ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2025 GRID | YAS MARINA CIRCUIT

 

THE BATTLE CONTINUES AT YAS MARINA | FREE PRACTICE 3 RESULTS

 

FASTEST IN PRACTICE 1 | LAST PRACTICE 1 OF THE SEASON | ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX

 

FORMULA 1 'D-DAY' SCHEDULE

 

ABU DHABI HOSTS WORLD FIRST DRIVERKESS RACE

The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League staged a world first Grand Final at Yas Marina Circuit where 6 fully driverless racecars competed head to head in a milestone event for artificial intelligence and robotics.

Germany’s TUM Autonomous Motorsport team from the Technical University of Munich won the championship title.

Early in the race, Italy’s Unimore closed the gap from pole position and overtook TUM at Turn 6 before a sustained high speed duel began.

Both teams recorded speeds above 155 miles per hour during the contest as their autonomous systems executed aggressive race strategies.

The event featured 11 international teams, $2.25 million prize pool and a Human vs AI demonstration run, highlighting rapid progress in autonomous racing since the league’s first season. 

#fblifestyle

WTA TOUR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | DAY 2 | ABU DHABI 2025

 

TANZANIA SHINES IN SPARTAN BEAST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

 

Tanzania made its mark at the Spartan Beast World Championship 2024 in Abu Dhabi, represented solely by Ms. Mwahija Kisoma, who completed the final race with an outstanding performance.

Kisoma, an accomplished obstacle course racing (OCR) athlete and Assistant Lecturer at Mzumbe University in the Morogoro Region, participated in the Open Category of the Spartan Super 10K Race, which featured 25 challenging obstacles. She secured 5th place among 31 competitors in the female age group of 30-34, finishing 15th out of 183 female participants overall. Her impressive performance also placed her 187th among a total of 816 competitors from all genders, with a finishing time of 2:04:10.

By completing this third race, Kisoma has achieved a historic milestone as the first athlete from East Africa to earn a trifecta, joining the elite ranks of thousands of runners worldwide who have accomplished this feat.

Kisoma's success not only highlights her personal achievements but also serves as an inspiration for other Tanzanian athletes. Her participation opens up new opportunities for Tanzanians to engage in international competitions and enhances their chances of qualifying for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. This is particularly relevant in sports disciplines such as Modern Pentathlon, where OCR is included.

This remarkable achievement underscores the potential of Tanzanian athletes on the global stage and emphasizes the importance of international sports engagement.

ROUND 2 HIGHLIGHTS | FT. MCILROY, FLEETWOOD,WARING | HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP

 

RORY MCILROY | ROUND 2 | ABU DHABI 2024 | HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP | DP WORLD TOUR

 

NGANNOU: UFC'S WHITE STANDING IN WAY OF MEGAFIGHT WITH JONES

Francis Ngannou is tired of listening to UFC CEO Dana White and wants to set the record straight.

Ngannou, 38, successfully returned to MMA after a two-year detour in boxing -- and the death of his 15-month-old son -- by defeating PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL Super Fights in Abu Dhabi.

While most of the MMA world celebrated Ngannou's return, White took aim at his former champion at a news conference ahead of UFC 308 by saying that he considered cutting Ngannou before he became champion and that "The Predator" actively ducked a fight with current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Ngannou reacted to White on Sirius XM Fight Nation's MMA Today.

"I think Dana's trying to make things up to buy good faith in the position he has lost," Ngannou said on Friday. "Dana has lost in this situation... and he cannot stand it. Bro, I won everything: I left. It's been almost two years, and the guy is still out there, he can't live without hounding me. Regardless of everything that happened, I'm not about him.

"The guy can't stand me. I don't know what his problem is. He can make everything up. That is his problem. I think he needs to make peace with himself because this situation is kind of weird."

White suggested that Ngannou would have made more money had he decided to stay with the UFC rather than sign with the PFL. Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023 and signed with the PFL in May 2023. While being signed with the PFL, he had the freedom to pursue opportunities outside the promotion and took on then-undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in boxing followed by a massive fight with former unified champion Anthony Joshua. Although he lost both, Ngannou reportedly made $20 million for both fights and raised his profile before heading back to MMA last weekend.

White shrugged off Ngannou's success away from the UFC and suggested he would have made more money if he stayed.

"Francis left because he knew that if he fought Jon Jones and didn't win, it would hurt his chances of making the money that he wanted to make," White said. "But realistically, his deal was bigger here. His deal was bigger here if he stayed in the UFC. They can deny it all they want, why the f--- would I lie? Why do I care? It doesn't matter to me one way or the other... he would have made more money if he stayed in the UFC.""

Jon Jones, right, and Francis Ngannou exchange pleasantries at a PFL event in June of 2023. Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

For Ngannou, there is more to the story, including money that he says the UFC still owes him.

"Which money is he talking about? The money that he owes me?," Ngannou said. "Remember, all of this ended with [them] saying, 'Oh, we'll backpay you from the money that we owe you for the Stipe [Miocic] and Ciryl Gane fight,' all of that. They never backpaid me. Now I have made more money than I have ever made in the UFC -- I would say twice the money that I could have ever made in my entire UFC career if I had continued in the UFC.

"Either way, if I had made less money, if I'm not making enough money that I could've made in the UFC, that's my problem. Why is he so pissed about me not making that much money? Like, c'mon man, live your life."

As for the Jon Jones fight, Ngannou is still very much interested in it and believes that Jones would like the fight as well. Jones is set to face former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16. Should Jones win, Ngannou would welcome a cross-promotion fight, which would be one of the largest in MMA history. Whether it could happen is another question.

"The only guy standing in the way of that fight is Dana White," Ngannou said. "I want the Jon Jones fight. I'm down for the fight. Jones is down for the fight. But this is a new narrative. I was down for a Jon Jones fight three years ago and I am down for it now."

One person who could bring the fight to fruition is the Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh and his Riyadh Season events. Riyadh Season was a title sponsor for Noche UFC and Alalshikh was instrumental in financing Ngannou's fights with Fury and Joshua. If anybody has the pull to make it happen, it would be Alalshikh.

While Ngannou holds on to a sliver of optimism that a fight with Jones could materialize, it would require White to check his ego at the door.

"For that to happen, Dana has to let this beef go," Ngannou said. "He has to let it go."

- Andreas Hale, ESPN

UFC FIGHT WEEK | #UFC308 | ILIA "MATADOR" TOPURIA VS. MAX "BLESSED" HOLLOWAY

 

MMA DIVISIONAL RANKINGS: NURMAGOMEDOV CRACKS TOP TIER AT BANTAMWEIGHT

1. 

Umar Nurmagomedov showed over the weekend that he is a force to be reckoned with.

His unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, put the undefeated Dagestani with the MMA royalty last name at the head of the line of contenders for the UFC men's bantamweight championship.

Sean O'Malley will defend the belt against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 next month, and the winner should soon have Nurmagomedov standing across the cage from him.

Beyond the shuffling in Brett Okamoto's ranking of 135-pound men, there also was movement among the 125-pound women. Taila Santos moves into the flyweight rankings on the strength of Friday's victory over Liz Carmouche in the semifinals of the PFL playoffs. Santos will go for the $1 million championship in the fall against unbeaten prospect Dakota Ditcheva.

At strawweight, Tatiana Suarez drops out of the top 10 because her inactivity makes her ineligible.

Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

Note: Results are current; rankings as of Aug. 6. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

Heavyweight | Light heavyweight | Middleweight | Welterweight

Lightweight | Men's featherweight | Men's bantamweight

Men's flyweight | Women's bantamweight | Women's flyweight | Strawweight

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

1. Tom Aspinall  

Promotion: UFC interim champion

Record: 15-3

Last: W (TKO1) vs. Curtis Blaydes, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Ciryl Gane  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Serghei Spivac, Sept. 2, 2023

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Alexander Volkov

3. Curtis Blaydes  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-5, 1 NC

Last: L (TKO1) vs. Tom Aspinall, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Alexander Volkov  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 38-10

Last: W (UD) vs. Sergei Pavlovich, June 22, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Ciryl Gane

5. Sergei Pavlovich  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-3

Last: L (UD) vs. Alexander Volkov, June 22, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Renan Ferreira  

Promotion: PFL champion

Record: 13-3, 3 NC

Last: W (KO1) vs. Ryan Bader, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Jailton Almeida  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-3

Last: W (Sub1) vs. Alexandr Romanov, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Serghei Spivac  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-4

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Ciryl Gane, Sept. 2, 2023

Next: Aug. 10 vs. Marcin Tybura

9. Vadim Nemkov  

Promotion: Bellator

Record: 18-2, 1 NC

Last: W (TechSub2) vs. Bruno Cappelozza, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Derrick Lewis  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-12, 1 NC

Last: W (TKO3) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento, May 11, 2024

Next: TBD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

1. Alex Pereira  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 11-2

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Jirí Procházka, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Jirí Procházka  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 30-5-1

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Alex Pereira, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Magomed Ankalaev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-1-1

Last: W (KO2) vs. Johnny Walker, Jan. 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Aleksandar Rakic

4. Jamahal Hill  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 10-2

Last: W (KO1) vs. Alex Pereira, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Corey Anderson  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Record: 18-6, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Karl Moore, March 22, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Aleksandar Rakić  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4

Last: L (TKO) vs. Jiří Procházka, April 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Magomed Ankalaev

7. Khalil Rountree Jr.  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 37-19

Last: W (TKO3) vs. Anthony Smith, Dec. 9, 2023

Next: TBD

8. Volkan Oezdemir  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-7

Last: W (KO1) vs. Johnny Walker, June 22, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Johnny Walker  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-9, 1 NC

Last: L (KO1) vs. Volkan Oezdemir, June 22, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Anthony Smith  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 38-20

Last: L (UD) vs. Roman Dolidze, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

1. Dricus du Plessis  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 21-2

Last: W (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, Jan. 20, 2024

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Israel Adesanya

2. Israel Adesanya  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-3

Last: L (UD) vs. Sean Strickland, Sept. 9, 2023

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Dricus du Plessis

3. Sean Strickland  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-6

Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Robert Whittaker  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-7

Last: W (KO1) vs. Ikram Aliskerov, June 22, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Khamzat Chimaev

5. Johnny Eblen  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Record: 15-0

Last: W (SD) vs. Impa Kasanganay, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Nassourdine Imavov  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4, 1 NC

Last: W (TKO4) vs. Jared Cannonier, June 8, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Jared Cannonier  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-7

Last: L (TKO4) vs. Nassourdine Imavov, June 8, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Khamzat Chimaev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-0

Last: W (MD) vs. Kamaru Usman, Oct. 21, 2023

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Robert Whittaker

9. Brendan Allen  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-5

Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Paulo Costa  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4

Last: L (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

1. Belal Muhammad  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 24-3, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Leon Edwards  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-4, 1 NC

Last: L (UD) vs. Belal Muhammad, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Kamaru Usman  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-4

Last: L (MD) vs. Khamzat Chimaev, Oct. 21, 2023

Next: TBD

4. Shavkat Rakhmonov  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-0

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Stephen Thompson, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

5. Jack Della Maddalena  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-2

Last: W (KO3) vs. Gilbert Burns, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Gilbert Burns  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-7

Last: L (KO3) vs. Jack Della Maddalena, March 9, 2024

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Sean Brady

7. Ian Machado Garry  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-0

Last: W (UD) vs. Michael "Venom" Page, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Colby Covington  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-4

Last: L (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

9. Sean Brady  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-1

Last: W (Sub3) vs. Kelvin Gastelum, Dec. 2, 2023

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Gilbert Burns

10. Stephen Thompson  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-7-1

Last: L (Sub2) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

1. Islam Makhachev  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 26-1

Last: W (Sub5) vs. Dustin Poirier, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Arman Tsarukyan  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-3

Last: W (SD) vs. Charles Oliveira, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Charles Oliveira  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 34-10, 1 NC

Last: L (SD) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Justin Gaethje  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 25-5

Last: L (KO5) vs. Max Holloway, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Dustin Poirier  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 30-9, 1 NC

Last: L (Sub5) vs. Islam Makhachev, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Beneil Dariush  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-6-1

Last: L (KO1) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, Dec. 2, 2023

Next: TBD

7. Mateusz Gamrot  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-2, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos, March 9, 2024

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Dan Hooker

8. Rafael Fiziev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-8

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Mateusz Gamrot, Sept. 23, 2023

Next: TBD

9. Dan Hooker  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-12

Last: W (SD) vs. Jalin Turner, July 8, 2023

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Mateusz Gamrot

10. Jalin Turner  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-8

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Renato Moicano, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

MEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

1. Ilia Topuria  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 15-0

Last: W (KO2) vs. Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Max Holloway

2. Alexander Volkanovski  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-4

Last: L (KO2) vs. Ilia Topuria, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Max Holloway  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-7

Last: W (KO5) vs. Justin Gaethje, April 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Ilia Topuria

4. Brian Ortega  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-3, 1 NC

Last: W (Sub3) vs. Yair Rodriguez, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Diego Lopes

5. Yair Rodriguez  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-5, 1 NC

Last: L (Sub3) vs. Brian Ortega, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Patricio Freire  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Record: 36-7

Last: W (TKO3) vs. Jeremy Kennedy, March 22, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Josh Emmett  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-4

Last: W (KO1) vs. Bryce Mitchell, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

8. Movsar Evloev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-0

Last: W (UD) vs. Arnold Allen, Jan. 20, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Arnold Allen  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-3

Last: W (UD) vs. Giga Chikadze, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Aljamain Sterling  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-4

Last: W (UD) vs. Calvin Kattar, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Sean O'Malley  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 18-1, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Marlon Vera, March 9, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Merab Dvalishvili

2. Merab Dvalishvili  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-4

Last: W (UD) vs. Henry Cejudo, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Sean O'Malley

3. Umar Nurmagomedov  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: Unranked

Record: 18-0

Last: W (UD) vs. Cory Sandhagen, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Cory Sandhagen  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 3

Record: 17-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Petr Yan  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 4

Record: 17-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Song Yadong, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Henry Cejudo  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 5

Record: 16-4

Last: L (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Jose Aldo  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 6

Record: 32-8

Last: W (UD) vs. Jonathan Martinez, May 4, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Deiveson Figueiredo  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 9

Record: 24-3-1

Last: W (UD) vs. Marlon Vera, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Patchy Mix  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Previous ranking: 7

Record: 20-1

Last: W (SD) vs. Magomed Magomedov, May 17, 2024

Next: Nov. 16 vs. Leandro Higo

10. Kyoji Horiguchi  

Promotion: Rizin champion

Previous ranking: Unranked

Record: 33-5, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Sergio Pettis, June 9, 2024

MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexandre Pantoja  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 28-5

Last: W (UD) vs. Steve Erceg, May 4, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Brandon Royval  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-7

Last: W (SD) vs. Brandon Moreno, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Brandon Moreno  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-8-2

Last: L (SD) vs. Brandon Royval, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Steve Erceg  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Last: L (UD) vs. Alexandre Pantoja, May 4, 2024

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Kai Kara-France

5. Muhammad Mokaev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-0,1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Manel Kape, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Tatsuro Taira  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-0

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Alex Perez, June 15, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Manel Kape  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-7

Last: L (UD) vs. Muhammad Mokaev, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Alex Perez  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 25-9

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Tatsuro Taira, June 15, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Matheus Nicolau  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-5-1

Last: L (KO1) vs. Alex Perez, April 27, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Tim Elliott  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-13-1

Last: W (TechSub1) vs. Sumudaerji, Dec. 9, 2023

Next: TBD

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Raquel Pennington  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 16-8

Last: W (UD) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, Jan. 20, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Kayla Harrison  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-1

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Holly Holm, April 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 5 vs. Ketlen Vieira

3. Holly Holm  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-7, 1 NC

Last: L (Sub2) vs. Kayla Harrison, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Irene Aldana  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-7

Last: W (UD) vs. Karol Rosa, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Norma Dumont

5. Macy Chiasson  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-3

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Norma Dumont  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-2

Last: W (UD) vs. Germaine de Randamie, April 6, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Irene Aldana

7. Pannie Kianzad  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-8

Last: L (Sub1) vs. Macy Chiasson, March 16, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Karol Rosa  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-6

Last: L (UD) vs. Irene Aldana, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

9. Mayra Bueno Silva  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-4-1, 1 NC

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Macy Chiasson, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Yana Santos  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-8, 1 NC

Last: L (SD) vs. Karol Rosa, July 1, 2023

Next: Aug. 10 vs. Chelsea Chandler

WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexa Grasso  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 16-3-1

Last: Split draw vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Sept. 16, 2023

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Valentina Shevchenko

2. Valentina Shevchenko  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 23-4-1

Last: Split draw vs. Alexa Grasso, Sept. 16, 2023

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Alexa Grasso

3. Manon Fiorot  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-1

Last: W (UD) vs. Erin Blanchfield, March 30, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Erin Blanchfield  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Last: L (UD) vs. Manon Fiorot, March 30, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Taila Santos  

Promotion: PFL

Record: 22-3

Last: W (UD) vs. Liz Carmouche, Aug. 2, 2024

Next: TBD vs. Dakota Ditcheva

6. Liz Carmouche  

Promotion: PFL / Bellator champion

Previous ranking: 5

Record: 22-8

Last: L (UD) vs. Taila Santos, Aug. 2, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Maycee Barber  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 6

Record: 14-2

Last: W (UD) vs. Katlyn Cerminara, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Jessica Andrade  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 7

Record: 26-12

Last: W (SD) vs. Marina Rodriguez, April 13, 2024

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Natalia Silva

9. Rose Namajunas  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 8

Record: 13-6

Last: W (UD) vs. Tracy Cortez, July 13, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Katlyn Cerminara  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 9

Record: 18-6

Last: L (UD) vs. Maycee Barber, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

1. Zhang Weili  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 25-3

Last: W (UD) vs. Yan Xiaonan, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Virna Jandiroba  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-3

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Amanda Lemos, July 20, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Amanda Lemos  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4-1

Last: L (Sub2) vs. Virna Jandiroba, July 20, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Yan Xiaonan  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-4, 1 NC

Last: L (UD) vs. Zhang Weili, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Jessica Andrade  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 6

Record: 26-12

Last: W (SD) vs. Marina Rodriguez, April 13, 2024

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Natalia Silva

6. Marina Rodriguez  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 7

Record: 17-4-2

Last: L (SD) vs. Jessica Andrade, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Mackenzie Dern  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 8

Record: 14-5

Last: W (UD) vs. Loopy Godínez, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Amanda Ribas  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 9

Record: 13-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Rose Namajunas, March 23, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Angela Hill  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 10

Record: 17-13

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Luana Pinheiro, May 18, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Loopy Godínez  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: Unranked

Record: 12-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Mackenzie Dern, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

TEAM USA BASKETBALL: THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EXHIBITION WIN OVER CANADA

ESPN

 Ahead of its quest for a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, Team USA's men's basketball team began its exhibition schedule Wednesday night with an 86-72 win over Canada in Las Vegas.

On the day guard Derrick White replaced forward Kawhi Leonard on the 12-man roster, Team USA hit the court against a talented Canada team projected to medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Following a slow start -- including missing its first six shots -- the Americans clicked in the second quarter as the Canadians went cold from the field. Team USA outscored Canada 16-2 in the paint in the second and carried a 41-33 lead into half.

Despite a run from Canada out of halftime, the U.S. extended its lead throughout the end of the third quarter and the fourth. Four Americans finished in double-digit scoring with Anthony Edwards leading the way with 13 points. Anthony Davis recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Barrett led Team Canada with 12 points.

Team USA will now turn its attention to Australia on Monday when the teams meet in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Before then, what were the biggest takeaways from the win over Canada?

1. Team USA's performance against Canada was _____.

Tim Bontemps: Very encouraging. Team USA did not play well at all -- it committed 17 turnovers and generally looked disjointed, particularly on the offensive side. And yet, Team USA cruised to a double-digit victory over one of its two biggest challengers for the gold medal next month (the other being France). On top of all that, Joel Embiid -- who is still ramping back up after playing through a knee injury in the NBA playoffs -- looked like he had a healthy amount of rust to knock off. This game only reinforces how clearly Team USA is favored over the rest of the field in Paris.

Bobby Marks: A good test. Nothing against Cooper Flagg and the select team, but playing in front of a sellout crowd against a Canadian team featuring Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks was a good test. Team USA did treat the game like an All-Star Sunday, but it seemed like a preview of what should be expected in France.

Dave McMenamin: A blueprint to follow for when the games matter. So long as the U.S. defends and gets out in transition, the fact that this roster had so little time to coalesce ahead of the Olympics shouldn't matter -- it held Canada to 33.7% shooting while racking up 11 steals and 9 blocked shots. By creating so many running opportunities, shot distribution wasn't an issue -- all 10 players who got in took at least four shots, and no player attempted more than 10.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Better than expected. Canada is a formidable opponent with Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray. It would have totally been expected and understandable if Team USA came out rusty after convening a few days before, but it flashed plenty of potential -- offense, defense, size and versatility. We didn't get to see an opponent test Team USA inside because of Canada's lack of size. And it will be interesting to see how the U.S. adjusts when defenses take Stephen Curry's outside shooting away and some of its stars fall into foul trouble (like Embiid fouling out late in the fourth quarter). But for the first outing, Team USA should be pleased.

2. Anthony Edwards' claim as Team USA's No. 1 option was _____.

Bontemps: Something no one with Team USA was concerned with nor took seriously. Edwards said he was happy to come off the bench during that same media session. He looked terrific Wednesday playing as part of a second unit featuring Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum that seemed like it would be a real asset if coach Steve Kerr sticks with it. Edwards already is well known for making bombastic comments, and this was just another one. As Adebayo said Sunday, "Everyone on this team is a No. 1 option."

Marks: Not surprising. Anytime Edwards steps on the court there is a strong belief that he is the best player. The same confidence and swagger he had in the playoff series wins over the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets was on full display in the first half. Team USA came out of the gates disorganized, and it was Edwards' energy along with the second unit that erased an 11-1 start by Canada. Team USA has at least five No. 1 options on this roster, and whether Edwards is starting or coming off the bench, he should be considered one of them.

McMenamin: Missing context. Before Edwards made the declaration, he was asked about the role change in being the Wolves' go-to guy and then likely coming off the bench for Team USA. His point was that just because he might have a substitute spot in the rotation, that doesn't mean it will come with the mindset of demotion. So long as he is on the floor -- no matter the teammates, opponent or location -- Edwards will play with supreme confidence.

Youngmisuk: Him expressing confidence in his skills. Edwards might be the most athletic player on Team USA, and he will almost certainly provide the most electric highlights of the Olympics. He will get shots up, but when games get tight and Team USA needs scoring, especially outside scoring, I still believe Curry will be Kerr's go-to option. The U.S. will need Curry's outside shooting in FIBA-style basketball, and Embiid's ability to be a mismatch also could be a primary option.

3. How will Kawhi Leonard's absence impact Team USA in Paris?

Bontemps: This is nothing against Leonard, one of the best two-way wings of his generation, but I don't anticipate it being that big of an issue. That just speaks to the wealth of talent at coach Steve Kerr's disposal. Team USA now doesn't have Leonard -- but it still has Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards to play on the wings. And it can play any of its three centers -- Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo -- together. Plus, Derrick White is an elite perimeter defender and an excellent off-ball offensive player. In short? This team should be just fine.

Marks: I was surprised Leonard was chosen considering the knee issues he has incurred over his career, including a season-ending right knee injury in the LA Clippers' first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard is an MVP candidate when healthy, but it is hard to see what impact he would have had, especially if there were a minutes restriction in place. The positive is that Grant Hill, managing director for Team USA, quickly found a replacement.

McMenamin: As we learned through Kobe Bryant's impact on the Redeem Team, there's power in a superstar at that level pouring all of his effort into being a defensive stopper and that being contagious throughout the team. Leonard -- one of the fiercest defenders the league has ever seen -- could have filled that role for this team had he been healthy. So, yes, it's a loss. But the choice to replace him with White was pitch perfect. White might not have the stature of a two-time Finals MVP like Leonard, but based on what we've seen from White in Boston, he'll have no problem making defense his top priority.

Youngmisuk: When Leonard is healthy, he is one of the best two-way players in the world. His ability to score from the midrange over any defender, shoot the 3 and then be a lockdown defender with size would have been invaluable. The two-time NBA Finals MVP was never going to be at his peak considering the inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. White's defense on smaller and quick guards and ability to switch will help ease the loss of Leonard, while helping Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards and Bam Adebayo as the team's best defenders. There are going to be games when Team USA needs someone who can stop penetration and cool down a hot opponent while also hitting 3s, though.

4. What should be the starting lineup for Team USA?

Bontemps: Four of the five spots in Wednesday's opener should stay that way for the duration: Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Curry, James and Embiid are the three locks to start; Holiday, arguably the best perimeter defender on the planet, can then guard the opposition's top playmaker while being a fantastic connector offensively. As for the fifth spot, my guess is it's Kevin Durant (currently hurt with a calf injury) who eventually gets the nod over Jayson Tatum (who arrived at camp late).

Marks: I am not going to overreact and say Steve Kerr should shake up the lineup just because of the slow start against Canada. I am sticking with four of Wednesday's starting five (Holiday, Curry, James and Embiid) and replacing Devin Booker with Anthony Edwards. If Team USA does face France in the medal round, Kerr can counter Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert with Embiid and Anthony Davis.

McMenamin: Start with James, Curry and Durant (once he recovers from his calf strain) for obvious reasons. They are the three best players of their generation, and this is their first -- and most likely only -- time teaming up together in the Olympics. Then group them with the two most versatile defenders left on the roster: Holiday in the backcourt and Davis in the frontcourt. Holiday takes the opposing player's principle ball handler; Davis is tasked with patrolling the paint.

Youngmisuk: Holiday, Curry, Tatum, James and Embiid make a lot of sense. Holiday can take on the opposing team's best offensive perimeter threat and help with all the little things, such as offensive rebounding, as well. Curry's outside shooting will be crucial for Team USA's success. Until Durant is able to come back healthy, Tatum should be the starter alongside James. And Embiid can anchor the interior with Davis splitting minutes with him at center off the bench.

- ESPN

MAN CITY LEGAL CHALLENGE EXPOSES PREMIER LEAGUE SPLITS ON SPENDING RULES

Reuters 

An escalating legal fight between the Premier League and its dominant champions, Manchester City, has laid bare simmering tensions among football clubs about the rules that limit spending on players in the sport’s richest competition.

City, which is owned by a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and which has as its main sponsor the emirate’s state-backed airline Etihad, has challenged rules governing associated party transactions — commercial deals between a club and an entity deemed to have links to its owners.

News of the move follows a season in which two Premier League clubs, Everton and Nottingham Forest, were docked points for exceeding permitted losses, while Leicester City faces the prospect of being punished for similar offences when it returns to the division this summer. 

For the growing number of professional investors involved in English football, capped spending is seen as vital to creating a sustainable business model and a thriving competition. Many clubs believe the mechanisms in place are not working but they are deeply divided on what should be done about it. 

Some owners feel that the league’s rules have gone too far and disproportionately penalise ambitious clubs seeking to narrow the gap with the elite. Others argue that without tighter regulation, clubs will keep losing money while state-linked teams such as Manchester City, which recently notched up a record fourth consecutive Premier League title, become ever more unassailable on the pitch.

The split over spending rules adds to a list of challenges facing Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and chair Alison Brittain, who are also dealing with the prospect of a new independent football regulator, pressure to send more money down to lower leagues and a slowdown in the domestic market for broadcast rights that has powered revenue growth for the past 30 years. 

At the league’s annual meeting this week in Harrogate, clubs agreed to trial two new approaches to financial regulation. The squad cost rule will limit spending on players to 85 per cent of revenue, while “anchoring” will link the amount any club can spend to the income of the bottom-ranked team. Both will be tested next season in tandem with existing profit and sustainability regulations. 

This year’s AGM took place two days after news broke that City had launched its legal challenge. The club claims that the current APT rules are anti-competitive and says the system requiring 14 of the league’s 20 clubs to agree on rule changes amounts to a “tyranny of the majority”, according to details of the legal complaint first reported by The Times.

Neither the league nor the club has commented on the matter. 

The move to challenge the rules through an arbitration system, unprecedented since the Premier League was formed more than 30 years ago, comes ahead of a separate hearing in the autumn on 115 charges laid against City by the league last year. Among the accusations is that the club declared inflated sponsorship deals in order to spend more on players. City denies the charges.

In a video interview published on City’s website on Wednesday, chair Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the allegations were “always frustrating”.

“We, as a club, have to respect that there’s a process we have to go through and we are going through it,” he added. “It is taking longer than anyone hoped for, but it is what it is.”

- Josh Noble & Samuel Agini

MAN CITY FANS PARTY AS GUARDIOLA'S DORMIANANT TEAM WINS A RECORD FOURTH STRAIGH PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE

 

AP Photo

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City fans could hardly stand the wait for the final whistle.

Not because they feared a last-minute twist and the unlikeliest of comebacks from West Ham.

The tension during the dying moments of the Premier League season at Etihad Stadium was simply because fans couldn't wait to get the party started after a record fourth straight English top flight title for Pep Guardiola's dominant team.

A 3-1 win on the day made certain of that and soon a sea of light blue shirts flooded the field. Flares and the smell of sulphur filled the air and delirious fans danced, posed for selfies and simply savored the moment - ignoring the futile pleas from the stadium announcer and messaging on the big screens instructing them to return to their seats.

Winning has become a familiar feeling in these parts. And there is no sign of it getting old.

“It feels just as amazing as the first one. We worked so hard for it,” City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said. “It has been a tough battle with Arsenal and Liverpool this year, and you know to be here again doing something historic is amazing.”

Four titles in a row is also six in seven seasons for Guardiola, who has won 17 trophies and counting since heading to the blue half of Manchester in 2016. That number could rise to 18 as soon as next week when City plays Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

In all, Guardiola has won 38 trophies as a coach at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City to strengthen the case for him to be considered the greatest manager of his era. By comparison, Carlo Ancelotti has won 28, including a record four Champions League titles — one more than Guardiola — and the chance to make that five when Real Madrid meets Borussia Dortmund in this year's final of European club soccer's most prestigious competition.

“Everyone in football is in awe of his (Guardiola's) coaching but there is more to it than that," outgoing West Ham manager David Moyes said. “Four in a row is incredible.”

Another question that will be debated long and hard is whether this City team should be considered English soccer's greatest of all time.

No other English team has won four titles in succession. Not during Liverpool's dominant era in the 1970s and 80s - and not during United's in the 90s and 2000s.

That alone sets City apart - and by winning the Champions League last season, it has also completed a full set of major trophies during an era of unprecedented success.

“In terms of numbers, nobody has been better than us - the records, the goals, the points and four in a row,” Guardiola said. “If I land here tomorrow and you say I will win six Premier Leagues in seven years, I would say ‘Are you crazy?’ It’s impossible. We have done something unbelievable.”

Guardiola took over a team that was already among the wealthiest in the world after being bought by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in 2008 and had won two Premier League titles before his arrival. He has gone on to create a near-unstoppable force domestically and continues to hold off the challengers to City's throne.

Arsenal has taken up the fight, previously offered by United and then Liverpool - and pushed City to the wire this season, having fallen away during the run-in a year earlier.

Still, Mikel Arteta's team couldn't quite get over the line and finished two points behind the champion after a 2-1 win against Everton in its final game on Sunday.

Arsenal looks likeliest to push City closest in the coming years, especially now that Jurgen Klopp has stepped down at Liverpool, while Man United looks set for a period of more upheaval.

Whether Arsenal will be able to go one better in the future remains to be seen, given City's financial power to strengthen further and the age of key players like footballer of the year Phil Foden and back-to-back Premier League golden boot-winner Erling Haaland.

“We got the message from Mikel and his players. We have to make the right decisions in the next years because they are here to stay,” Guardiola said. “They are so young and have experience in the Champions League. For two years (they) were close.”

How long Guardiola stays on could have a big bearing on City's continued rule. His contract runs until the end of next season.

The outcome of the 115 charges made against City for alleged financial wrongdoing could also be significant. City denies wrongdoing.

That fight is off the field and still to come.

Right now, as far as City's fans are concerned, another party has only just begun.

SO CLOSE

Arsenal could do no more. A 2-1 win against Everton at Emirates Stadium meant City had to beat West Ham to retain its title. It also meant the Gunners lost just once from the turn of the year to the end of the season.

That 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa proved to be decisive though, giving City an advantage it never relinquished.

“What can I say? I feel sorry for all the Arsenal fans. We gave our best but it wasn’t enough,” Arsenal forward Kai Havertz said. “Maybe in two or three months we can say it was a good fight. Right now I feel like we deserve more.”

Having spent $138 million on Declan Rice and also recruiting Havertz ahead of this season, Arteta will have to weigh up how to improve his team further.

A prolific striker may be his priority, but his team only scored five fewer goals than City and ended with the same goal difference.

“Now we have to be more determined, very courageous, very ambitious, and we need to go to a different level. We need to deliver,” Arteta said.

UNITED PAIN

Manchester United must beat City in Saturday’s FA Cup final to secure European soccer for next season.

Even a 2-0 win over Brighton couldn’t prevent Erik ten Hag’s team from finishing eighth in the standings — United’s lowest in the Premier League era.

“It is not good enough by far,” Ten Hag said. “Although we had less than 60 points two years ago, 58 points, eighth is the worst performance. It is the truth, but we should have done better.”

Newcastle finished seventh, above United on goal difference, after a 4-2 win at Brentford.

Chelsea beat Bournemouth 2-1 and finished sixth in the table, with Moises Caicedo scoring a goal from just past the halfway line.

Mauricio Pochettino has managed to salvage a troubled season by qualifying for Europe, yet his future has become a source of increased speculation.

“That is a question for the owners and the sporting director,” he said.

KLOPP’S FAREWELL

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign ended with a 2-0 win against Wolves.

While his farewell campaign ultimately ended in disappointment as Liverpool’s title bid fizzled out, Klopp’s status as an Anfield and Premier League icon is secure.

The German is standing down after winning a full set of major trophies in more than eight years at the club.

“When you are in it, you forget sometimes how great it is,” Klopp said. “You take it for granted. Now I stand here, I’m just so happy I’m a part of the club’s history. It’s wonderful.”

With Champions League qualification already secured, fourth-place Aston Villa was routed 5-0 at Crystal Palace.

Tottenham, in fifth, ended the season with a 3-0 win at last-place Sheffield United.

LUTON RELEGATED

Luton's relegation was confirmed after a 4-2 loss at home against Fulham.

Nottingham Forest, which was one place above Luton, beat second from bottom Burnley 2-1.

- JAMES ROBSON

HAMILTON 'AT PEACE' WITH CONTROVERSIAL 2021 ABU DHABI GP

Michael Masi (pictured right) has come under further scrutiny after a call he made during the 2020 Eifel GP (pictured left), which involved a safety car. (Images: Fox Sports/Getty Images)

 

 Lewis Hamilton has said he is "at peace" with the controversial outcome of his 2021 championship fight with Max Verstappen even though he felt "robbed" of a record eighth F1 title.

At that year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA race director Michael Masi incorrectly applied F1's rulebook to force a restart on the final lap.

Verstappen dramatically passed Hamilton on that lap to win the race and his first championship.

Hamilton, who has rarely spoken candid about that race, has opened up about it in an interview with GQ Magazine.

"Was I robbed? Obviously," Hamilton said. "I mean, you know the story."

An enduring image of the event was the moment Hamilton shook hands with Verstappen after the race, despite his feelings on how it had ended -- in the heat of the moment the Brit famously told Mercedes over the radio the outcome had been "manipulated."

The broadcast also showed him in a long embrace with his father, Anthony.

Hamilton said he is proud of how he dealt with the result.

"But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me. And we'd gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs.

"And the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, keep your head high. And I obviously went to congratulate Max, and not realising the impact that that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there's a mini-me watching.

"This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it. I didn't know how it was going to be perceived.

"I hadn't, like, visualised it. But I was definitely conscious of: these next 50 metres that I walk is where I fall to the ground and die -- or I rise up."

Asked if he still thinks about the race, he added: "If I see a clip of it, I still feel it, but I'm at peace with it."

Had the outcome been different, Hamilton would have moved clear of the record of seven world championships he shares with Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton has not won an F1 race since the event before that Abu Dhabi finale, the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

- Nate Saunders, General Editor, F1

EGYPTIAN SUPER CUP SEMI-FINAL SETTLED AFTER 34 PENALTIES

It took 34 penalty kicks before Modern Future finally beat Pyramids 14-13 in a nerve-shredding shootout in the Egyptian Super Cup semi-final on Monday after the contest had ended in a 0-0 draw.

Modern Future, who will face either Al Ahly or Ceramica Cleopatra in the final, squandered three spot kicks while Pyramids lost the match after missing a fourth penalty kick at Abu Dhabi's Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Pyramids defender Osama Galal wasted two penalty shots, including the decisive one that sealed victory for Future.

Even though at times it felt that the shootout was never ending, it was well short of the 54 penalties taken when Washington FC beat Bedlington Terriers 25-24 in a local cup match in England last year.

A 2005 Namibian Cup match between KK Palace and Civics featured 48 penalties.

- Reuters 

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