Knockout Punch

By BY EMMANUEL MORGAN AND GABRIELLA ANGOTTI-JONES from NYT Sports A pair of young men used an idea, social media and a pandemic to create a thriving underground fight club. Then the authorities got wind of it.https://nyti.ms/2WOiquX

Fight by Fight, Jake Paul Strikes for Credibility

By BY EMMANUEL MORGAN from NYT Sports The social media influencer wants respect for his transformation into a main draw boxer even if his skills are beside the point.https://nyti.ms/3DjB12F

Claressa Shields, Champion Boxer, Says Sexism Holds Her Back

By BY JULIET MACUR from NYT Sports She has won two Olympic gold medals. She is undefeated as a pro. So why, she wonders, doesn’t she get the same exposure as men in the sport?https://nyti.ms/3e8vDoT

After Criminal Case Ends Without Charges, Conor McGregor Is Sued in Ireland

By BY TARIQ PANJA AND KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports The lawsuit for the first time details accusations made by a woman who said McGregor raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse.https://nyti.ms/35VKDl0

Fighters Win Key Ruling in Case That Could Upend U.F.C.’s Business

By BY KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports A judge said he would grant class-action status to a group of fighters arguing that the Ultimate Fighting Championship suppresses pay. If the fighters win, it could force the U.F.C. to pay much, much more.https://nyti.ms/2KdUL0A

U.F.C. 249 Live Results: Pay-Per-View Stream Starts Soon

By BY MORGAN CAMPBELL AND KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje fight for an interim lightweight belt at U.F.C. 249 in the first major American sporting event since widespread shutdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic.https://nyti.ms/2WizVAD

U.F.C. 249 Live Updates: Ferguson vs. Gaethje

By BY MORGAN CAMPBELL AND KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje fight for an interim lightweight belt at U.F.C. in the first major American sporting event since widespread shutdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic.https://nyti.ms/2yK3Rwt

May: The Month That Sports, Kind of, Come Back

By BY VICTOR MATHER from NYT Sports This month, fans may finally get a chance to see some real live sports on television, if not in person.https://nyti.ms/3bYAt3W

U.F.C. Says Its Fights Are Back On, Next Month in Florida

By BY KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports The mixed martial arts organization, which had to cancel plans to stage fights California, said it would hold at least three events in May.https://nyti.ms/2Vyy5va

U.F.C. 249 Won’t Happen in Brooklyn, Regulators Say

By BY MORGAN CAMPBELL from NYT Sports The fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson has been one of the most anticipated fights of the year, but now needs a new venue.https://nyti.ms/2WnX7hl

Conor McGregor Silent When Asked About Sexual Assault Investigations

By BY MORGAN CAMPBELL AND KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports At a news conference, the U.F.C. star got help turning aside a question about two investigations in Ireland.https://nyti.ms/3836mWS

Diaz a Reminder of U.F.C.’s Star Challenge

By BY KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports Nate Diaz, who fights this weekend at Madison Square Garden, is one of the U.F.C.’s top draws. The promotion isn’t as deep when it comes to stars for the future.https://nyti.ms/331Qf9Q

Nate Diaz Passed Drug Test and Can Fight Next Week, U.F.C. Says

By BY JOHN BRANCH from NYT Sports Despite what the fighter himself suggested on Thursday, officials said he had not violated antidoping policy.https://nyti.ms/2oiQPkn

Nate Diaz May Be Out of U.F.C. 244 After Positive Drug Test

By BY JOHN BRANCH from NYT Sports The fighter said he did not know what substance he tested positive for, but claimed he would be unable to face Jorge Masvidal. Conor McGregor has volunteered to take Diaz’s place.https://nyti.ms/31P8tKx