Greetings ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for coming back for another of my rants. Summer’s cookin’ and so is the action — in this edition of The Buzz from The Den, we’re sizing up the big finale between PSG and Chelsea at the Club World Cup, breakin’ down UFC 318’s fireworks with Holloway vs. Poirier III, checking in on what might be the fastest Tour de France in history, and peeking at the MLB storylines heating up right after the All-Star break. Let’s roll.
⚽ FIFA Club World Cup – The unexpected final (July 13, 2025)
Well hell, if you told me last month we’d get Chelsea vs. PSG in the FCWC final, I’d have asked what you were sippin’. The final will take place in the MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) in front of 82,000+ souls. PSG already bagged the Champions League this year and just turned Real Madrid into training cones with a 4–0 demolition in the semis. Fabián Ruiz and Dembélé were out there painting art, while Gonçalo Ramos just iced the cake. Chelsea? Don’t sleep—they handled Fluminense with class, and João Pedro looked like he was built for nights like this. Maresca’s got ’em organized, hungry, and sharp. But make no mistake—this is PSG’s shot at locking in the clean sweep, and they’re playing like a team on a mission from the soccer gods.
My Bet? Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score—because defense is for cowards and finals deserve fireworks.
🥊 Uncle Tony’s Take – UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier III (July 19, 2025)
Alright, fight fans, pour yourself something stiff and settle in, ’cause Max “Blessed” Holloway and Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier are running it back for a third time — and this one’s got legacy and lightweight gold on the line. Poirier took the first two: once back in 2012 when Holloway was still green, and again in 2019 when they put on a five-round war for the interim strap and he outpointed Max; but this could be his retirement fight.
Now this ain’t the same Holloway. Since then, he’s turned into a volume-punching freak of nature, made Gaethje look like a regional amateur, and walked through bombs like he’s made of granite and caffeine. Meanwhile, Poirier’s been to hell and back with McGregor, Oliveira, and Islam, and still throws hands like he’s trying to crack the floor of the Octagon, or knock Maxxy?.
This ain’t just a trilogy — it’s a damn referendum on whose chin still holds up. And don’t sleep on that co-main either: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodrigues has “Fight of the Night” scribbled all over it.
My Bet? Holloway moneyline and over 3.5 rounds — Max is on a mission, and Dustin’s too tough to fold early.
🚴 2025 Tour de France (July 5-27, 2025)
I ain’t usually up at dawn unless there’s a game or a bloody mary involved, but this year’s Tour de France? It’s got me setting alarms. We’re talking 3,338.8 kilometers, 21 brutal stages, and a leg-burning 52,500 meters of elevation gain — this is a gladiator trial with spandex and caffeine. And the names? It’s like the Avengers of cycling showed up: Pogacar, Evenepoel, Vingegaard, Roglic, Van der Poel, Van Aert, Pidcock, the Yates bros, Girmay, Merlier, and the legend Geraint Thomas—maybe for the last time. Every mountain pass, every sprint, every damn peloton shuffle is calculated and full of mind games and plotting. Word around the wheel is this could be the fastest Tour we’ve ever seen, and judging by the attacks already, no one’s saving gas. This ain’t about jerseys anymore—it’s about legacy. And I’m here for every climb, crash, and champagne spray on the Champs-Élysées.
⚾ My MLB Post Break Highlights
- Friday, July 18 – Yankees @ Braves: On the heels of the All-Star break, it’s primetime in Atlanta. The Yankees bring curveball wizards and mega bats, but the Braves—fresh from hosting the Midsummer Classic—have Fenway-level momentum.
- Saturday, July 19 – Giants @ Blue Jays: Interleague headliner: San Francisco’s offense meets Toronto’s ballpark magic. With the Jays’ power surge this summer and the Giants hungry for momentum pre-trade deadline, this game could tip the balance in the playoff hunt.
- Sunday, July 20 – Astros @ Mariners: Houston’s top pitching (headed by Hunter Brown) takes on Seattle’s underrated lineup rain-or-shine. Brown’s looking to build on his AL Pitcher of the Month form, but the Mariners have been scrappy—this one’s a pitcher’s duel with a chance for a surprise.
- Monday, July 21 – Cardinals @ Diamondbacks: A clash of sluggers: two of the hottest bats—St. Louis’ powerhouse crew and Arizona’s midseason breakout squad. Expect dingers, late drama, and that ballpark juice, perfect to keep you hooked.
- Tuesday, July 22 – Padres @ Nationals: San Diego’s pitching has been tight, but Washington’s offense is scrapping for respect. With prospect-heavy lineups on both sides, this is the kind of game ripe for an underdog upset—I love an early-week surprise.
- Wednesday, July 23 – White Sox @ Pirates: A battle of bounceback candidates—Chicago’s youth movement versus Pittsburgh’s veteran flashes. Think extra‑innings potential and the kind of gritty baseball that feeds the underdog narrative.
- Thursday, July 24 – Athletics @ Guardians: Oakland’s new West Sacramento experiment takes on Cleveland’s streaky offense. The unders might shine here—if Oakland’s starters can hold together, you could see a low‑scoring gem with a late bullpen battle.
Plenty of fire still to come and you should be glued to every twist, punch, and pedal stroke the same way you are to every line at The Den. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out — Until the next time folks. Uncle Tony
