in the past 23 years. They have had no recent success, are having no current success, and do not seem likely to have success anytime soon in the future. Whatever momentum and shine they may have had from last week's big win over the Atlanta Falcons was completely erased on Thursday night in an embarrassing performance against the Baltimore Ravens in a 28-6 defeat. There were zero positives to take away from it, and it is hard to see where a quick fix comes from. The Ravens beat the Dolphins, and the Dolphins beat themselves Coming out of halftime on Thursday night, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said they were playing against two teams in the first half, referencing the fact they had several self-inflicted mistakes that helped cost them points, stall drives and give points to Baltimore. They had long drives on offense get bogged down by penalties, forcing them to settle for field goal attempts. They fumbled deep in their own territory to set the Ravens up for their first touchdown of the game, and then turned the ball over two other times later in the game. That is a losing recipe against almost any team in football, and especially against a team that is quarterbacked by Lamar Jackson. But that's only part of the problem for Miami, and it's largely only related to this game. The big picture problem is far more concerning. Tua Tagovailoa is not the answer Tagovailoa is far from the only problem in Miami right now. It's just not a good roster overall. But he also does not seem to be part of the solution, especially with a $53M salary cap number. The Dolphins are paying him like one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks — and one of its elite players — and they are not getting anything close to that level of play. He threw his league-leading 11th interception of the season on Thursday, and just looked like a quarterback that had no answers for anything. He lacks elite arm strength, and everything regarding the Dolphins offense is built around timing, their ability for the first read of their offense to get open, and his ability to hit it. When things do not work perfectly, the offense has zero chance to function. It has not worked. Tagovailoa's regression as a quarterback, combined with a gigantic contract that might quickly becoming one of the NFL's biggest albatross deals, is a big reason why this situation feels so grim. It is one thing to not have a quarterback. It is another thing entirely to invest in the wrong quarterback and be stuck with them and have almost no way out from it. Eventually head coach Mike McDaniel and probably general manager Chris Grier are going to be dismissed, and it will not be unfair given the roster and team they have built. Whoever comes in to replace them is going to have a mostly bare cupboard to restock with one of the NFL's worst contracts at its most important position. At least if you are the New York Jets or New Orleans Saints you can start over this offseason with a new quarterback. It seems almost impossible for the Dolphins to do that.
Why McDaniel Sticking Around Isn't Surprising Following GM Change
Among all of the fanfare that came from the Miami Dolphins finally parting ways with general manager Chris Grier, there was another report about one of the team’s key decision-makers. The Dolphins are expected to keep head coach Mike McDaniel through the rest of the season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. McDaniel was asked about whether owner Stephen Ross’ tone has changed in their recent conversations on Friday, and the head coach gave a simple answer: No. His team is off to a rough 2-7 start this season, and he’s just 30-30 in the regular season through four years, while being 0-2 in the postseason with the Dolphins. Head coaches have been fired for less, but despite that, it shouldn’t be surprising that Ross is keeping McDaniel around. Why McDaniel Surviving the Season Isn’t Shocking The product on the field isn’t good, but if you’ve been paying any attention to the reporting around the Dolphins in recent weeks, it’s pretty clear that Ross is desperate for McDaniel to be successful. Every week, national reporters have taken to the airwaves to say that Ross wants to remain patient and that he likes McDaniel. Those reporters have sources inside the building. They’re not just getting those reports from nowhere. It’s also prudent to look at Ross’ history regarding firing head coaches. Ross has fired four head coaches during his time as Dolphins owner, which began in 2009: Tony Sparano, Joe Philbin, Adam Gase, and Brian Flores. Sparano was fired after 13 games into his fourth season, and Philbin was let go just four games into his fourth season. After that, Ross allowed his head coaches to finish out the season — both Gase and Flores were fired quickly after the season ended. Another factor to consider is that Ross gave McDaniel an extension just last season. It runs through the 2028 season, so combining that with Ross’ history and all the reports about how much McDaniel is liked, it’s not shocking he’ll last the season. What’s the Benefit of Moving off McDaniel Now? It’s fair for fans to be upset with McDaniel’s performance. It hasn’t been up to anyone’s expectations, but there really isn’t much of a benefit to firing him right now. The Dolphins’ season is essentially over, regardless of who the head coach is. The team is 2-7 and won’t make the playoffs for the second-straight season. Pivoting to an interim head coach isn’t changing that. If you’re worried about “accountability,” that’s fair. However, the team's parting ways with Grier makes him accountable. That’s pretty meaningful, given how long he’s been with the team (since 2000, given GM title in 2016). Is there really a difference between letting McDaniel finish the season and firing him when the season is over? No, there’s really not. With Grier out in the front office, the team can get a jump on GM candidate research and then let that hire run the entire HC search process. Of course, this leaves the door open for McDaniel to convince Ross to keep him around. The Dolphins sort of climbed their way out of a 2-6 record last season, so it’s not too crazy to imagine that being enough to earn McDaniel another chance. Barring a miracle turnaround, we’d recommend the Dolphins clean house this offseason. McDaniel has some positive traits, but he’s gotten plenty of chances to get the Dolphins over the hump, but hasn’t. We'll have the whole season to discuss that, though. Still, the team keeping him through the season is hardly shocking, considering Ross’ history.
Latest news prove Minnesota Vikings aren't content with the status quo, and it could elevate the team to the playoffs
This Sunday against the Detroit Lions is going to be huge when it comes to setting the expectations for the rest of the season. A loss will make a run toward the playoffs significantly less likely for the Vikings, and it could impact how they approach the trade deadline. The conventional wisdom would be that the Vikings wouldn't make a move to add at the trade deadline due to their record, especially when you look at the majority of players being acquired are on expiring contracts. Three years ago, the Vikings and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a big splash to acquire T.J. Hockenson at the deadline, and it was a big addition both for the 2022 season and beyond. Even if the Vikings lose, they could make an addition with the long-term in mind. Vikings trade history with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah The Vikings traded second and third round picks for T.J. Hockenson and two fourth-round picks at the trade deadline in 2022 Ahead of the 2022 season, the Vikings made low-risk trades for both Jalen Reagor and Ross Blacklock At the 2024 trade deadline, the Vikings acquired LT Cam Robinson for a 2026 fourth-round pick Minnesota Vikings eyeing a cornerback at the trade deadline One of the positions the Vikings need to find a long-term solution for is cornerback. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Friday that the Vikings are looking for a cornerback. "As for buyers, the Vikings and Colts are among a list of teams looking for corners. That market isn’t rich with options, which could make the Rams (McCreary), Browns (Tyson Campbell) and Eagles (Michael Carter II) look smart for striking a little earlier." It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the Vikings are looking for a cornerback to help them out, especially with Jeff Okudah being both ineffective and injured. They haven't shown a willingness to trust Dwight McGlothern as of yet, and finding a player at the position to fortify with Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr. should make a difference, especially when it comes to playing man coverage. The key here is finding a cornerback whom the Vikings can trade for. There aren't a lot of options, especially with four cornerbacks having already been traded. Two that come to mind are Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks and Alontae Taylor of the New Orleans Saints. Woolen has fallen out of favor with the Seahawks over the last couple of seasons with Mike Macdonald at the helm. He is currently starting for the Seahawks, but he doesn't seem to be in their long-term plans. He would provide the necessary size and speed the Vikings need at the cornerback position. Taylor is more of a slot cornerback, which the Vikings have been hesitant to add with wanting to slide Murphy on the inside. Even so, he's a versatile piece that could end up being a huge benefit for the Vikings. The deadline is going to be huge for the Vikings, and it could give them a necessary piece to help the defense both short-term and long-term. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-383').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-383').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
Dexter Lawrence blasts Giants legend Carl Banks after harsh criticisms
Shortly after the New York Giants fell to 2-6 on the season via a 38-20 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday, Giants legend and current radio color commentator Carl Banks offered some harsh criticisms of Big Blue star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Lawrence fired back at Banks. Dexter Lawrence rips "delusional" Carl Banks "He’s delusional," Lawrence said about Banks, per Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "Yeah, those were strong words, but if that’s how he feels, f--- it. “I don’t really know what he’s watching, but he can say what he wants,” Lawrence said. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, trying to help us get a win. That’s it.” Specifically, Banks claimed that the game film shows that "nobody respects" Lawrence anymore. Banks also ripped Lawrence for "not making a difference" as the Eagles accumulated a whopping 276 rushing yards at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Earlier this summer, one unnamed NFL personnel director said that Lawrence should have won Defensive Player of the Year Award honors for the 2024 campaign even though the 27-year-old only played in 12 games before he went down with a season-ending elbow injury. Lawrence currently isn't even the best defensive player on the Giants, as pass-rusher Brian Burns is tied for the NFL lead with 10 sacks. According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, Lawrence has tallied 20 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, 10 initial pressures and four quarterback hits this season. "I think I’m doing what I can when I get the opportunities," Lawrence explained. "Numbers are not everything. I’ve been an advocate of that last year and the year before that and the year before that. I don’t think numbers indicate anything — for real. They’re just something that’s on your stat sheet. I think the way I play is disruptive. You ask people I play against, and they’ll tell you the same thing. Not people who are talking." Dexter Lawrence shares wish after Carl Banks comments Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke suggested that Banks was possibly "trying to light a fire under" Lawrence with comments that generated discussions on New York sports talk radio programs. If that truly was Banks' goal, his plan seems to have produced the desired result. "Let’s say this: I hope people start trying to disrespect me," Lawrence added. "I hope they start not respecting me, because that’s not what’s showing on the field. They’re showing a lot of respect on the field." Lawrence will next have an opportunity to offer an on-the-field response to Banks when the Giants host a 5-3 San Francisco 49ers side that features dynamic running back Christian McCaffrey. As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had New York as a 2.5-point underdog for this coming Sunday's matchup.
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