Month: November 2020

After UFC on ESPN+ 39, emotional Greg Hardy vows to clear his name about past controversies

During his MMA career, Greg Hardy has largely remained silent about his past.

LAS VEGAS – During his mixed martial arts career, [autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag] has largely brushed off criticism and questioning of his past controversies.

That changed Saturday after his UFC on ESPN+ 39 win over Maurice Greene by second-round TKO.

Hardy’s troubles with the law have long been a topic of discussion during his professional athletic career – something he had said was behind him. But on Saturday, Hardy (7-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) claimed, his past, in some way, shape, or form presented itself again hours before the fight.

“Some people from my past coming to extort me, put me in crazy situations, try to take food out of my family’s mouth, and (there were) a lot of outside circumstances going on,” an emotional Hardy told reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I was breaking down in my bathroom before I even started to fight. I was in tears trying to figure out how we’re going to function and if I could go on. It was just a lot of drama, man – people trying to take advantage of my situation.”

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While Hardy would not elaborate on specific details, he said people tried to take advantage of him and said it was unwarranted. According to Hardy, the character the public makes him out to be is not accurate.

“They’re trying to prey on me, man,” Hardy said. “You guys know me by now. I would’ve jumped off a building or done so crazy T.O. stuff if I was that guy you’re always talking about. I’m not. I never will be. I’m a good guy. I’ve been a good guy – an innocent man. I always have been.”

Five years ago, Hardy was convicted of domestic violence after an incident in Charlotte, N.C. The police report, obtained by Deadspin, stated the victim was thrown onto a pile of semi-automatic assault weapons and that Hardy strangled her and told her he should kill her.

Later, after reportedly reaching a settlement with the victim, charges against Hardy were dropped when the victim stopped cooperating.

Hardy said he’s long avoided engaging in the public conversation about past accusations because he wanted to put his family first. Now that his family is taken care of, Hardy said he’ll be revealing “the truth,” which he began to do on his Instagram on Thursday.

“The hate against me was so loud that you would’ve never believed me,” Hardy said. “Nobody would ever believe me. I’ve been telling you the same thing since literally Day 1. From the very beginning, I’ve said the same exact thing. Now, it’s just the time to where I’m in a place where I brought myself back. My family is safe from being targeted. My financial situation is not. My career is not. My family is safe. So now I can actually start to put the truth out there.

“I have a son. I have a daughter, who carries my last name. I need that name cleared. My little brother is about to try to get in the NBA and the NFL. I need them to have that name and be proud to wear that name and not be persecuted and not be talked about and not be brought down by that name because it’s not right. That’s why I’m doing it.”

UFC on ESPN+ 39 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.

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Florida, Missouri brawl at halftime: suspensions likely

The Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers brawled at halftime of their game. Punches were thrown and suspensions are coming.

The Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers brawled at halftime. The Tigers had a late hit on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask on the final play of the first half. The play didn’t receive a penalty, but Florida was upset with the hit.

Both teams got in a skirmish while they were walking back to their respective locker rooms. Florida head coach Dan Mullen was among those who were fired up at Missouri for the hit. Mullen pumped up the crowd following the brawl in a questionable move.

There will likely be suspensions as a result of the fight. Numerous players were involved and will miss game time. Three players were ejected.

Florida Gators defensive lineman No. 17 Zachary Carter threw punches and will likely be suspended for next week and possibly longer. Carter is a starter and recorded 4.5 sacks last season. Reserve Florida linebacker Antwuan Powell was additionally ejected. This is not what the doctor ordered for the Florida Gators, who already have depleted depth due to COVID-19.

Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Tre Williams was ejected as well. The Missouri Tigers have a bye this week, then they play the Georgia Bulldogs.

The brawl is especially problematic for Florida, who faces the Georgia Bulldogs next week in a key SEC East battle. The winner of the contest will likely advance to the SEC Championship Game. Florida may be without a key defender for the contest.

This is the late hit that started the conflict. Florida players have a right to defend their quarterback, but the brawl was too much. This hit clearly deserved a flag from the officials.

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Gameday inactives, injuries and weather: Week 8

Everything fantasy football owners need to know heading into Week 8.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Week 8 gameday inactives, weather and notes

TODAY’S KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: RB Damien Harris (active), RB Frank Gore, TE Tyler Higbee
Afternoon games: RB Chris Carson, RB Phillip Lindsay
Sunday night: none
Monday night: none

Pittsburgh at Baltimore (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 49 degrees, rain

Pittsburgh

Inactives: OT Derwin Gray, CB Mike Hilton, FS Jordan Dangerfield, QB Joshua Dobbs, LB Ulysees Gilbert III, DT Carlos Davis and TE Zach Gentry

Lineup notes: TE Eric Ebron (elbow), WR Diontae Johnson (toe) and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) missed some practice time but made it back Friday. All are off the report.

Baltimore

Inactives: DL Jihad Ward, QB Trace McSorley, C Trystan Colon-Castillo, DL Justin Ellis, OG Ben Bredeson, DT Broderick Washington and RB Mark Ingram

Lineup notes: RB Mark Ingram (ankle) didn’t practice all week and is inactive for Week 8.

New England at Buffalo (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 45 degrees, rain

New England

Inactives: S Kyle Dugger, TE Devin Asiasi, QB Brian Hoyer, CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Carl Davis, WR N’Keal Harry and TE Dalton Keene

Lineup notes: WR Julian Edelman (knee) is out this week after surgery to clean up his knee, and he has gone on Injured Reserve. Expect him to miss multiple games. WR N’Keal Harry (concussion) is out as well. RB Damien Harris (ankle) is questionable after being limited all week, but he’s available. CB Stephon Gilmore (knee) has been downgraded to out.

buffalo

Inactives: DE A.J. Epenesa, S Micah Hyde, CB Josh Norman, OT Cody Ford, DL Vernon Butler, QB Jake Fromm and RB T.J. Yeldon

Lineup notes: QB Josh Allen (shoulder) and WR John Brown (knee) practiced fully all week and are not on the injury report.

Tennessee at Cincinnati (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 47 degrees, cloudy

Tennessee

Inactives: S Dane Cruikshank, C Daniel Munyer, DE Matt Dickerson, CB Tye Smith, LB Derick Roberson and TE Geoff Swaim

Lineup notes: WR A.J. Brown (knee) practiced Friday and is not on the injury report.

Cincinnati

Inactives: RB Joe Mixon, WR John Ross, OT Jonah Williams, PK Austin Seibert, OT Mike Jordan, OG Trey Hopkins and OT Bobby Hart

Lineup notes: RB Joe Mixon (foot) was ruled out once again for Week 8. WR John Ross (illness) was out of practice Thursday and Friday and is unavailable. Both starting offensive tackles also are unable to play.

Las Vegas at Cleveland (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 44 degrees, light rain, 25 mph winds

Las vegas

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR Bryan Edwards (foot, ankle) is questionable after he was limited all week. RB Josh Jacobs (knee) was limited as well, but he’s off the injury report.

cleveland

Inactives: LB Jacob Phillips, TE Austin Hooper, DE Joe Jackson, CB Jovante Moffatt and OG Wyatt Teller

Lineup notes: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) was placed on Injured Reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the year. TE Austin Hooper (abdomen) is out again. RB Kareem Hunt (ribs) was limited Wednesday and Thursday but practiced fully Friday. He’s good to go. TE David Njoku (knee) was a full-go all week and is fine. WR Jarvis Landry (hip) was limited Wednesday and Thursday but a full-go Friday and will play.

Indianapolis at Detroit (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

INDIANAPOLIS

Inactives: DE Ron’Dell Carter, WR Dezmon Patmon, TE Noah Togiai, CB Tremon Smith and QB Jacob Eason

Lineup notes: TE Mo Alie-Cox (knee) is questionable after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. He is active.

Detroit

Inactives: QB David Blough, WR Quintez Cephus, CB Desmond Trufant, OG Logan Stenberg and CB Mike Ford

Lineup notes: RB Adrian Peterson (abdomen) was limited Thursday but practiced fully Friday and is off the report.

Minnesota at Green Bay (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 33 degrees, overcast, 25 mph winds

Minnesota

Inactives: DE Jordan Brailford, OL Olisaemeka Udoh, CB Chris Jones, S Curtis Riley, CB Holton Hill, WR Dan Chisena and WR Tajae Sharpe

Lineup notes: RB Dalvin Cook (groin) made it back to a full practice Friday, and he’s ready to roll. WR Adam Thielen (shoulder) was a full-go all week and is off the report.

Green Bay

Inactives: RB Aaron Jones, OT David Bakhtiari, QB Jordan Love, DL Billy Winn, LB Randy Ramsey, CB Kevin King and DB Raven Greene

Lineup notes: RB Aaron Jones (calf) is out once again. PK Mason Crosby (calf, back) was limited Friday and is questionable. TE Robert Tonyan (ankle, knee) practiced fully Thursday and Friday and is good to go.

New York Jets at Kansas City (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 45 degree, clear

New York

Inactives: OT Cameron Clark, PK Sam Ficken, LB Blake Cashman, QB James Morgan, WR Jamison Crowder, C Jimmy Murray and WR Breshad Perriman

Lineup notes: WR Breshad Perriman (concussion) was ruled out. WR Jamison Crowder (groin) and PK Sam Ficken (groin) join him as inactives. RB Frank Gore (hand) draws a questionable tag as he has been limited in practice. He will give it a go.

Kansas City

Inactives: OT Mitchell Schwartz, LB Darius Harris, RB DeAndre Washington, DL Khalen Saunders, DE Demone Harris, TE Ricky Seals-Jones and WR Sammy Watkins

Lineup notes: WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is out once again.

Los Angeles Rams at Miami (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 86 degrees, humid

Los Angeles

Inactives: DL A’Shawn Robinson, C Brian Allen, TE Brycen Hopkins, WR Trishton Jackson and RB Raymond Calais

Lineup notes: TE Tyler Higbee (hand) will play through his questionable tag. TE Gerald Everett (illness) was out of practice Wednesday but made it back Thursday. He’s ready to go.

Miami

Inactives: CB Jamal Perry, RB Lynn Bowden, DE Jason Strowbridge, RB Salvon Ahmed, RB Jordan Howard and FB Chandler Cox

Lineup notes: WR DeVante Parker (groin) was limited early in the week but practiced fully Friday. He’s good to go.

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver (4:05 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 62 degrees, clear

Los Angeles

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Justin Jackson (knee) was a full participant all week. He’s expected to be fine.

Denver

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Phillip Lindsay (concussion) and WR Tim Patrick (hamstring) are questionable. Patrick didn’t practice all week. Lindsay was limited Thursday and Friday. TE Noah Fant (ankle) and WR Jerry Jeudy (shoulder) practiced Friday and are off the report.

New Orleans at Chicago (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 37 degrees, mostly cloudy

New Orleans

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR Michael Thomas (ankle, hamstring) and his season to forget continues as he is out again in Week 8. WR Emmanuel Sanders remains on the COVID-19 list and is out again. WR Marquez Callaway (ankle) is out as well.

Chicago

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR Allen Robinson (concussion) didn’t practice all week and is doubtful for Sunday.

San Francisco at Seattle (4:25 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 56 degrees, clear

San Francisco

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Raheem Mostert (ankle) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list and will be out at least two more weeks. WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and RB Jeffery Wilson (ankle) will also miss this contest.

Seattle

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Carlos Hyde (hamstring) has drawn a doubtful tag this week. RB Chris Carson (foot) didn’t practice all week, and he’ll be a game-time decision with a questionable tag.

Dallas at Philadelphia (8:20 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 53 degrees, possible light rain

Dallas

Inactives:

Lineup notes: QB Andy Dalton (concussion) was out of practice all week and has been downgraded to out. Rookie QB Ben DiNucci will start in his place. OG Zack Martin (concussion) returns to action after missing one game.

philadelphia

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR DeSean Jackson (ankle) went on IR and will miss at least two more games. RB Miles Sanders (knee) and WR Alshon Jeffery (calf) are sidelined once again. WR Jalen Reagor (thumb), TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) and LT Jason Peters (toe) all were activated Saturday from the Reserve/Injured list and will be available.

Tampa Bay at New York Giants (8:15 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 40 degrees, clear

Tampa Bay

Lineup notes: WR Chris Godwin (finger) had surgery on his index finger, which will keep him out Monday night. WR Scott Miller (hip, groin) and TE Rob Gronkowski (shoulder) were limited Friday. They returned to full sessions on Saturday and will play.

New York

Lineup notes: RB Devonta Freeman (ankle) hasn’t practiced this week and will miss the contest. WR Sterling Shepard (shoulder, toe) was limited all week but escaped an injury designation.

Kadarius Toney’s breakout leads our five takeaways from UF’s win

Multi-position athlete Kadarius Toney had a career day, scoring three TDs with the two Kyles continued to rollig in UF’s victory over Mizzou

A shorthanded Gators team overcame a slow start to earn a convincing victory in its first outing since Oct. 10.

With 15 players still unavailable due to exposure to COVID-19, Florida throttled Missouri 41-17 to move to 3-1 on the season before a matchup with Georgia next week that could decide the SEC East.

The Gators trailed 7-6 for the majority of the second quarter, but they bounced back to have what was undoubtedly their most complete performance of the season.

It’s hard not to be impressed with what UF did tonight with so many starters and depth players missing. Here are five takeaways from Florida’s first action in three weeks.