Mixed martial arts
FILE - Kayla Harrison is shown during a Professional Fighters League bout against Larissa Pacheco at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Thursday, May 9, 2019. Harrison is headed back to the PFL. Harrison is a two-time $1 million prize champion in the Professional Fighters League lightweight championship. She signed a multi-year deal with the company she’s called home since 2018. (AP Photo/Greg Payan, File)
She's Back: PFL signs undefeated Harrison to new deal

By Dan Gelston Mar. 08, 2022 08:15 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Feb. 22, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 23 1935 — George “The Iceman” Woolf makes history, riding Azucar to victory in the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap. Azucar beatS such greats as...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 17, 2022 11:13 AM EST
Feb. 22 1919 — The first dog race track to use an imitation rabbit opens in Emeryville, Calif. 1936 — Figure skater Sonja Henie wins her...

FILE - Kayla Harrison is shown during a PFL (Professional Fighters League) bout against Larissa Pacheco at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., in this Thursday, May 9, 2019, file photo. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison tries for another $1 million prize when she fights Taylor Guardado in the main event of the 2021 PFL Championships this week in Florida. (AP Photo/Greg Payan, File)
Harrison, now a mother of 2, fights for $1M PFL championship

By Dan Gelston Oct. 25, 2021 10:36 AM EDT

Sha'Carri Richardson waves after winning the women's 100-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
In letter, USADA says it can't change marijuana rules alone

By Eddie Pells Jul. 09, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

Bellator books Forum for 1st domestic show outside bubble

Jun. 17, 2021 09:27 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bellator has chosen the Forum in Inglewood, California, for its first domestic show outside of its Connecticut bubble since the start of the...

FILE - In this April 20, 2019, file photo, Teofimo Lopez, right, punches Finland's Edis Tatli during the first round of a boxing bout in New York. Lopez is symptomatic after testing positive for COVID-19, and his bout with mandatory challenger George Kambosos has been postponed until Aug. 14. Lopez and Kambosos were scheduled to fight Saturday night at the Miami Marlins' home stadium. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
López positive for COVID-19; Kambosos fight moved to August

By Greg Beacham Jun. 15, 2021 08:43 PM EDT

Anthony Smith, left, looks for an opening to hit Jimmy Crute during a UFC 261 mixed martial arts bout, Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. It is the first UFC event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to feature a full crowd in attendance. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Usman tops Masvidal, UFC 261 returns sports world to normal

By Mark Long Apr. 25, 2021 12:39 AM EDT

FILE - Kamaru Usman kicks Colby Covington in a mixed martial arts welterweight championship bout at UFC 245 in Las Vegas, in this Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, file photo. UFC 261 is being touted as the first full-capacity sporting event held indoors in more than a year. The card features three title fights, highlighted by a rematch between reigning welterweight champion Kamaru “Nigerian Nightmare” Usman (18-1) and Jorge “King of Miami” Masvidal (35-14). (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
UFC returns to Florida with fans, Usman-Masvidal rematch

By Mark Long Apr. 23, 2021 04:35 PM EDT

Eve Steffans of the Martial Arts Academy in Billings, Montana, practices judo techniques on Ed Thompson, a retired police officer, during a training session, March 9, 2021, in Douglas, Wyoming. USA Judo is holding workshops with police departments across the country to introduce them to judo techniques that could lessen the need for deadly force when officers have to apprehend people on the streets. (AP Photo/Eddie Pells)
Gold-medal project: Judo seeks solutions in police training

By Eddie Pells Apr. 22, 2021 05:13 PM EDT

FILE - Claressa Shields, left, hits Marie-Eve Dicaire with a left during the fifth round of a boxing bout for the women's super welterweight title in Flint, Mich., in this Friday, March 5, 2021, file photo. The Professional Fighters League, the only MMA organization with a season format, returns after a year away for a card in Atlantic City. Kayla Harrison and Claressa Shields are among the stars expected to have breakout seasons this year and former UFC champion Anthony Pettis makes his PFL debut on Friday night, April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Unlock the cage: Fight promotion returns after year break

By Dan Gelston Apr. 22, 2021 04:43 PM EDT

FILE - Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for the UFC 246 mixed martial arts bout in Las Vegas, in this Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, file photo. The UFC intends to welcome a capacity crowd at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021, when Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor fight for the third time. UFC President Dana White announced his plan Wednesday, April 14, 2021, for the promotion's first sellout show in its hometown since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.(AP Photo/John Locher, File)
UFC plans full Vegas crowd in July at Poirier-McGregor fight

By Greg Beacham Apr. 14, 2021 01:39 PM EDT

FILE - Mixed Martial Arts fighter Demetrious Johnson celebrates after defeating Japan's Yuya Wakamatsu in a flyweight world grand prix quarterfinal One Championship bout in Tokyo, in this Sunday, March 31, 2019, file photo. Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez won UFC championships before leaving their native U.S. to pursue another title overseas. Their home fans will get to see their next fights in Singapore thanks to One Championship's new series of fight cards on TNT. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
Alvarez, Mighty Mouse back on US TV with One Championship

By Greg Beacham Apr. 06, 2021 01:28 PM EDT

Vaccinations open to everyone 16 and up in Wisconsin

By Scott Bauer Apr. 05, 2021 03:16 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Everyone age 16 and up became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin on Monday, the same day that an outbreak of a more contagious...

FILE - In this Monday, March 9, 2020 file photo, Bellator President Scott Coker speaks at a news conference promoting the Bellator Spring & Summer fight cards in New York City. Bellator President Scott Coker believes he put on some of the best fight cards in his promotion's history over the past two years while building a roster and a product capable of drawing attention across the world. The first of three consecutive weekly cards in April is headlined by a featherweight grand prix semifinal between champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Emmanuel Sanchez. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Bellator MMA gets back into US spotlight with Showtime move

By Greg Beacham Mar. 31, 2021 01:51 PM EDT

UFC intends to welcome fans next month in Jacksonville

By Greg Beacham Mar. 15, 2021 09:35 PM EDT
The UFC intends to stage a pay-per-view show in front of an arena full of fans on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida. UFC President Dana...

FILE - Anthony Pettis poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for the UFC 229 mixed martial arts fight Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, in Las Vegas. The Professional Fighters League says it has raised $65 million in new financing to boost its expansion and growth. The mixed martial arts promotion announced in a statement Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 that the money will go toward talent acquisition and international expansion. (AP Photo/John Locher, file)
Pro Fighters League raises $65 million for growth, expansion

By Greg Beacham Feb. 18, 2021 03:26 PM EST

Poirier knocks out Conor McGregor in 2nd round at UFC 257

Jan. 24, 2021 01:01 AM EST
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dustin Poirier stopped Conor McGregor with a flurry of punches midway through the second round Sunday, avenging his loss...

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2014, file photo, Conor McGregor, left, kicks Dustin Poirier during their mixed martial arts bout in Las Vegas. McGregor returns from a year-long layoff for a rematch against Poirier in the promotions's first pay-per-view of the year, at UFC 257 on Jan. 24 at Abu Dhabi. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Conor McGregor returns at UFC 257 with big dreams intact

By Greg Beacham Jan. 22, 2021 01:23 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2018, file photo, UFC president Dana White speaks at a news conference in New York. The first of three straight fight nights at Etihad Arena on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island kicks off Saturday, Jan. 16, when Max Holloway fights Calvin Kattar in a 145-pound bout in the main event of the first combat sports card aired on ABC since 2000. In UFC 257 on Jan. 24, Conor McGregor returns from a year-long layoff for a rematch against Dustin Poirier in the promotions's first pay-per-view of the year. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
UFC bouts return to Fight Island; McGregor back in octagon

By Dan Gelston Jan. 15, 2021 02:44 AM EST