ESPN's lead Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae hopes a thrilling Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund tussle, which he called for U.S. viewers on ABC and ESPN+ (U.S. fans can stream the replay of the match HERE), will open new eyes to German football. Here's his instant reaction column.

In the build up to the 104th Bundesliga edition of a fixture that has come to be known as Der Klassiker, many wondered if it might turn out to be another demolition job. Bayern have made light work of Dortmund in recent league meetings at the Allianz Arena and the portents were far from positive for the visitors.

Friday's news that two of BVB's most effective players, Raphael Guerreiro and Jadon Sancho, had been ruled out, felt a bit like a hammer blow before a ball was kicked. Could Dortmund cope, fielding infrequent starters of late, like Dan-Axel Zagadou, Nico Schulz and Thorgan Hazard?

With their new look back three, they started brilliantly, showing life, enterprise, verve and a plan. That was to press, win the ball, move the Bayern players around and switch the play quickly.

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When Erling Haaland saw his second minute shot find the net with help from a deflection off Jerome Boateng (his first successful Bundesliga goal from outside the box), you could almost sense the question being asked around the football world: Was this the day for Dortmund to get the better of a wobbly Bayern defence? The truth is Bayern are statistically as weak as they've been defensively since the trouble torn 1991-92 campaign when they went through 3 different coaches.

That feeling only intensified with Haaland's second goal, significantly finding himself at the tail end of a move involving the aforementioned Schulz and Hazard on the left. Bayern had overloaded on the opposite flank, giving left-back Schulz the freedom of the Allianz Arena. Boateng got caught on the wrong side of the lethal Haaland.

The Norway international remarkably had never scored in the opening quarter of an hour of any Bundesliga match. Now he had done it twice in Der Klassiker. Come to think of it, Dortmund had never previously netted twice in the opening 10 minutes against Bayern. What on earth was going on?

While at the microphone with broadcast partner Taylor Twellman, I couldn't help thinking back to a Bayern game I had commentated on for the Bundesliga world feed in January. Mainz had galloped off into a 2-0 lead only for Bayern to turn it around and then some, recording a 5-2 triumph. Granted, Dortmund are not Mainz, but Bayern are Bayern.

The truth is the flow of the remainder of the game saw Bayern on the front foot with the exception of a couple of isolated moments. I wrote on my notepad around 20 minutes "Dortmund looking compact and seeking quick counters." Marco Reus glided away from Bayern centre-back Niklas Sule, and shortly after that midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud combined nicely with BVB full-back Thomas Meunier on the right. But Bayern were now blotting out Haaland.

The tide was about to turn considerably. Schulz made the mistake of giving Leroy Sane too much space and, with his slick footwork, set up a goal for Robert Lewandowski. The Poland striker, the record scorer in this fixture, was only warming up.

A key moment arrived just before the break. When Dahoud went in clumsily on Kingsley Coman inside the box, referee Marco Fritz saw no transgression. But we have all learned to say "it will be checked" and as quick as a flash, Fritz was at his TV monitor having a second look. The more we watched, the more we thought, a spot kick was inevitable.

Lewandowski's penalty routine is very much his own: a couple of steps to the side, then that little moment of delayed action before the strike itself. He was denied recently by Rune Jarstein of Hertha, but this time confidently swept it past Marwin Hitz to level the contest.

Maybe on account of that unlikely failure in Berlin, Bayern boss Hansi Flick chose to look away as his star striker took the penalty, relying on acoustics for confirmation that it had indeed gone in.

It was Lewandowski's 30th goal of the season, marking the fourth time he has hit that milestone.

In truth it was no more than Bayern deserved to be going to half-time level at 2-2. The first two attempts of the game had been Dortmund goals by Haaland. The next 12 (!) had all been from Bayern.

As at the start of the first half, Dortmund began the second half confidently enough. Again we saw that Schulz-Hazard combination come to the fore with the latter squeezing a shot just wide of the post.

Thereafter, Bayern were the team with plenty to say for themselves, particularly down the left-hand side where Coman, one of their top performers this season, was a constant menace.

It was a matter of whether or not, Dortmund could keep the score even as they dropped ever deeper -- too deep as coach Edin Terzic later conceded. Hitz fumbled a Joshua Kimmich shot which bounced just in front of him, but escaped without a concession.

But Dortmund's prospects dwindled when talisman Haaland, who had earlier picked up a knock, was replaced on the hour mark. By the 77th minute, Terzic had made all five of his substitutions, the last of which saw captain Reus, having only made 32 touches all game, make way for the young Brazilian, Reinier.

Tension levels heightened up with each passing minute but the real drama was yet to arrive. In many ways it had to be provided by a man who just keeps improving.

Leon Goretzka has emerged from the shadows to become one of Bayern's best. In commentary, when I saw Meunier clear only as far as him, I posed it as question? "Is there a chance for Goretzka maybe?" The question was answered. Goal for Bayern. 3-2.

Dortmund took issue with the goal, feeling there had been a foul in the build up. Having reviewed it over and over again, I didn't see any wrongdoing by Sane on Emre Can and still don't. This was no clear and obvious error.

For good measure, Bayern scored again to seal Lewandowski's hat trick, taking him to 31 goals for the season and within nine of the all-time record 40 for a single campaign set by the legendary Gerd Muller in 1971-72.

The loss was especially bitter for Dortmund, seeing a two-goal lead turn into a defeat in the Bundesliga for the first time in more than 25 years. Their Champions League qualification prospects continue to hang in the balance.

But there can be no denying the better team prevailed.

What a game. Gripping tension until very near the end and I trust through the telecast, we have won ourselves more than a few converts to the Bundesliga cause.

New Zealand 143 for 3 (Guptill 71, Conway 36, Phillips 34*, Meredith 2-39) beat Australia 142 for 8 (Wade 44, Finch 36, Sodhi 3-24, Boult 2-26) by 7 wickets

A dreadful finish to Australia's innings opened the way for New Zealand to rumble to a seven-wicket victory and a 3-2 T20I series triumph, as Martin Guptill and Devon Conway finished the bout the way they had started it in Christchurch.

A pair of wins in spectator-free games had allowed Australia to turn up for the final game with a chance to win from 0-2 down, but on a sunny Sunday afternoon with a crowd again present, Kane Williamson's side scotched early momentum enjoyed by the visitors when Matthew Wade and Aaron Finch were in harness to completely dominate the closing overs and leave a target of just 143 to win. Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult all made valuable contributions.

Guptill and Conway, joining forces as openers, then powered to a stand worth 101 to mean that a rapid second spell from Riley Meredith was nowhere near enough to prevent the match and series going comfortably New Zealand's way. Having been eliminated from the World Test Championship final by India's victory over England the night before, it has not been a happy 24 hours for the Australians.

Wade roused by his demotion

On a surface that promised to be tired by its third consecutive use for a T20I, Finch was very happy to bat first, but with one significant change: switching Josh Philippe up to open and demoting Wade to No. 3 after four underwhelming games. The move did not work out for Philippe, who took a huge swing at his first ball from Boult and was extremely lbw as it swung back just enough down the line of the stumps, but it had the effect of rousing Wade into action.

Finding the boundary on either side of the wicket, and taking his runs with equal alacrity off pace and spin, Wade allowed Finch to bat comfortably in his slipstream, and at 74 for 1 in the 10th over a tally of at least 160 beckoned. Even after Finch fell, cutting Sodhi, and Glenn Maxwell picked out deep backward square leg second ball, Australia were well placed at 99 for 3 with seven overs remaining - or so it seemed.

Australians swing themselves off their feet

In addition to Philippe, the tourists also elected to promote Ashton Agar to join Wade, but the shuffling did not aid their efforts to build a second set of momentum in the closing overs. Wade found himself starved of the strike once wickets began to fall, and while still seeing the ball well, ended up miscuing a Boult knuckle-ball from the bottom of the bat to find deep midwicket. Marcus Stoinis and Agar threatened briefly, but upon being presented with consecutive friendly full tosses from Sodhi, both found fielders.

Mitchell Marsh averted a full tosses hat-trick, and clumped one big blow beyond wide of long-on, but when he was comprehensively yorked by Tim Southee after an ordinary start to the final over, the innings had slipped well away from Australia in terms even of putting up a total beyond 150. The tally for the final seven overs of the innings was to read 43 runs at a cost of five wickets, a strong endorsement of the way Williamson marshalled his bowlers and fielders to frustrate Australia after such a promising start.

Guptill, Conway take control

The day's second change in opening partnerships had Conway promoted to start New Zealand's chase alongside Guptill. This time, the fresh union was to prove decisive to the match and the series, as they were not parted until New Zealand had 100 on the board and a small Wellington crowd dancing in the aisles. There was some useful assistance for spin, and Meredith's speed was again considerable, but Guptill and Conway got themselves set before launching with telling effect.

Thirteen came from the third over, 11 from the fifth, 12 from the sixth and then a monumental 23 from the ninth twirled down by Adam Zampa, including a Guptill six that landed on the "cake tin" lid, aka the roof of the stands. A partnership ultimately worth 101 before Conway's exit provided a more than useful extra option for New Zealand in terms of their thinking for the T20 World Cup later this year: Conway, though, seems adept at most batting tasks.

Meredith's speed can't turn the game

Finch brought back Meredith for a final tilt at the rush of wickets needed to turn the game, and the swift Tasmanian was at least able to have plenty of watchers take notice by grabbing two in as many balls. Conway's slice to deep point was only partly to do with the bowler, but the fast off cutter that pinned Williamson in front of leg stump - meaning Meredith had dismissed the New Zealand captain twice in three balls this series - will be remembered by the Australia selectors.

Glenn Phillips' first few balls from Meredith were also uncomfortable for their sheer pace, but once New Zealand's No. 4 got used to the velocity, he was able to respond with shots that meant the fast bowler's analysis was a seemingly unexceptional 2 for 39. That left the stage clear for the finish, as Phillips delivered the series to his side after Guptill fell, swatting Zampa for two sixes in three balls to win with 28 balls to spare.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Bryson DeChambeau has relished the opportunity to try to drive the green at the Bay Hill Club's par-5 sixth hole and celebrated as if he had done so Saturday during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

DeChambeau's drive, which cut across a huge lake, ended up 50 yards to the right of the green but traveled 370 yards and rolled through the fairway and into the rough. The hole measures 555 yards, and no player in the field has hit his tee shot that close to the green.

He ended up hitting a wedge shot from the rough to the front of the green and then two-putting for an easy birdie from about 35 feet.

"I felt like a kid again, for sure. It was exciting," DeChambeau said after a 68 left him one shot behind 54-hole leader Lee Westwood. "Especially when you pull it off. It was almost like winning a tournament. I got the same chills and feeling when I saw it clear and there was no splash. I gave the fans what they wanted."

DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion whose well-known diet and fitness regime over the past 18 months has seen him put on muscle and more than 40 pounds, has emerged as the PGA Tour's leading driver. Last year he led with an average of more than 322 yards per drive.

In order to hit the green from the tee on Saturday, DeChambeau said he would have needed to carry his drive 335 yards, which he did. He shied away from going directly at the green because of the wind.

DeChambeau made a couple of attempts during Wednesday's pro-am that came up short because of the wind. That prompted him to take a more conservative route during the first two rounds, eliciting some playful boos. He has birdied the hole in two of the three rounds.

The encouragement from the spectators who were behind the tee spurred DeChambeau, he said.

"For the most part that's a shot that I know I can do and I was able to accomplish that,'' he said. "I would have done it without the fans, but the fans definitely egged me on a little bit and it was fun to give them what they wanted.''

LAS VEGAS -- Israel Adesanya, who headlines UFC 259 vs. Jan Blachowicz on Saturday, has become one of the most talked-about fighters in the world. "The Last Style Bender" says he is comfortable with the idea that he could one day transcend MMA, like a Conor McGregor or a Ronda Rousey.

"It's inevitable," Adesanya said. "I just have to get used to it. I just have to accept it and not hide from the role that I'm in, not hide from the platform that I'm on. Because a lot of people get to this spot and they start to get like, 'I've been here' and it's like s---. What did Kanye West say? 'Y'all can have it back.' ... I just run with it."

It might be hard to hold him back if he accomplishes this next feat: becoming only the fifth fighter to hold UFC titles in two different divisions simultaneously.

Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, will challenge Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title at the UFC Apex. Adesanya has never lost an MMA fight, and now he could add another gold belt to his collection.

Blachowicz, though, is no easy out. He'll have a significant size advantage. Blachowicz told ESPN this week that he would weigh 220 pounds on fight day. He weighed 205 pounds, right at the title-fight light heavyweight limit, at weigh-ins Friday. Adesanya weighed only 200.5 pounds and doesn't figure to weigh much more than that in the Octagon on Saturday night. Blachowicz (27-8) has won four in a row, including three of those by KO/TKO. The 38-year-old Polish fighter won the vacant UFC light heavyweight title by beating Dominick Reyes by second-round TKO at UFC 253 last September.

Adesanya (20-0), a former champion kickboxer, has won his first nine fights in the UFC. The Nigeria-born New Zealand resident is coming off a second-round TKO over Paulo Costa at UFC 253. The flashy Adesanya, 31, has 15 knockouts in 20 career wins and has been UFC middleweight champion since October 2019.

In the co-main event, the greatest women's MMA fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes, looks to defend her featherweight title against 6-foot powerhouse Megan Anderson. Nunes (20-4) is also the UFC women's bantamweight champion and owns just about every prominent UFC women's record there is. Anderson (11-4) has won two straight and has one-punch knockout power. Also on the card, Petr Yan attempts to make his first successful defense of the UFC bantamweight title against Aljamain Sterling.

On the undercard, Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic meet in a critical light heavyweight contender bout, former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz returns against up-and-coming Casey Kenney, and Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev takes on Drew Dober.

Marc Raimondi, Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim recap the action as it happens in Las Vegas.

How to watch and purchase UFC 259

Fight in progress:

Men's bantamweight: Song Yadong (16-4-1, 5-0-1 UFC, -160) vs. Kyler Phillips (8-1, 2-0 UFC, +135)

Results:

Men's flyweight: Askar Askarov (13-0-1, 3-0-1 UFC) defeats Joseph Benavidez (28-8, 15-6 UFC) by unanimous decision

Askarov, a flyweight title contender out of Russia, added a big name to his resume by defeating Benavidez over the course of three one-sided rounds.

According to UFC Stats, Askarov converted five of six takedown attempts and controlled Benavidez on the ground for large chunks of the first and second rounds. Benavidez tried to respond with blitzing combinations on the feet, but Askarov's distance management and grappling control essentially neutralized the four-time title challenger. Judges scored it for Askarov 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26.

Only blemish on Askarov's weekend in which he otherwise makes a case for a title shot: He missed weight (127) and looked pretty bad getting to the scale.

His ability to make 125.0 may face some questions. #UFC259

— Phil Murphy (@Phil_Sports) March 7, 2021

Sporting a bad cut and swelling under his left eye, Benavidez went into the third round looking for a finish but never came close. He landed a hard Superman punch midway through the final round, but Askarov wore it well and did well avoiding risk and keeping Benavidez on the outside.

Benavidez, who fights out of Las Vegas, remains tied with former champion Demetrious Johnson for the most wins in UFC flyweight history with 13. He has been stuck on that number since June 2019. He has now dropped his past three, including back-to-back losses to current champion Deiveson Figueiredo in 2020. Askarov moves to 3-0-1 in the UFC.

-- Okamoto

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Men's flyweight: Kai Kara-France (22-9, 5-2 UFC) defeats Rogério Bontorin (16-3, 2-2 UFC) by first-round TKO

Bontorin was on the way to a 10-8 round. And then -- just like that -- his head was crashing to the canvas.

Kara-France escaped after a long stretch of ground dominance by Bontorin at the end of the first round and unleashed a hellish combination. Kara-France landed a right hand that rocked Bontorin and a right uppercut that caused Bontorin to face plant. The finish came at 4:55 of the first round via TKO.

How it started vs. how it ended for Kai Kara-France ? #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/3OkNsWLONa

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 7, 2021

"Mark Hunt walkaway -- vintage," Kara-France said in his postfight interview, referencing his fellow Oceania native Hunt's propensity for walk-off knockouts.

The final sequence was a bit odd. Bontorin fell face-first to the canvas and Kara-France started celebrating. Then, when it seemed like referee Herb Dean had not actually called off the bout, Kara-France ran back to Bontorin in an attempt to blast him with more blows. Dean headed him off at the pass and then officially called the bout over by TKO. Bontorin, who seemed to think the fight was still going, fired his mouthpiece at Kara-France in frustration before cooler heads prevailed.

Bontorin hurt Kara-France with a left hand early in the first and then took him down. From there, he took Kara-France's back and dominated, nearly cinching in rear-naked chokes on multiple occasions. It was completely one-sided until Kara-France got to his feet in the closing seconds and shook off Bontorin.

"I put the flyweights coming up on notice," Kara-France said. "Anyone in that top five can get it."

Kara-France, 27, came in ranked No. 10 in the world at flyweight by ESPN. The New Zealand native was coming off a second-round submission loss to Brandon Royval at UFC 253 in September. Bontorin, a 28-year-old Brazil native, has dropped two straight following a four-fight winning streak.

-- Raimondi

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Men's flyweight: Tim Elliott (18-11-1, 6-9 UFC) defeats Jordan Espinosa (15-9, 2-4 UFC) by unanimous decision

Elliott got a takedown early in the first round and dominated Espinosa from top position while delivering damage for the rest of the first five minutes. Elliott got a takedown early in the second round, and proceeded to dominate and do more damage, not allowing Espinosa off the canvas until the horn. The third round? More of the same.

It was 15 minutes of total control, and one judge gave Elliott a couple of 10-8 rounds, making it a 30-25 scorecard. The other two judges scored the bout 30-27.

He made it look easy ? #UFC259

— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) March 7, 2021

The three takedowns give Elliott 47 for his UFC career, putting him alone in second place among flyweights, behind former champion Demetrious Johnson (58).

Elliott, who is 34 and from Lee's Summit, Missouri, won his second in a row after withstanding a three-fight losing streak against ranked fighters.

Espinosa, a 31-year-old from Albuquerque, New Mexico, nearly landed head kicks in both the first and second rounds, but Elliott ducked under both and rushed forward for takedowns. While on his back in Round 3, Espinosa cut Elliott with an elbow. But that was all he managed in losing for the fourth time in his past five bouts.

These two were scheduled to meet in January, but the bout was postponed after Espinosa tested positive for COVID-19.

-- Wagenheim

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Light heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu (8-1, 2-1 UFC) defeats Carlos Ulberg (5-1, 0-1 UFC) by second-round KO

Nzechuwu, a light heavyweight prospect out of Dallas, earned the biggest win of his career with a second-round upset of Ulberg.

Nzechuwu got off to a terrible start, as he was visibly wobbled by a left head kick in the opening minute. Ulberg, who fights out of New Zealand and is a close teammate of Israel Adesanya, pressed in looking for the finish, and did so intelligently. He ripped Nzechuwu to the body with punches and knees from the Thai clinch, but Nzechuwu managed to survive and separate.

This card has been insane with only 5 fights in ? #UFC259

— Carlos Correa (@TeamCJCorrea) March 7, 2021

As the round progressed, Nzechuwu started to even things behind straight left hands to Ulberg's head. Ulberg looked a bit fatigued between rounds, but still came out pumping the jab and low leg kicks to slow the forward motion of Nzechuwu. Nzechuwu would not be denied, however, as he walked through Ulberg's offense and knocked him out with a short right hand along the fence 3:19 into the round.

Nzechuwu, 28, is now 2-1 in the UFC. His only loss came against the currently ranked Paul Craig. Ulberg drops his UFC debut.

-- Okamoto

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Welterweight: Sean Brady (14-0, 4-0 UFC) defeats Jake Matthews (17-5, 10-5 UFC) by third-round submission

In a battle of welterweight prospects, Brady showed up in a big way.

Brady steamrolled Matthews, finishing with a submission (arm triangle) at 3:28 of the third round. The undefeated Brady dominated Matthews in every facet of MMA, outwrestling him and outgrappling him -- and even wobbling him with strikes in the third. It was the kind of victory that announced Brady as a real threat in a very good UFC welterweight division. Brady winning by submission was +400 per Caesars by William Hill.

170lbs needs to be very worried about @seanbradymma

— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) March 6, 2021

"I think I just deserve a top-15 guy," Brady said in his postfight interview. "Let's see who they give me after this."

Matthews' best moment came in the first round. He dropped Brady with a punch after catching a Brady kick. But Brady was quick to get on top in a ground scramble. And he spent the rest of the round there. Brady went back to that clear advantage in the second round, shooting a double-leg takedown on Matthews and getting him down. Brady dominated from there, getting the back and slipping into mount while landing punches.

In the third round, Brady rocked Matthews with a left hook. Matthews ended up being the one going for a takedown, which Brady stuffed and then won position in a scramble yet again. From there, Brady got into dominant position and wrapped Matthews up into an arm-triangle choke from arm triangle.

Brady, 28, is 4-0 in the UFC with two straight submission finishes in a row. The Philadelphia native is the former Cage Fury Fighting Championship welterweight champion. Brady's four-fight UFC winning streak is the third-best active winning streak in the division, behind champion Kamaru Usman (13) and Leon Edwards (8). Matthews, still just 26 years old out Australia, had a three-fight winning streak snapped.

-- Raimondi

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Strawweight: Amanda Lemos (9-1-1, 3-1 UFC) defeats Livinha Souza (14-3, 3-2 UFC) by first-round TKO

Lemos finished this fight between Brazilian women with a jab.

The straight punch dropped Souza, and referee Jason Herzog jumped in almost immediately, waving off the bout as a TKO at 3:39 of Round 1. It was a quick action by the ref, almost as quick as Lemos' powerful fists.

Amanda Lemos was credited with two knockdowns in her KO win over Livinha Souza.

She is just the fourth female fighter in @UFC history to knock an opponent down twice (Nunes, Calderwood, Pudilova). #UFC259 results ➡️: https://t.co/uYKJuIYOVH pic.twitter.com/L0bhizgYLB

— UFC News (@UFCNews) March 6, 2021

The 33-year-old Lemos, in winning her third straight fight, was in command from the start, taking ownership of the center of the Octagon and stalking Souza, who was overmatched in the standup fighting. The bout went to the canvas midway through the round after Lemos landed an overhand right hand that dropped her countrywoman, but that actually gave Souza a glimmer of a chance. She grabbed hold of Lemos' ankle and went for a submission -- Souza has eight of them among her 14 career wins -- but Lemos escaped, delivered some ground-and-pound, then got the fight back to standing.

That was the beginning of the end for Souza, who is 29. She had no answers, got dropped by the jab, and that sealed her second loss in her last three fights.

-- Wagenheim

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Lightweight: Uroš Medić (7-0, 1-0 UFC) defeats Aalon Cruz (8-4, 0-2 UFC) by first-round TKO

Medic has been saying he's UFC-ready for a while. He proved it big time in his promotional debut.

Medic devastated Cruz with strikes on the feet, en route to a first-round TKO finish. Medic hurt Cruz almost immediately, and referee Mark Smith gave Cruz every opportunity to continue -- perhaps too many -- before finally calling the bout at the 1:40 mark.

This guys a monster !!!

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 6, 2021

Medic, who fights out of Alaska but was born in Serbia, badly hurt Cruz with a left hook to the temple and followed that with a flying knee that Cruz ate flush. Cruz basically dropped to the ground, covered up and held onto Medic's leg. Medic hit him with a long series of unanswered punches, and dropped him again with a left hand after Cruz somehow managed to stand up. The end was never in question.

A former contestant on Dana White's Contender Series, Medic has finished all of his professional bouts, including six in the first round. Cruz, who also was on DWCS and is from Tampa, drops to 0-2 in the UFC with two first-round losses by knockout.

-- Okamoto

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Men's bantamweight: Trevin Jones (13-6 1 NC, 1-0 1 NC UFC) defeats Mario Bautista (8-2, 2-1 UFC) by second-round TKO

Jones finally has his first UFC victory -- officially.

He actually won his promotional debut last August, knocking out Timur Valiev, but the result was overturned to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for marijuana. He had taken the fight on two days notice.

Five-star finish by @TrevinAJones ?

Stream #UFC259 on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/pOphkmMf0r pic.twitter.com/O24b4O9Qh2

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 6, 2021

Now the 30-year-old native of New Orleans, who grew up in and still trains in Guam, has another knockout. This one came 40 seconds into the second round, when he caught Bautista coming in with a lead right uppercut, dropping him. Jones is unbeaten in his past four fights.

Bautista, a 27-year-old fighting out of the MMA Lab in Glendale, Arizona, saw a two-fight winning streak come to an end.

-- Wagenheim

Watch this fight on ESPN+.

Still to come:

Light heavyweight title bout: Jan Blachowicz (c) (27-8, 10-5 UFC, +200) vs. Israel Adesanya (20-0, 9-0 UFC, -240)
Women's featherweight title bout: Amanda Nunes (c) (20-4, 13-1 UFC, -1100) vs. Megan Anderson (11-4, 3-2 UFC, +700)
Men's bantamweight title bout: Petr Yan (c) (15-1, 7-0 UFC, -120) vs. Aljamain Sterling (19-3, 11-3 UFC, +100)
Lightweight: Islam Makhachev (18-1, 7-1 UFC, -380) vs. Drew Dober (23-9 1 NC, 9-5 1 NC UFC, +300)
Light heavyweight: Aleksandar Rakić (13-2, 5-1 UFC, -160) vs. Thiago Santos (21-8, 13-7 UFC, +135)
Men's bantamweight: Dominick Cruz (22-3, 5-2 UFC, +115) vs. Casey Kenney (16-2-1,5-1 UFC, -135)
(c) = defending champion

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the NBA will not require anyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine, but he believes "most players" will ultimately choose to do so.

"We're seeing this now, both in the actual numbers of people getting vaccinated in the United States and opinion polls, that people are becoming more willing to get vaccinated," Silver said during his All-Star Weekend virtual news conference from Atlanta. "I think, as to those who have been hesitators, as tens of millions of people now in the United States have gotten the vaccine, that people are seeing, at least in the short term, what the impact is, and they're hearing about how incredibly effective these vaccines are.

"My hunch is that most players ultimately will choose to get vaccinated. They have to make personal decisions at the end of the day -- and I take that very seriously, and I take concerns very seriously. But my sense is most [players] will, ultimately, decide it is in their interest to get vaccinated."

Part of Silver's logic behind why players would get a vaccine is that it will make their lives simpler. Under the NBA's health and safety protocols, players have to be tested up to three times a day and are subject to quarantine periods if they have been in "close contact" with someone who has tested positive.

That is what twice happened with All-Star Kevin Durant. Last month he initially was held out of a game against the Toronto Raptors, only to be allowed to play midway through the first quarter, then be pulled again midway through the third after an inconclusive test by a close contact became a positive one.

Under this scenario, if Durant had received a vaccine, he would not have to quarantine.

"In addition to the personal health benefits, to the family health benefits, the economic benefits to getting vaccinated, because of the protocols we have in place, they are incredibly burdensome on our players and on our teams," Silver said. "But, for example, the CDC has already announced that if you've been vaccinated, you don't need to quarantine as a close contact. As you know, many of our players have had to sit out not because they tested positive, but because they were required to quarantine because of a close contact.

"So, in addition, as we operate under the so-called work quarantine protocol, where players are largely only going between their homes and the arena, once they get vaccinated they'll be able to do more in their communities. And that's something we've already begun talking to the players' association about. So there will be some real advantages and benefits to getting vaccinated for the players."

The NBA has had to postpone 31 games because of league health and safety protocols, with several teams -- including the Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs -- having to miss multiple games because there weren't enough players available to play.

Silver, however, said he believes it is "realistic" to complete the playoffs without mandatory vaccinations for players because he believes league protocols have largely worked.

"I think it is realistic, even if we didn't have required vaccinations because, of course, no one -- none of the players -- have been vaccinated now, and we've only had to postpone a relatively small percentage of games," Silver said. "We know that for the most part, a testing protocol, together with mask wearing and all the other precautions we're taking, largely works.

"The NCAA tournament is going to be played this year, and again, without vaccinations for their players. To me, we'll make additional progress if players get vaccinated, but it certainly doesn't require that they all get vaccinated."

Silver didn't address what would happen if an NBA team has to be shut down during the playoffs. Once the NCAA tournament begins, if a team has an outbreak that prevents it from playing, its opponent would advance to the next round via forfeit.

Other topics Silver addressed:

• Silver was asked about LeBron James, in particular, criticizing the league for holding the All-Star Game. Silver said he understands where James is coming from and he commended him for how he has handled things, including his work on "Inside The NBA" Thursday as James and Durant, the two captains, drafted their teams.

"It would be incredibly hypocritical of me to say to LeBron that you should speak out on issues that are important to you, but not ones when you're critical of the league," Silver said. "We're all part of a community. I respect him and his point of view.

"Also, at the same time, I appreciate his professionalism. If you had a chance to see him, as captain and general manager of his team, proceed with the draft, he did it in good humor. He took it very seriously. My sense is he's going to be here, as he always is, as a top-notch professional and engaged in the game.

"Again, I respect his point of view. But it seems like issues that can be worked out in the family, so to speak."

• Kyrie Irving's tweet about changing the NBA logo to one featuring Kobe Bryant -- as opposed to Jerry West, as it has been for decades -- has been a hot topic.

Silver, however, poured cold water on that discussion, saying that the league isn't discussing the possibility of changing it, though he said that Bryant's name is now affixed to the All-Star MVP trophy.

"Again, everything changes over time," he said. "Nothing's permanently fixed. But the logo is iconic. As you know, we're distributed globally. Even changing the logo, purely even from a legal standpoint, isn't an easy exercise. Not that that should be the impediment ... [but] it doesn't feel to me that this is the appropriate moment to be changing the logo.

"While it's never been officially declared that the logo is Jerry West, it sure looks a lot like him. He still is thriving in our community. I know he's so self-effacing and has said, please change it if that's what people want to do. It just doesn't feel like the right moment to be thinking about that.

"That doesn't mean, again, that we won't turn back and look at it at some point. To me, I appreciate the sentiments, but it feels like the logo is appropriate right now."

• While Silver said he thinks the NBA has made "a fair amount of progress" when it comes to diversity, he admitted the league still has work to do to make hiring practices equitable for all.

"There shouldn't be an impediment, as we all know," Silver said when asked about a "glass ceiling" for Black assistant coaches. "I would say as a practical matter, what we're seeing happen, and I think this is in part human nature, people tend to turn to the people who they know best and they're most familiar with.

"I think in certain cases you have a network of relationships that go back many years. To the extent that people aren't part of those networks, they're clearly at a disadvantage in the process."

Silver added that the league is working with teams to ensure that Black coaches are part of the process, but said he doesn't want there to be a situation where teams are "checking boxes" by interviewing a minority candidate just to say that they did so.

"It requires real engagement," he said.

• After the schedule was dramatically altered over the past two seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Silver said he is "fairly optimistic" the NBA will get onto its old schedule -- starting in mid-October and ending in June -- next season.

"I'm fairly optimistic at this point that we will be able to start on time, and that roughly half of our teams have fans in their arenas right now," Silver said. "If vaccines continue on the pace they are, and they continue to be as effective as they have been against the virus and its variants, we're hopeful that we'll have relatively full arenas next season as well."

Silver also said that the NBA will not have international games next season, and that's part of the reason next season could start on time.

• Referees have come under scrutiny after All-Stars Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell were both ejected from games in the final week before the break, and Mitchell and Utah Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert excoriated the officials -- and were fined a combined $45,000 -- after losing to Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Silver said there is no data that says technical fouls, or fouls across the board, are up, but that a combination of factors -- from several younger referees, to playing in empty arenas, to increased stress levels due to the pandemic -- have played a factor in everyone having shorter fuses.

"I will say everyone is under enormous pressure this year. The officials aren't exempt from that. They are also operating under our sort of work quarantine protocols," he said. "One of the things we've learned over the last year is that the mental stress is incredibly tough on everyone involved. I think in some cases you have some younger officials, too, who maybe are still trying to calibrate their relationships with players.

"So I'm not particularly concerned necessarily with the calls on the floor. I'm always concerned about the members of our larger community and how they're interacting with each other."

• While Silver said there are no concrete plans to restart the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League, he said it is likely it will return in some form.

"I think we're going to end up as some combination of, built into your question, maybe an abbreviated Summer League, minicamps and other opportunities," Silver said. "I think everything's on the table now.

"As we're seeing progress in our communities, I'm increasingly hopeful we'll be able to do and put together some of those events. I know for our teams, from a competitive standpoint, it's critically important they get an opportunity to see those players, particular ones who aren't in the two-round draft. For the ones who do get drafted, get them an opportunity to put some court time in before the season starts."

• He also said that business in China is moving ahead, with games being broadcast on CCTV -- as they have been since the NBA Finals -- and on Tencent, a streaming service.

NBA All-Star Sunday is nearly here, and the schedule is jam-packed. Due to COVID-19, an entire weekend of festivities has been condensed into one star-studded night.

It all starts with the skills and 3-point contests at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by tipoff of the 70th NBA All-Star Game at 8 p.m. ET. At halftime, the dunk contest takes center stage before the coronation of the winner of Team LeBron vs. Team Durant.

Will LeBron James continue his undefeated run as All-Star captain? Will Stephen Curry capture his second 3-point contest title? Which young high flyer will soar to the dunk contest crown?

Our panel of NBA experts is picking the entire slate of action.

MORE: Pick the winners! Play ESPN's All-Star Challenge

Skills, 3-point, dunk contests

Jerry Bembry

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Anfernee Simons

Nick DePaula

• Skills: Domantas Sabonis

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Cassius Stanley

Nick Friedell

• Skills: Robert Covington

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Anfernee Simons

Kirk Goldsberry

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Zach LaVine

• Dunks: Anfernee Simons

Israel Gutierrez

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Anfernee Simons

Tim Legler

• Skills: Luka Doncic

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Obi Toppin

Andrew Lopez

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Zach LaVine

• Dunks: Obi Toppin

Tim MacMahon

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Obi Toppin

Dave McMenamin

• Skills: Julius Randle

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Obi Toppin

Kevin Pelton

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Zach LaVine

• Dunks: Anfernee Simons

Jorge Sedano

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Cassius Stanley

Ramona Shelburne

• Skills: Domantas Sabonis

• 3s: Zach LaVine

• Dunks: Cassius Stanley

André Snellings

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Cassius Stanley

Marc Spears

• Skills: Robert Covington

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Cassius Stanley

Eric Woodyard

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Zach LaVine

• Dunks: Anfernee Simons

Royce Young

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Obi Toppin

Ohm Youngmisuk

• Skills: Chris Paul

• 3s: Stephen Curry

• Dunks: Cassius Stanley

Results:

• Skills contest: Paul (11), Covington (2), Sabonis (2), Doncic (1), Randle (1).

• 3-point contest: Curry (12), LaVine (5).

• Dunk contest: Simons (6), Stanley (6), Toppin (5).

NBA All-Star Game picks: Winner and MVP

Jerry Bembry

• Team Durant

• MVP: Kyrie Irving

Nick DePaula

• Team Durant

• MVP: Kawhi Leonard

Nick Friedell

• Team Durant

• MVP: Kyrie Irving

Kirk Goldsberry

• Team LeBron

• MVP: LeBron James

Israel Gutierrez

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Paul George

Tim Legler

• Team Durant

• MVP: James Harden

Andrew Lopez

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Stephen Curry

Tim MacMahon

• Team LeBron

• MVP: LeBron James

Dave McMenamin

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Kevin Pelton

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Jorge Sedano

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Luka Doncic

Ramona Shelburne

• Team Durant

• MVP: Damian Lillard

André Snellings

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Damian Lillard

Marc Spears

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Eric Woodyard

• Team Durant

• MVP: Donovan Mitchell

Royce Young

• Team LeBron

• MVP: James Harden

Ohm Youngmisuk

• Team LeBron

• MVP: Luka Doncic

Results:

• Winner: Team LeBron (11), Team Durant (6).

• All-Star Game MVP: Antetokounmpo (3), Doncic (2), Harden (2), Irving (2), James (2), Lillard (2), Curry (1), George (1), Leonard (1), Mitchell (1).

The form book is turned on its head in the women’s pole vault and long jump at the European Indoor Championships

Pole vault favourite Holly Bradshaw was relegated to third place as victory went to unheralded Angelica Moser of Switzerland with a winning height of 4.75m. It wasn’t the only turn up on in the women’s jumps finals on Saturday (March 6) at the European Indoor Championships in Poland either as Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk beat more fancied athletes to take the long jump crown.

Moser, the daughter of 1988 Olympic decathlete Severin Moser, had a prodigious teenage career winning Youth Olympics, world under-20 and European junior titles.

But Bradshaw, the 2013 European indoor champion, was the athlete to beat and the Briton was out to reclaim her title.

Moser cleared 4.60m and 4.65m on her third attempts but went over 4.70m first time and then 4.75m at her second try. Runner-up Tina Sutej of Slovenia also went over 4.70m first time but failed at 4.75m and 4.80m to take silver.

“I didn’t expect that, I hoped for a medal, but this… I am so delighted,” said Moser.

Bradshaw began well with first-time clearances at 4.60m and 4.65m but couldn’t get over 4.70m despite having a best of 4.85m this year. Ultimately she shared bronze as well with Iryna Zhuk of Belarus, who also cleared 4.65m.

“You can’t sniff at a European Indoor medal, but I’m incredibly disappointed,” said Bradshaw. “I felt great. The other girls handled their jumps really well and I just didn’t quite jump as well today. It’s frustrating to come into the most important meet of the year and jump by far your lowest.

“In pole vault, it’s all about fine margins. At 4.70m, I thought I was still doing good jumps. I was executing them well and the bar just wasn’t staying on for me and on any other given day it could have done, but today it didn’t.”

In the long jump Bekh-Romanchuk was a good medal contender but the Ukrainian was not expected to win. After defending champion Ivana Spanovic withdrew on the eve of the championships, the likely winners were thought to be in-form youngster Larissa Iapinchino of Italy and world outdoor champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany.

Bekh-Romanchuk jumped 6.80m in the third round as Mihambo led with 6.88m. But while the German struggled with her run-up and could not improve, Bekh-Romanchuk soared out to a world lead of 6.92m in the final round to secure victory.

“It was perfect evening,” said the winner. “I am very happy. It is my first gold medal, I couldn’t imagine better competition. Before last jump, I was very focused, I knew I am well prepared and despite short indoor season, I achieved fantastic result.”

In third, Khaddi Sagnia of Sweden jumped 6.75m whereas Nastassia Mironchyk-Ivanova of Belarus was fourth and Iapichino fifth.

Petra Kvitova beat fellow former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 6-2 6-1 to win her second Qatar Open title.

Spaniard Muguruza, 27, had the benefit of a full rest day on Friday after the withdrawal of semi-final opponent Victoria Azarenka with a back injury.

But Kvitova, 30, triumphed in only 66 minutes to secure her first title since April 2019 and a 28th overall.

Kvitova, who has beaten Muguruza in their past five meetings, said: "It's been a great run.

"I'm sorry for the second time. I hope we can meet somewhere else."

World number 16 Muguruza said: "For a second time she took the title away from me, but I can't wait to come back next year."

Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs came from behind to beat Bath and record a first win in three games.

Priestland stretched Bath's lead with another penalty before the visitors went in front and secured a bonus point courtesy of two tries from Sam Skinner.

Jonny Gray and O'Flaherty crossed late on to underline Exeter's superiority.

The Chiefs travelled to Bath having suffered narrow defeats against Northampton and Sale, and the Devonians found themselves on the back foot in the opening stages as the hosts stretched the game.

McConnochie brilliantly gathered Priestland's cross-kick ahead of Jack Maunder before spinning to touch down in the corner.

But Exeter forced their way back into the game towards the end of the first half, with a line-out inside the Bath 22 setting the platform for O'Flaherty to cross before Simmonds rounded off a period of pressure with a close-range finish to notch his 13th try of the domestic campaign.

Priestland edged Bath 16-12 in front 15 minutes after the break with his third penalty of the afternoon, stretching his record streak of successful kicks in the Premiership to 36.

Exeter then took control in the final quarter of the contest, as the power of their forward line told and the Blue, Black and Whites tired.

Skinner's pick-and-go score put them ahead before the lock added a close-range finish to give the visitors breathing space.

The bonus-point win sees second-placed Exeter remain six points behind leaders Bristol Bears, who won at Worcester in the late kick-off, while Bath stay 10th after seeing their three-match winning run come to an end.

Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper told BBC Radio Bristol:

"For 50 minutes we played the best rugby we have played all year. They struggled with us and we caused them a number of problems with the ball in hand.

"After 55 minutes we lost a bit of control, were on the back foot momentum-wise and gave away penalties.

"It ends up looking like a bit of a hammering, but I thought we were better than that.

"Against champions you can't make mistakes and still get back in the game. You end up going from a pretty dominant position to losing the game."

Exeter head coach Ali Hepher told BBC Radio 5 Live:

"It was a disappointing first 20 minutes, but we fought hard in that period. Bath are a tough side and take a lot of wearing down.

"Once we had established our game, the forwards took control and the scrum was going well.

"In the second half we were able to find our attacking rhythm and get on top. Our belief grew and then you saw a true Exeter Chiefs team.

"We celebrate any win in the Premiership because it is brutal, especially this year."

Bath: De Glanville; McConnochie, Joseph, Matavesi, Muir; Priestland, Spencer; Obano, Dunn, Thomas, McNally (capt), Stooke, Faletau, Underhill, Mercer.

Replacements: Walker, Bhatti, Judge, Ellis, Reid, Chudley, T Schoeman, Cokanasiga.

Exeter: Hogg; Cordero, Whitten, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds (capt), Maunder; Hepburn, Innard, Williams, Gray, S Skinner, Ewers, Vermeulen, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Taione, Moon, Francis, Lonsdale, Kirsten, Townsend, H Skinner, Hendrickson.

Referee: Tom Foley (RFU).

Leaders Bristol were rescued by hat-trick hero Siva Naulago's late try as resurgent Worcester were cruelly denied a first Premiership win since November.

Scrum-half Andy Uren's solo score on half-time won Bristol back the lead.

Francois Venter's try and two Billy Searle penalties then put Warriors ahead, before Naulago's winning try.

Even then, after the Fijian rugby league convert had gone over in the right corner seven minutes from time, it still needed a superb touchline conversion by Wales stand-off Callum Sheedy.

After his Triple Crown-winning haul of five kicks against England last Saturday, and having earlier missed both his touchline conversion attempts at Naulago's first two tries, Sheedy again held his nerve when it mattered.

Bristol's bonus-point win keeps them six points clear of second-placed Exeter, while Worcester had already sunk to the bottom prior to kick-off, thanks to Gloucester's equally narrow, late win at Wasps.

Warriors have now lost 11 games on the bounce in all competitions - and have only kept in touch with Gloucester thanks to the eight points they picked up from two Covid-19-enforced postponements against Harlequins and Newcastle.

But this was possibly their best performance of the season by Jonathan Thomas' young rebuilt side, also containing their try of the season, a lightning break down the right finished off by centre Venter.

And, although they were knocked back by the early loss of injured former England winger Chris Ashton on his first home start, it earned Warriors their fourth losing bonus point in seven matches.

Ashton's premature exit at least allowed fit-again Searle to return from a gashed thigh in a backline reshuffle that also involved taking over kicking duties from Jamie Shlllcock.

Shillcock had converted Humphreys' first-half try, but Searle went on to land four kicks - his late first-half penalty, followed by a conversion of Venter's try and then two more penalties to open up that ultimately insufficient six-point cushion.

Worcester stand-off Billy Searle told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"We dominated the second half. We're getting attacking opportunities but silly penalties cost us. It's just about seeing these games out.

"The last two games have been pretty similar but we've got to take the learnings and put that into practice when we play London Irish next week.

"We missed a few opportunities. But you've got to take confidence from that. It was my first game since Boxing Day. I'm happy to be back and fairly happy with how I played, but just disappointed to lose the game."

Bears boss Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol:

"We could have been more points up at half-time and, having missed some opportunities, we were very sloppy in the second half.

"These boys were desperate for a win but we had to wait for our chance and the boys closed it out well after that bit of magic from Siva.

"He's got some X-factor qualities. Serious pace. The sort of finishes that not many guys could do, but all our back three did a great job."

Worcester Warriors: David; Ashton, Morris, Venter, Humphreys; Shillcock, Hougaard; Waller, Cutting, Schonert, A Kitchener, Clegg, Hill (capt), Kvesic, van Velze.

Replacements: Miller, Thomas, Palframan, Batley, du Preez, Heaney, Searle, Beck.

Bristol Bears: Purdy; Adeolokun, O'Conor, Leiua, Naulago; Sheedy, Uren; Woolmore, Capon, Lahiff, Attwood, Joyce, Vui, Harding, Luatua (capt).

Replacements: Kloska, Thomas, Afoa, Holmes, Heenan, Kessell, Eden, Fricker.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys.