Men's NCAA tournament: Live updates and highlights from round of 32

Your support helps The Independent cover important stories ranging from reproductive rights to Big Tech, with a commitment to unbiased reporting and accessibility for all. Ilia Topuria, now known as "La Leyenda," has vacated the featherweight title to pursue a lightweight title shot against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. As Topuria transitions to the lightweight division, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will compete for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 on April 12. Full Article

Costa Rican team Liga Deportiva Alajuelense criticized Concacaf president Victor Montagliani for supporting Club León in their legal battle against FIFA's removal from the 2025 Club World Cup due to multi-ownership rules. Alajuelense accused Montagliani of violating neutrality and impartiality. FIFA will announce a replacement for León in the tournament, which starts on June 14 with Inter Miami facing Al Ahly FC. Full Article

USC star JuJu Watkins will miss the remainder of the women's NCAA tournament due to a torn ACL in her right knee suffered during the Trojans' second-round game. Watkins, a key player for USC, underwent season-ending surgery after being injured early in the game, leading to an emotional victory for the team as they advanced to the Sweet 16 without her. Despite Watkins' absence, the Trojans rallied behind Kiki Iriafen's impressive performance to secure a...

Jon Dahl Tomasson, Sweden's manager, expressed disappointment after their surprise defeat to Luxembourg, expecting a strong response against Northern Ireland. Led by Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga, Sweden will face a tough test against Michael O'Neill's solid Northern Ireland team, who are on a good run. Tomasson anticipates a competitive match in Stockholm, praising Northern Ireland's playing style and looking forward to the game, which will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two NI....

The 2025 MLB season kicks off with the Los Angeles Dodgers making big offseason moves, including signing Blake Snell to a $182 million deal and Willy Adames to a 7-year contract. Snell's addition strengthens the Dodgers' rotation, while Adames' signing marks a shift for the San Francisco Giants under new president of baseball operations Buster Posey. These moves set the stage for an exciting season ahead with high expectations for both teams. Full Article

Brett Okamoto, a long-time ESPN reporter covering combat sports, recently reported on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez being sentenced to five years in prison for a shooting incident in 2022 where he chased and shot at a man accused of molesting his son. Velasquez, who had been on house arrest since November 2022, pleaded no contest to attempted murder and assault charges. Despite the sentencing, his attorney praised Velasquez's character and commitment to accountability,...