Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Continue reading “Topuria’s coach Climent insists new champion will sell out Real’s Bernabeu”
Raymond Ford recovered from a sluggish start in style, scoring a dramatic last-gasp knockout over Otabek Kholmatov to win the vacant WBA featherweight gold last Saturday. Footage released post-fight showed him talking with his promoter Eddie Hearn, all but confirming a world title unification bout against Nick Ball – provided the Scouser succeeds in a career-best challenge Friday. Continue reading “Raymond Ford did his part, now Nick Ball must best bullish Rey Vargas in Riyadh”
The long-reigning former UFC featherweight champion has suffered devastating knockout defeats in consecutive bouts, barely four months apart, and is adamant about rematching Ilia Topuria in Spain before 2024 ends to regain his crown as the 145lb king. Eugene Bareman’s health update speaks volumes, but will he listen at a stage of his career where he’s fighting time too?
Continue reading “Alexander Volkanovski needs rest, but right now? Good luck getting him to agree”
In the battle of two Brandons, Royval’s confidence grew and he exacted revenge against former UFC flyweight champion Moreno, utilising volume and sharper head movement during their furious stand-up exchanges to silence the Mexico City crowd. He returns to winning ways just three months after losing an Alexandre Pantoja rematch for 125lbs championship gold before Christmas. Continue reading “UFC Mexico City: Royval ruins Moreno’s homecoming in frantic flyweight rematch”
They were quick to laugh and rubbish his perceived arrogance during the build-up to the biggest fight of his career, but Ilia Topuria made good on his promise by securing a stunning second-round knockout win over long-reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and snap the Australian’s unbeaten 145lb streak, becoming the new divisional king in their PPV headliner. Continue reading “UFC 298: Topuria tops Volkanovski with superb R2 KO to clinch featherweight gold”
He played the game perfectly: said all the things to stir up genuine interest, leaned into the villain role and successfully weighed in for tomorrow night’s UFC 298 PPV main event against long-reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Before then, here’s a rewind to the display which saw Ilia Topuria earn the latest title shot at 145lbs against Josh Emmett last June. Continue reading “Rewind: Ilia Topuria’s UD5 win vs. Josh Emmett, before his Volkanovski title shot”
Riding a two-fight win streak, Quebec-born featherweight Charles Jourdain will make his first appearance at home in Canada come Saturday night against Sean Woodson on the UFC 297 prelims. Knowing better opportunities lay ahead should he continue winning, the 28-year-old can’t afford to get distracted here. Continue reading “Featherweight Charles Jourdain knows composure key in UFC 297 homecoming”
.jpg)
I spoke to world champion boxing coach Manny Robles last week after he was announced as the new coach of LA Elite in the Team Combat League about a variety of topics: ranging from why he decided to explore a new venture in an ever-changing sport, his corner work for Rafael Espinoza’s stunning world title win over Robeisy Ramirez to an overview of 2024 and much more besides. Continue reading “Exclusive: Manny Robles interview – 2024 plans, predictions after coaching Rafael Espinoza’s world featherweight title win”
Nine months after Max Holloway ended his perfect UFC run in the Briton’s first main event matchup, #3 ranked featherweight contender Arnold Allen looks to derail Movsar Evloev’s unbeaten streak during the first PPV card of 2024. Considering the 29-year-old’s title ambitions, he can’t afford to slip up against one of the division’s dark horses – whether the Russian has a big name or not. Continue reading “UFC 297: Arnold Allen cannot afford any missteps against unbeaten Movsar Evloev”
Bobby Green relished his role as underdog to score a fast-and-furious main event finish one week, then the man who derailed his sense of invincibility within the promotion some nine years ago recovered from danger to prevail in his own headliner the very next week. At a time where UFC fans and critics seem all too quick to crown the next future champion, it’s a fitting sign of symbolism. Continue reading “Bobby Green, Edson Barboza show power of experience in consecutive Apex cards”
12 months after his Curtis Blaydes matchup was cruelly cut short by a serious knee injury, Tom Aspinall again announced himself as a serious player in the heavyweight division after making short work of perennial contender Marcin Tybura in the UFC London card on July 22. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is set for November, and the 30-year-old has his sights set on securing a title shot soon. Continue reading “UFC London: Rewind back to Aspinall’s rapid return, a R1 TKO win vs. Tybura”
35 next month and forced to impatiently wait for his next matchup, #9 ranked featherweight contender Giga Chikadze has spoken of his frustration at multiple fights falling out as he continues to ready himself for a long-awaited return. He’s not the only ranked fighter in this position, though it reiterates how little they can control outside of getting themselves to the cage fully healthy. Continue reading “Giga Chikadze’s UFC inactivity concerns shine light on issues out of their control”
Mo and Sports 