Don’t be fooled by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte’s calm reunion – this is a fight built on spite
Anthony Joshua against Dillian Whyte is a fight with tremendous risk, great rewards and the type of rivalry that creates history. In 2009, above a pub, Whyte beat Joshua when the pair were raw amateurs. In 2015, Joshua got revenge with a brutal stoppage in Round 7. It was a great event, a genuine and rare fight to determine who moved on and moved on fast. They were both unbeaten and it was a big risk for both. After the fight, Whyte was angry and Joshua won the heavyweight world title in his next fight. It is a harsh and unforgiving world at the top of the heavyweights; Whyte had to wait seven years for his chance at the gold, ultimately losing to Tyson Fury. In that time, Joshua has had 12 heavyweight title fights. In many ways, this third fight between the Britons has been inevitable since the finish that night at the O2. Joshua has dominated British boxing since then, Whyte has been in his great rival’s shadow. It’s harsh, but true. “I still have never had the respect I deserve,” said Whyte on Monday, at the press conference to officially announce the fight. It will be on 12 August, back at the O2 and – like the first fight – it has sold out. “We could have gone outside, no problem,” confirmed Eddie Hearn, the promoter both then and now, referencing the potential to stage the bout in a stadium. “This is the decider. It has everything, and all talk of world title fights and massive fights for big money mean nothing. They both have to win.” Joshua does have a big fight scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia against former champion Deontay Wilder. It is meant to be worth close to $100million, and it would be in jeopardy if he lost. “I’m not thinking about anything other than Dillian,” said Joshua, who flew to London for less than 28 hours from his training base in Dallas. “I just have to do what I do. It’s just another fight. Dillian is a real fighter, he took the fight; others have just been talking.” Whyte also flew in from America for just a day and is going straight back to Florida. The pair refused to be baited at the oddly good-natured press conference, but that calm is deceptive. “This is a must-win fight for both,” Hearn stressed. The heavyweight division with its factions, its millions and its endless riddles is seldom easy to solve. However, every now and again a fight with spite, meaning and relevance is made. Whyte’s chance at redemption against Joshua is one of those fun fights: Joshua’s chance at losing so much is also a very real possibility. It makes for a very good fight. Read More Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte rematch made official – eight years after last clash Tyson Fury reacts to footage of Anthony Joshua using mattress as heavy bag Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s teams meet in London for talks over Saudi Arabia fight
2023-07-11 15:26
UFC’s Josiah Harrell reacts as pre-fight test reveals brain disease
Josiah Harrell has urged fans not to ‘feel sorry’ for him after a pre-fight scan revealed that the UFC athlete has a rare brain disease. The American, 24, was due to fight Jack Della Maddalena in a welterweight bout at UFC 290 on Saturday (8 July), serving as a replacement for the injured Sean Brady. However, Harrell was also forced to pull out of his planned clash with Della Maddalena, when a pre-fight scan revealed that Harrell has moyamoya – a rare brain disease. “Small [bump] in the road,” the unbeaten fighter wrote on Instagram. “We did everything on our side. Got all of our medicals redone this week. Check out on all of them except something came up in the MRI scan that they wanted me to make sure was nothing serious. “Turns out I have a brain disease that is treatable and [I’ll be] back up and running asap. Sorry to everyone I know, [who either] wanted to see me get my head beat in or [wanted] to see me with my hand raised. I have very little information on what’s going on but I do know I’ll be a lab Rat for a while, which is fitting. “A wild week, a wild life. I will get better, I’ll keep y’all updated on the process, thank you for all your prayers and love. We will heal up quickly.” In a later post, Harrell added: “Don’t feel sorry for me. Mom doesn’t work but people I love do, so until they don’t have to ima be at this for a long time. We will get more news out soon, have to do some testing. “You should be excited. [I don’t know] how much it has limited my ability to compete, but I’m guessing it would have to do with the oxygen levels to my brain, so ya boy might have even better cardio. I’m a hopeful person, so what fight card should [we] aim for? (4-12 months).” Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski stops Yair Rodriguez on wild night of fights Donald Trump high-fives fans at UFC 290 in Las Vegas UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year
2023-07-10 22:21
Favourite emerges to sign Randal Kolo Muani as first domino in striker market
Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race for Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani, in a move that could well have a knock-on effect on the rest of a highly-competitive striker's market this summer. While the pursuit is entirely separate to Kylian Mbappe's future, since the French champions are looking for a No 9 regardless, it may well affect the plans of other clubs. The 24-year-old is almost seen as the ideal striker target this summer in how he offers an increasingly rare set of qualities but is also gettable for a relatively reasonable price, with all of Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur having seriously looked. It is understood that PSG's interest has influenced Bayern's position, especially as they accelerate attempts to sign Harry Kane. The German champions had been seen as favourites to secure Kolo Muani just a few months ago but that has now changed. PSG are understood to have successfully sold the idea that a return to his home nation will suit him better at this point in his career, as Luis Enrique attempts to build a new stage of the Qatari project. While Frankfurt had previously set a price of around £100m, it is believed a deal can be struck for £80m. That has also shaped United's plans although there had already been a rethink about how to apportion their summer budget, with Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund potentially offering a cheaper option, who Erik ten Hag also greatly admires.
2023-07-10 20:19
UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski stops Yair Rodriguez on wild night of fights
Alexander Volkanovski continued his dominant run atop the UFC featherweight division on Saturday, stopping interim champion Yair Rodriguez to unify the titles. Volkanovski controlled the Mexican on the mat for most of the first two rounds, and just when Rodriguez began to flicker into life in the striking exchanges, Volkanovski fired back with a hard right hook to set up a ground-and-pound finish in Round 3. With the result at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, the Australian not only retained his featherweight title but bounced back from a narrow loss to Islam Makhachev – Volkanovski’s first defeat in 10 years, and one that occurred when the 34-year-old challenged for the lightweight belt in February. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja won a thrilling, back-and-forth battle with Brandon Moreno, taking the flyweight title from the Mexican with a split-decision win. The victory also saw the Brazilian move to 3-0 against two-time champion Moreno, whom Pantoja also beat in 2016 and 2018. Earlier in the night, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis stunned Robert Whittaker, beating the ex-middleweight champion via TKO before facing off with reigning title holder Israel Adesanya in a heated exchange. All the while, ex-US president Donald Trump watched on from ringside. Also, former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler won his retirement fight by knocking out Niko Price inside the first minute, Dan Hooker outpointed Jalin Turner despite suffering a broken arm, and Bo Nickal knocked out Val Woodburn to move to 5-0 with a fifth first-round finish. Full UFC 290 results Main card Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez via third-round TKO (4:19) Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47) Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker via second-round TKO (punches, 2:23) Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn via first-round TKO (punches, 0:38) Prelims Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via first-round KO (punches, 0:38) Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via first-round TKO (punches, 0:20) Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via second-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:55) Early prelims Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio via third-round submission (arm triangle, 3:42) Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell via first-round TKO (3:10) Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via first-round KO (0:17) Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Donald Trump high-fives fans at UFC 290 in Las Vegas Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in the face amid coaching criticism UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list Donald Trump high-fives fans at UFC 290 in Las Vegas Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy UFC 290 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez updates and results
2023-07-09 14:21
UFC 290 fight card: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez and all bouts tonight
The UFC featherweight titles will be unified this weekend, as Alexander Volkanovski takes on interim champion Yair Rodriguez in a main-event clash. The pair headline UFC 290 in Las Vegas, where Volkanovski will try to maintain his dominance at 145lbs, following a brave but unsuccessful bid to win the lightweight title in February. FOLLOW LIVE: UFC 290 - Latest Volkanovski vs Rodriguez updates The Australian lost a narrow decision to 155lbs champion Islam Makhachev in Perth, at the same event where Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight belt. In the co-main event on Saturday, Brandon Moreno defends his flyweight title against a foe who has beaten him twice: Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno has improved significantly since those losses in 2016 and 2018, but this bout marks a difficult defence to kickstart the Mexican’s second reign as champion. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? UFC 290 will take place on Saturday 8 July, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The early prelims are set to begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday 9 July (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card is then due to begin at 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Volkanovski – 2/9; Rodriguez – 100/30 Moreno – 1/2; Pantoja – 13/8 Whittaker – 1/4; Du Plessis – 3/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Main card Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Yair Rodriguez (IC) (featherweight title) Brandon Moreno (C) vs Alexandre Pantoja (flyweight title) Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis (middleweight) Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker (lightweight) Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn (middleweight) Prelims Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price (welterweight) Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez (catchweight) Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes (women’s strawweight) Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield (light-heavyweight) Early prelims Vitor Petrino vs Marcin Prachnio (light-heavyweight) Cameron Saaiman vs Terrence Mitchell (bantamweight) Shannon Ross vs Jesus Aguilar (flyweight) Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean Strickland makes passionate plea for Israel Adesanya fight after dominant win What time does UFC 290 start in UK and US tonight? How to watch UFC 290 online and on TV tonight Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy
2023-07-09 08:23
What time does UFC 290 start in UK and US tonight?
Alexander Volkanovski returns to featherweight this weekend, defending his title against interim champion Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC 290. In February, both men fought on the same night, with Rodriguez submitting Josh Emmett to win the interim belt, before Volkanovski lost a narrow decision to Islam Makhachev while challenging for the lightweight title. FOLLOW LIVE: UFC 290 - Latest Volkanovski vs Rodriguez updates The latter result marked just the second loss of Volkanovski’s career, and his first in 10 years. Neither defeat took place at featherweight, however, where the Australian has been imperious and earned the status of the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 in the eyes of many fans. In the co-main event on Saturday, Brandon Moreno defends his flyweight title against a foe who has beaten him twice: Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno has improved significantly since those losses in 2016 and 2018, but this bout marks a difficult defence to kickstart the Mexican’s second reign as champion. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? UFC 290 will take place on Saturday 8 July, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The early prelims are set to begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday 9 July (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card is then due to begin at 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Volkanovski – 2/9; Rodriguez – 100/30 Moreno – 1/2; Pantoja – 13/8 Whittaker – 1/4; Du Plessis – 3/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Main card Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Yair Rodriguez (IC) (featherweight title) Brandon Moreno (C) vs Alexandre Pantoja (flyweight title) Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis (middleweight) Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker (lightweight) Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn (middleweight) Prelims Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price (welterweight) Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez (catchweight) Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes (women’s strawweight) Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield (light-heavyweight) Early prelims Vitor Petrino vs Marcin Prachnio (light-heavyweight) Cameron Saaiman vs Terrence Mitchell (bantamweight) Shannon Ross vs Jesus Aguilar (flyweight) Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean Strickland makes passionate plea for Israel Adesanya fight after dominant win Who is fighting on UFC 290 undercard tonight? How to watch UFC 290 online and on TV tonight Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy
2023-07-09 08:23
UFC 290 live stream: How to watch Volkanovski vs Rodriguez online and on TV tonight
Two titles will be on the line at UFC 290 this weekend, as Alexander Volkanovski and Brandon Moreno defend their gold against formidable opponents. In the main event, Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against interim champion Yair Rodriguez, who will try to become the first fighter to beat the Australian at 145lbs. In February, Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight title, moments before Volkanovski challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt and came up narrowly short. That was just the second loss of Volkanovski’s career, with the 34-year-old’s only previous defeat having occurred 10 years ago – and at welterweight. FOLLOW LIVE: UFC 290 - Latest Volkanovski vs Rodriguez updates Meanwhile, Rodriguez’s victory over Emmett made him just the second Mexican champion in UFC history. His title win was followed by Alexa Grasso’s triumph in March, while Moreno preceded the pair as the first Mexican fighter to claim gold in the promotion. And Moreno will be in action again this weekend, defending his flyweight title against a foe who has beaten him twice: Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno has improved significantly since those losses in 2016 and 2018, but this co-main event marks a difficult defence to kickstart his second reign as champion. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? UFC 290 will take place on Saturday 8 July, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The early prelims are set to begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday 9 July (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card is then due to begin at 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Volkanovski – 2/9; Rodriguez – 100/30 Moreno – 1/2; Pantoja – 13/8 Whittaker – 1/4; Du Plessis – 3/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Main card Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Yair Rodriguez (IC) (featherweight title) Brandon Moreno (C) vs Alexandre Pantoja (flyweight title) Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis (middleweight) Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker (lightweight) Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn (middleweight) Prelims Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price (welterweight) Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez (catchweight) Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes (women’s strawweight) Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield (light-heavyweight) Early prelims Vitor Petrino vs Marcin Prachnio (light-heavyweight) Cameron Saaiman vs Terrence Mitchell (bantamweight) Shannon Ross vs Jesus Aguilar (flyweight) Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean Strickland makes passionate plea for Israel Adesanya fight after dominant win Who is fighting on UFC 290 undercard tonight? What time does UFC 290 start in UK and US tonight? Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy
2023-07-09 08:22
UFC 290 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez updates and results
UFC 290 will build towards two major title fights tonight, as Alexander Volkanovski defends the featherweight belt against Yair Rodriguez, and Brandon Moreno puts his flyweight gold on the line versus Alexandre Pantoja. Volkanovski and Rodriguez both fought on the same night in February, as “Alexander The Great” lost a controversial decision while challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, after Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight strap. The 145lbs titles will be unified tonight, as pound-for-pound great Volkanovski returns to his usual division to take on the Mexican – one of the most unique strikers in MMA. In the co-main event, Moreno looks to avenge two losses to Pantoja when he defends the title that he regained in January, when he stopped Deiveson Figueiredo in the Brazilian’s home country to win the pair’s four-fight series. Elsewhere on the card, ex-middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces Dricus Du Plessis in a No 1 contender’s bout, and legend Robbie Lawler takes his final bow. There are plenty of other great match-ups tonight, too, which you can follow with our live blog below. Read More Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in the face amid coaching criticism Sean Strickland makes passionate plea for Israel Adesanya fight after dominant win
2023-07-09 06:50
Harry Maguire edges closer to Manchester United exit with four players set for moves
Erik ten Hag is intent on offloading Harry Maguire, Fred, Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho in the next two weeks to kickstart a badly needed streamlining of the Manchester United squad, as he seeks to mount a title challenge for next season. The Dutch coach is understood to have made definitive decisions on who he wants to keep, in a situation that has been likened to Mikel Arteta's first full summer at Arsenal. Ten Hag is aware that a group works at optimum when everyone is totally focused and involved, and that it is better to jettison those who do not feature as part of long-term plans. This has placed Maguire in a tricky position, not least because England manager Gareth Southgate has told him he needs to get regular Premier League football to keep his place for Euro 2024. West Ham United are among the clubs that have so far expressed tentative interest but have been put off by the cost of any deal. The Old Trafford hierarchy have set a value of £50m but buying clubs believe he is actually available for £35m. The main issue with Maguire remains high wages. This has actually proved United's primary problem in a long-standing struggle to sell players. Too many are on high salaries from previous management regimes, with potential buyers unwilling to go so high and players consequently unwilling to move. Ten Hag has nevertheless made his hierarchy at centre-back clear, with Victor Lindelof the main replacement and Luke Shaw seen as the second back-up. That will give Maguire a decision, but there aren't currently too many suitable takers. A loan is a potential option. Fulham meanwhile retain interest in Fred while both West Ham United and Newcastle United have been monitoring Scott McTominay, depending on movements with both. Arsenal are expected to hold a medical for Declan Rice in the next 48 hours, which will likely see West Ham accelerate plans to replace the England midfielder amid a new recruitment structure. It is understood that Sancho has been broached as a possible sale to Tottenham Hotspur but there hasn't been much feedback yet. United would ideally see him as a makeweight in any move for Harry Kane but the England record scorer's future remains uncertain, and is actually widely seen as one of those that could "unlock" the rest of the transfer market. Even though Kane's preference would be to go to Old Trafford, it is currently seen as highly unlikely due to the difficulty of negotiating with Daniel Levy. As it is, United are planning without him, and a current target for the summer is to bring in Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana and potentially Atalanta's Rasmus Hojland on top of Mason Mount, with further signings dependent on sales. Read More Mason Mount says it was clear ‘several months ago’ he was not in Chelsea’s plans Manchester United transfer news: Mason Mount signs from Chelsea as Andre Onana bid made Football rumours: Manchester United lining up bid for Rasmus Hojlund
2023-07-07 20:28
Oleksandr Usyk’s title defence against Daniel Dubois made official
Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight has been made official, as the Ukrainian defends the unified heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in Poland in August. Usyk, 36, will put the belts on the line against the 25-year-old Briton at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw on 26 August. The bout came together following the collapse of talks between Usyk and WBC champion Fury, who were expected to clash in London in April. A fight between the undefeated pair, to crown an undisputed champion, is still on the cards, with Saudi Arabia the frontrunner to host the contest this winter. However, many in boxing doubt that the fight will materialise. In any case, Usyk’s focus is now on Dubois, who is the mandatory challenger to the WBA title, which Usyk holds alongside the WBO, IBF and IBO belts. “Ready for my chance!” Dubois wrote on social media. “I hope you are @usykaa.” Usyk simply wrote: “See you 26 august.” Dubois has a professional record of 19-1 with 18 knockout wins, while the sole defeat of his pro career came in 2020, when he suffered a fractured eye socket en route to a TKO loss to Joe Joyce. Last time out, Dubois recovered from multiple knockdowns to stop Kevin Lerena in December. Meanwhile, Usyk is 20-0 as a pro with 13 KO wins. The Olympic gold medalist most recently fought Anthony Joshua in August, outpointing the Briton for the second fight in a row. With that result last summer, the southpaw retained the unified titles that he took from “AJ” in the pair’s first clash. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Tyson Fury’s ‘game-changing’ return to be announced in ‘next week or so’, Frank Warren says Tyson Fury reacts to footage of Anthony Joshua using mattress as heavy bag Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder’s teams meet in London for talks over Saudi Arabia fight
2023-07-06 19:55
UFC 290 fight card: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez and all bouts this weekend
The UFC featherweight titles will be unified this weekend, as Alexander Volkanovski takes on interim champion Yair Rodriguez in a main-event clash. The pair headline UFC 290 in Las Vegas, where Volkanovski will try to maintain his dominance at 145lbs, following a brave but unsuccessful bid to win the lightweight title in February. The Australian lost a narrow decision to 155lbs champion Islam Makhachev in Perth, at the same event where Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight belt. In the co-main event on Saturday, Brandon Moreno defends his flyweight title against a foe who has beaten him twice: Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno has improved significantly since those losses in 2016 and 2018, but this bout marks a difficult defence to kickstart the Mexican’s second reign as champion. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? UFC 290 will take place on Saturday 8 July, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The early prelims are set to begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday 9 July (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card is then due to begin at 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Volkanovski – 2/9; Rodriguez – 100/30 Moreno – 1/2; Pantoja – 13/8 Whittaker – 1/4; Du Plessis – 3/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Yair Rodriguez (IC) (featherweight title) Brandon Moreno (C) vs Alexandre Pantoja (flyweight title) Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis (middleweight) Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker (lightweight) Bo Nickal vs Tresean Gore (middleweight) Prelims Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price (welterweight) Jack Della Maddalena vs TBC (welterweight) Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes (women’s strawweight) Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield (light-heavyweight) Early prelims Vitor Petrino vs Marcin Prachnio (light-heavyweight) Cameron Saaiman vs Terrence Mitchell (bantamweight) Shannon Ross vs Jesus Aguilar (flyweight) Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean Strickland makes passionate plea for Israel Adesanya fight after dominant win Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in the face amid coaching criticism What time does UFC 290 start in UK and US this weekend? How to watch UFC 290 online and on TV this weekend
2023-07-06 19:55
Hannah Dingley: More female coaches needed in youth football for sport to change
Having more female coaches in youth football will create more opportunities for women at the top of the sport, Hannah Dingley, the first woman to take charge of an English Football League club, has said. "Coaches get promoted from youth football. So the more female coaches we can get in the boys' game throughout the academy systems then I think it will happen more naturally," the newly-appointed caretaker Forest Green head coach said. Dingley oversaw her opening game on Wednesday as Forest Green began their pre-season campaign against Melksham; she declined to say whether she would apply for the job on a full-time basis.
2023-07-06 17:26