A civil jury in Ireland recently found UFC star Conor McGregor guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in 2018, awarding her $260,000 in damages. McGregor, of course, denies the accusations, but the woman claimed the assault was brutal. Interestingly, prosecutors decided not to press criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence. Still, the case has grabbed attention, especially considering McGregor’s high-profile public persona.
In a different corner of the sports world, UFC president Dana White is done with politics. After a stint of involvement with Donald Trump’s campaign, White told The New Yorker, “I’m never f***ing doing this again. It’s gross. I want nothing to do with this.” He’s made it clear that from now on, he’s sticking to the UFC and steering clear of political engagements. It’s quite the pivot after his very public support of Trump.
In an unsettling turn, NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have found themselves victims of a robbery. Kelce’s watch was discovered in Providence, Rhode Island, after a break-in at his home. The FBI has stepped in, and the case is under investigation. Sources say the thieves are part of a skilled ring that’s been targeting other high-profile athletes, and the NFL has warned teams to be vigilant.
Speaking of Kelce, his brother Jason had an encounter outside Jimmy Kimmel Live! with an autograph-seeker known for stirring up trouble with celebrities. Initially, Jason ignored the guy, but when the fan started throwing insults his way, Jason couldn’t help but respond. After some back-and-forth, the man apologized, and Jason signed the autograph. It’s another example of how unpredictable celebrity encounters can get, even when all you want to do is grab a quick bite.
In TV news, Sylvester Stallone is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Seasons 3 and 4 of Tulsa King. Fans of the show can expect more action and drama, as Stallone’s character continues to build his criminal empire in the heart of Oklahoma.
As for Jessica Biel, she’s currently in talks to star in Matchbox, a movie based on Mattel’s famous toy car brand. She’ll join John Cena in this intriguing project, which is bound to spark some interest with its nostalgic toy connection.
Over at the movies, Gladiator II is gearing up for its opening weekend, with expectations to rake in around $60 million at the box office. Fans of the original film are eager to see what happens next in the epic saga.
Finally, Wicked—the beloved Broadway musical turned movie—has made its long-awaited debut. Over 20 years after the musical first premiered, the film adaptation shocked audiences, with TikTok videos flooding the internet of fans freaking out during screenings. The movie earned $20 million in previews alone and is expected to gross between $130-$150 million in its opening weekend. Despite the hefty production costs, it looks like Wicked is already a major box office success.
