Latest news with #SmoothieKingCenter
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Trump pardons NBA YoungBoy ahead of prison release and 2025 MASA tour
Baton Rouge rapper NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, has been granted a full presidential pardon by former President Donald Trump, just weeks before his scheduled release from prison. The White House confirmed the clemency on Wednesday, May 29, making headlines across major outlets. Trump's decision also included pardons for eight other individuals, including ex-Congressman Michael Grimm and reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. NBA YoungBoy was expected to be released in July 2025 under a plea agreement related to a gun possession case in Utah. The pardon means the rapper is free to move forward without the restrictions that would have followed his conviction. In a heartfelt social media statement, YoungBoy thanked Trump for the opportunity to rebuild. 'This moment means a lot,' he wrote. 'It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for.' He also expressed gratitude to criminal justice advocate Alice Marie Johnson, known as the 'Pardon Czar,' and his attorney Brittany K. Barnett for their efforts. NBA YOUNGBOY THANK YOU LETTER TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP 💚 — Youngboy Snippets (@YoungboySnippet) May 28, 2025 YoungBoy, one of the most streamed artists globally, is now preparing for his first headlining tour — the MASA Tour — which kicks off September 2. The tour includes two back-to-back performances in his hometown at the Smoothie King Center on October 19 and 20. The pardon clears a path for the rapper to fully return to music and his fans, with many viewing the move as a significant moment for both criminal justice reform and the hip-hop community.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Dustin Poirier to close UFC career with Max Holloway trilogy title fight
Louisiana native Dustin Poirier is locked for a UFC BMF title fight in his home state to conclude his career, as New Orleans will host Poirier's battle with title-holder Max Holloway to highlight the July 19 card at the Smoothie King Center. This will be the third battle between the lightweight combatants, the 36-year-old Poirier, who hails from Lafayette, La., taking the first two contests. Both fighters are coming off losses in title fights, however. Poirier (30-9) submitted to Islam Makhachev last June, while the 33-year-old Holloway (26-8) lost in knockout fashion to Ilia Topuria in October. "For Dustin Poirier to be able to finish his remarkable UFC career in New Orleans is special," UFC executive vice president Peter Dropick said in a news release. "Thank you to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, New Orleans & Company and Smoothie King Center for helping us make this happen. "It's been 10 years since we've held an event in New Orleans, we know the fans are ready for us to be back!" The Octagon will also play host to ranked middleweights No 10 Marvin Vettori (19-8-1) and No. 11 Brendan Allen (24-7), who will do battle for the first time in an official capacity at UFC 318. The two were slated to fight at UFC Vegas 90 last April, though Vettori pulled out. A few months later, the pair squared off (unofficially) in a brawl at a Florida casino. Their ranked billing remains hotly anticipated. The rest of the lineup includes newly announced fights between Kyler Phillips (12-3) and Vinicius Oliveira (22-3) at the bantamweight level, Jimmy Crute (12-4-2) facing Marcin Prachnio (17-8) in light heavyweight and Carli Judice (4-2) battling Nicolle Caliari (8-3) at women's fly. Other fights include: -No. 7 Amanda Ribas vs. No. 10 Tabatha Ricci in strawweight -Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson in welterweight -Adam Fuitt vs. Islam Dulatov in welterweight
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Dustin Poirier to close UFC career with Max Holloway trilogy title fight
May 22 - Louisiana native Dustin Poirier is locked for a UFC BMF title fight in his home state to conclude his career, as New Orleans will host Poirier's battle with title-holder Max Holloway to highlight the July 19 card at the Smoothie King Center. This will be the third battle between the lightweight combatants, the 36-year-old Poirier, who hails from Lafayette, La., taking the first two contests. Both fighters are coming off losses in title fights, however. Poirier (30-9) submitted to Islam Makhachev last June, while the 33-year-old Holloway (26-8) lost in knockout fashion to Ilia Topuria in October. "For Dustin Poirier to be able to finish his remarkable UFC career in New Orleans is special," UFC executive vice president Peter Dropick said in a news release. "Thank you to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, New Orleans & Company and Smoothie King Center for helping us make this happen. "It's been 10 years since we've held an event in New Orleans, we know the fans are ready for us to be back!" The Octagon will also play host to ranked middleweights No 10 Marvin Vettori (19-8-1) and No. 11 Brendan Allen (24-7), who will do battle for the first time in an official capacity at UFC 318. The two were slated to fight at UFC Vegas 90 last April, though Vettori pulled out. A few months later, the pair squared off (unofficially) in a brawl at a Florida casino. Their ranked billing remains hotly anticipated. The rest of the lineup includes newly announced fights between Kyler Phillips (12-3) and Vinicius Oliveira (22-3) at the bantamweight level, Jimmy Crute (12-4-2) facing Marcin Prachnio (17-8) in light heavyweight and Carli Judice (4-2) battling Nicolle Caliari (8-3) at women's fly. Other fights include: --No. 7 Amanda Ribas vs. No. 10 Tabatha Ricci in strawweight --Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson in welterweight --Adam Fuitt vs. Islam Dulatov in welterweight --Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira in middleweight --Field Level Media
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Dustin Poirier to close UFC career with Max Holloway trilogy title fight
Louisiana native Dustin Poirier is locked for a UFC BMF title fight in his home state to conclude his career, as New Orleans will host Poirier's battle with title-holder Max Holloway to highlight the July 19 card at the Smoothie King Center. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Announces First Nine Fights For UFC 318 Fight Card
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 12: (L-R) Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier face off during the UFC 236 weigh-in ... More at State Farm Arena on April 12, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) The final fight of Dustin Poirier's long and illustrious UFC career will be a trilogy bout opposite the equally revered and respected Max Holloway. Holloway's symbolic BMF title will be on the line in that matchup. That scrap will headline the July 19 UFC 318 pay-per-view fight card at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The promotion has confirmed several other fights for the ESPN+ streaming PPV card. Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier Lightweight for Holloway's BMF Title Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen - Middleweight Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci - Strawweight Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson - Welterweight Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira - Bantamweight Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov - Welterweight Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio - Light Heavyweight Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira - Middleweight Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari - Women's Flyweight Saturday, July 19 Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans, LA On Sale on Friday, May 23 Main Card: 10:00 p.m. ET Preliminary Card: 8:00 p.m. ET Early Prelims: 6:00 p.m. ET ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: (R-L) Dustin Poirier punches Max Holloway in their interim lightweight ... More championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Dustin Poirier (30-9-0-1) has been a UFC fighter since 2011. At the time he had a 7-1 record. Between 2011 and 2018, Poirier went 16-4-0-1, picking up notable wins over Max Holloway, Bobby Green, Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, and Eddie Alvarez. His losses during that stretch came to The Korean Zombie, Cub Swanson, Conor McGregor, and Michael Johnson. Poirier's wins over Miller, Pettis, Gaethje, and Alvarez set him up to fight for the interim UFC lightweight title against then-UFC featherweight titleholder Max Holloway. Poirier was the No. 3 ranked fighter in the UFC 155-pound division at the time, April 2019. Poirier claimed the interim crown with a decision win. In September 2019, Poirier faced Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout. Nurmagomedov won that contest by third-round submission. Three wins after that, including two TKO victories over Conor McGregor, put Poirier in another lightweight title fight. He lost that battle to Charles Oliveira, falling to a rear-naked choke in the third round of their December 2021 matchup. The 36-year-old Poirier is 2-2 since that setback with wins over Michael Chandler and Benoit Saint Denis. Poirier's losses during that run came against Justin Gaethje for the BMF title and, most recently, opposite Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302 in June 2024. Poirier has 15 fight-night bonus awards, which ties him for fourth all-time in that category. Poirier is the No. 5 ranked UFC lightweight. ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: (R-L) Max Holloway punches Dustin Poirier in their interim lightweight ... More championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Max Holloway (26-8) has been with the UFC since 2012. If there's a stat that the UFC tracks, chances are Holloway is among the leaders. He holds the UFC featherweight record for wins (20), finishes (11), knockouts (nine), win streak (13 straight), total fight time (6:58:57), significant strikes landed (2,971), and total strikes landed (3,180). Holloway's overall UFC records include significant strikes landed (3,457) and total strikes landed (3,706). Holloway's run as UFC featherweight champ began in June 2017 when he knocked out Jose Aldo. Holloway entered that contest as the interim champ, a belt he won by knocking out Anthony Pettis in December 2016. He defended his title against Aldo (TKO), Brian Ortega (TKO), and Frankie Edgar (decision). He also attempted to win the interim UFC lightweight belt during that run, but he fell short, dropping a decision to Dustin Poirier. Holloway's championship run ended in December 2019 when Alexander Volkanovski beat him by decision. Volkanovski retained the title in an immediate rematch. Wins over Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez earned Holloway another shot at Volkanovski and his title in July 2022, but the champ retained his belt with a decision win. Holloway followed that setback with wins over Arnold Allen, the Korean Zombie, and Justin Gaethje. The Gaethje victory, a fight that many voted 'Fight of the Year' and 'Knockout of the Year,' earned Holloway the BMF title. That fight took place at 155 pounds. Holloway followed his BMF title win with the first knockout loss of his career, falling to Ilia Topuria in a UFC featherweight title fight in October 2024. Holloway is the No. 1 fighter in the official UFC featherweight rankings. He is also ranked at No. 12 at 155 pounds and sits at No. 12 in the pound-for-pound rankings. LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 04: Dustin Poirier (blue shorts) attempts to submit Max Holloway during ... More the UFC 143 event at Mandalay Bay Events Center on February 4, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway. They first met in a featherweight scrap at UFC 143 in February 2012. The bout was Holloway's fifth pro fight and first as a member of the UFC. He was 4-0 heading into the contest. Meanwhile, Poirier had been with the WEC/UFC for two years by then with a 11-1 pro record. Poirier won that fight, and earned Submission of the Night, for his first-round triangle armbar stoppage. The two faced off for the second time in April 2019 at UFC 236. That matchup was for the interim UFC lightweight title. Poirier won that 'Fight of the Night' bonus-winning scrap. Poirier failed to unify the title, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov by submission at UFC 242 in September 2019. ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: (L-R) Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway embrace after finishing five rounds ... More in their interim lightweight championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) We will have more on the UFC 318 fight card as fight night nears.
