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The United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) will end its partnership with the UFC in January after Conor McGregor’s return to its testing pool this week, claiming that the saga has made the organisations’ relationship ‘untenable’. Usada announced on Wednesday (11 October) that McGregor had re-entered its testing pool, as the former champion prepares for his first fight since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in a second straight loss to Dustin Poirier. In order to compete in the UFC, athletes must have been in the pool for six months while returning zero positive test results and at least two negatives. That means McGregor’s earliest possible return date is in April, but Usada admitted that it would not be able to ensure that the Irishman serves the full six months, because it will not be renewing its partnership with the UFC in January. Usada clarified that the move was the result of its discomfort with the McGregor saga, after the UFC and the fighter suggested earlier this year that Usada might grant the 35-year-old an exemption to facilitate an earlier in-ring return. “We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the Usada testing pool as of Sunday 8 October 2023,” said Usada CEO Travis Tygart in a statement. “We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months. The rules also allow Usada to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results. “Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of 1 January 2024, Usada will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program. “Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed Usada on Monday 9 October that it was going in a different direction. We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon. The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under Usada’s leadership. “The relationship between Usada and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning Usada’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months. “Fighters’ long-term health and safety – in addition to a fair and level playing field – are more important to Usada than short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes. Usada is proud of the work we’ve done over the past eight years to clean up the UFC, and we will continue to provide our unparalleled service to UFC athletes through the remainder of our current contract, which ends 31 December 2023. “As always, we will continue to uphold the rights and voices of clean athletes in all sport.” Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Kamaru Usman to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 after Paulo Costa withdraws Charles Oliveira replaced by Alexander Volkanovski in Islam Makhachev fight UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year

Thursday night's college football schedule feature an exciting showdown between Big 12 rivals and a sneaky-good AAC matchup.

Barcelona has closed down one of its central piers for cruise ships, which will now have to dock further out from the city center. The wharf will be transformed into public space, while cruise ships will dock a half hour's walk from the city center.

Jada Pinkett Smith has shared how she was once asked on a date by none other than Chris Rock. In an interview with NBC, the 52-year-old actor also made headlines after revealing that she and her husband Will Smith have been secretly separated for several years but have no plans to divorce. "I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be," she said. Back in 2016, there had been rumours and reports about the Hollywood couple splitting, and Pinkett Smith recalled a phone call she received from Rock around this time - a memory also mentioned in her new memoir, Worthy set to be released on October 17. “I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce," she said. "So he called me and basically he was like, ‘I'd love to take you out.’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Well, aren't you and Will getting a divorce?’ I was like, ‘No. Chris, those are just rumors'.” She added: “He was appalled. And he profusely apologised, and that was that.” The Smiths and Rock would find themselves in the headlines years later after Will Smith infamously slapped the comedian and host of the 2022 Oscars after he made a joke about Pinkett Smith during the awards ceremony. "Keep my wife's name out of your f**king mouth," Smith shouted at the time. Following this viral moment, Smith was banned from the Oscars and other Academy events for 10 years. Pinkett Smith shared how she hasn't spoken to Rock since the incident. “[Do I have] any desire to talk to Chris? Here's my desire: I just hope that all the misunderstanding around this can be cleared up and that there can be peace,” she told PEOPLE. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

New Wales cap Regan Poole admits he owes so much to Manchester United after making his international debut on Wednesday night. Defender Poole seemed destined for stardom in 2015 after leaving Newport aged 17, on the same day United made Anthony Martial football’s most expensive teenager. But Poole’s first-team action at Old Trafford was restricted to an 89th-minute substitute appearance in a 2016 Champions League tie – a 5-1 win over Danish club Midtjylland, in which England striker Marcus Rashford announced himself with two goals on debut. Poole would be loaned out to Northampton and Newport before signing for MK Dons, Lincoln and Portsmouth, where he has hit the ground running with three goals in 12 appearances for the Sky Bet League One leaders. “It’s always been my aim to win that cap,” Poole said after helping Wales to a 4-0 friendly win over Gibraltar in Wrexham, ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia. “I’m 25 and I’ve had to wait a little while to get it, but hopefully there are many more to come. “I had the experience of playing for the under-21s a few times and got called up there. I know it was only one game but I can say that I played for Manchester United and not many people can say that Regan Poole “It went quiet for a little while, but I’ve had a really positive start for my new club and hopefully I can stay in the squad.” Cardiff-born Poole became Newport’s youngest-ever player in 2014 upon making his debut at the age of 16 and 94 days. Poole’s performances soon had Premier League scouts flocking to Rodney Parade and he eventually headed for Old Trafford for a £100,000 fee, with attached add-ons taking it to a potential £500,000. “I was at such a young age when the move came about,” said Poole. “It was such a shock, but it was something I had to do. I look back on my time there and they improved me so much as a person and as a player. “I don’t regret it in a way because I had to do it. I loved my time there and I think it’s showing now how much they improved me. “I was training with such good players and that’s shown in my career.” On his brief time as a United first-team player, Poole added: “That’s something I look back on with great pride. “I know it was only one game but I can say that I played for Manchester United and not many people can say that. So I look back on that and think ‘well done’. “Marcus scored two in that game and then I came on late. He was a good friend of mine at the time and he’s gone on to do such great things.” Poole is determined to play at the top level again and believes that is possible at Portsmouth. He said: “I’m loving it down there. We’ve started so brightly and we’re looking for promotion. “We’re trying to get the football club back to where it belongs. Why can’t we do it at Portsmouth? “Ipswich are doing really well (in the Championship after going up from League One last season) and if we can get promoted, why not? “Portsmouth is a Premier League football club and should never be in League One. “I believe I can play in the Premier League. If you don’t think that, you’re in the wrong sport.” Read More Talking points as Marseille and Paris prepare to host World Cup quarter-finals Conor Murray says New Zealand-born trio ‘so important’ to Ireland World Cup bid Dan Biggar and Liam Williams fit for Wales’ quarter-final against Argentina 5 Wales’ World Cup quarter-finals as Warren Gatland’s side gear up to face Pumas 5 memorable meetings between Wales and Argentina Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final hoodoo

Temperatures could soar to 44C, the weather bureau says, as it urges people to avoid alcohol.

The arrests were made as hundreds of people gathered at the event in Manchester city centre.

The Irish broadcaster's director general made the comments at a parliamentary committee on Thursday.

A health official says it is "heart-wrenching" to see children suffer from a preventable disease.

KSI will box Tommy Fury in Manchester on Saturday, with Logan Paul fighting Dillon Danis moments before. KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) and Paul both rose to fame on YouTube before crossing into boxing and business, launching the energy drink company Prime together in 2022. Briton KSI, 30, has also ventured into rapping, while American Paul has enjoyed success in WWE. The pair even boxed each other in 2018 and 2019, with Paul, 28, going on to face the legendary Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout. Meanwhile, Fury is best known as the half-brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson, and the 24-year-old also starred on the reality TV show Love Island. The Briton is unbeaten as a professional boxer, while American Danis’s experience is in jiu-jitsu and – to a lesser degree – mixed martial arts. The 30-year-old, a former teammate of UFC icon Conor McGregor, is making his boxing debut this weekend. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the event? The fights are set to take place on Saturday 14 October at the AO Arena in Manchester. The main card is due to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). Paul vs Danis is likely to take place at around 10.30pm BST (2.30pm PT, 4.30pm CT, 5.30pm ET), with ring walks for KSI vs Fury expected at 11.30pm BST (3.30pm PT, 5.30pm CT, 6.30pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will air live on Dazn pay-per-view, at a cost of £19.99 in the UK and $54.99 in the US. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Odds KSI – 5/2; Fury – 2/7 Paul – 2/9; Danis – 3/1 Full odds via William Hill. • Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers Full card (subject to change) • KSI vs Tommy Fury • Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis • Salt Papi vs Slim Albaher • Deen The Great vs Walid Sharks II • King Kenny vs Anthony Taylor • Whindersson Nunes vs My Mate Nate • NichLmao & Alex Wassabi vs Luis Alcaraz Pineda & BDave • Astrid Wett vs Alexia Grace • Swarmz vs Ryan Taylor II • Chase DeMoor vs Tempo Arts S-X vs DTG Read More Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing Tommy Fury explains why he has ‘never been fan’ of KSI ahead of crunch boxing match Let’s get ready to rumble! Inside the ropes with boxing’s ring announcers KSI ‘spits’ back at John Fury from balcony after having a bottle thrown at him Tommy Fury posts nine-week body transformation as he goads fight rival KSI Who is the back-up fighter for Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis?

KSI will box Tommy Fury in Manchester on Saturday night, in a bout that will surely be one of the most watched of the year. YouTuber KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) has crossed into boxing, rapping and business in recent years, partnering with ex-opponent Logan Paul to launch the energy drink company Prime in 2022. Next up for the 30-year-old is this clash with Fury, who some will know from his stint on the reality TV show Love Island, though others will know him as the half-brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury. Tommy, 24, is undefeated as a professional, while fellow Briton KSI has also never been beaten – though he has less experience in the pro ranks. In the co-main event, Paul will be in action against fellow American Dillon Danis, a former teammate of UFC star Conor McGregor. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the event? The fights are set to take place on Saturday 14 October at the AO Arena in Manchester. The main card is due to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). Paul vs Danis is likely to take place at around 10.30pm BST (2.30pm PT, 4.30pm CT, 5.30pm ET), with ring walks for KSI vs Fury expected at 11.30pm BST (3.30pm PT, 5.30pm CT, 6.30pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will air live on Dazn pay-per-view, at a cost of £19.99 in the UK and $54.99 in the US. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Odds KSI – 5/2; Fury – 2/7 Paul – 2/9; Danis – 3/1 Full odds via William Hill. • Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers Full card (subject to change) • KSI vs Tommy Fury • Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis • Salt Papi vs Slim Albaher • Deen The Great vs Walid Sharks II • King Kenny vs Anthony Taylor • Whindersson Nunes vs My Mate Nate • NichLmao & Alex Wassabi vs Luis Alcaraz Pineda & BDave • Astrid Wett vs Alexia Grace • Swarmz vs Ryan Taylor II • Chase DeMoor vs Tempo Arts S-X vs DTG Read More Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing Tommy Fury explains why he has ‘never been fan’ of KSI ahead of crunch boxing match Let’s get ready to rumble! Inside the ropes with boxing’s ring announcers KSI ‘spits’ back at John Fury from balcony after having a bottle thrown at him Tommy Fury posts nine-week body transformation as he goads fight rival KSI Who is the back-up fighter for Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis?

The tension is hotting up between KSI and Tommy Fury, after the YouTuber was spotted seemingly 'spitting' at his opponents dad in retaliation to him throwing a bottle. KSI and Fury participated in an open workout ahead of their upcoming clash, however, things took a turn when John Fury noticed KSI looking down at his son from a balcony, shouting abuse. "P****! Look at me when I'm talking to you!", he shouted. Losing his patience, the 59-year-old launched a bottle up at him, prompting the 30-year-old to 'spit' back at him from above. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter