Dust devil sweeps through Little League tournament in New York
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
29 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Mixed Martial Arts Group (NYSE Amer: MMA) Turns a Passion Sport into a Worldwide Growth Opportunity
For years, mixed martial arts has been a passionate but tightly held community, a sport for the dedicated few who understood its discipline, its physical challenge, and the camaraderie that binds its practitioners. While its profile has grown through televised events and superstar athletes, the day-to-day business of combat martial arts has remained a niche, mostly serving those already working and training inside the octagon. Not anymore. Mixed Martial Arts Group Ltd. (NYSE American: MMA) is unlocking the sport's full potential by filling a long-standing gap in its economy. Not by disrupting what already works, but by equipping the sport with the tools, structure, and reach needed to welcome millions of new participants who may have overlooked its value as fitness, lifestyle, and community. From Local Gyms to a Connected Global Network That expansion starts where the sport truly lives: inside the gyms, academies, and training centers where skills are passed down and personal growth takes shape. Through its BJJLink platform, MMA provides the operational backbone martial arts businesses have needed for years. Membership management, scheduling, billing, communication tools, and performance analytics are built into a member-facing experience that strengthens engagement and loyalty. This is far more than software. It's the bridge between martial arts as a tight-knit tradition and martial arts as an open, thriving community for anyone who wants to take part. The proof is in the results. For the seven months ended July 31, BJJLink posted 128% annualized revenue growth, with SaaS subscription revenue climbing 188% annualized. With academies signing on faster, students staying longer, and participation spreading beyond the traditional core audience, that trend is expected to continue. Fueling MMA's momentum is a partnership with UFC GYM, which has selected BJJLink as the software foundation for its Brazilian jiu-jitsu franchise expansion. Forty-five new academies are planned for 2025, each opening with MMA's technology in place. This inclusion creates a consistent, welcoming experience for students while generating recurring, high-margin revenue for MMA. And with the UFC's new multi-billion-dollar U.S. media rights deal set to increase visibility in 2026, MMA is positioned to help convert a surge in fan interest into long-term participation. There's more to appreciate. Star Power, Including Conor McGregor, Are In MMA's Corner Adding to the strength of its model is the star power in MMA's corner. Conor McGregor, an investor, major shareholder, and one of the most recognized athletes in the world, brings unmatched credibility, cultural reach, and access to sponsorships, partnerships, and media opportunities. His ability to build brands and inspire participation makes him an influential force in bringing martial arts to a broader audience. His nods to MMA on socail media should certainly draw positive attention. MMA has also added Laura Sanko to its Board of Directors. Known for her insight and on-air presence as a UFC commentator, Sanko blends competitive credentials as a former professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with an insider-level understanding of the sport's culture and business. She strengthens MMA's ability to remain true to its roots while expanding its reach. Commitment runs deeper than name recognition. Personal finance plays a role as well. In June, CEO Nick Langton and Chairman Vaughn Taylor converted $250,000 in prior loans into equity, directly tying their own success to MMA's future. This move came alongside a $5 million underwritten offering for product development, marketing, and scaling. With capital secured and leadership fully aligned to embark on a common mission, MMA can grow aggressively without sacrificing quality or connection. Expanding the Ecosystem and Opening the Door Wider Know this: MMA's stronghold in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the foundation, not an end-point, for a much larger vision. From this base, MMA is moving into additional martial arts disciplines and adding complementary services like e-commerce and advanced engagement platforms. Each addition not only strengthens the ecosystem but also makes the sport more approachable for newcomers who may have never considered stepping onto the mats. Martial arts will always be fueled by passion, discipline, and respect. MMA's role is to make those qualities accessible to anyone ready to experience them. By combining technology, strategic partnerships, and leadership with authentic bonds to the sport, MMA is turning what was once a niche pursuit into a global invitation. One that millions are likely to accept. Disclaimers: This presentation has been created by Hawk Point Media Group, Llc. (HPM) and is responsible for the production and distribution of this content. This presentation should be considered and explicitly regarded as sponsored content. Hawk Point Media Group, LLC. has been compensated five thousand dollars via wire transfer from IR Agency, Inc. to create and syndicate this content as part of a more extensive digital marketing program by IR Agency, Inc. Accordingly, this content may be reused and syndicated beyond the channels used by Hawk Point Media, LLC. This disclaimer and the link to the broader disclosures must be part of all reproductions. The compensation received creates a conflict of interest because the content presented may only provide a favorable viewpoint of the company featured. The contributors do NOT buy and sell securities before and after any article, report, or publication. HPM holds ZERO shares and has never owned stock in Mixed Martial Arts Group Ltd. The information in this video, article, and related newsletters is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. Hawk Point Media Group, Llc. strongly urges you to conduct a complete and independent investigation of the respective companies and consider all pertinent risks. Readers are advised to review SEC periodic reports: Forms 10-Q, 10K, Form 8-K, insider reports, Forms 3, 4, 5 Schedule 13D. Never take opinions, articles presented, or content provided as the sole reason to invest in any featured company. Investors must always perform their own due diligence before investing in any publicly traded company and understand the risks involved, including losing their entire investment.
National Post
29 minutes ago
- National Post
Middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis puts belt on the line against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319
Article content Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will put his belt on the line for the third time against one of the most feared pound-for-pound fighters on the UFC roster. Article content Du Plessis (23-2) will face Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) at a sold-out United Center on Saturday night at UFC 319 as the event returns to Chicago for the first time in more than six years. Article content Article content The blockbuster main event features Du Plessis, who defeated Sean Strickland in a split decision at UFC 297, and defended the belt by beating Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 with a fourth-round submission. The South African beat Strickland in a rematch by unanimous decision at UFC 312 to extend his win streak to 11. Article content Article content Chimaev quickly gained UFC lore when he joined the organization in 2020 and secured three finishes in 66 days. However, Chimaev struggled with illness and became less active. Despite this, he continues to instill fear in his opponents with his violent finishes, including shattering middleweight contender Robert Whittaker's jaw with a face crank submission in his last fight at UFC 308 in October 2024. Article content 'This fight is massive and Khamzat is an incredibly good fighter, but what people are going to be saying is the same thing they said after every single one of my fights: He did it again,' Du Plessis said. 'I will not doubt him again, same old, same old.' Article content Chimaev has a simple plan for Saturday and is done with all of the pre-fight talk. Article content 'Whatever he says, I don't care about. All of the fighters talk, but nothing is going to change,' Chimaev said. 'Everyone has to fight in the cage anyway. Whatever he says, I don't care about. I come here to beat him up and take my money and go home.' Article content Article content Even with the middleweight championship on the line for the two 31-year-old fighters, the bout serves as a legacy for both men and the UFC. Article content 'You have two of the best in the world right now, in their prime, for the title. This is one of the best fights we've had in a long time,' UFC president Dana White said Thursday at a raucous news conference attended by fight fans, who heavily booed Du Plessis. Article content Chimaev had to pull out of a fight with Leon Edwards in December 2020. It was first rescheduled in 2021 and then rescheduled for March 2021, but Chimaev was not healthy enough to fight. He was unable to make weight for a welterweight fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September 2022 and was rescheduled to a 180 catchweight fight against Kevin Holland on the same night. Article content 'It's good to see that my opponent is healthy. All of the questions are about whether he is going to show up. It never bothered me, but I know it was a question for everyone,' Du Plessis said. 'I think it is the hype of this fight. People want to see the two best fighters in the world go at it. And that's why this fight is so big. A lot of times it's just not possible to get the two best guys right now because one is injured, and sometimes the two best guys in the world don't want to fight each other.'
CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
Weir looking forward to playing in Canada again at Rogers Charity Classic in Calgary
Playing golf in Canada never gets old for Mike Weir. The Canadian Golf Hall of Famer will tee it up once again in Calgary in the Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. It's the fifth straight year that the 55-year-old golfer from Brights Grove, Ont., will play in front of enthusiastic fans from his home country at the three-day PGA Tour Champions event, which runs from Friday to Sunday. 'We only get (to play in Canada) once a year on this tour, so it's great,' Weir said. 'I'm looking forward to great fan support on the weekend and I like this course, so hopefully I can get myself in the mix on Sunday.' Weir first played in the annual event back in 2021 when the tournament was known as the Shaw Charity Classic. 'The great thing about playing at home is the fan support,' he said. 'Here and the (PGA Tour's) Canadian Open are the two chances I get to play in front of the fans, so it's great.' After finishing ninth in 2021, he followed up with a couple of disappointing showings when he placed 46th and 47th respectively. Last year, Weir carded respectable rounds of 68, 67 and 67 on the Par 70, 7,086-yard layout, which left him a tie for 20th overall. 'I feel pretty comfortable around here now,' said Weir, who has one victory on the senior circuit — the 2021 Insperity Invitation — in addition to eight PGA Tour titles, including the only major title by a Canadian at the 2003 Masters. 'It's just a matter of scoring, executing your shots and scoring and for me lately, just getting a little bit better with the flat stick … so hopefully I will be on form.' International challengers To accomplish his goal of winning on home soil, Weir will have to fend off challenges from the likes of Spain's Miguel Angel Jiminez, New Zealand's Steve Alker and Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who are ranked first, third and fourth respectively on the senior tour's Charles Schwab Cup money list. 'The competition is great out here,' Weir said. 'You have to start fast and get going early, because it's tough to catch up. If you have an even-par round or something, it's pretty hard to make that up, so you have to get out of the gates and get going.' Padraig Harrington Padraig Harrington Alker agreed with his Canadian counterpart's assessment. 'Here you've got to get out of the gates pretty quick,' said Alker, who had rounds of 65 and 63 last year to get into contention before falling back to a sixth place showing after shooting 70 on the final day. 'I played well. It was nice. I like the golf course. It's all out in front of you. You've got to drive it well and do everything well. I'm looking forward to the week.' After shooting 68 in his first round one year ago, Ken Tanigawa tied the course record with a 9-under 61 on the second day before finishing with a 64 to beat Richard Green by two strokes. 'It would be a tremendous challenge, but I'm certainly looking forward to it,' said Tanigawa of the prospect of becoming just the second repeat winner — after Scott McCarron in 2017 and 2018 — in the 12-year history of the event. 'Any time you come to a place that you've had good finishes, it's always good vibes and it's always positive.' Ken Tanigawa Ken Tanigawa Previous winners Joining Tanigawa and McCarron as previous champions competing in Calgary are Ken Duke (2023), Jerry Kelly (2022); Doug Barron (2021) and Jeff Maggert (2015). The field also includes two World Golf Hall of Famers in Harrington and Vijay Singh as well as a pair of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers in Weir and Stephen Ames, who finished in a tie for 10th last year in his former hometown. Vijay Singh While Gordon Burns of Holland Landing, Ont., received a sponsor's exemption to make his second straight appearance in Rogers Charity Classic, Calgary's Wes Martin became the fourth Canadian to secure his spot in the tournament by shooting a sizzling 9-under 62 on Tuesday at the final tournament qualifier at Highwood Golf and Country Club in High River, Alta. 'It was unexpected, but I've been playing pretty good lately,' said Martin, who missed out on qualifying for his hometown tournament the past two years. 'I can't even explain it. It's one of my best rounds ever … on the day you actually need it.' Martin previously played on the Canadian Tour for 12 years alongside the likes of Duke and Alker. 'They're all great players, great people,' he said. 'I don't consider myself like them. I feel like I'm on a different level, but it's golf. I mean, anything can happen at any time and it sure did (on Tuesday), so I'm just going to try to enjoy this.' One day before his 50th birthday, Tommy 'Two Gloves' Gainey shot 65 at Highwood Golf on Tuesday to tie with Sweden's Michael Jonzon for second behind Martin. By virtue of their clutch performances, the trio will round out the 78-man field that will battle for the US$2.5-million purse. --Laurence Heinen This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
