UAE THREATEN TO CUT UK INVESTMENT OVER MAN CITY GUILTY VERDICT

 

October 5 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned the UK government that it could cancel major investment into the country following the guilty verdict against Manchester City over financial breaches of the Premier League rules. 

Last week, the Premier League confirmed that the club had broken the financial rules between 2009 and 2018, but according to Bloomberg and the Daily Telegraph, the UAE have said the actions by the Premier League would “have an influence on the bilateral state relationship”. 

The UAE is also threatening to withdraw a multibillion-pound investment in a Silicon Valley-style Oxbridge tech hub. The Gulf country has spent more than £30 billion investing in major sectors in the UK, including defense, life sciences and technology. Later this month, the two nations meet at an investment summit. 

In response to the guilty verdict, Andy Burnham had first expressed ‘concern’ over losing Abu Dhabi as owners, pointing to their ‘track record’ of helping Manchester develop as a city, but number 10 later, through a spokesperson, clarified his comments saying that “if wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.”

The Premier League said an independent commission found City arranged “sham” commercial deals with a number of its sponsors, which were part of a “a disguised funding scheme”. The club inflated its financial results by more than £900 million. 

The commission also called witnesses “dishonest”.

The ruling is a major blow to City and its Emirati owners, who came to power at the club in 2008 and built a footballing empire in a bid to not just win title and trophies but project the soft power of the United Arab Emirates. The club is led chairman by Khaldoon Al Mubarak and ultimate owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the brother of the UAE’s ruler. 

City have maintained their innocence and lodged an appeal last Friday, saying that the commission’s ruling contained “clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe”.

- Samindra Lunti

SCOTTISH FA WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

Getty Images 

The Scottish Football Association has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino and will not be voting for his re-election as president of Fifa, chief executive Ian Maxwell has told BBC Sport.

Infantino is under increasing pressure over his attempt, later abandoned, to create a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cups, with 21% to be sold off to a private investment company.

Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) was aborted after widespread criticism from several confederations, led by Uefa, which has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions.

"The position of the SFA has been clear since the 55 Uefa associations met," said Maxwell, speaking as he announced Belgian Sebastian Pocognoli as the new Scotland head coach.

"We have aligned ourselves with the Uefa position and 55 nations are stronger than one voice.

"Their statement since then has talked about a lack of confidence in the Fifa leadership and the Scottish FA agree completely with that decision.

"The SFA will not be voting for Gianni Infantino come the re-election in early 2027."

Maxwell rejected the suggestion that the SFA had previously failed to publicly state it no longer supported Infantino because its president, Mike Mulraney, heads up the Fifa finance committee.

The Football Associations of England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have already declared they have withdrawn support for Infantino, who is scheduled to stand for a fourth term as president in March.

'A profound lack of judgement'

Last week, Fifa and Infantino were accused of breaking trust "through deception", in an open letter issued by Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.

The letter, signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the three regional governing bodies, said recent controversy over the FFE proposal was fundamentally about "the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it".

While the statement did not name Infantino, sources have told BBC Sport that it should be seen as an opportunity for him to resign and leave his position with dignity.

Fifa has committed to presenting a report on FFE to the next meeting of the Fifa council, which is expected to take place in October.

The three confederations said this failed to "recognise that proper governance in the face of such a profound lack of judgement would require that such a review be conducted by a fully independent third party".

It also underlined a legal warning made by Uefa that Fifa should not delete or destroy any documents related to the abandoned plans.

BBC Sport understands that there have been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions, should Infantino remain in situ. However, substantive talks are yet to begin, according to others.

At present there is no candidate who has put their name forward to stand against Infantino, before a 18 November deadline.

Very difficult to predict who has the upper hand

The football world appears to have been split down the middle by the issue, with the confederations of Africa, South American and Oceania having backed Infantino.

But even within confederations, there is disagreement and it makes it very difficult to predict whether Infantino or his opponents have the upper hand in this battle.

In Oceania, which has 11 member associations, New Zealand has said it will not follow the confederation and vote for him.

Mexico, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis have broken away from the other 32 Concacaf nations to support the Fifa president.

Of the 46 Asian confederations members, so far eight countries have split to champion Infantino's cause - the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Mongolia, the Philippines and Bhutan.

The Fifa Council, on which there are 36 confederation and national association heads plus Infantino, seems similarly split.

It raises questions about whether Infantino has the political power to govern Fifa, even if he wins an election of the 211 member associations.

The first test of Uefa's threat is just over three weeks away, when the Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup is set to kick off. It is being hosted by Poland and features five other European nations, including England.

- Dale Johnson and Chris McLaughlin

REAL MADRID REACH €74M SHIRT SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

Real Madrid are set for a fresh boost to their coffers next season, as a result of a renewed shirt sponsorship agreement. Los Blancos have been in partnership with United Arab Emirates airline Fly Emirates for the past past 15 years, and are set to extend their partnership to two decades.

On Tuesday, Real Madrid announced that they had reached an agreement with Fly Emirates for another five years, with their agreement now ending in 2031. They announced that their partnership was build on excellence, ambition and a shared vision of the future.

Real Madrid earnings from Fly Emirates deal

Image via Real Madrid CF

It has been reported by Marca that the deal will be worth around €74m per annum to Los Blancos, making it the most lucrative shirt sponsorphip deal in the game. Yet Diario AS confirm that it could be worth even more, and could be around €70-80m per season. In total, combined with the shirt sleeve sponsorship and Adidas, Real Madrid will be raking in around €100m each year until 2031 as things stand.

Real Madrid released new home kit last week

Image via Real Madrid CF

Last week Real Madrid released their first home kit with pink trim for five years, with the Adidas stripes sporting an unusually bright colour, compared the usual gold or black. Los Blancos certainly got an important marketing boost with the visit of the Pope, who declared that he was a Real Madrid fan during his stay in the Spanish capital over the weekend.

Following that, Real Madrid put a series of limited edition ‘Leon the 19th’ shirts on sale for €195 over recent days. Pope Leo also visited the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday evening, following a series of concerts, and was presented with a shirt by President Florentino Perez, with the name Robert F. Prevost on the back.

- Ruairidh Barlow

NEW ZEALAND VS. UAE | T20 WORLD CUP HIGHLIGHTS | 2026

 

MATCH 19 | PAKISTAN VS. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | ASIA CUP 2025

 

PICTURED: MICHAIL ANTONIO TRAINS IN DUBAI FOR A RETURN TO FOOTBALL, TWO MONTHS AFTER CAR CRASH WHICH BROKE HIS LEG AND LEFT HIM FEARING FOR HIS LIFE

• Antonio was involved in a car accident in December which saw him break his leg

• The West Ham striker is currently completing a training programme in Dubai 

• LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Will Liverpool recover from Everton blow in season-defining week?

West Ham forward Michail Antonio has stepped up his recovery from a horrific car crash with a 12 day warm-weather rehabilitation programme in Dubai.

The Jamaica international was involved in a deeply concerning car accident in December which saw him escape with a broken leg.

The images of the wreckage raised major fears for Antonio's long-term well-being.

But the 34-year-old is now on the road to recovery and is currently in Dubai completing a training programme ahead of a potential return.

Antonio is said to be making positive and steady progress during the programme in the United Arab Emirates.

After the crash, Antonio needed to be released from his car after becoming trapped during the incident on December 7 in Epping, Essex, and was taken to a central London hospital.

He was eventually operated on after suffering a lower leg fracture.

On New Year's Eve, Antonio posted on social media: 'Every year around this time, I'm asked what I'm grateful for, and every year I've struggled to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I'm grateful for: being alive.

'I've spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed. I've seen close friends pass away, witnessed others face near-death experiences, and even then I didn't fully grasp just how precious life is,' Antonio said.

'What I've been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters. I'm so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.'

- SAMI MOKBEL

NEYMAR MAKES AL HILAL RETURN AFTER 12-INJURY LAYOFF

Neymar has made his first appearance in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench in the second half of Al Hilal's AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.

The Brazil star replaced Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, just after Salem Al Dawsari had scored to put Al Hilal 5-3 ahead. He nearly made an instant impact, exchanging passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create space before firing his shot just wide of the left-hand post.

The game finished 5-4 to Al Hilal after the United Arab Emirates-based Al Ain scored a last-gasp penalty to narrow the scoreline.

On the pitch after the full-time whistle, Neymar said: "I feel good... I always have a good team. I'm so happy. I'm back! I'm back!

The former Paris Saint-Germain player suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during Brazil's qualifier against Uruguay shortly after joining the Saudi Pro League (SPL). He underwent surgery last November.

Neymar had joined the Al Hilal in August 2023 from PSG in a €90 million transfer, but played just five games before suffering the injury.

Neymar made his first appearance in over a year for Al Hilal. Francois Nel/Getty Images

Neymar's former club Santos congratulated the player on his return in a post on X.

"It was more than 12 months away from the field, with an immeasurable longing to return to doing what he loves so much," the Brazilian club wrote.

"Neymar is not just a star. It's not just genius. Neymar is synonymous with joy in football. His return is the happiness of millions of fans around the world. And, when it comes to fans, the Santos nation has an incomparable feeling. A more than special bond with the best Brazilian player of recent years."

The forward, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, missed the 2024 Copa América that was won by Argentina.

He is eligible to play in the AFC Champions League as there are no restrictions on the number of foreign players. However, he will only be able to be registered in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season.

SPL teams have limits to the number of foreign players that can be registered.

Eight foreign players born before 2003 can be registered for the squad, while the rules allow for two foreign players born in 2003 or after. Neymar's contract with Al Hilal expires in June 2025.

Saudi champions Al Hilal, coached by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, lead the domestic standings having won all seven of their games.

Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF), meanwhile, are hopeful of having Neymar available in time for the November World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Brazil are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, four points adrift of leaders Argentina after 10 games.

- Adriana Garcia

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

HERNÁN CRESPO EXACTS REVENGE ON AL HILAL AS AL AIN REACH AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Al Ain are through to the 2023-24 AFC Champions League decider after Hernán Crespo masterminded an impressive 5-4 aggregate victory in the semifinals over tournament favourites Al Hilal. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

 Last February, with Al Hilal looming ominous in their charge towards what would end in a record-extending fourth AFC Champions League title, one team looked a legitimate chance to stop them in the semifinals.

Al Duhail, who had racked up five wins and 17 goals in the group stage and then saw Al Rayyan and Al Shabab in the previous stages of the knockout round, seemed a match for Al Hilal.

It proved anything but as Al Hilal produced a stunning performance to inflict a humbling 7-0 defeat on their Qatari opponents and their shellshocked coach Hernán Crespo.

Crespo will not have fond memories of that ill-fated evening in Doha and -- having taken over at United Arab Emirates' Al Ain since leaving Al Duhail in October -- he might have been forgiven for feeling a sense of unease after his new team's impressive run in this year's ACL saw him once again pitted against Al Hilal in the semis.

An Al Hilal outfit that has only gotten stronger this season following the huge government-backed investment in four of the Saudi Pro League's powerhouses.

While the previous Al Hilal iteration which Crespo had to deal with was already formidable enough with the likes of Odion Ighalo, Moussa Marega and André Carrillo to call upon, the current team boasts genuine world-class names -- at the peak of their powers no less -- in the form of Aleksandar Mitrović, Rúben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinković-Savić, even if the biggest star of all in Neymar is missing through injury.

It was a far different story in last season's AFC Champions League for Hernán Crespo -- then in charge of Qatar's Al Duhail -- as his side were handed a humbling 7-0 semifinal loss by Al Hilal. Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

But, with a stunning display in last week's first leg, Al Ain turned the tie on its head by claiming a shock 4-2 win after racing to a three-goal lead inside the opening 38 minutes.

The situation would have been even more dire for Al Hilal had they not pulled a second goal back late on.

Yet, it would prove a bridge too far for Al Hilal as Al Ain did enough with a 2-1 loss in Tuesday's return encounter to seal a 5-4 aggregate triumph and a place in next month's final.

Especially after the humbling 7-0 loss with Al Duhail, this result went some way in providing redemption for Crespo, the former Argentina star striker who has quietly gone about establishing his managerial career in South America and now Asia.

Leading Defensa y Justicia to a maiden continental title in the Copa Sudamericana in 2020 was followed with a state league triumph in Brazil with São Paulo, while he also led Al Duhail to the treble of the Qatar Stars League, Qatar Cup and Qatari Stars Cup.

After missing out of the AFC Champions League proper in the past two seasons, Al Ain have done remarkably well to reach the final for the first time since 2016 -- and at the expense of defending champions Al Hilal no less. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Still, Crespo could just better all those achievements should he be able to take Al Ain one step further and win the ACL.

After all, while Al Ain have been crowned champions of Asia previously in 2003, they have not enjoyed the best of times on the continental stage recently.

They failed to make it out of the group stage in their previous two appearances, while missing out on the competition proper completely in the past two editions.

It has not been just Al Ain but all of Emirati football that has struggled of late, as the West Asia Zone of the ACL has found itself dominated by teams from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar in the last few years.

Prior to this campaign, no team from United Arab Emirates managed to make it further than the quarterfinals since Al Ain themselves last reached the last four in 2016.

Now, they can lay claim to once again being the best of the West.

And if Crespo can continue to get the best out his charges, a run that has already seen them oust two giants -- having also accounted for another Saudi Pro League powerhouse in Al Nassr back in the quarterfinals -- could just culminate in Al Ain becoming kings of Asia once again for the first time in over two decades.

- Gabriel Tan

FROM HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH TO POTENTIAL UPSETS: LOOKING AHEAD TO THE ASIAN CUP ROUND OF 16

South Korea's surprise runners-up finish in Group E means they now face a daunting clash with fellow powerhouses Saudi Arabia in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup round of 16. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

 In the blink of an eye, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is now down to the knockout round.

Two weeks of riveting group-stage action has delivered a last 16 with plenty of usual suspects but also a handful of surprise high-fliers.

There will be no more second chances with teams needing to win four matches on the trot from now till Feb. 10 if they are to be crowned champions of Asia.

Here, we look ahead at the storylines each round of 16 tie has produced.

Australia vs. Indonesia (Jan. 28)

Appearing at the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 2007, Indonesia were the final team to scrape through to the round of 16 but face a massive test in the form of Australia on Sunday. KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

A real David vs. Goliath clash if there ever was one, with Australia placed 25th in the world while Indonesia are now the lowest-ranked team in the competition in 146th following the elimination of Hong Kong.

Making their first Asian Cup appearance since they co-hosted the tournament in 2007, Indonesia reaching the knockout round has been nothing short of a fairy tale -- but surely they could do the unthinkable?

They gave a decent account of themselves in defeats to Iraq and Japan with their sole victory thus far coming against regional rivals Vietnam, which means they are yet to cause a major upset.

This is far from the strongest outfit Australia have fielded at recent Asian Cups but they are still a formidable side that will be expected to negotiate their way past this test, even if the jury is still out on whether they have what it takes to go all the way and win a second crown.

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD AS PALESTINE MAKE HISTORY BY REACHING ASIAN CUP KNOCKOUT ROUND

Getty 

 Heading into Tuesday's Group C action at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Palestine knew they had plenty to do -- and then hope for -- if they were to be certain of making history by advancing out of the group stage for the first time ever.

They needed to beat Hong Kong, hope for an Iran triumph over United Arab Emirates, and erase a five-goal deficit between them and the Emiratis in the process.

In the end, they came up just short in that aspect.

Yet, for all the endeavour and valour they displayed, they got their reward in the end.

With two goals from Oday Dabbagh and one from Zaid Qunbar, they held up their end of the bargain with a dominant 3-0 win over Hong Kong and it initially looked as though the original scenario was indeed somehow going to eventuate with Iran leading UAE by two goals.

But a 93rd-minute strike from Yahya Al-Ghassani meant the Iranians would only be able to pull off a 2-1 victory.

With UAE and Palestine level on four points and having played out a draw in their own meeting -- negating head-to-head record as a tie breaker -- the former would finish in second place ahead of the latter on goal difference by a solitary strike.

Originally, the Palestinians would have faced a nervous wait to find out if they would advance as one of the four best-performing third-placed teams.

Nonetheless, with Groups A and B already concluded, and with Syria and China both ranking lower in the third-place team standings, Palestine's progress was confirmed.

In the end, they had their own sense of adventure to thank given the way they constantly looked to score more and more against Hong Kong.

Just a win was not enough for them. They knew they had to give themselves as much of a chance and they duly did just that.

With Palestine and Syria both on four points -- and China out of the equation with just two -- it was the fact that the former had scored five goals ensured there would be at least two teams below them, with the Syrians boasting just one goal to their names.

It proved to be an evening of real drama as it seemed at times that fate just would not be on Palestine's side, while they also did ride their luck a fair bit.

 Iran twice had goals disallowed upon VAR review which would have given them a far healthier margin of victory than they had via a Mehdi Taremi double, and would have guaranteed the runners-up spot for the Palestinians.

Palestine did however look certain to concede against Hong Kong in injury-time of their own game, only for Everton Camargo to smash a penalty off the crossbar and inadvertently preserve a three-goal triumph for the West Asian outfit.

Ultimately, perhaps it was a case of fortune favouring the brave.

Having only made their Asian Cup debut in 2015, Palestine are now through to the knockout round for the first time in three attempts -- and they certainly did so because they gave it a real go.

Whatever they go on to achieve from here, the 2023 edition of the Asian Cup will always be one to remember for them.

- Gabriel Tan 

CRISTIANO RONALDO WINS FIRST TITLE WITH AL NASSR WITH BRACE IN ARAB CLUB CHAMPIONS CUP FINALS

Reuters 

Cristiano Ronaldo guided 10-man Al-Nassr to their first ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win over fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal on Saturday.

Ronaldo failed to land a trophy last season after his move to Al-Nassr, who finished runners-up in the Saudi Pro League, but the 38-year-old scored six times in the tournament to finish as its top scorer en route to the title.

The tournament is played by top Arab clubs in the region and included teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.

The star-studded Al-Nassr side had many chances to score in the first half with close season signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic all denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.

The game at King Fahd Sports City stadium remained scoreless until six minutes into the second half when Al-Hilal's Malcom crossed the ball and found fellow Brazilian Michael, who put his side ahead with a free header.

To rub salt into their wounds, the 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo goal celebration as he ran to the corner flag and leapt into the air.

That seemed to fire up Ronaldo and the Portugal captain equalised in the 74th minute when he got on the end of a low cross from right back Sultan Al-Ghannam to score for a fifth game in a row.

Al-Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri was sent off in the second half before Nawaf Boushal was given his marching orders while on the bench for arguing with an official, but they held on to take the game to extra time.

Ronaldo then doubled the lead in the first half of extra time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed home with the goalkeeper off his line.

There were concerns, however, when Ronaldo was carted off the field with an apparent injury after a collision in the second period of extra time -- just two days before their Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Ettifaq.

- Reuters 

MANCHESTER CITY OWNER SHEIKH MANSUR PICTURED AT FIRST GAME IN 13 YEARS

PA Images

Manchester City Owner Sheikh Mansour Pictured At First Game In 13 Years

ROBERT SUMMERSCALES5 HOURS AGO

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour attended his first proper game in 13 years on Saturday night.

Mansour, who is the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, had not been seen at a competitive City match since visiting the Etihad Stadium to witness a 3-0 win over Liverpool in August 2010.

Since then, he had only seen his team live in two exhibition games in Abu Dhabi.

But Mansour flew to Istanbul by private jet to see City make history by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final."

 "A 68th-minute strike by Spanish midfielder Rodri saw City complete a famous treble by adding European glory to their earlier domestic triumphs in the Premier League and FA Cup.

Mansour wore a blue and white City scarf as he sat in the executive seating area at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium close to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin."

 City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was also at the final.

 - Robert Summerscales

OMAR ABDULRAHMAN: THE NEXT BIG THING? | SKILLS

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