Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Mixed Martial Arts: Jones retains title, Usman first Africa-born champ

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones cruised to an easy victory over Anthony Smith and Kamaru Usman became the first African-born champion as he defeated Tyrone Woodley for the welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Smith lived up to his "Lionheart" nickname, surviving five grueling five-minute rounds against one of the most dominant fighters of all time, but the judges gave the reigning champion a comprehensive victory at UFC 235. Spring training roundup: Gardner, Judge power Yankees past Tigers

Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge each hit two homers as host New York notched a 7-1 victory over Detroit on Sunday at Tampa, Fla. Gardner and Judge hit back-to-back homers off Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris to start the bottom of the first. Gardner hit a second solo blast off Norris in the second inning while Judge hit a two-run shot off right-hander Spencer Turnbull in the fifth. MLB notebook: Angels reportedly mulled ten-year, $350 million extension for Trout

With Bryce Harper and Manny Machado recently signing deals worth $300 million and $330 million respectively, the price tag for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout figures to have gone up. The two-time American League MVP has two seasons remaining on a six-year, $144.5 million deal but has not indicated whether he intends to remain with the team after 2020. NBA notebook: Embiid nears return for 76ers

Joel Embiid has missed the last five games, but the Philadelphia 76ers star expects to return from a left knee injury sometime next week. The All-Star center also said if he had to play now, he could, but the team preferred he take a cautious approach -- something he has resisted in the past. The 24-year-old is averaging 27.3 points and 13.5 rebounds in 54 games this season. NHL roundup: Jets' Wheeler scores four in beating Jackets

Blake Wheeler scored a career-high four goals, three in the third period, and the Winnipeg Jets opened their four-game road trip with a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wheeler, who has five goals and seven assists during a six-game point streak, tipped home a shot from Nathan Beaulieu to snap a 2-2 tie with 12:16 left in regulation. Wheeler then converted a nifty pass from Patrik Laine at 17:47 of the third and ended his brilliant night with an empty-netter in the final minute. AAF roundup: Late field goal gives Atlanta first win

Kicker Younghoe Koo, who formerly kicked for the then-San Diego Chargers, booted a pair of field goals -- including the game-winning 33-yarder with 1:03 remaining that gave the Atlanta Legends their first win of the AAF season in upsetting the host Arizona Hotshots 14-11 on Sunday in Tempe, Ariz. Legends quarterback Aaron Murray, a former fifth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, completed 20 of 33 passes for 254 yards while rushing seven times for 54 yards. Atlanta's lone touchdown came on a 9-yard run from ex-Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson, who ran for 43 yards on nine carries. NBA roundup: Harden drops 42 as Rockets dump Celtics

James Harden scored 42 points before fouling out, and the visiting Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to five games with a 115-104 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Before being whistled for his sixth foul with 1:44 left to play, Harden staved off a furious Boston rally with a driving layup and a 3-pointer over two defenders that extended the lead to 112-100. The Celtics, once down 71-43, scored the opening 10 points of the fourth quarter and had cut the margin to nine on a Marcus Smart second-chance basket at the 4:40 mark. NHL roundup: Benn’s hat trick leads Stars over Blues

Jamie Benn returned from a brief injury absence to record a hat trick and help the visiting Dallas Stars beat the St. Louis Blues for the second time in 10 days, 4-1 on Saturday night. Defenseman John Klingberg had a goal with two assists, and Ben Bishop stopped 29 shots for the Stars, who continued their push toward the Western Conference playoffs by completing a 3-1-0 road trip. NASCAR notebook: Speeding penalty costs Kyle Busch

It was Lap 129 of Sunday's Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Kyle Busch had his car dialed in. In the wake of Friday's victory in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and Saturday's win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, a three-event weekend sweep at his home track was well within his grasp. NFL notebook: DLs Sweat, Banogu break records at showcase

Mississippi State's Montez Sweat ran a blazing 4.41-second 40-yard dash Sunday to set a modern record (since 2003) for defensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine. The previous mark was 4.44 seconds, shared by North Carolina State's Manny Lawson (2006) and Isaac Hilton from Hampton (2004), per NFL Research.