Public invited to MMA weigh-ins
BANGOR, Maine — Weigh-ins for the “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” mixed martial arts card will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bangor Ramada.
The show, scheduled for Friday night in the grand ballroom of the Cross Insurance Center, will feature eight professional bouts and will be recorded for a future episode of Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White’s internet reality series.
White is a 1987 graduate of Hermon High School.
The weigh-ins are free and open to the public, and fans are encouraged to attend to get a first look at all of the participants.
The scheduled fight card includes the following matches: Brendan Battles vs. Derrick Brown (265 pounds), Jaron Lawton vs. David Mundell (185), C.J. Ewer vs. Ruben Redman (170), Devin Powell vs. Jon Lemke (160), Ryan Sanders vs. Derick Kennington (155), Josh Harvey vs. Zenon Herrera (155), Aaron Lacey vs. John Santos (145), and the 135-pound main event between Alfred Khashakyan and Ricardo Lucas Ramos.
The Bangor Ramada, located at 357 Odlin Road, also will host the official event after-party immediately following the show on Friday night.
NFL, Dish reach new deal, ending fee dispute
NEW YORK — Dish Network Corp struck a new carriage agreement with the National Football League’s NFL Network and NFL Redzone channels, ending a dispute over distribution fees, the satellite TV operator said on Wednesday.
Dish has restored NFL Network and NFL Redzone on its satellite-TV service, it said in a statement. Both channels will be added to its online video service Sling TV in time for NFL season, it said.
Details on the pricing of NFL Network and NFL RedZone on Sling TV will be disclosed shortly, Dish said.
The NFL channels, which went dark on Dish’s network in mid-June amid a disagreement over fees, now will be back before the new football season kicks off in September.
Jackson retires from ESPN after 29 years
NFL analyst Tom Jackson will retire after 29 years with ESPN, the network announced Wednesday.
Jackson, 65, is expected to work his final assignment with ESPN alongside host Chris Berman at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement this weekend in Canton, Ohio.
Prior to coming to ESPN, Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowl selection during his 14-year career as a linebacker with the Denver Broncos. He quickly transitioned into the role of an analyst in 1987, which was the first year that the network acquired NFL broadcast rights.
“I have been blessed in my adult life to work for two companies, the Denver Broncos and ESPN, to do two things that I love — play football and talk about football,” Jackson said in a statement. “Having joined in the early stages of ESPN and remained with the same company for 29 years is especially gratifying. This move just comes at a time when the priority of my life is spending time with my family.”
Jackson joined Berman to work on “NFL Countdown” and “NFL Primetime,” winning seven Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Show — Weekly. In July 2015, Jackson received the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Game.
Cowboys consider adding QB Foles
With backup quarterback Kellen Moore out after suffering a major leg injury, the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly considering free agent Nick Foles as an option.
The Cowboys also are discussing potential trades, a league source told ESPN’s Ed Werder on Wednesday.
Among the quarterbacks the Cowboys could seek in a trade are the Cleveland Browns’ Josh McCown and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Glennon, according to ESPN.
Moore broke his right ankle or leg at practice during training camp Tuesday night in Oxnard, Calif., team owner Jerry Jones confirmed. He will need surgery and is expected to be out a minimum of six to eight weeks.
The Los Angeles Rams released Foles last week before veterans were due to report to camp. Foles, 27, had requested his release, giving up a reported $750,000 in fully-guaranteed salary.