Sports
Unbreakable: How MMA training forged a bond between Derwin James Jr. and Daiyan Henley
Plays go awry. Opponents score touchdowns. The Chargers even can lose a close game, but through every on-field adversity, Derwin James Jr. calmly looks at Daiyan Henley and reminds the second-year linebacker that they’ve conquered more difficult things together.
They think about the mixed martial arts workouts at a West Hollywood gym where they grappled, wrestled and tackled until their lungs burned and muscles ached.
Where they, as the name of the gym suggests, became “unbreakable.”
Where they plotted Henley’s breakout year that’s beginning to take shape.
“Everything he wants is right in front of him,” said James, the team’s star safety. “He can be, man, one of the best linebackers in this league.”
After a forgettable rookie season in which the third-round pick totaled just 10 tackles, Henley has grown into a breakout star of the Chargers’ resurgent defense. The former Crenshaw High standout leads the NFL’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense with 99 tackles, including five consecutive games with double-digit stops, the longest streak by a Charger since the turn of the century. With 10 or more tackles against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Henley would tie the longest streak since 2000 for any player in his first two NFL seasons.
Henley is a stout force against the run game. He can drop back in pass coverage and has five pass breakups. He is a constant presence on special teams.
Chargers safety Derwin James Jr., left, and linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) tackle Ravens running back Derrick Henry during a game earlier this season.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“He’s that new-age linebacker that can really do it all,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said.
Jim Harbaugh noticed Henley’s unique blend of size, strength and speed almost immediately when the new coach and his staff took over in the offseason. He was in awe that the 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker ran like a safety.
The comparison is not far from reality. After beginning at Nevada as a wide receiver, Henley transitioned to safety for the Wolf Pack. He grew into a first-team All-Pac-12 linebacker at Washington State as a graduate transfer before the Chargers selected him 85th in the 2023 draft.
Henley earned raves during his rookie preseason that featured 14 tackles and one interception in three games, but he was soon forgotten in former coach Brandon Staley’s defense. He played just 54 defensive snaps as a rookie.
As he stood on the sideline, doubt started creeping in. Henley wondered if he belonged at this level. He questioned what he was lacking and what he wasn’t doing well enough.
“I just wanted more, wanted to be better, wanted to prove myself,” Henley said. “So getting to the offseason, I was dedicated to just improving myself.”
Henley was referred to a bright pink gym in West Hollywood by his uncle. When he found out that James also trained at Unbreakable, which was founded by Fox Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer, they started syncing their workout schedules.
They tangled in grueling MMA workouts. Henley, 10 pounds heavier and an inch shorter, claims he never lost any head-to-head bouts. James contends that in one session, he pushed Henley all the way off the mat before the linebacker unfairly tried to sling him out of the ring.
“First of all, you shouldn’t be pushing anybody out, because that’s not the point of the session,” an incredulous Henley said when presented with James’ memories of their training. “See, he’s exposing himself.”
First, the pair went through two assigned rounds that Henley dominated, he said. James then proposed a third round in which the All-Pro safety shoved Henley, who responded by applying the training technique of using an opponent’s weight against him. Both acknowledge that James, who started training at the gym earlier, had the upper hand in stamina.
“Once he started to get it, he was tougher,” said James, who refers to Henley as his “little bro.” “He’s a beast.”
The training has translated to the field, where the rules of leverage, getting low and body positioning still apply to tackling, James said. Since missing four tackles against Arizona, when he was playing while wearing a restrictive shoulder and elbow sling after injuring his elbow against Kansas City in Week 4, Henley has missed just four in the last five games while collecting 61 tackles.
When he was tangling with James on the mat, Henley never considered how much of an influence the training would have on the field.
“It makes me understand why DJ is elite at tackling,” Henley said.
This season James became the fastest defensive back since 2000 to reach 500 career tackles. A team captain for the fourth consecutive season, James has influenced Henley beyond their shared workouts. They bonded further over an offseason trip to Tokyo, where they gorged on sushi and wagyu beef. They dreamed what they wanted to accomplish this season under a new coaching staff.
Henley said he never got clarity from the previous coaches about his role. It doesn’t matter. Earning the support and belief from his veteran teammates is more important.
“I just want to prove to them that I’m legit,” Henley said.
The smile on James’ face when asked about Henley’s growth shows the Chargers’ young star has achieved what he hoped.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
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