Author: Mosope

Mosope Ominiyi is a freelance sports journalist and sub-editor with over a decade's worth of experience, having graduated in 2020 with a BA Hons degree at Staffordshire University. His work has appeared in The Times, MailOnline and Sportskeeda, among other platforms.
UFC

UFC 284: Makhachev outlasts spirited Volkanovski showing in instant classic, Rodriguez stops Emmett

Mosope

Islam Makhachev of Russia punches Alexander Volkanovski of Australia in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 284 event at RAC Arena...

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was thrust into deep waters and finished an arduous first title defence on his back, but did enough over 25 minutes to outpoint featherweight titlist Alexander Volkanovski in a clash of two champions which lived up to the billing in-front of a manic 14,124 strong RAC Crowd in Perth, western Australia. Volkanovski will face new interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez at 145lbs, after his second-round submission win over Josh Emmett. Continue reading “UFC 284: Makhachev outlasts spirited Volkanovski showing in instant classic, Rodriguez stops Emmett” →

Boxing

BOXXER London: Azim outboxes durable Reyes, after Chelli and Denny earn comfortable decision wins

Mosope

Light-welterweight prospect Adam Azim improved to 8-0 and won his first professional title with a lopsided UD win over Santos Reyes. Beforehand, Viddal Riley passed his latest cruiserweight test and Zak Chelli outboxed a frustrating American over 10 rounds after Tyler Denny successfully defended his English middleweight title against a competitive Brad Pauls showing. Continue reading “BOXXER London: Azim outboxes durable Reyes, after Chelli and Denny earn comfortable decision wins” →

UFC

UFC 284: Interim featherweight title or not, Emmett and Rodriguez now have a career-best showcase

Mosope

Opponents Yair Rodriguez of Mexico and Josh Emmett face off during the UFC 284 press conference at RAC Arena on February 10, 2023 in Perth, Australia.

Sure, you would much rather fight reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski for the undisputed championship. However, an interim title shot is the biggest honour either Yair Rodriguez or Josh Emmett have managed in their respective careers and given the 145lb division remains in flux, both would be wise to seize it during tonight’s co-main event. Continue reading “UFC 284: Interim featherweight title or not, Emmett and Rodriguez now have a career-best showcase” →

Tennis

“They don’t know me,” Rybakina insists after internet fury over her coach’s forceful guidance

Mosope

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during her Women's Singles match on Day 4 of the Mubadala...

Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has reiterated her happiness with head coach Stefano Vukov’s direct coaching methods after fury over the 35-year-old’s aggressive instructions towards his charge, en route to a maiden runner-up finish at last month’s Australian Open tournament. She said social media comments – from many people who don’t know the inner workings of her nor the support team – ultimately blew things out of proportion. Continue reading ““They don’t know me,” Rybakina insists after internet fury over her coach’s forceful guidance” →

Boxing

BOXXER London preview: Adam Azim relishes main event role, Denny-Pauls in a domestic duel and more

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Adam Azim of England and his opponent Santos Reyes go head-to-head during the BOXXER Fight Week Media Day at BOXPARK Wembley on February 08, 2023 in...

Light-welterweight prospect Adam Azim prepares to headline his second card in eleven weeks this Saturday against an unknown quantity in fellow unbeaten boxer Santos Reyes, topping the bill from Wembley’s OVO Arena. Zak Chelli returns at super-middleweight against stern overseas opposition, Tyler Denny defends his English middleweight strap vs. a determined Brad Pauls while Caroline Dubois and Viddal Riley are among the notable names also set to feature. Continue reading “BOXXER London preview: Adam Azim relishes main event role, Denny-Pauls in a domestic duel and more” →

NBA

Lakers 130-133 Thunder: OKC hold firm away as LeBron breaks Kareem’s 38-year scoring record

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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing...

Lakers star forward LeBron James made history in the early hours on Wednesday, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38-year record as the league’s highest points scorer of all-time. A recurring foot issue saw him sidelined late on but didn’t dampen the mood on a celebratory night, despite what proved a narrow 133-130 home defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Continue reading “Lakers 130-133 Thunder: OKC hold firm away as LeBron breaks Kareem’s 38-year scoring record” →

UFC

UFC 284: Makhachev eager to secure a KO finish against ‘brick wall’ Volkanovski this weekend

Mosope

Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev and UFC featherweight champion, Alex Volkanovski face off during a UFC284 Media Opportunity on January 22, 2023...

Before the promotion’s top two pound-for-pound stars do battle this weekend, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes he will make his first title defence an emphatic one against featherweight titlist Alexander Volkanovski, in the Aussie’s backyard. The 34-year-old, moving up a weight division to chase history, feels he is well-prepared to physically surprise Makhachev, having bulked up in the months since his decisive trilogy win over Max Holloway. Continue reading “UFC 284: Makhachev eager to secure a KO finish against ‘brick wall’ Volkanovski this weekend” →

NBA

Worth the gamble? Dallas Mavericks’ trade for unsettled Irving raises big questions for both

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Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks in action against Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on October 27, 2022 in New York City. The...

Overnight, news emerged that the Dallas Mavericks agreed a trade package to acquire wantaway star guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, a few days after his trade request. Given their lofty ambitions to build a true championship contender around franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic, the effort is commendable but will this move age well in the long run? Continue reading “Worth the gamble? Dallas Mavericks’ trade for unsettled Irving raises big questions for both” →

Boxing

Amanda Serrano, Alycia Baumgardner seal undisputed titles after gritty decision wins

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Amanda Serrano punches Erika Cruz during their fight for Serrano, WBC, WBO and IBF featherweight titles and Cruz's WBA featherweight title at The...

Alycia Baumgardner scored two third-round knockdowns en route to a hard-fought decision win over France’s Elhem Mekhaled to secure undisputed status at super-featherweight, before Amanda Serrano found herself thrust into a similarly tough battle against a relentless Erika Cruz display – also victorious on points – setting up a Katie Taylor rematch for May 20, with the Irish undisputed lightweight star watching ringside and making a post-fight appearance too. Continue reading “Amanda Serrano, Alycia Baumgardner seal undisputed titles after gritty decision wins” →

Boxing

Alycia Baumgardner visualising KO win, before tonight’s undisputed clash vs. Elhem Mekhaled

Mosope

Fresh from her split decision win over Mikaela Mayer in mid-October, unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner has another tough test as she looks to realise her dream of becoming an undisputed titlist when facing France’s Elhem Mekhaled later tonight. Continue reading “Alycia Baumgardner visualising KO win, before tonight’s undisputed clash vs. Elhem Mekhaled” →

Match coverage

Chelsea 0-0 Fulham: Ream rescues Cottagers as £106m man Enzo Fernandez makes Blues debut

Mosope

Chelseas Enzo Fernandez shoots at goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on February 03, 2023 in...

World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, signed in the dying hours on deadline day this past Tuesday, made his Premier League debut for Graham Potter’s Chelsea side but the midfielder couldn’t inspire his new teammates to produce more than a frustrating goalless draw with west London rivals Fulham, who defended valiantly with centre-back and captain Tim Ream in particular. Continue reading “Chelsea 0-0 Fulham: Ream rescues Cottagers as £106m man Enzo Fernandez makes Blues debut” →

NBA

NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more

Mosope

Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on December 27, 2022 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario,...

The February 9 trade deadline is just a week away, and Rui Hachimura’s surprise trade move to the LA Lakers last month – January 23 – hasn’t exactly caught fire as far as opening the floodgates for moves across the league. That much should change though before long, so here’s a round-up of the latest news and chatter, including the Clippers’ search for a guard. Continue reading “NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more” →