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Video: Tom Aspinall Calls Out Jon Jones After TKO of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs

Tom Aspinall is able to combat Jon Jones.

After retaining the interim heavyweight title on Sunday towards Curtis Blaydes, Aspinall referred to as out Jones, who at present holds the UFC heavyweight title.

“Hey Jon. I’ve nothing towards you personally, however I simply suppose I am higher than you,” Aspinall mentioned. “I simply know that I can beat you in a combat. So I am coming for it.”

UFC @ufc

Tom has a message for Jon Jones 👀#UFC304 | @AspinallMMA pic.twitter.com/rFJE5fIfn1

Aspinall’s message to Jones comes just days after UFC president Dana White said the winner of Saturday’s combat between Aspinall and Blaydes at UFC 304 will face the winner of the upcoming heavyweight title combat between Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic.

Whereas a combat between Jones and Miocic has not been arrange simply but, Aspinall is able to go forward and tackle Jones and problem him for his title.

And Aspinall made a powerful case that he can win it on Saturday. The 31-year-old downed Blaydes within the first spherical through TKO, needing only one minute within the ring to defend his title.

UFC @ufc

ONE MINUTE IS ALL IT TOOK! 😱@AspinallMMA received it performed within the first spherical! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/EfopAgjlQo

Aspinall’s win towards Blaydes on Saturday additionally avenged his solely loss in UFC, which got here towards Blaydes at UFC Struggle Night time in 2022.

Aspinall proved that he is right here to remain after a dominant win towards Blaydes, however now he’ll look to go up towards probably the greatest and take down Jones.

Tom Aspinall defends interim title, KO’s Blaydes at UFC 304

Formally, Tom Aspinall is the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion. Unofficially, he is most likely the most effective heavyweight on the planet — and perhaps the division’s hardest hitter.

Aspinall (15-3) defended his interim championship in emphatic style at UFC 304 on Saturday, as he knocked out Curtis Blaydes (18-5) with a left hand and punches on the bottom only one minute into their heavyweight title battle. The bout served because the co-main occasion, inside Co-op Stay area in Manchester.

Instantly after the win, Aspinall known as out the undisputed champion Jon Jones, who’s extensively thought-about the best fighter of all time and is anticipated to face Stipe Miocic later this 12 months.

“I am the most effective finisher within the UFC, if I begin to snowball you, you are performed,” Aspinall stated. “Who needs to see Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones?”

Jones, 37, has not beforehand proven curiosity within the concept of combating Aspinall. Jones was set to face Miocic final November in New York Metropolis, however withdrew because of harm.

Aspinall, of Salford, England, knocked Blaydes down with a counter jab. The shot did not put Blaydes out, however it knocked him to his butt and he rapidly turtled and lined up from Aspinall’s follow-up photographs. Aspinall landed a collection of unanswered strikes to the facet of his head, prompting a cease from the referee.

The victory avenges Aspinall’s solely loss within the UFC, which got here towards Blaydes in July 2022 in London. That battle resulted in simply 15 seconds, when Aspinall’s knee gave out as he threw a kick. Aspinall underwent surgical procedure and returned one 12 months later. He has completed three consecutive opponents within the first spherical since returning.

“I had nothing towards [Blaydes] personally, however we would have liked to place that one to mattress,” Aspinall stated. “It was a freak accident. Now, I’ve obtained my revenge. Thank God.”

Blaydes seemed composed and assured within the battle, however nonetheless grew to become the most recent sufferer of Aspinall’s velocity and ending skill. He landed a superb, brief left cross within the first trade, however obtained caught by the jab when he got here ahead moments later. That is the fifth time Blaydes has misplaced through knockout.

Previous to UFC 304, CEO Dana White stated the winner of Aspinall-Blaydes would ultimately face the winner of Jones-Miocic, nevertheless the way forward for each Jones and Miocic is unsure. Jones has fought solely as soon as in 4 years. Miocic, 42, hasn’t fought in additional than three years.

Jazz Chisholm traded to Yankees

Voted in because the Nationwide League’s beginning second baseman for the 2022 All-Star Sport, Chisholm has spent the overwhelming majority of the previous two seasons in middle area, the place he moved with a view to make room for Miami’s acquisition of All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez. Arraez was traded to the Padres in Could, however solely not too long ago did Chisholm return to second a few instances per week to chop again on how a lot operating he was doing within the outfield.

TRADE DETAILS
Yankees obtain: OF/INF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Marlins obtain: C Agustin Ramirez (Yankees No. 20 prospect), INF Jared Serna (No. 19 prospect), INF Abrahan Ramirez

Following New York’s 11-8, 10-inning win on Saturday, the workforce expressed added pleasure for its newest acquisition.

“He’s a dynamic participant,” mentioned a grinning Aaron Decide. “You possibly can throw him up on the leadoff spot or wherever, he’s going to positively lengthen this lineup. He’s a weapon. You possibly can put him on the outfield, anyplace within the infield. He’s received pace, he’s received energy and all of us are fairly excited to have him on board.”

“We’re excited to get a expertise like his,” mentioned supervisor Aaron Boone. “We expect his ability set will play at Yankee Stadium. He’s received energy, he has great pace, he’s received place versatility. He performs with quite a lot of vitality and quite a lot of pizzazz.”

Coming into 2024, the 2 greatest questions regarding Chisholm had been his capacity to remain wholesome and hit towards left-handers. He has confirmed himself on each fronts. The left-handed-hitting Chisholm, who already has surpassed his complete variety of video games from ’23 with 101, has a greater common (.254 to .246) and on-base proportion (.324 to .323) vs. southpaws this season.

Whereas Chisholm’s residence run price is down, he has double-digit taters (13) and stolen bases (22) for the fourth consecutive season. Chisholm has the most effective enhancements in whiff price, from 35.7% to twenty-eight.6%, in baseball regardless of seeing fewer pitches to hit. He additionally showcases elite baserunning run worth, in line with Baseball Savant.

However whereas New York is gearing up for the presence of one other star participant within the combine, the Marlins expressed their disappointment in having to see him go away the group the place he shortly turned one of many faces.

“Jazz was clearly significant to the fan base and to the group,” mentioned Marlins supervisor Skip Shumaker. “Cowl of ‘[MLB] The Present,’ you identify it, proper? Each child, together with my child, wished to activate the TV to look at Jazz. So it is all the time powerful to lose a dynamic participant like Jazz.”

The 26-year-old Chisholm is not any stranger to Deadline offers, having gone from Arizona to Miami for right-hander Zac Gallen in a uncommon prospect-for-prospect deal in 2019. Chisholm, who’s making $2.63 million in ‘24, has two extra years of arbitration eligibility earlier than he can develop into a free agent.

One of many prospects headed to Miami is catcher Agustin Ramirez, now ranked because the Marlins’ No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline.

Ramirez, who turns 23 in September, has slashed .269/.358/.505 with 20 homers and 18 stolen bases this season, most of that for Double-A Somerset. After a gradual begin following a promotion to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Ramirez has picked up the tempo, batting .324 whereas hitting safely in his previous eight video games. However general, his inventory had soared each throughout the Yankees’ system and on a nationwide stage.

The Yankees additionally despatched Excessive-A infielder Jared Serna — now the Marlins’ No. 8 prospect — and Rookie-level infielder Abrahan Ramírez to Miami.

When requested about commerce rumors on Thursday, a diplomatic Chisholm wouldn’t but entertain the concept of departing Miami, however added, “Baseball is baseball. I like taking part in baseball, so I’ll go on the market and love taking part in the game on daily basis.”

So far as when Chisholm will be part of the Yankees, Boone might solely say, “We’ll see,” although the membership is raring to acclimate him into the group as shortly as attainable.

“I feel everybody goes to like him as soon as he will get right here,” mentioned Marcus Stroman.

Struggling Yankees acquire Jazz Chisholm Jr. from Marlins for 3 minor leaguers

BOSTON (AP) — Seeking to spark a struggling membership, the New York Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins on Saturday for 3 minor leaguers: catcher Agustín Ramírez, infielder Jared Serna and infielder Abrahan Ramírez.

New York entered Saturday 10-23 after a 50-22 begin, stricken by sputtering beginning pitching, a shaky bullpen and an offense overly reliant on Aaron Decide and Juan Soto following accidents to Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo. Third baseman DJ LeMahieu and left fielder Alex Verdugo have been in deep slumps.

An All-Star second baseman in 2022, the 26-year-old Chisholm has performed heart discipline for many of the previous two seasons.

“Excited,” Decide mentioned after the Yankees rallied for an 11-8, 10-inning win over the Purple Sox. “He’s a dynamic participant, undoubtedly you possibly can throw him up there within the leadoff spot or wherever, he’s going to undoubtedly lengthen this lineup. … He’s a weapon. You possibly can put him within the outfield. You possibly can put wherever on the infield. He’s received velocity. He’s received energy.”

He’s batting .249 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs this 12 months and is a .246 profession hitter with 66 homers and 205 RBIs in 5 seasons. Chisholm has 22 stolen bases, matching final 12 months’s complete and one shy of his profession excessive.

“Very gifted, athletic, velocity, energy, , looks like versatility, , can play a variety of totally different locations,” Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned. “I’ve solely seen him from afar, clearly, however clearly a really gifted younger participant.”

Chisholm has a $2,625,000 wage after shedding to the Marlins in arbitration. He’s eligible for arbitration once more after the 2024 and 2025 seasons and may develop into a free agent after the 2026 World Collection.

“It’s all the time robust to lose a dynamic participant like Jazz,” Marlins supervisor Skip Schumaker mentioned. “He was keen to maneuver off positions. He was keen to maneuver up and down the lineup. He received higher if you requested him to get higher in several positions or in opposition to left-handed pitching.”

LeMahieu, a two-time batting champion, didn’t make his season debut till Might 28 after breaking his proper foot when he fouled off a pitch throughout a spring coaching recreation this previous March 16. A 3-time All-Star, he’s hitting .178 with one homer, 12 RBIs in 135 at-bats, and he has simply two hits in his final 28 at-bats.

LeMahieu’s .495 OPS ranked 383rd amongst 392 gamers with 100 or extra plate appearances getting into Saturday and his 59.1% floor ball charge was seventh. LeMahieu struggled following a damaged sesamoid bone in his proper large toe that led to ligament injury in his second toe in 2022. He hit .220 within the first half final 12 months however .273 within the second.

He has two full seasons remaining in a $90 million, six-year contract that pays $15 million yearly.

Verdugo entered Saturday batting .160 (20 for 125) with one homer and 7 RBIs from June 15 on, dropping his season common from .266 to .231.

As well as, rookie first baseman Ben Rice was 4 for 50 after hitting three homers in a July 7 victory over the Purple Sox.

Agustín Ramírez, 22, hit .269 with 20 homers and 69 RBIs this 12 months at Double-A and Triple-A.

Serna, additionally 22, batted .253 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs with Excessive A Hudson Valley.

Abrahan Ramírez. 19, hit .348 with a pair of homers and 24 RBIs for the Florida Complicated League Yankees.

“I don’t know the place he’s going to hit, however he’s going to hit round Soto and Decide, which is fairly unimaginable,” Schumaker mentioned. “So, it makes them higher and I’m completely satisfied for him.”

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AP freelance author Jim Hoehn in Milwaukee contributed to this report,

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

U.S. wins first gold medal of Paris Olympics at men’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay

The USA gained its first gold medal on the Paris Olympics after a powerful displaying within the 4×100 meter freestyle relay on Saturday.

The staff — made up of Jack Alexy, Chris Guiliano, Hunter Armstrong, and Caeleb Dressel — completed 1.07 seconds earlier than the silver medal staff, Australia. Italy gained bronze.

Chris Guiliano, Hunter Armstrong and Jack Alexy of Staff USA have fun after profitable gold within the Males’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Ultimate on day one of many Olympic Video games Paris 2024 at Paris La Protection Enviornment on July 27, 2024 in Nanterre, France.

/ Getty Pictures


Staff USA has gained gold on this occasion in 10 of the final 13 Olympics. It’s also Dressel’s eighth Olympic gold.

Earlier Saturday, the U.S. gained its first medal in Paris when Sarah Bacon, 27, and Kassidy Prepare dinner, 29, gained silver within the 3-meter synchronized springboard competitors. The American duo scored 314.64 factors, which put them firmly in second place behind Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen of China.

Katie Ledecky wins bronze in ladies’s 400-meter freestyle

Katie Ledecky got here up brief to reclaim gold within the ladies’s 400-meter freestyle on Saturday after Australian Ariarne Titmus defended her Olympic title.

Titmus, often called “The Terminator” handed Ledecky a second straight defeat on the Paris La Défense Enviornment within the occasion that the 27-year-old American gained in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

American Katie Ledecky (again) congratulates gold medallist Australia’s Ariarne Titmus (entrance) after the ultimate of the ladies’s 400m freestyle swimming occasion on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games on the Paris La Protection Enviornment.

OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Pictures


Along with her fingernails painted Aussie yellow, Titmus led from begin to end. She confronted her stiffest problem from Canadian phenom Summer season McIntosh however gained comfortably in 3 minutes, 57.49 seconds.

McIntosh claimed the silver in 3:58.37. Ledecky was left of their wake and obtained the bronze in 4:00.86.

Silver Medalist, Summer season McIntosh of Staff Canada, Gold Medalist, Ariarne Titmus of Staff Australia and Bronze Medalist, Katie Ledecky of Staff United States.

/ Getty Pictures


After Saturday’s race, the extremely embellished Ledecky stays at six particular person gold medals – nonetheless essentially the most of any feminine swimmer in Olympic historical past. The third-place prize is her eleventh general Olympic medal.

Titmus now has three particular person Olympic victories on her rising resume. She swept the 200 and 400 free in Tokyo, beating Ledecky, and is favored to drag off the identical double in Paris.

Ledecky is not executed but. She skipped an opportunity to face Titmus once more within the 200 free, however the American is favored to take gold in each the 800 and 1,500 races.

U.S. wins silver in ladies’s relay

Staff USA gained the silver medal within the 4×100-meter swimming relay, dropping to Australia. China gained bronze.

Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske and Simone Manuel of Staff United States have fun after profitable silver within the Ladies’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Ultimate.

/ Getty Pictures


The U.S. relay staff, which included Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske and Simone Manuel, set a brand new American report within the occasion with a time of three:30.20. The time was just below 2 seconds shy of Australia’s 3:28.92, which is a brand new Olympic report and the nation’s fourth straight Olympic title within the occasion.

The Aussies, who maintain the world report within the occasion, additionally held the earlier Olympic report time of three:29.69 which they set in Tokyo.

Thus far, the U.S. has gained 5 medals: one gold, two silver and two bronze. American bicycle owner Chloe Dygert gained bronze within the ladies’s particular person time trial in highway biking.

U.S. wins first gold on Day 1 of the Summer Games in swimming relay

An Olympic gold medal is the one main title lacking from Serbian famous person Novak Djokovic’s trophy cupboard, whereas Coco Gauff goes for gold for Workforce USA, however how precisely does the tennis occasion on the Olympics work?

The boys’s and girls’s singles occasions function a area of 64 gamers, half the variety of gamers who compete at Grand Slams together with the U.S. Open. Each fields will play better of three units with the winner of a set being the primary to achieve six video games (profitable by at the least two video games). Which means to win a match, it is advisable to win two units.

If the scores are tied at 6-6 in a set, a tiebreaker is performed the place the primary participant to seven factors, profitable by two, wins the set.

To win a sport, a participant must win 4 factors earlier than their opponent does. Having no factors in a sport is known as “love.” One level is “15,” profitable a second level will get you to “30” and a 3rd level is “40.” Successful a fourth level means you win the sport.

Why the scoring system got here to be is a thriller, however it’s meant to characterize the quarters of a clock face (15, 30, 45 with sport at 60), however ‘forty-five’ was deemed to be too lengthy to say, so was truncated to 40. Among the many doable explanations for the non-romantic use of “love” is that it is a mortgage phrase from l’oeuf, French for egg.

If a sport is stage at 40-40, the rating is known as “deuce.” To win a sport from deuce, a participant must win at the least two factors in a row. Successful a degree at deuce provides a participant ‘benefit’ — in the event that they win that time, they win the sport. If the participant with benefit loses the purpose, the rating returns to deuce.

The doubles occasions observe the identical guidelines. The one exception is that if the match is stage at one set all, a tiebreak is performed instead of a 3rd set.

The tennis match is a straight knockout bracket. The winners of every semifinal play for gold and silver, and the losers play for bronze.

Kevin Durant comes off bench in U.S. Olympic opener vs. Serbia

Kevin Durant made his return to Staff USA for Sunday’s Olympic opener towards Serbia on the Paris Video games and confirmed what the People had been lacking with him out.

Durant entered the sport within the first quarter and made his first shot try, a 3-pointer, then went on to have an ideal capturing half, going 8-for-8 from the sphere (5-for-5 from 3) to guide all scorers with 21 factors on the break.

USA Basketball introduced that Durant could be obtainable to play about an hour earlier than the sport. Durant wasn’t within the beginning lineup after coach Steve Kerr indicated Saturday that the Phoenix Suns star would possibly come off the bench in his return.

Joel Embiid began for the U.S. after he missed apply Saturday with an sickness.

Durant missed all 5 of the workforce’s pre-Olympic exhibitions with a calf pressure. He initially obtained harm a couple of days earlier than the workforce convened in Las Vegas for coaching camp in early July and had returned to full apply final week.

He’s bidding to turn into the primary four-time Olympic males’s basketball gold medalist. The all-time U.S. males’s chief in Olympic scoring was on the groups that gained titles on the London Video games in 2012, the Rio de Janeiro Video games in 2016 and the Tokyo Video games in 2021.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Team USA vs. Serbia odds, time: 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball picks, predictions by proven expert

Males’s basketball within the 2024 Summer time Olympics is underway in Paris, France. Crew USA and Serbia sq. off on Sunday morning in Group C motion. South Sudan and Puerto Rico are additionally on this group with these international locations. The Individuals are -400 favorites to win Gold. Serbia has the third-best odds at +1500.

Tipoff is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. ET in Lille, France. The US is a 13.5-point favourite within the newest Crew USA vs. Serbia odds. The over/below for complete factors is 182.5. Earlier than making any Serbia vs. Crew USA picks or 2024 Paris Olympics males’s basketball predictions, that you must see what SportsLine’s Bruce Marshall has to say.

An in-demand visitor on quite a few sports activities discuss radio and TV reveals throughout the nation, Marshall, who was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports activities betting e-newsletter, huge array of editorial work has been featured within the Las Vegas Assessment-Journal, the New York Submit and plenty of different retailers. He has received varied handicapping titles and likewise is engaged on a number of e book tasks. Marshall completed the 2023-24 season on a 197-143 roll on NBA picks (+3578) and 54-37 on school basketball picks (+1340). Anyone following his basketball picks has seen large returns. 

Now, Marshall has damaged down USA vs. Serbia and the Paris Olympics 2024 odds and revealed his greatest bets. You will discover his picks solely at SportsLine. Listed below are the strains and developments for Serbia vs. USA:

  • USA vs. Serbia unfold: USA -13.5
  • USA vs. Serbia over/below: 182.5 factors
  • USA vs. Serbia cash line: USA -1200, Serbia +650
  • USA: Crew USA is averaging 96.4 via 5 exhibitions
  • SRB: Roster has 4 energetic NBA gamers
  • USA vs. Serbia picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Crew USA can cowl

The well being of Kevin Durant is a giant issue for the Individuals. He did not go well with up in any of the 5 exhibitions with a calf harm however he’s listed as questionable. Getting Durant on the courtroom can be an enormous increase as he is likely one of the greatest scorers in all of basketball, and he is executed it at a excessive stage on Crew USA. He leads Crew USA in all-time complete factors (435), subject targets (146), 3-point subject targets (74), and free throws (69).

The duo of Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis within the frontcourt will give opposing offenses matches. Each males can defend a number of positions and use their dimension as a bonus. Adebayo is a two-time Olympian after he received gold in 2020. Within the July 17 exhibition towards Serbia, Adebayo had 17 factors and eight boards, whereas Davis is coming off a terrific season with the Los Angeles Lakers, the place he averaged 24.7 factors, 12.6 rebounds, and a pair of.3 blocks per recreation. See the picks at SportsLine.

Why Serbia can cowl

The Serbians have 4 gamers who’re presently on an NBA roster, led by Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The three-time NBA MVP is ready to be an all-around difference-maker for this staff. He rebounds the ball with ease whereas discovering totally different to be efficient as a scorer and facilitator. 

Additionally they have Bogdan Bogdanovic, who gives the Serbians with a strong ball handler who can create his personal shot. Spacing the ground will likely be key as the US has nice perimeter defenders. Nikola Jovic of the Miami Warmth is one other affect playmaker. Jovic stands at 6-foot-10, however owns the jumper to stretch the ground if wanted. See the picks at SportsLine. 

Find out how to make Serbia vs. United States picks

Marshall has analyzed Crew USA vs. Serbia from each angle, and he is leaning Below on the purpose complete. He has additionally discovered a essential X-factor that has him leaping throughout one facet of the unfold. He is sharing what it’s, and which facet to again, solely at SportsLine.

So who wins Crew USA vs. Serbia within the 2024 Paris Olympics, and what essential x-factor makes one facet of the unfold a should again? Go to SportsLine now to see which facet of the unfold to leap on, all from the professional who completed the 2023-24 NBA season up greater than $3,500, and discover out.

Olympics Opening Ceremony ‘Last Supper’ Controversy, Explained

One efficiency from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics has prompted blended reactions.

The four-hour ceremony kicked off the beginning of the Summer time Video games July 26, with athletes gliding down the River Seine and performers reenacting internationally historic moments.

Extra from the Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Throughout a controversial tableau, drag queens and dancers lined an extended desk in a picture that some believed resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Final Supper” portrait of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles.

Following the efficiency, some known as the imagery a “mockery” and “insulting to Christian folks,” whereas others discovered the second a celebration for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and inclusivity.

On July 28, Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps apologized “if folks have taken any offense.”

“Clearly there was by no means an intention to indicate disrespect to any spiritual group. Quite the opposite, I believe that (creative director) Thomas Jolly actually tried to rejoice neighborhood tolerance,” Descamps mentioned at a press convention. “We consider that this ambition was achieved. If folks have taken any offense, we’re actually sorry.”

Learn on to see why some have in contrast this Olympics opening ceremony efficiency to the “The Final Summer time,” how individuals are reacting and extra.

Why some are connecting the Olympics opening ceremony to ‘The Final Supper’

In a single scene from the opening ceremony, a dinner platter lifted to indicate a primarily nude Katerine singing in French. Within the background, dancers and drag queens struck poses alongside an extended desk.

Panning by the tableau, a digital camera first confirmed an individual topped with an aureole in entrance of DJ turntables. The following shot confirmed the remainder of the desk lined with performers holding their poses.

The desk then reworked right into a catwalk, because the drag queens and fashions took the stage in homage to Paris’ trend scene.

The official X account for the Olympic Video games shared pictures of the second and referenced Dionysus, Greek god of wine-making, fruitfulness and ecstasy.

“The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us conscious of the absurdity of violence between human beings,” read a tweet from the official X account of the Olympics.

However some related the tableau to the biblical scene da Vinci portrayed in “The Final Supper,” when Jesus Christ and his apostles shared a closing meal earlier than the crucifixion.

“The Final Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. DEA / M. RANZANI / De Agostini by way of Getty Photographs

When requested concerning the backlash July 27, the ceremony’s creative director, Thomas Jolly, mentioned at a press convention that he didn’t intend “to be subversive,” “mock” or “shock.”

“We wished to incorporate everybody, so simple as that,” he mentioned. “In France, we have now freedom of creation, creative freedom. We’re fortunate in France to stay in a free nation. I didn’t have any particular messages that I wished to ship. In France, we’re republic, we have now the correct to like whom we would like, we have now the correct to not be worshippers, we have now a whole lot of rights in France, and that is what I wished to convey.”

Showing on French information channel BFM-TV Sunday, Jolly confirmed “The Final Supper” was “not my inspiration.”

“There’s Dionysus who arrives on this desk. He’s there as a result of he’s the God of celebration in Greek mythology,” Jolly mentioned. “The concept was to have a pagan celebration related to the gods of Olympus. You’ll by no means discover in me a want to mock and denigrate anybody.”

Reactions to Olympics opening ceremony efficiency

Some have been supportive of the creative imaginative and prescient, arguing the tableau was combating to make an announcement on inclusivity.

“We all know within the LGBTQ neighborhood in France we’re removed from what the ceremony confirmed. There’s a lot progress to do in society relating to transgender folks. It’s horrible that to legally change their identification they’re pressured to be on trial,” France’s Inter-LGBT President James Leperlier mentioned, per the AP.

Talking to French newspaper Le Parisien, Katerine mentioned in French that all the ceremony was “shifting” and “grandiose.”

“I used to be pleased with it as a result of it’s my tradition. We’re full of various folks and every individual lives in their very own means and above all has the correct to take action. I liked doing it,” he mentioned. Katerine added that he hoped to get the next message throughout: “If we’re bare, there is no such thing as a struggle as a result of there are not any weapons.”

Le Filip, who gained the third season of “Drag Race France” this yr, instructed AP they have been “amazed.”

“I believed it will be a five-minute drag occasion with queer illustration. I used to be amazed. It began with Girl Gaga, then we had drag queens, an enormous rave, and a fireplace within the sky. It felt like a crowning yet again. I’m proud to see my mates and queer folks on the world stage,” Le Filip mentioned.

Le Filip celebrates the comparability between the drag efficiency and “The Final Supper,” writing, “période,” or “interval” in French.@le_filip / Instagram

Others, together with celebrities, U.S. political figures and Catholic church leaders, expressed outrage on the scene.

Actor Candace Cameron Bure, whose husband is a two-time Olympic medalist, known as the efficiency “disgusting.” 

“(To) see the opening ceremonies fully blaspheme and mock the Christian religion with their interpretation of the Final Supper was disgusting,” she mentioned in an Instagram submit July 28. “It made me so unhappy. And somebody mentioned, ‘You shouldn’t be unhappy. You have to be mad about it.’ And I’m like, ‘Belief me. It makes me mad.’ However I’m extra unhappy, as a result of I’m unhappy for souls.”

Home Speaker Mike Johnson shared a picture July 27 of the scene on X and known as the tableau “stunning” and “insulting.”

Catholic leaders in France known as the scene a “mockery of Christianity” in an announcement, Reuters reported.

“This ceremony has sadly included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we very deeply deplore,” the Convention of French bishops mentioned in an announcement.

Harrison Butker, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs kicker who gave a controversial graduation speech bearing on contraception, COVID-19 restrictions, ladies’s roles and extra earlier this yr, quoted the Bible on X after the ceremony.

“‘Be not deceived, God just isn’t mocked. For what issues a person shall sow, these additionally shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh additionally shall reap corruption. However he that soweth within the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life eternal,’” he wrote, citing, “Galatians 6:7-8.”


UFC 304 takeaways: Can Muhammad finally get his shine? Will Jones-Aspinall ever happen?

A 14-fight card at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, was headlined by a pair of title bout rematches. Belal Muhammad dethroned Leon Edwards to grow to be the brand new welterweight champion. Within the co-main occasion, Tom Aspinall made fast work of Curtis Blaydes, leaving little doubt that he is top-of-the-line strikers on the planet. To make sense of all of it, Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale and Jeff Wagenheim supply their last ideas.

The stage was set for Leon Edwards to placed on a starry efficiency. It was early into Sunday morning — with the solar nonetheless down — however the followers at Co-op Stay enviornment have been absolutely awake and able to cheer on a present after simply having watched two different native heroes, Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett, rating rousing first-round finishes.

Edwards didn’t ship the locals dwelling completely happy, although. It wasn’t just because he misplaced his UFC welterweight championship to Belal Muhammad. By the point the choice was being learn, the solar was rising in Manchester, however the power within the constructing had already been deadened. The principle occasion had primarily performed out with the challenger in dominant positions on the canvas or in clinches, as he piled up over 12 minutes of management time. Muhammad by no means significantly threatened a end, however he gave Edwards little alternative for a giant efficiency and the British followers little motive to cheer.

This was exactly what Muhammad had stated he was going to do. However it appeared unlikely, on condition that Edwards’ previous three fights had been in opposition to robust wrestlers — Kamaru Usman twice and Colby Covington — and the champ had principally saved these fights standing, the place he’s most harmful. Even when Edwards and Muhammad first met in 2021, in a bout that ended early in Spherical 2 as a no-contest after a watch poke rendered Muhammad unable to proceed, Edwards had saved the struggle in positions the place he might get the higher of it.

Not this time. Though Edwards had a giant third spherical, getting a takedown early and threatening a submission till the horn, and though he turned across the last spherical and landed a late elbow that left Muhammad’s face bloody, the soon-to-be-dethroned champ was unable to generate constant offense. His title reign simply petered out.

So now Muhammad is the most recent everyman to personal a UFC belt, following within the footsteps of men equivalent to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, fighters who placed on championship-winning performances however lack the star energy the UFC brass craves. Muhammad deserves all of the accolades for this victory, however will these accolades come his method?

The UFC star-building machine has by no means precisely embraced Edwards. So good luck to Muhammad, who had waited a very long time earlier than being given his shot. He needed to go on a 10-fight unbeaten run earlier than getting a date with Edwards. He made probably the most of it on this night time, however the smothering type wherein he secured his title would have made this struggle a yawner even when it weren’t taking part in out in entrance of his opponent’s dwelling followers and the sleepy hours of the night time. — Wagenheim


Is Jon Jones going to reply the telephone for Tom Aspinall?

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Tom Aspinall delivers message to Jon Jones after title protection

Tom Aspinall tells Jon Jones he is higher than him after his fast win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

Hale: All Aspinall wanted was one minute to avenge the lone blemish on his UFC file by annihilating Blaydes. Outdoors of Ciryl Gane, there’s no person else left for Aspinall to struggle who would current an inexpensive menace.

Apart from the TKO loss resulting from harm, Aspinall has worn out the higher crust of the heavyweight division with little to no resistance. Aspinall’s previous three fights in opposition to Blaydes, Sergei Pavlovich and Marcin Tybura have lasted a grand complete of three minutes and 22 seconds, with none going longer than 90 seconds. Aspinall entered the Octagon with a median struggle time of two:10, the shortest in UFC historical past. The 60 seconds it took to dispatch Blaydes will prolong his lead.

For what it is value, Jones has each proper to disregard the decision and trip off into the sundown when he presumably beats Stipe Miocic in November. It in all probability will not diminish his stature as the best combined martial artist, contemplating that he has way more to lose than acquire in a struggle with Aspinall.

Nevertheless, if he needs to show that he is nonetheless the most effective fighter on the planet, Jones must reply the hardest problem of his UFC profession in opposition to a person who is greater, quicker and extra highly effective than anyone he has ever shared an Octagon with.

As large as a struggle between Jones and Francis Ngannou was regarded as, the specter of Aspinall has eclipsed that and made Jones-Aspinall the most important struggle that may be made within the UFC, exterior of something Conor McGregor.


Paddy Pimblett was all the time this good

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Paddy Pimblett wakes up Manchester with big submission win

Paddy Pimblett electrifies the Manchester crowd with an unbelievable submission win at UFC 304.

Okamoto: This is how you realize Pimblett has completed his job in relation to getting individuals to care about him — the overreactions to his performances.

When he beat Jared Gordon, in a struggle many scored for Gordon, it appeared like followers and pundits alike could not wait to leap off the bandwagon. When he failed to complete a veteran in Tony Ferguson, the “overrated” narrative grew. After which, after one (albeit) implausible submission victory over King Inexperienced, impulsively social media is flooded with “Paddy is the actual deal” feedback?

The game as a complete is swinging method too vast with each Pimblett efficiency. What did he do Saturday that we did not know he might do? We all know he has a harmful floor sport. We all know he tends to stand up when the highlight is at its brightest. This is not to downplay his previous exploits. The precise reverse, really.

It was the most effective win of his UFC profession so far. However why are we treating it prefer it confirmed us one thing we have been oblivious to? I knew Pimblett might carry out like this, and I believe the UFC knew it, too. The highest of the division remains to be going to be powerful for Pimblett. It was all the time going to be. The query of how far he can go remains to be on the market. And maybe for some, this final efficiency reveals he is for actual, however I used to be below the impression we already knew he was.