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Jeremie Frimpong FIFA 23: How to Complete the World Cup Phenom SBC
Jeremie Frimpong FIFA 23: How to Complete the World Cup Phenom SBC
Jeremie Frimpong FIFA 23 World Cup Phenom SBC is now live. Here's how to complete the SBC and if it's worth it.
1970-01-01 08:00
New PS5 Redesign May Have a Detachable Disc Drive
New PS5 Redesign May Have a Detachable Disc Drive
The PlayStation 5 is reportedly due for a redesign nearly two years after its initial launch. While the current versions include a digital download-only console
1970-01-01 08:00
Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC
Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC
It was in Charles Oliveira’s final round of sparring, according to Dana White, that the skin over the Brazilian’s right eye was torn apart – and with it, his chance of redemption against Islam Makhachev. Days out from one of the most-anticipated rematches in recent MMA history, Oliveira suffered a chasmic cut, and from the bloody sinews, Alexander Volkanovski emerged. With that, one tantalising rematch was replaced by another; the MMA gods had taken away Oliveira’s opportunity for redemption against the lightweight champion, but in an instant, they had granted Volkanovski his own opportunity at the same atonement. There were only a handful of grains left to fall on Oliveira, brooding inside his metaphorical sandglass, when the injury occurred; it was on 22 October 2022 that the former champion was submitted by Makhachev, and it was to be 364 days later that he would be locked in a cage with the Russian again – in the very same arena, no less, in Abu Dhabi. But for a reason known only to them, the MMA deities decided to deny this cult hero his chance of defeating Makhachev, and of regaining the UFC lightweight title. Oliveira, for his part, does not acknowledge these gods – only his own. “Once you realise that it’s all part of God’s plan, it’s easier to accept things,” Oliveira told The Independent, coincidentally, days before suffering his injury. “It took me a long time to understand that, but you just have to be able to learn to digest it. God wouldn’t give me something that I can’t carry.” Oliveira will lean all of his weight on that sentiment in the weeks to come, while 145lbs champion Volkanovski will be leaning his own weight – plus an extra 10lbs – on Makhachev in their second clash in eight months. When the Australian, fighting on home turf in February, was ruled a decision loser against Makhachev, the result hardly relayed the razor-close nature of the fight. Volkanovski, 35, landed more strikes than Makhachev, 30, but was marginally less clinical. Makhachev secured four of his nine attempted takedowns, though that actually inspired more praise of Volkanovski than the Russian; in repeatedly denying Makhachev – and in repeatedly rising from the mat when needed – Volkanovski had proven that the defending champion was not the unstoppable force that his friend and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov so often seemed. Volkanovski even knocked down Makhachev and finished the fight on top, denting the Dagestani’s daunting reputation. The impressiveness of Volkanovski’s performance was only augmented by the fact that he was moving up in weight. In fact, the Australian remained the Indy Sport pound-for-pound No 1 despite his loss to Makhachev. It was a showing in stark contrast to Oliveira’s against Makhachev, in which the jiu-jitsu specialist was beaten at his own game: submitted by the Russian wrestler in Round 2. Oliveira did not do himself justice that night, but justice was on the agenda for UFC 294. Instead, Volkanovski will bring his well-rounded game to the Etihad Arena, where he weighed in as a back-up fighter for Oliveira’s defeat by Makhachev one year ago. Since that fateful evening, Oliveira has bounced back with a dismissive knockout of Beneil Dariush, while Volkanovski also got back to winning ways by stopping interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez in July. While Oliveira vs Makhachev 2 was, for some time, official, Volkanovski vs Makhachev 2 also felt inevitable, just not at this time nor under these circumstances. Those circumstances complicate the question of whether Volkanovski can go one better than he did in his initial clash with Makhachev; this time, the Aussie will challenge the Russian on just 11 days’ notice, having recently undergone hand surgery. Volkanovski is a consummate professional who will arrive as fight-fit as his body will allow, but even “Alexander The Great” has admitted that he does not want to find out how his cardio will hold up. “We’ll try to make sure it doesn’t go five rounds,” he told Australian media last week. “I want to finish it early, I don’t want to test his gas tank. Don’t get me wrong, I think I can do it, but let’s not try and test it.” Oliveira would have snapped your hand off for such a finish. Better yet, he would have snapped Makhachev’s arm off for one. If Volkanovski can secure a stoppage, it will be one of the most arresting visuals in UFC history, in part due to the factors surrounding this new main event. The same would apply to the co-main event, in which Kamaru Usman is on a similar venture to Volkanovski. The former welterweight champion will fight at 185lbs for the first time as he replaces Paulo Costa against Khamzat Chimaev, perhaps the fiercest prospect in MMA, on 10 days’ notice. For all of the attributes that the Nigerian-American has exhibited in a Hall of Fame-worthy career, never has his courage been as clear as it is now. The same goes for Volkanovski, although he believes that his rematch with Makhachev is a win-win scenario. “I didn’t get that big moment of the whole underdog story,” he said last week, discussing the pair’s first bout. “I remember thinking just a few days ago: ‘I’m not gonna really get that moment if I fight him again, I’m not gonna be this crazy underdog.’ People [have seen] what I can do, so they’re gonna back me. But now on 11 days’ notice, I’m sort of in the same position, where people are gonna say: ‘There’s no way – short notice, he’s crazy.’” Volkanovski may just be. He is also one of the most courageous fighters in a field full of them. Of course, Makhachev also deserves credit; he, too, is fighting a pound-for-pound talent on short notice. Indeed, many fans have remarked on how the fighters’ gambles have made UFC 294 an even stronger card than it already was. It is the sort of rebound against adversity that boxing, for example, would never be able to execute. However, that is in large part due to the lower prize money on offer in the UFC, and the resultant need for fighters to take risks. Yet it is also partly down to the overemphasis on losses in boxing. If Volkanovski were to suffer a third career loss on Saturday, he would still be in the conversation around modern UFC greats – perhaps all-timers, too. Would a champion or contender in boxing risk their record and reputation by fighting an elite opponent on a compromised camp? There is little evidence for it, monetarily there is no need for it, but there also shouldn’t be an expectation of it; just as there should be no expectation for a UFC fighter to accept a short-notice fight, even when the alternative is fans disputing their bravery. Make no mistake: Although Volkanovski is one of the most-respected fighters in the UFC and is being heralded as a hero right now, he would have had his detractors if he had turned down this fight – even on 11 days’ notice. It is as true as it is hard to believe. When fan favourite Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson refused to fight Michel Pereira in July, after the Brazilian missed weight, Thompson was criticised for not going ahead with the bout and accepting a slight bump to his purse. Never mind the danger to Thompson’s health and prospects of ever challenging for a UFC title again, many fans were quick to turn on the veteran. On that occasion, it was too late for a replacement to be found, and the bout collapsed. Even Oliveira and Costa have had their fair share of criticism for withdrawing from UFC 294, despite their injuries and the calibre of their opponents. Volkanovski has gotten credit in the build to UFC 294, but the last week has highlighted how fans tend to praise the UFC’s recovery in situations like this, rather than focusing on the unideal factors that allow the company to adapt in this manner. And so, a cut above Charles Oliveira’s eye became a tear in the fabric of UFC 294, only for the promotion to stitch the card back together as only they can. Read More UFC 294 live stream: How to watch Volkanovski vs Makhachev online and on TV this weekend Alexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice Kamaru Usman to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 after Paulo Costa withdraws UFC 294 card in full as Chimaev and Usman clash in tantalising co-main event What time does UFC 294 start tonight? How to watch UFC 294 online and on TV tonight
2023-10-21 16:20
Trump Praises Supreme Court Decisions at Rally in South Carolina
Trump Praises Supreme Court Decisions at Rally in South Carolina
Donald Trump praised Supreme Court rulings that ended affirmative action in college admissions and a student debt-relief program,
2023-07-02 04:01
Nato summit: Ukraine's future membership to be discussed by leaders in Vilnius
Nato summit: Ukraine's future membership to be discussed by leaders in Vilnius
But the meeting in Lithuania will see disagreement over Ukraine's ambition to join the military bloc.
2023-07-11 14:46
Diana Taurasi scores 29, moves within 18 points of 10,000 in loss to Fever
Diana Taurasi scores 29, moves within 18 points of 10,000 in loss to Fever
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Emma Cannon had a career-high 23 points with nine rebounds, Kelsey Mitchell added 21 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Phoenix Mercury 72-71 on Tuesday night to spoil Diana Taurasi’s 29-point performance.
2023-08-02 12:44
Sunak Says ‘Not Focused’ on UK Election, Won’t Discuss Timing
Sunak Says ‘Not Focused’ on UK Election, Won’t Discuss Timing
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the UK’s next general election wasn’t a priority for him right now,
2023-11-27 06:30
NextEra beats third-quarter profit on renewable energy strength
NextEra beats third-quarter profit on renewable energy strength
(Reuters) -NextEra Energy reported third-quarter profit that beat Wall Street estimates on Tuesday, on the back of additional projects at
2023-10-24 19:49
This isn't the first time Hollywood's been on strike. Here's how past strikes turned out
This isn't the first time Hollywood's been on strike. Here's how past strikes turned out
The common refrain is that there’s nothing Hollywood loves so much as its own history
2023-07-19 03:21
No military targets in Ukraine village hit by 'inhuman' Russian missile strike, officials say
No military targets in Ukraine village hit by 'inhuman' Russian missile strike, officials say
There were no military targets in the village that was hit by a Russian missile strike Thursday, a top Ukrainian police official said, in what was one of the deadliest attacks against civilians since the conflict began and which the country's president called "inhuman" and "deliberate."
2023-10-06 12:56
Hollywood writers vote to approve contract deal that ended strike as actors negotiate
Hollywood writers vote to approve contract deal that ended strike as actors negotiate
Hollywood writers have voted almost unanimously to approve the contract agreement reached by their union leaders that ended a strike after nearly five months
2023-10-10 06:17
Brooks and defense lead No. 3 Texas into final Big 12 season with dominant 38-6 win at Baylor
Brooks and defense lead No. 3 Texas into final Big 12 season with dominant 38-6 win at Baylor
Jonathon Brooks ran for two touchdowns and No. 3 Texas got a dominant game from its defense to overpower Baylor in a 38-6 win Saturday night to launch the Longhorns into their final Big 12 season
2023-09-24 10:58