Sports Today: Mayweather-McGregor is on, Bailey impresses in Dayton, Flyers working for NBA teams, etc.

The Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather fight is officially happening.

I once thought this would be a great idea, but I have since realized it probably isn't.

If it were going to involve MMA, then there would be a reason to watch. Mixing disciplines could be fascinating (indeed, that was part of the draw of MMA in the first place, not to mention the void left by the idiots who run boxing).

A boxing match is never going to go the way of an MMA fighter, and a Mayweather fight is rarely if ever exciting to watch anyway.

I mean, I probably will watch it for the sheer intrigue, but I’m not expecting to be rewarded for my curiosity.

This is a moneygrab, pure and simple. One guy is coming out of retirement because cash trumps rest and the other is quite understandably trying to maximize his earning potential now in a sport that makes that difficult for many…

Homer Bailey pitched six shutout innings last night in Dayton. 

The erstwhile Reds ace looked excellent, not only hitting 96 with his fastball but toying with Single-A hitters who weren’t sure what to do with his splitter or curve.

He was in a pretty good mood after the game, too, joking about Reds owner Bob Castellini (who was in attendance) being his best friend and sounding ready to return to the big leagues.

He will make another rehab start in Louisville next week, but it sounds like that might be the last one.

Of course, the rotation is in desperate need of help as the Reds return home to try to pick up the pieces from a lost week on the West Coast.

They went 0-6, the last three games losses to the dreadful Padres.

In a change of pace, Cincinnati got a decent start from Scott Feldman on Tuesday night and a good one from Amir Garrett yesterday, but San Diego still won both games.

The losing streak also includes losses by Jared Lorenzen and Raisel Iglesias, but that is just a reminder the bullpen can’t be leaned upon so heavily all year…

The Dragons win moved them closer to clinching a playoff spot. 

They have a one-game lead over South Bend in the wild card race with less than a week to go in the season…

With the NBA draft a week away, former Dayton Flyers are on the workout circuit trying to impress. 

The latest news is on Scoochie Smith, who is set to perform for the Houston Rockets today.

He worked out for the Knicks earlier this week after previously doing so for the Raptors and Mavericks.

Yesterday, our David Jablonski had the news Dyshawn Pierre was invited to take part in the Toronto Raptors free-agent camp today and tomorrow. He is a native of Ontario.

Charles Cooke worked out for the Portland Trailblazers this week, just one of a handful of clubs who have gotten a first-hand look at what he can do after leading the Flyers in scoring the last two seasons.

Cooke has also worked out for the Jazz, Pelicans, Clippers and Timberwolves with the Kings still to come…

The Bengals continued their week of OTAs yesterday and got an injury scare when second-year receiver Cody Core got tangled up while blocking. 

Core’s presence on the roster made me wonder why they drafted Josh Malone out of Tennessee in April, but it only takes one play to change the makeup of a position group.

The Mississippi product has the measurables (6-3, 205) to play in the league and runs like a deer.

He was by all indications having a strong spring, though initial reports indicate his injury is not one that will keep him out long term.

Carl Lawson also continued to impress with his pass rush abilityYesterday we wondered if he could be more important than the big-name offensive players taken ahead of him in the draft.

Meanwhile, Jay Morrison notes Darqueze Dennard has logged interceptions in back-to-back practices, so that's something for a cornerbacks room full of high draft picks yet to break out.

Lastlythere is an update to a story also mentioned earlier this week regarding the possibility new Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann could bring Butler signee Kyle Young with him to Columbus.

Tim Debevec, who coached Young at Massillon Jackson, confirmed publicly to 247Sports that Young is considering making the move.

"I think he was shocked like everybody else was," Debevec said of Young's reaction to that chain of events. "Now he's got to make a decision. But that comes with the territory. He knows that coaches move for reasons." 

The No. 77-ranked recruit in the country, Young would become OSU’s second-rated recruit in 2017 if he joins the class.

Westerville South center Kaleb Wesson was ranked No. 71 overall while Braxton Beverly, a point guard and former Miami University signee, checked in at No. 375.

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