“It’s already helped in the spring because first of all, they understand our way and they had to adapt to that a little bit and the way we practice,” Deion Sanders said about his transfer portal additions this year on The Morning Run Live podcast. “We work. We may not be out there long, but we work. The walk-throughs are intense and focus-driven. The meetings, you’ve got to be on your game. Ain’t definitely going to be no phones. You focus like crazy, man.”

Contrary to expectations after a historic 9-win season in 2024, last year was a disappointment for Sanders. Colorado managed just three wins in 2025, and both the offense and defense were woeful. A major factor in Colorado’s tanking was the lack of locker room leadership. Because, unlike 2024, when the team had leaders like Shedeur and Travis Hunter to rally the team on down moments, it wasn’t the case in 2025. Partly because there were too many portal additions.

More than 60 Colorado players entered the transfer portal, underscoring the need for change within the program. Sanders believes the solution is to recruit leaders, not simply stars. During the offseason, Colorado heavily attacked the portal again. The Buffaloes added 43 newcomers, many of whom had captained teams at their previous schools. The strategy was intentional because Sanders felt the team lacked voices capable of holding everyone accountable.

 

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“These guys, man, they’re just different. Because we picked the mentality,” Deion Sanders added. “We didn’t just choose talent. We chose the mentality and young men who can ride with each other, who can get along. Ain’t no selfishness, no jealousy, no bull junk, man.” But bringing in tough mentality players isn’t all Deion Sanders is doing this year.

This January, Coach Prime rolled out sweeping rules for his team, unlike in 2025. Players will now face NIL reprimands and even pay cuts for social media violations and public misconduct online. Coming late to practice? Players will have to pay a $500 fine, and not showing up to practice at all will attract a $2,500 fine. Not just that, Sanders has also strictly instructed against profanity on the team or in the locker room.

“Profanity needs to stop,” Sanders said in January. “I’ve heard it myself, especially in the dining area. It needs to stop. We’re not the only ones in the cafeteria. You need to be respectful. And make sure we respect our women. If you get out of pocket and start calling our women by their first name, that’s a problem with me.”

The pressure on Sanders has never been greater. The excitement of the 2024 breakthrough raised expectations. The 2025 collapse brought criticism. CBS Sports called the latest portal cycle one of the most important stretches of Sanders’ Colorado coaching career because the program needed a complete reset after the disappointing season.

Deion Sanders has a mounting task this year amid growing donor frustration

One reason 2025 was so tough for Sanders was his cancer diagnosis and recovery, which took up much of the offseason. Even after he came and started coaching at Colorado, he wasn’t fully recovered, and it wasn’t until three days ago this June that Coach Prime announced himself “Cancer-free.”

All of it did give Coach Prime some sympathy, but Colorado expects results right away, considering its athletic department is running in a $27 million deficit, and donor frustration is mounting amid Sanders’ portal-heavy approach.

“It’s not all about the NIL (Name/Image/Likeness). It still has to be about the fans. It has to be about the university, your teammates, and the community,” longtime CU donor Dan Stroh said. “We’re not just going to write checks and hope (the players) come. You give them (that check), and the guy’s gone tomorrow. To hell with that. That ain’t happening to me. No allegiance, no money.”

For Sanders, the rebuild starts with small habits. A player paying attention in a meeting. A teammate holding another player accountable. A captain speaking up when things go wrong. That’s why the “no phones” rule matters.

The post “No Phones”: Deion Sanders Shares Strict Locker Room Rule to Avoid Repeat of Colorado’s Disaster appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“That’s a misconception, because grass-court tennis has nothing to do with that aggressive style of play. Of course, you have to play aggressively, but that’s not the deciding factor in whether you play well on grass or not. The deciding factor in playing well on grass is whether you’re able to move on that surface. That’s the be-all and end-all. And for me, at 6’6″ and 210 lbs, that’s difficult,” he said after the French Open.  

After a successful clay swing that culminated with his first-ever Grand Slam triumph, he believes he needs to make changes to prepare in time for Wimbledon. 

“I know how to play on fast surfaces. I won Paris two years ago. It was the fastest hard court in the last ten years. I won Cincinnati, on one of the fastest hard courts in the world. I won the Olympics there, and it was incredibly fast. The speed of the surface suits me. It’s the movement that’s the problem. That’s my only issue, and I have to adapt to it,” he stated. 

A player of Zverev’s dimensions, carrying his kind of frame, is at an inherent disadvantage the moment the surface demands rapid, low-to-the-ground changes of direction. Clay and hard courts offer grip. Grass, especially in the first few days of a tournament before it compresses down, doesn’t. 

The 2024 Wimbledon incident is the sharpest illustration of that reality. Zverev had been in impressive form at Wimbledon, moving through to the fourth round when he hyperextended his left knee chasing down a drop shot against Cameron Norrie. He played through the injury, beat Norrie, then carried a bone edema and a tear in the capsule into his fourth-round match against Taylor Fritz, which he eventually lost after squandering a two-set lead. 

“I played incredibly well on grass in 2024. I said at the time that I felt better than ever. What happened? I slipped and broke a bone in my knee. These are the kinds of things that can only happen on grass,” Zverev said. 

In the wake, he’d declared grass to be “the most dangerous surface,” and the 2025 grass season brought no reprieve, with a Wimbledon first-round exit to Arthur Rinderknech, highlighting how much the surface still resists him. 

The numbers add another layer to the picture. Zverev’s 45-23 career record on grass and his ranking of 153rd on tour for win percentage on the surface is nothing like a player who ranks third in the world and has won 25 ATP titles throughout his career. None of those 25 titles have come down on grass.

He has made it to three grass-court finals, twice in Halle in 2016 and 2017 and once in Stuttgart in 2025, but has never crossed the final hurdle. He has even reached the fourth round of Wimbledon three times, in 2017, 2021, and 2024, but has never gone further. 

The contrast that he’s making is a precise one. He’s not concerned with speed. Traction does. All of the explosive movement patterns that are useful on a hard court now turn into a liability on a surface that can ruin a tournament or an entire season if a player even misjudges one step. That’s the harsh truth Zverev will now have to face as the grass-court swing gets underway. 

He can lean into examples set by fellow tall players Hubert Hurkacz or Daniil Medvedev. From taking micro steps to widening their stance to maintain a lower center of gravity, the players also need to master the art of deceleration on grass to have better control during points.

A new Zverev arrives at Wimbledon with more to lose and less to fear

The conundrum about Alexander Zverev going into Wimbledon this year is that his French Open victory has both heightened the expectations and lifted the burden. For years, he arrived at every major carrying the question of whether he could win one at all. That question has now been answered.

There have been several analysts, such as Greg Rusedski and Boris Becker, who have suggested that the lifting of the Roland Garros trophy has taken a “huge weight” off his shoulders and made him a more dangerous and different proposition. Bookmakers have placed him among the second or third favorites for Wimbledon, aided in part by Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the tournament with a wrist injury. 

Before Wimbledon, the German star will play at the Halle Open, an event where he has advanced to the semi-finals for three straight years (2023, 2024, 2025) and reached the final as far back as 2016 and 2017. It is his most natural grass-court testing ground, and the results there indicated that the surface is not impenetrable to him when he is playing in the right conditions and has his body fit. 

The issue that has been weighing on Zverev at every Wimbledon has not been whether he can go deep. It is whether his body will permit him to use it for two weeks on a field that, over the years, has been known to make him leave with an injury that he doesn’t have. A first Grand Slam title changes many things, but it does not alter the grass court and the challenges it poses. 

The post Alexander Zverev Clears Up ‘Misconception’ About His Grass-Court Struggles: ‘That’s My Only Issue’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Some of the biggest names are teeing up at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. The field includes four top 10-ranked players: Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, and Tommy Fleetwood, with defending champion Ryan Fox also in the mix.

The purse has grown steadily over the recent years. In 2023, the total purse stood at $9 million, with the winner collecting $1.62 million. It climbed to $9.4 million in 2024 and saw a $400,000 jump. The champion’s share also rose to $1,692,000. The purse held at $9.8 million in 2025, the same figure as in 2026.

This year, the total prize purse for the 2026 RBC Canadian Open sits at a whopping $9.8 million. The winner will take home $1,764,000, which is the standard 18% of the total pot. The runner-up will earn $1,068,200, meaning even second prize is worth over a million dollars.

The cut comes after two rounds, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend. Every professional who completes all four rounds earns the prize money.

Here’s the detailed breakdown for all those who make the cut:

The paycheck is significant, but the winner of the RBC Canadian Open walks away with considerably more than a check. The winner also earns 500 FedExCup points, which is the standard allocation for a non-signature event in 2026. Along with that, they will also earn 47.7 Official World Golf Ranking points. Those points carry immense weight, particularly for anyone on the cusp of a major championship invite or a ranking boost heading into the back half of the season.

The win will also come with a two-year PGA Tour exemption and automatic invites to the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the remaining 2026 signature events. For a player outside the elite tier, that package can reshape the next two years of their career entirely.

Interesting things to know about the RBC Canadian Open History 

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley did not always look like a PGA Tour venue. The property started with a single course built on flat farmland in Caledon, Ontario, in 1992. A Canadian architect, Doug Carrick, designed it to evoke the look and feel of a seaside links.

The course underwent significant renovation ahead of the 2025 tournament, with the Canadian architect Ian Andrew reworking the layout to meet the PGA Tour standards. It now plays as a par 70 at just over 7,389 yards.

Beyond the course and the architecture, what makes TPC Toronto’s arrival meaningful is the history it has now joined. The RBC Canadian Open dates to 1904, making it the second-oldest non-major on the professional calendar. Glen Abbey hosted the event 30 times across its history. In 2000, Tiger Woods became the second player in history to win the Triple Crown: The U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the Canadian Open. Lee Trevino achieved this feat in 1971.

The post RBC Canadian Open 2026: Prize Money Breakdown & Winner’s Payout appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“You knew TJ Watt does not want to drop into coverage,” said Roethlisberger on his podcast, Footbahlin. “Why is he dropping in to cover anybody that’s not his? Can he do it? Sure. But that’s not his forte. Get him to the quarterback. You got to say the right things. But like, and I’m not, I’m just using that as an example. Maybe there are other guys, maybe a corner doesn’t want to play man or zone as much or doesn’t like doing, I don’t know what it is. But to answer your question, my excitement would come from the player’s excitement.

Like when a player is like, “Man, I’m excited about this coach coming in. He brought these new thoughts on the pass game, or these new run games, or this new scheme.” You’re like, excited about it. That’s something to get excited about as a fan watching.”

Ben Roethlisberger played 15 seasons of his NFL career under Mike Tomlin and has seen firsthand how the former coach trained players at the Steelers. Hence, Roethlisberger’s assessment isn’t hard to overlook.

The former Steelers coach had a very strict approach to his training. Rather than adapting schemes to fit a player’s natural skill set, Tomlin operated on a rigid sink-or-swim philosophy. And this wasn’t just an assessment. Former Steelers player Kevin Doston recently spoke about the strict ways that were used for training players in Pittsburgh.

“If they tell you to play some position, you’ve got to play it. They don’t really care if you’ve never played it before. They pay you to do a job. And you got to do the job,” said former Steelers guard Kevin Dotson on NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov.

Roethlisberger particularly focused on how Steelers veteran TJ Watt, who is currently signed with a $123 million deal, was misused. Watt reportedly played over 94% of his defensive snaps strictly at left outside linebacker, and it became very predictable for the opponents to make plans against the linebacker. This particular issue was also raised by former Patriots WR Julian Edelman, from an opponent’s perspective.

“They still do the same G—– s— [as] when I was playing Tomlin’s defense,” said Edelman on the Games With Names podcast in January 2025. “I’m like, ‘We still have linebackers covering the three slot?’ Every time we play the Steelers, I have at least nine catches. You would think that they would change it, but no, they do what they do.”

However, in the case of Watt, the veteran LB contradicted the generic assessment. He noted that it was his stubbornness and hesitance to take a flexible role in Tomlin’s defense.

As things stand, the Steelers may not have to worry much about predictability for their games moving forward. After Tomlin’s departure earlier this year, the team hired Mike McCarthy as his replacement, who is already implementing new strategies in Pittsburgh.

New coaching staff sparks light among the Steelers as TJ Watt highlights differences

Right from his appointment, the Super Bowl XLV-winning coach, along with defense coordinator Patrick Graham, has implemented major positional changes. For example, TJ Watt is given a more flexible role in the defensive line and is confident about the changes.

“I think this new system allows a lot of this to be built in. So, I really can’t say no. I have to move with it. A lot of us are interchanging the parts,” said Watt in a media scrum. “You’re not just learning your position. You kind of have to learn the whole defensive front structure. We all basically interchange when we do different things. So, I think you’re going to see a lot more movement out of not just me, but the whole front.”

Watt further highlighted the key differences between Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy. Tomlin took an old-school approach, while McCarthy heavily integrates analytical data into his daily assessment routines.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” Watt added. “It’s been a lot of studying. A lot of learning is happening on the iPads. Also trying to see the new faces, not only players and coaches. There’s been a lot of really good work. As you guys can see, practices are a little bit different around here. You don’t see benches out here anymore. It’s just interesting. There are two ways it’s going to catch. There are many different ways to do things. Things much different than what I’ve been used to over the last years. It’s good. Change is good for me.”

Watt and the Steelers players have seemingly moved ahead of Tomlin’s coaching book and are invested in McCarthy’s new training system. However, only time will tell what the results from these changes will look like for the Steelers.

The post Ben Roethlisberger Takes Apparent Shot at Mike Tomlin for Misusing $123M Steelers Veteran appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“In my opinion, he will play in a more relaxed way; he has got rid of a huge weight,” he told La Gazzetta Dello Sport. “I think that if we were looking for a third player between Sinner and Alcaraz, we finally found him. Jannik and Carlos will no longer be able to feel so quiet; in my opinion, Sascha will get considerably closer to their level.”

Despite being the far more experienced player of the three, Zverev was left in the shadows by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have won multiple Grand Slams. The pair also boast a better H2H record over the German, with Sinner leading 10-4 and Alcaraz being slightly ahead by 7-6.

Zverev also boasts quite an impressive trophy cabinet of his own. He already has 24 ATP titles and an Olympic gold medal to show for his achievements, but he has now added a Grand Slam to it as well. After losing three Grand Slam finals, the success in Paris was much needed for him.

The 29-year-old is now undoubtedly the third most successful player on the tour. Things can get even better for him on the grass swing as he stands a chance to surpass Alcaraz on the rankings.

Zverev currently sits at No. 3 with 7,305 points under his belt while Alcaraz is right ahead of him with 9,960 points. Though the point deficit might look huge, the Spaniard will drop 500 and 1,300 points at the HSBC Championships and Wimbledon, respectively, for not taking part.

With Zverev eliminated in Wimbledon’s first round last year, he has minimal points to defend. So, a good run at the Grand Slam could see him surpass Alcaraz on the rankings. But it would still be a long way to go for the German if he wants to overtake Sinner.

The Italian had claimed the No. 1 spot in April with his victory over Alcaraz in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters. He went from strength to strength in the tournaments that followed, clinching titles in both Madrid and Rome. Despite his second-round exit at the French Open, Sinner stands clear from the rest of the pack with 13,500 points.

Alexander Zverev has the No. 1 ranking as his next target

The 29-year-old is even willing to play for another 10 years if that’s what takes him to become the World No. 1 for the first time in his career.

“I want to keep playing for another ten years,” Zverev said in an interview with the German Publication Bild. “I’ve already achieved the Grand Slam goal, and the only thing I’m missing is being number one in the world. Even if it’s just for a week, that would be nice. Although with the competition there is, it will be very difficult.”

Zverev has remained in the top 10 for almost three years now. He has reached the No. 2 spot on multiple occasions but has just not been able to take the premier position.

Wimbledon will be Zverev’s first test of whether his Grand Slam breakthrough translates to sustained dominance.

The post “Closer to Their Level”: ATP Legend Makes Bold Alexander Zverev Claim Ahead of Wimbledon appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“When you come in as a pinch runner, you gotta know how many outs there are. You’re just going. There’s no reason to look back or hesitate. There are two outs. Just go,” Cone gets quoted by Talkin’ Yanks.

The score was tied in the eighth inning at 1-1 with Volpe at first and Ben Rice at the plate and two outs. Rice hit a grounder to the right field off the Toronto Blue Jays’ Tyler Rogers and was missed by Charles McAdoo at first base. The ball went deep to the right field, and Volpe had ample time to go further beyond third. However, he looked back after covering the second base and jogged to the third. The footage clearly showed that the Yankees’ third base coach, Luis Rojas, was telling Volpe to continue sprinting.

The hesitation forced Volpe to rest at the third while Jasson Dominguez entered the plate and grounded out to the first. A routine run was missed.

David Cone on Anthony Volpe:

"When you come in as a pinch runner you gotta know how many outs there are. You're just going. There's no reason to look back or hesitate. There's two outs. Just go." pic.twitter.com/u246shhStR

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 13, 2026

The incident once again put the focus on Volpe as the fans wonder why the Yankees are not deciding on him. So far, Volpe recorded .194/.308/.299 with a 71 OPS+ in his 20 games of action. He started the year with a costly fielding gaffe, and now another as a pinch runner. The Yankees believe in Volpe. That’s obvious. But as Ottavino pointed out, that kind of loyalty has its limits in New York.

The Yankees fans are left unimpressed with Anthony Volpe

Fans are convinced that Antony Volpe lacks the fundamentals of the game. “Volpe certainly has talent. However, he seriously lacks any fundamentals of the game and is constantly trying to think instead of acting or reacting. And it’s killed any confidence in himself, and it shows everywhere in his game,” one fan said.

There’s no doubt about Anthony Volpe’s talent. He scored 27 HRs at .294 in 2021 and 21 HRs at .249 in 2022. Before entering MLB, he was in scorching form and was one of the Yankees’ top prospects. However, his mental gaffe is costing huge on the field. For example, against the Cleveland Guardians, he misplayed a 96.6 mph line drive from Chase DeLauter directly at him, leading to a run. These incidents are further killing Volpe’s confidence. “That’s what happens with minor league players… and poor ones at that,” another added.

“These are just easy fundamentals. They struggle year after year. Why???” One user remarked. Volpe led the league with 19 errors and struggled offensively with a .212 last year. In the middle of last year, Aaron Boone even fielded Caballero in Volpe’s absence. However, nothing changed this year. Just when Volpe was about to return after his injury this year, Ken Rosenthal suggested keeping him in the minors. “Volpe’s rehabilitation assignment expires tomorrow, so at that point the Yankees either bring him to the majors or they keep him in the minors.”

A few fans also agreed to the same. “God, I hate Volpe, trade him or cut him,” one fan said. “He needs to get sent down,” another agreed. The Yankees, though, did not pay heed to these calls and placed Volpe in Sunday’s lineup. Time will answer how long this goes on.

The post Yankees Nation Lashes Out at Anthony Volpe After 5X World Series Champion Calls Out Bizarre Incident appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Clark was asked about the Sun’s future move during her postgame press conference, a video of which was later shared on the Fever’s YouTube channel. Reflecting on the situation, Clark noted that certain challenges come with playing in Connecticut. She emphasized that she has enjoyed her experiences there and noted that it was the site of her first-ever WNBA game.

“At times it’s hard for teams like us to function in this type of environment, like just from a facility standpoint, a security standpoint, a hotel standpoint, but like I enjoy coming here, like this is my first, this was my first ever WNBA game… It’s really hard to find a hotel, and it’s just difficult. But, you know, I’ve had good experiences here,” she said.

Caitlin Clark also acknowledged the history and tradition that the Connecticut franchise has built over the years. At the same time, she said she understands why a decision like this could ultimately come down to business considerations. 

“I mean obviously, this organization has great history and great tradition. Obviously, they have a passionate fan base, and I’m sure their fans would love to have a team, and I’m sure it was a business business decision,” she said.

Of course, the two teams will still meet twice more this season, once in July and again in August. Those matchups, however, will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. As such, the next time Clark and the Fever visit the Sun on their home floor will most likely be in Houston next season. And for Clark, she’s looking forward to that opportunity. 

“I don’t make those decisions, and I know this organization has a lot of history. but I guess I’ll be excited to go to Houston,” she said.

The focus for now, however, shifts to the Fever’s upcoming trip to face the Toronto Tempo, where they will play their next game as they continue their regular-season schedule.

Stephanie White Calls Connecticut Sun Move “Heartbreaking,” Says New England Deserves a WNBA Team

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, speaking in the same postgame press conference, also shared her thoughts on the Sun’s upcoming move away from Connecticut. For White, the region deserves to have a professional basketball team. And that’s why she believes the relocation is a difficult one for the area.

“I think that this is an area that deserves a pro team. It’s heartbreaking, you know, for the tribe, and it’s heartbreaking for this area, but I do think that the New England area and the New England basketball fans deserve a team,” she said.

White actually has a bit of history with the franchise herself. She served as the Connecticut Sun’s head coach for two seasons. She coached them in 2023 and 2024, leading the team to back-to-back WNBA semifinal appearances.

Speaking about the organization, White also made it clear that she enjoyed her time with the franchise and the people associated with it.

In fact, White pointed out that when the franchise moved from Orlando to Connecticut, the WNBA was still trying to grow, and several teams were struggling. However, after the team became the Connecticut Sun, fans in Connecticut continued to support the franchise strongly, helping it build one of the league’s most loyal fan bases.

The post ‘Hard for Teams to Function’ – Caitlin Clark Honest About Connecticut in Final Visit Ahead of Houston Relocation appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Woodhall made a confident start in the 400m at the USTAF LA Distance Classic, pacing his race to near perfection. The American parathlete hit all the fundamentals on the right note, finishing the race with an impressive 46.58 seconds, two seconds ahead of the nearest competitor. Although the time was noteworthy, Woodhall has already shown he can run faster than he did yesterday.

His 2024 Paris Paralympics triumph came in 46.36 seconds, 0.22 seconds faster than his LA time. But the American broke all records at a local meet last year. Competing at the Trackwired Manhattan Qualifier in July 2025, Woodhall clocked 45.70 seconds in the 400m dash, which was a world record in the T-62 division. However, since it did not come at the Paralympics, Woodhall still does not hold the Olympic record.

W For Woodhall

Hunter Woodhall ran 46.58 for the win in the men’s Para 400m at last night’s USATF LA Distance Classic.

The Paralympic champion controlled the race throughout, crossing the line more than two seconds ahead of the field.#USATF #LAGrandPrix

Raymond Tran pic.twitter.com/8gy4Ts3KfP

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 14, 2026

Woodhall has been a pioneer in para-athletics, demonstrating what is possible in terms of athletic excellence for someone with double amputations.

Hunter Woodhall has been breaking barriers since an early age

Born with fibular hemimelia, a congenital condition in which the fibula bones in the lower legs didn’t form, Woodhall dared to dream of becoming an Olympic champion. With amputation as the only way out, he underwent surgery at just 11 months old and had to walk with the help of prosthetics. However, he was quite adamant about his passion for athletics, which led him to switch to carbon-fiber blades.

Woodhall’s talents were not a false promise. The 17-year-old won two medals in two categories at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. His hometown celebrated his achievements and named September 15 in his honor. What followed was another trailblazing moment. Woodhall received a Division One scholarship when he joined college, something previously reserved only for non-disabled athletes.

But his career achievements alone don’t make him a role model. His relationship with Tara Davis Woodhall, whom he married in 2022, has also earned him many followers on social media. The two were at the center of the world’s attention in Paris in 2024, as both won gold medals in their respective events, defining what a power couple truly represents. Tara cheered Woodhall at the LA meet as well, where she will take part in the 100m hurdles and the long jump.

Hunter Woodhall is not letting his excellent form go to waste, as he has already entered his name at the Prefontaine Classic in July. The American will aim to run under 46 seconds to keep the rest of the field behind and gradually build toward the national championships, scheduled later this year, where he is the defending champion, as well as keeping one eye on the World Championships next year and the Olympics in 2028.

The post Hunter Woodhall Dominates Men’s Para 400m at USATF LA Distance Classic 2026, Storming to Victory appeared first on EssentiallySports.

On June 14, Diego Lopes is set to face Steve Garcia. A victory would bring him back to his winning ways after back-to-back losses to Alexander Volkanovski. As the 31-year-old featherweight prepares to light up the Octagon once more, let’s take a closer look at the story behind his tattoos.

What is the meaning of Diego Lopes’s chest tattoo?

Apart from their fighting skills inside the Octagon, UFC fighters have their tattoos on full display. Each tattoo has a deep meaning, reflecting stories that are seldom explicitly talked about! But for Lopes, his tattoo tells a pretty straightforward story. The 31-year-old has a ‘Dream, Believe, Make It Happen’ tattoo over his chest. For a long time, fans wondered why the inspiring phrase was tattooed on Lopes’ chest.

According to Lopes, his tattoo reflects the personal struggles he endured on his way to becoming a top fighter. 

“When I got the tattoo on my chest, I was going through a difficult time in my life and career,” he said. “I wanted to wake up every day in the morning, see myself in the mirror, and remember why I left my house at 18 years old. I couldn’t stop until I achieved everything I had dreamed of.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Diego Lopes (@diegolopesmma)

That single line sums up his story: a young man leaving home, chasing an impossible dream, and refusing to quit until he made it real. But what about his other tattoos? Where else does Lopes sport tattoos on his body, and what do they mean?

Are there any other tattoos on Diego Lopes’s body?

The Brazilian has a tattoo on his right forearm. It looks like a highly sophisticated design of a lion’s face, which symbolizes strength and courage. On his left arm, near the elbow, he has another symbol tattooed, representing his resilience. On the right side of his rib cage, he has a tattoo of a quote in Portuguese, which reflects his Brazilian heritage. 

Together, these tattoos build a picture of who Diego Lopes is. Every tattoo tells a chapter of his story. From leaving home at 18 to standing as a UFC headliner twice, Lopes has lived by the mantra he carries on his chest.

That said, Lopes clearly has a passion for tattoos. While he already has several great designs, his canvas has plenty of space left. 

The post Diego Lopes Tattoos: Origin and Meaning Behind UFC Star’s Chest, Ribs, and Other Inks appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Earlier this week, the governing body of world soccer confirmed that even though Artan will not be officiating any matches in the World Cup this summer, they will pay his full tournament fee.

It is in accordance with their previous policies. Referees do not receive their World Cup payments until after the tournament, but sources confirmed to BBC Sport that Artan will receive everything he is owed, regardless of his absence. It is a gesture that cannot undo the harm, but it does acknowledge what was taken from him through no fault of his own.

Somalia is one of several countries on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list, and officials believed they had sufficient reason to deny him entry, even though he carried a diplomatic passport issued by his country. Andrew Giuliani, the person in charge of the FIFA World Cup from the White House, told the BBC: “While I can’t go into the details on that, I can tell you it was the right decision by Customs and Border Patrol, and I support that decision.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was even asked during a press conference whether he had “lost control of his own tournament” in the aftermath of the incident, to which the Swissman called for calm.

“We don’t control everything. We try, we’ll discuss, we’ll speak, we’ll see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to just, you know, chill, relax. […] We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” Infantino responded.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will receive his full tournament fee.

Sources told BBC Sport that even though Artan will take no part in the World Cup, Fifa has committed to paying his salary.

Referees do not… pic.twitter.com/LCxrTHxuBF

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2026

FIFA, as an organization, simply stated that it did not have any say in who the U.S. allows into the country. “FIFA is not involved in host-country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not be changed at present. In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into its country,” the statement read.

Artani, who received a hero’s welcome upon returning home to Mogadishu, was gracious about the situation, though. He showed no bitterness and simply vowed to continue working at the high level he always has to earn similar opportunities in the future.

“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup, and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions,” Artani said.

Since then, UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, has also shown its support by appointing Artani as the referee for the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.

“A World Cup of Chaos”: English Soccer Legend Says

Artan’s exclusion did not arrive in isolation. It is the latest in a series of controversies that have taken place ahead of the tournament, which started on June 11.

Iran’s football federation announced on Tuesday that its allocation of fan tickets for the group stage had been revoked. Journalists from several nations have reported difficulties obtaining press credentials. Players and fans from countries on travel restriction lists have faced obstacles at every stage of the accreditation process.

Pundit and former England striker Ian Wright said what many were thinking in a video posted on Instagram. “Every few hours, it’s another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, and now refs,” Wright said.

“I’m laughing, but it’s not funny. It’s actually not funny, and something has to be said. The most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, and transport through the roof. Is this how the hosts behave for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this; how embarrassed they must be. This is a World Cup of chaos.”

Earlier, the authorities were also extra strict when the Uzbekistan squad landed, which was criticized harshly by their coach. The Uzbekistan coach is Fabio Cannavaro, a former World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner. He is one of the most respected names in football, and his mistreatment did not sit well with the netizens.

The tournament will run until July 19. FIFA will compensate Artan for the money owed to him. However, the history he was about to make has been delayed, possibly indefinitely. And the governing body that spent years attempting to bring the World Cup to North America is now witnessing the pre-tournament period become a story about who is barred from competing rather than what happens on the field.

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