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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

Buy a Defector Gift Subscription, Get A (Different) Gift Subscription

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2025 gift subs

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.

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Owen Lewis

David Benavidez exchanges punches with Anthony Yarde in a WBC and WBA light-heavyweight title fight during Ring IV: Night of the Champions at ANB Arena on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ring IV: Night of the Champions – Fight Night

Boxing

The Fights Got Bloody In Riyadh

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Tom Ley

Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and Michael Lombardi attend the SiriusXM's Chris "Mad Dog" Russo Broadcast From Bar A at The Jersey Shore Bar Anticipation on July 26, 2024 in Lake Como, New Jersey.

SiriusXM’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo Broadcasts From Bar A At The Jersey Shore

College Football

Please Spend Some Time Imagining Mike Lombardi Begging For Money In Saudi Arabia

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Samer Kalaf

Comedian Bill Burr Headlines BetMGM Big Game Bash At MGM Grand

Arts And Culture

Bill Burr Keeps Cycling Through Excuses For Doing The Riyadh Comedy Festival

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Giri Nathan

Grim Visions Emerge From The Riyadh Comedy Festival

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Luis Paez-Pumar

A sign is posted in front of Electric Arts headquarters on September 29, 2025 in Redwood City, California.

Electronic Arts To Be Taken Private In Huge 55 Billion Deal

Video Games

Saudi Arabia’s All-Consuming Maw Devours Electronic Arts

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

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Drew Magary

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Fox Sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady smiles prior to an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles v Tampa Bay Buccaneers – NFL 2025

Funbag

What’s A Dollar Really Worth To These Ghouls?

sebastian-maniscalco

All Your Favorite Sellouts Will Be At The Riyadh Comedy Festival

Tom Brady speaks onstage at Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City.

Fanatics Fest NYC 2025

Tom Brady Adds Sportswashing To His Impressive Résumé

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.

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Hamilton Nolan

William Zepeda (R) lands a punch on Shakur Stevenson (L) during their lightweight title fight at Louis Armstrong Stadium on July 12, 2025 in New York City.

The Ring III – William Zepeda v Shakur Stevenson – Fight Night

Bills Week

The Fighters Pay The Bills

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Lauren Theisen

US wrestler CM Punk greets the fans before his match against against John Cena for the undisputed WWE Championship during the King of the Ring event at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on June 28, 2025.

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Pro Wrestling

CM Punk Loves Saudi Arabia

Dave McKenna

Turki Al-Sheikh and actor Jason Statham (left) at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday December 21, 2024.

Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury – Kingdom Arena – Riyadh

The Fights

Saudi Arabia’s Latest Boxing Spectacle Is A Times Square Fight Card With No Start Time And No Tickets

Dmitrii Bivol fights Artur Beterbiev as the headline act of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at Kingdom Arena on February 22, 2025 in Riyadh.

Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo – Fight Night

We’ll Take More Bivol Vs. Beterbiev, Less Of Everything Else

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Billy Haisley

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa gives a thumbs up during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

Aston Villa FC v Celtic FC – UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8

Soccer

Will Jhon Durán Ever Be Back?

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for a photo with Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, after being awarded the trophy following victory in his Men's Singles Final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain

Six Kings Slam 2024 – Day Three

Tennis

Saudi Arabia Got What It Wanted From The Six Kings Slam

saudi arabia