Latest news with #TheDiamond
Axios
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Axios
Richmond's stadium dream is coming true
On the 40th birthday of The Diamond, officials celebrated placing the final steel beam needed for CarMax Park 's main building. Why it matters: "It's no longer a dream," said Lou DiBella, the managing partner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Driving the news: City and Flying Squirrels officials, plus leadership from the last administration and Henrico and Chesterfield leaders were all on hand Thursday to commemorate this crucial piece of the new stadium that Richmonders have been waiting on for decades. "I'm going to keep my sunglasses on because I've been crying all day," said an emotional Todd "Parney" Parnell, the longtime face of the Flying Squirrels, at the event. "We're all damn proud today," DiBella said. "Keeping baseball here, in my mind, was a key thing for the future of the city."
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sailfest, a New London tradition for 45 years, cancelled due to budget challenges
NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — New London's premier summertime event is going to look a bit different this year. The food, the rides, the games. That was all part of Sailfest for the last 45 years. But according to the event organizer, Barbara Neff, the waterfront festival which drew hundreds of thousands to downtown New London has been cancelled. 'It's more like it was just overwhelming to come down for me,' said New London resident Christy Henderson who didn't love the crowds. 'So I'm not that heartbroken about it.' In a press release Neff said 'The decision comes as the City of New London faces financial budget challenges that limit the funding availability of critical resources, including police, fire, and public works support, which are essential to ensuring a safe and successful event.' 'This particular partner decided they wanted out,' said Mayor Michael Passero, (D) New London. He says talks had just begun about the city services needed to ensure a safe event. The mayor says before the pandemic the festival organizer would contribute to those annual efforts so that may have been discussed again. We reached out to Barbara Neff but haven't heard back. 'I'm not going to worry about it because New London can't… you can't survive and exist down here just because of Sailfest,' said Dave Pollock who owns The Diamond, a pizzeria on Bank Street. 'More people did come through the doors that didn't before,' said Lakisha Moon Lee who owns the fair trade store Colours of Life. 'The summertime is our busiest season anyway so we're just doing our best to continue to promote downtown New London,' said Lee. For many years during Sailfest, City Pier was filled with vendors and rides but this year none of them will set up shop there. They will however continue to set up a barge in the Thames River for the Saturday night fireworks spectacular which brings in much of the crowds. The Mashantucket Pequots first sponsored the fireworks in 1980 as a way to give back to the community. This year they will light up the sky on July 12. 'They're generous donation of the largest fireworks display on the east coast will be happening that same Saturday night,' said Mayor Passero. The mayor says the city will provide the same city services to again ensure a fun and safe event. 'We just stood on the porch and watched them,' said New London resident Francis Grace. 'Watched them from the porch yeah,' added Henderson. 'So that was nice. It was beautiful actually.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Din Thomas warns Dustin Poirier about hometown retirement fight: UFC 'don't give a damn' about you
ESPN and UFC analyst Din Thomas suggests the UFC won't be rooting for Dustin Poirier to get his storybook ending. Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) revealed that the UFC is currently working on having his retirement fight take place summer in his home state of Louisiana. 'The Diamond' is targeting legends only. Thomas thinks Poirier may not draw the ideal fight he's looking for 'One thing I know about the UFC: They don't give a damn about your retirement fight,' Thomas told MMA Junkie. 'In fact, they would like to see you on your retirement fight be took out on a stretcher, in a neck brace. That's the game. If you can have a retirement fight that they know about and you come out on top, you've won. You've beat the UFC. Nate Diaz beat the UFC. But it doesn't happen.' Thomas advises Poirier against hanging up his gloves in Louisiana 'I say that all the time, don't fight in the home town with the UFC,' Thomas said. 'The UFC, they're going to get you beat up in your home town. That's their thing. They love to see you take a chance against a killer in your home town. They're going to get you beat up in your home town.' Thomas suggests Poirier welcome Ilia Topuria to lightweight 'If they don't do (Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev), why not put Ilia with Dustin Poirier? I think that fight kind of makes sense, too. Boxer vs. Boxer. I'm sure Dustin would probably relish that one.'
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dustin Poirier gets 'so amped up' talking about 'fake motherf*cker' Michael Chandler
Dustin Poirier never hesitates at a chance to go off on Michael Chandler. Poirier's dislike for Chandler started years ago when the pair met during a Bellator event. Poirier recalled Chandler coming up to him to pay his respects, but things took a turn when Chandler made his way to the UFC in late 2020. 'The Diamond' recounted the story. 'Why do I dislike him so much? It comes back to this,' Poirier said on the 'Outta Pocket with RGIII' podcast. 'A long time ago, I was at a Bellator event. He comes in at the back, 'I just wanted to come over and shake your hand. I respect you so much, man. Your career has been awesome. You've had so many great fights, you've come back from adversity, so nice to meet you and finally shake your hand.' 'Fast forward a year, two years: He makes it to the UFC. Now he's talking trash on me. Then I saw him in Vegas. He was coming into an event at T-Mobile Arena, and that's the first time I saw him since. I said, 'You little b*tch.' I said, 'You're a fake motherf*cker, I will beat your ass.' And then they booked the fight.' Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) fought Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) at UFC 281 in November 2022, submitting the former Bellator champion by Round 3 rear-naked choke in a Fight of the Night battle. Poirier was infuriated by Chandler's in-fight tactics, accusing him of being a dirty fighter. 'With my personal experience, he's fake, man,' Poirier said. 'But we do this knuckle sh*t, so I was even more mad. I'm like, let's fight then, and he's a cheater! I could go on for days. I get so amped up about this. He does all kinds of stuff, man. Blows the blood in my eyes after I break his nose. That's cool. I've done that before. I admitted it after. 'And then Chandler, I brought it up, and he said he didn't do it. Like, just admit it, bro. You're so fake. Then he stuck his fingers in my mouth to lift my neck up for a rear-naked choke, right? He's on my back, I'm trying to get up off the fence. He sticks his fingers inside my mouth, grips my mouth guard, pulls my head up to try and get his hand under my chin – bro, I bite his fingers so hard.' Poirier is currently gearing up for his retirement fight in summer, where he hopes to lay down his gloves in his home state of Louisiana. Meanwhile, Chandler takes on fan favorite Paddy Pimblett April 12 at UFC 314 in Miami.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dustin Poirier reveals UFC planning his retirement fight for summer in New Orleans
Dustin Poirier may get his wish of having his final UFC fight at home. Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) is looking to compete one more time before calling it a career, and the former interim lightweight champion is currently working with the UFC on making it happen in his home state of Louisiana. 'The Diamond' is coming off a title loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 this past June. 'I wish I could tell you more. I've actually been having calls every week with the UFC,' Poirier told The Schmo. 'But it's looking like summer in New Orleans is close to happening for my retirement fight. A pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible. 'That's what I'm pushing for. That's what the UFC's working toward, and things are getting pretty close: Lay the gloves down where it all started in Louisiana. It would be an honor for me.' Four months ago, MMA Junkie obtained records showing that during a September meeting of the Louisiana State Boxing & Wrestling Commission, members discussed the UFC's interest in heading to New Orleans in 2025. The UFC hasn't hosted an event in Louisiana since Dan Henderson finished Tim Boestch in a Fight Night headliner in June 2015. Poirier also competed on that card and finished Yancy Medeiros by first-round TKO.
