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Teen’s Tragic Death Sparks Global Outcry Against ‘Run It Straight’ Tackle Game

A 19-year-old’s fatal head injury reignites debate over viral rugby-style challenge turned cash-prize sport; New Zealand officials and health experts push for nationwide ban.

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Scene from a “Run It Straight” event in Auckland before the ban, where participants collide without protective gear for a chance at prize money.

A shocking death in New Zealand has ignited a fierce backlash against a viral full-contact tackle game known as “Run It Straight,” as the tragic passing of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite brings global attention to the lethal consequences of unregulated social media challenges.

Satterthwaite, a former student from Palmerston North, died in hospital on Monday after participating in the backyard version of the trending game during a friend’s birthday celebration. The game, popularized by online videos and influencer-led leagues, pits two players against each other in a direct, head-on sprint — with the goal to physically overpower the opponent, often without any protective gear.

The game has surged in popularity across Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island communities, thanks to aggressive marketing by the RUNIT Championship League, which labels itself “the world’s fiercest, new collision sport.” With prize pools as high as $118,800 (NZ$200,000), and massive exposure on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, the format has enticed countless young people — many of whom attempt it unsupervised at home.

Now, as grief and outrage mount, health officials, political leaders, and educators are urgently calling for a ban. “It’s a dumb thing to do,” declared New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, urging youth to avoid the game and pressuring adults and influencers to stop promoting it.

New Zealand’s Minister for Sport Mark Mitchell has since sought legal advice on whether the government can intervene to restrict or outlaw such unregulated activities. “This is not a sport. It’s reckless, glorified violence,” warned Stacey Mowbray, CEO of Headway, a brain injury awareness organization.

Medical professionals, too, have sounded the alarm. According to Professor Patria Hume of Auckland University of Technology, the collision force in Run It Straight is more than five times that of a standard rugby tackle. “Ryan’s death was preventable,” she said, emphasizing the absence of any structured rules, safety measures, or medical oversight.

Despite claiming to implement safety screenings and guidelines, the RUNIT League has faced growing criticism, especially after disturbing footage emerged from a recent Auckland event where two participants were knocked unconscious — one suffering a seizure. In response, Auckland’s Trusts Arena has now banned future RUNIT events, citing “overwhelming concern” for public safety.

Even New Zealand Rugby, the official governing body for the national sport, has distanced itself from the phenomenon, releasing a public advisory urging young people not to participate. “High-contact sports like rugby come with coaching, rules, and safety frameworks. This trend does not,” they said.

The game’s creator, Christian Lesa (aka “Charizma”), has argued that the concept helped him overcome mental health struggles and that participants “know what they sign up for.” He cites inspiration from YouTuber Donald De La Haye (aka “Deestroying”), who gained fame staging 1-on-1 football challenges.

But the tragedy has sparked a deeper conversation about the role of viral content and social media in promoting dangerous behavior. “This isn’t just a teenage game gone wrong — it’s an engineered spectacle designed to go viral at any cost,” said one safety advocate.

Educational institutions are reacting swiftly. Several New Zealand schools have issued outright bans on the game within school grounds. Palmerston North Boys’ High School, which Ryan attended, had planned to warn students about the game just minutes before news of his death broke.

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” said school rector David Bovey, “and a painful reminder of how teenage invincibility can be shattered in a second.”

Personality

Merab Dvalishvili Net Worth Skyrockets After UFC 316 Victory Over Sean O’Malley

From Georgian wrestler to UFC bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili’s rise has also brought impressive financial gains

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Merab Dvalishvili
UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili celebrates a massive win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, a victory that adds millions to his rising net worth.

Merab Dvalishvili is no longer just the name of a UFC champion — he is now a bona fide star in the mixed martial arts world, with a rapidly growing fortune to match. Following his dominant performance at UFC 316 against Sean O’Malley, the Georgian fighter’s net worth is now a hot topic in combat sports circles.

Merab Dvalishvili:

According to several reports and estimations from sports finance platforms, Merab Dvalishvili’s current net worth is believed to be between $2 million to $3.5 million USD, a figure that continues to climb with each main event appearance and endorsement deal. His impressive UFC run — now boasting 13 consecutive wins — has positioned him not just as a dangerous athlete, but a valuable asset to the UFC brand.

The bantamweight champion first made waves in the Octagon through his grinding wrestling and cardio-heavy fighting style, earning the nickname The Machine. But it wasn’t until his title win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 and the recent rematch submission at UFC 316 that his earnings truly spiked. As per combat sports insiders, his purse for UFC 316, including fight bonus, base pay, and sponsorships, could be in the ballpark of $500,000 to $750,000, not including potential PPV points.

Merab Dvalishvili

The Georgian sensation, known for his humility and intense discipline, has consistently invested in his training and personal growth. He trains out of the esteemed Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York, a gym known for producing elite-level talent. His strong connection to both his homeland and the American MMA circuit has also opened doors to endorsement deals, including gear sponsors and fitness brands, which further pad his income.

Outside the cage, Merab’s appeal is growing. While not as flashy as some of his rivals, his underdog narrative, grounded personality, and inspirational post-fight speeches have made him a fan favorite. His social media following has seen a surge since becoming champion, offering more opportunities for monetization.

With a potential title defense against Cory Sandhagen looming, and his name climbing up the pound-for-pound rankings, financial analysts in the MMA world speculate that Dvalishvili’s net worth could easily cross $5 million by late 2025 — especially if he continues to headline PPV events and secure Fight of the Night or Performance bonuses.

The UFC bantamweight king may not be one to flaunt his riches, but his journey from a struggling Georgian immigrant to a millionaire UFC star is nothing short of inspirational. As he said after UFC 316, “It doesn’t matter what you have, as long as you know where you’re going.” Clearly, Dvalishvili knows — and that direction is upward, both in rankings and riches.

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UFC

Merab Dvalishvili Chokes Out Sean O’Malley in UFC 316 Masterclass to Cement His Legacy

The UFC bantamweight king silences all doubts with a dominant third-round submission over rival Sean O’Malley at the Prudential Center

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Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili celebrates his third-round submission victory over Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 316 at the Prudential Center.

The wait for a conclusive end to one of the UFC’s most anticipated rivalries came to a thunderous close Saturday night, as Merab Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley in the third round at UFC 316. With this definitive win, Dvalishvili not only retained his bantamweight title but also reinforced his growing legend in the octagon.

Held inside the packed Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the fight was billed as a high-stakes rematch. Their first clash at UFC 306 ended in a unanimous decision, but many felt O’Malley still had cards left to play. This time, however, the Georgian powerhouse made sure there was no ambiguity. The reigning bantamweight champion walked into the cage with a singular mission — and walked out having delivered a flawless, crushing performance.

The UFC champion overwhelmed his flashy opponent with relentless pressure, mixing calculated striking with explosive grappling. From the first bell, he took away O’Malley’s usual rhythm, smothering the former champ and cutting off his flashy striking game. Dvalishvili’s takedowns were textbook execution, and it was his fifth successful takedown that led to the fight-ending D’Arce choke at 4:42 in Round 3.

This victory marks the 13th straight win for the relentless 135-pounder, tying him for the fourth-longest streak in UFC history — a feat that places him among the greats. The bantamweight phenom has now successfully defended his belt twice, with his first defense coming against Umar Nurmagomedov earlier this year. He is now set to face top contender Cory Sandhagen, who recently dispatched Deiveson Figueiredo with clinical precision.

The former titleholder, often dubbed “The Suga Show,” was humble in defeat. Having recently recovered from hip surgery and stepping into the cage as a new father, O’Malley showed heart but was simply outmatched. The UFC statistics told the story bluntly — Dvalishvili outlanded O’Malley 135 to 34 in total strikes and controlled nearly every aspect of the fight.

After the match, the Georgian warrior delivered an emotional message to fans: “I just work every day and repeat. Training is number one for me. Please believe in your dreams and work for them. Everything is possible.”

Despite the loss, the flamboyant striker maintained his signature composure in the post-fight octagon interview, calling Dvalishvili “a motherf—er” with a mix of admiration and resignation. “I didn’t feel like it was going to go like that,” he admitted. “But I’m excited to go home to my kids and my perfect wife.”

With back-to-back wins over elite contenders and a complete shutout over one of the UFC’s biggest names, Dvalishvili is no longer just the bantamweight champion — he’s a serious pound-for-pound force. Currently ranked No. 4 globally, he continues to climb, one takedown and one dream at a time.

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Sports

Alzarri Joseph Net Worth 2025 Revealed: West Indies Speedster’s Wealth Hits New Heights

From IPL debut to multimillion-dollar deals—how Antigua’s fast bowling ace Alzarri Joseph amassed an $11.3 million fortune

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Alzarri Joseph unleashes thunderbolts on the pitch—his rise to fame paralleled by a sharp rise in net worth and global appeal.

Alzarri Shaheim Joseph, the towering Antiguan pacer who burst onto the scene with a record-breaking IPL debut, has built an impressive financial empire. As of mid‑2025, his estimated net worth stands at US $11.3 million (₹93.66 crore), cementing his place among the wealthiest West Indies cricketers

Alzarri Joseph (Antiguan Cricketer)



Joseph’s monetary ascent is fueled by a varied income stream: a central contract with Cricket West Indies, lucrative match fees across international formats, and major franchise league deals. Highlights include IPL contracts with Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and RCB—capped by a staggering ₹11.5 crore ($1.38 million) deal in 2024 . The Antigua News Room confirms his cumulative wealth, including an extra $1.3 million from league fees, reaching $11.3 million

Alzarri Joseph



Joseph also commands a strong regional brand presence. He is associated with sponsors like Nike, Coca‑Cola, Pepsi, and Deluxe Sports Company, boosting his off-field earnings . His passion for luxury is evident in his car collection, which includes a Mercedes S-Class, BMW X5, and Lamborghini Huracan

At just 28, the fast bowler has secured a solid financial foundation. With continued IPL success and international stardom, his net worth shows every sign of further growth—cementing his status as both a cricketing powerhouse and lucrative personal brand.

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