Latest news with #314
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 315 preview roundtable: 5 burning questions about the fate of multiple champions
It's been a decade since the Octagon was dropped into the Bell Centre in Montreal, and this time — with the welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena — we'll find out the fate of two divisions. It's also the return of the queen herself, Valentina Shevchenko, who makes her first title defense in her second reign against Manon Fiorot, and legend Jose Aldo makes the walk for the 23rd time in his storied UFC career. Advertisement Here are the burning questions ahead of UFC 315. A lot rides on Belal Muhammad's performance Saturday night. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) (Richard Sellers - PA Images via Getty Images) 1. UFC's return to Montreal is a big card in terms of stakes. How would you stack up this PPV with what we've seen in 2025? Petesy: I think a lot of people expected the worst when the UFC announced it would be hosting a PPV in Montreal, but I think it's really interesting, especially because the fate of two divisions will be determined from the main event. I loved Merab Dvalishvili and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311, but the late withdrawal of Arman Tsarukyan really took some of the sheen of it. Although Weili Zhang's performance at 312 was great, the two back-to-back decisions made it a long night for European fans in the top two fights. UFC 313 was widely panned, and 314 was the best of the year so far for me, so I'd put it right up there with that. Advertisement There you go, Chuck. You want a headline. How about 'UFC 315 — card of the year!' And people say I'm a pessimist, what a crock of sh … Chuck: What you're describing is a natural escalation of excitement on this year's UFC PPV schedule, Petesy. Each one is better than the last (with the exception of UFC 313, which should be scrubbed from the brainpan). By UFC 323 at the end of the year, we'll be talking about the Card of the Century, and my guess is it'll be headlined by Paddy Pimblett. I like UFC 315 for the same reasons. There is a matchmaking conundrum in this fight card, with Jack Della Maddalena playing the spoiler role. Should he realize his dream and become the UFC's welterweight champion, a few things would happen: A) Australia will once again emerge as a hotbed for MMA, B) Belal Muhammad will instantaneously find himself three fights away from the nearest title (just where the UFC wants him), and C) Islam Makhachev will be seen packing his duffel bag for a trek up to 170 pounds. That's some serious subplot! 2. Does UFC 315 feel bigger given that a very special guest (Islam Makhachev) is standing by, waiting to see if his next opponent comes out of it? Chuck: Touched on this recently (actually, it was a few words ago, just above), but now that we're getting close to the fight it feels like a real thing. Nobody is making a move without some resolution from UFC 315. Islam doesn't know what he's doing, therefore Ilia Topuria doesn't know, therefore ... (go down the list). Advertisement I might've mentioned this before, but I'll do it again here for posterity — this could all be a ploy masterminded by Belal's friend, Islam, to generate a true rooting interest in this weekend's main event. Belal doesn't traditionally bring a rabid fanbase, yet now that he controls the fate of Islam's movements, that all changes. Here's what I think, Petesy: Islam is doing his boy a solid by drawing attention to his first big title defense. Just a theory, just a theory. Petesy: A conspiracy is more like it. But honestly, this subplot has made this event, I think it's the most interesting thing about the card. The cheek of this pound-for-pound great Makhachev picking and choosing who he fights — disgraceful! Kinda has me thinking, though — is he the most powerful fighter on the UFC roster right now? I feel like Jon Jones has been usurped ever since Dana White said Islam was the pound-for-pound king, interesting that it came in the midst of the contract negotiations for the Tom Aspinall fight, but alas, I've made my point. 3. What would UFC prefer: "JDM" winning the title and Makhachev moving up to face him, or Muhammad retaining and Makhachev defending against Ilia Topuria? Petesy: You won't find a bigger JDM fan in the media room than me, Chuck, but let me tell you something — he must be sacrificed for the greater good of the sport, and the sport needs Islam vs. Ilia or Aspinall vs. Jones. Advertisement In my first reply, I said that this might be my favorite fight card of the year so far, but I can safely say that any card with either of those bouts at the top of it would automatically usurp it. They could stack the main card with failed Contender Series candidates, and I'd still feel the same way. So please, JDM, take this one for the team. You're good enough to get another shot down the line. If not for me … do it for the noble sport of MMA. Chuck: If this weekend's UFC form holds true, Della Maddalena has a fantastic chance of destroying all the best-laid plans. We just watched Bo Nickal get thundered by Reinier de Ridder in Des Moines, Iowa, ruining most of tomorrow's parties for a surging commodity. Before that it was Carlos Prates who could've spring-boarded into title talks with a win over Ian Machado Garry. What I'm saying is, we rarely get exactly what we want or expect in the fight game. This is a sport of detours. Just when you think you know the direction of the traffic, somebody comes along and sends you over the pass. In this case, Della Maddalena can become a kind of Rolly Romero figure by declaring the Ilia-Islam superfight DOA. Not that that's his goal. Advertisement His goal is to win and let the chips fall where they may. 4. She's been quietly dominant, but is Manon Fiorot a legit threat to overthrow the queen, Valentina Shevchenko? Chuck: Listen, when the UFC booked Fiorot into that fight with Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City, I felt a little bad for her. She had just been given a homecoming in Paris in her previous fight (against Rose Namajunas), and she basked in the glow of her countrymen in victory … only to get sent to a booze-soaked Boardwalk lousy with Jersey accents? Where everyone would be rooting for New Jersey's own, Blanchfield? Well, we saw what she did. Cold-blooded stuff. Shut Blanchfield down. Rendered her helpless by the end of the first round. Spun her off into an existential crisis, as Blanchfield had never thought she'd need a Plan B. In short, she snatched a piece of Blanchfield's soul along with the zero. Advertisement Can she do that to Shevchenko? (No, seriously, I'm asking you because I don't know). Petesy: I feel I've learned my lesson from the Grasso series and therefore the answer to this question is no. Don't see it. Am I confident about that? No, I'm not. However, when Valentina shows up on Ariel Helwani's show next Monday, I don't want to be covered in the shroud of guilt that I was last time around as she's telling the world that they should feel stupid for picking against her. You know what? I did feel stupid. Maybe I am stupid. But not stupid enough to fall into the same trap again, Chuck. Put the gaff on 'Bullet.' 5. What's the one fight you guarantee will deliver Saturday night in Montreal? Petesy: I would've said Benoit Saint Denis — my jilted pick for 2024's Breakout Fighter of the Year (welp) — versus the second-best Spanish fighter on the planet, Joel Alvarez, but my boy Joel has withdrawn. I gotta say, you asking this question has me doubting my whole 'best card of the year so far' take, so hopefully people don't read this far. Advertisement Seriously though, hypothetical gun to your head, would you say the main and co-main of this card definitely deliver? It would be quite a dilemma. That's why I'm picking Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi. Thanks for crushing my previous optimism with your final question, mate! Chuck: That should be a fun fight. Man, Jose Aldo. Hard to believe the swing bout features a guy who came out as a picture of invincibility in front of 55,000 strong just down the road in Toronto at UFC 129 some 14 years ago. I'll go with the Charlie Radtke vs. Mike Malott fight. Radtke goes in there set on destruction mode, and Malott is fighting in front of his country faithful. My guess is this adds up to something wild. And you know they will be sloshing around in whatever blood that Jasmine Jasudavicius just spilled (poor Jessica Andrade), so it'll seem twice as nasty.
Eyewitness News
24-04-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
Lotto results: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Lotto Lotto Plus Lotto results Picture: Dylan Nolte/Unsplash JOHANNESBURG - The winning results from the Lotto draw on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, are: Lotto: 01, 05, 22, 31, 34, 44 B: 33 Lotto Plus 1: 03, 12, 21, 30, 39, 45 B: 31 Lotto Plus 2: 03, 05, 28, 32, 43, 51 B: 12 For more information, visit the National Ithuba website. #DrawResults for 23/04/25 are:#LOTTO: 01, 05, 22, 31, 34, 44#B: 33#LOTTOPLUS1: 03, 12, 21, 30, 39, 45#B: 31#LOTTOPLUS2: 03, 05, 28, 32, 43, 51#B: 12 Players must be 18 years or older, play responsibly. ITHUBA is the proud operator of the National Lottery. — #PhandaPushaPlay (@sa_lottery) April 23, 2025 Here are #dividends for the #LOTTO draw on (23/04/25)!You have another chance to win the rollover jackpot! Players must be 18 years or older, play responsibly. ITHUBA is the proud operator of the National Lottery. — #PhandaPushaPlay (@sa_lottery) April 23, 2025 Here are #dividends for the #LOTTOPLUS 1 draw on (23/04/25)!We have a jackpot winner of R13,314,022! Players must be 18 years or older, play responsibly. ITHUBA is the proud operator of the National Lottery. — #PhandaPushaPlay (@sa_lottery) April 23, 2025 Here are #dividends for the #LOTTOPLUS 2 draw on (23/04/25)!You have another chance to win the rollover jackpot! Players must be 18 years or older, play responsibly. ITHUBA is the proud operator of the National Lottery. — #PhandaPushaPlay (@sa_lottery) April 23, 2025
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
South Carolina man arrested and charged after driving through accident zone in Greenbrier County
GREENBRIER COUNTY, WV (WVNS) — A South Carolina man was arrested and charged with a DUI after driving through an accident zone in Greenbrier County. According to a criminal complaint, David M. Figueroa, of South Carolina, was arrested on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, after reportedly driving through an accident zone in the Maxwelton area of Greenbrier County while intoxicated. Beckley man identified as worker killed on I-77, one man arrested and charged The criminal complaint stated that members of the West Virginia State Police responded to a car accident on U.S. Route 219 at around 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The roadway near the accident was closed by police cars and firetrucks on the northbound side, and the southbound side was left open to allow emergency responders access to the scene. A member of the West Virginia State Police reportedly heard firefighters and officers yelling stop when they saw a white truck, later known to be driven by Figueroa, speeding on the southbound lane towards the cars involved in the prior accident. The criminal complaint stated that the truck did not slow down, resulting in officers and firefighters jumping out of the way, before the truck ran over a door that was removed to get the driver out of one of the cars. Figueroa reportedly ignored the emergency vehicles blocking the roadway, as well as traffic, before running over the door. Figueroa was removed from the truck by a member of the West Virginia State Police and taken to a nearby police car where he was asked if he was drinking. According to the complaint, Figueroa admitted to having three beers, and troopers could smell alcohol on him. Two people face felony charges in Fayette County Field sobriety tests (FSTs) were carried out, which Figueroa failed, and was then given a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), where he was found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.210. Figueroa was arrested, his car was towed, and he was taken to the Greenbrier County Sheriff's Office for another chemical test. The criminal complaint also stated that Figueroa was informed about the West Virginia Implied Consent Statement, which he agreed to and signed at around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2025. According to the criminal complaint, Figuero was told about, and signed, WVSP Form 78,314 at approximately 1:29 a.m. His BAC reportedly showed 0.181 at about 1:26 a.m. and 0.196 at around 1:49 a.m. Figueroa was charged with First Offense DUI and was taken to the Lewisburg Detachment of the West Virginia State Police for livescan and processing, before being taken to Southern Regional Jail until he is arraigned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
11-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Justin Gaethje hopes 'old guard holds up' and Michael Chandler beats Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314
Justin Gaethje is rooting for Michael Chandler at UFC Bellator champion and ex-UFC title challenger Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) meets Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday's five-round lightweight co-headliner (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Kaseya Center in beat Chandler in a Fight of the Year barnburner at UFC 268 in November 2021. He broke down the keys to victory for Pimblett."I think try to initiate the grappling early and get him tired," Gaethje told The Schmo. "That way, in the end of Round 2 and all of Round 3, you can get to the grappling. He's got very good grappling and very good submissions, so obviously Chandler needs to avoid that. But I think get him tired. Get in a couple scrambles, let him take you down a couple times, and trust in your ability to not get submitted, get back up, and fight for three rounds."Gaethje later found out that the fight is five rounds, not three. While he was advising Pimblett on how to wear Chandler down, he'd actually like to see his former rival prevail."Then definitely let him take you down," Gaethje said. "Two times, three times in the first round. I hope Chandler wins. I like Chandler. I don't dislike Chandler. I hope that the old guard holds up, keeps these young, hungry kids out for as long as possible, so we'll see. I hope Chandler wins – crazy game."RelatedUFC 314 video: Michael Chandler, Paddy Pimblett have playful faceoff at press conferenceMichael Chandler considers Paddy Pimblett fight 'The People's Main Event' of UFC 314Daniel Cormier explains why Michael Chandler under most pressure at UFC 314Charles Oliveira explains how Paddy Pimblett will be hard for Michael Chandler to beatFor more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Justin Gaethje hopes 'old guard holds up' and Michael Chandler beats Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC 314 Fight Card Odds And Predictions: Bryce Mitchell Vs. Jean Silva
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: (L-R) Opponents Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva face off during the UFC ... More 314 press conference at Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) This weekend's UFC 314 fight card is stacked. At the top of the pay-per-view event is a featherweight battle between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and the fast-rising Diego Lopes. The winner of that contest takes home the vacant UFC featherweight title. Meanwhile, in the co-main event of UFC 314, Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett face off in a pivotal lightweight matchup. Before the headlining bouts is an important 145-pound meeting between Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva. UFC 314 takes place on Saturday, April 12, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Below, we look at the picks, predictions, and betting odds for the UFC 314 fight card Mitchell vs. Silva matchup. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Bryce Mitchell is seen on stage during the UFC 314 press conference at ... More Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Bryce Mitchell (17-2) was 9-0 and coming off a defense of the V3 Fights featherweight title when Mitchell appeared on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. Mitchell defeated Jay Cucciniello in the opening round of that competition, but Brad Katona submitted Mitchell in the semifinals. Despite that (exhibition) loss, the UFC signed Mitchell to a contract. Mitchell opened his UFC career with six wins, including a December 2019 twister submission victory over Matt Sayles. Mitchell broke into the official UFC rankings during that winning streak with a decision win over Charles Rosa on the UFC 249 early prelims. That victory put him at No. 15 in the UFC's featherweight division. Mitchell climbed to No. 9 in those rankings with decision triumphs over Andre Fili and Edson Barboza. He held that ranking and a perfect 15-0 record when he stepped into the Octagon in December 2022 to face the No. 14 ranked Ilia Topuria, who was 4-0 in the UFC at the time. Topuria put the first blemish on Mitchell's record, submitting him at 3:10 of the first round. Following the loss to Topuria, Mitchell bounced back with a September 2023 decision over Dan Ige. Mitchell returned to the loss column in his next outing. In that contest, Josh Emmett scored a nasty first-round knockout win over Mitchell, which left Mitchell out cold for an unsettling amount of time. Following the loss to Emmett, Mitchell wisely took off for almost a full calendar year. When he returned to action in December 2024, he scored a knockout win over Kron Gracie at UFC 310, the same card when Topuria defended the UFC featherweight title. Heading into UFC 314, Mitchell might be best known for claiming on his podcast, '…I honestly think Hitler was a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education indoctrination.' Mitchell was booed during the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference. His first public appearance since making that statement. Today, Mitchell is the No. 13 ranked UFC featherweight. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Jean Silva is seen on stage during the UFC 314 press conference at ... More Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) A member of The Fighting Nerds team out of Brazil, Jean Silva (15-2) joined the UFC in September 2023 when he scored a UFC contract thanks to a decision win over Kevin Vallejos on a Dana White's Contender Series card. Silva extended his winning streak to eight straight with his win over Vallejos. Vallejos, who signed with the UFC following a 2024 DWCS win, is the last fighter to go the distance with Silva. Since his DWCS win, Silva has picked up four knockout victories and two fight-night bonus awards. Silva is coming off a February first-round knockout win over Melsik Baghdasaryan. Before that, he defeated UFC veteran Drew Dober at lightweight. I wrote of that win, "Jean Silva took a chance. After knocking out Charles Jourdain in late June, the 27-year-old moved up to lightweight to face hard-hitting Drew Dober on the main card of UFC Denver. That chance paid off when Silva picked up a third-round TKO win over Dober. "Silva might not have had the power of his opponent, but he had a speed advantage and the ability to counter Dober well. Silva's spinning techniques and elbows did a lot of damage, leaving Dober with a massive gash over his right eyebrow, which led to the fight being stopped late in the third stanza. 'Silva is 3-0 since he joined the UFC with all his wins coming by knockout. Each of those victories has come in 2024.' During the UFC 314 press conference, Silva seemed to get under Mitchell's skin, first by bringing a globe to the event to poke fun at Mitchell's flat earth beliefs and then by leading a profane chant against his opponent. Silva does not appear in the UFC rankings. A win over Mitchell at UFC 314 will change that. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: (L-R) Opponents Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva face off during the UFC ... More 314 press conference at Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) When the opening odds were announced for this UFC 314 contest, Silva opened as a -450 betting favorite over the +350 Mitchell. Today, Silva is listed at -240, while Mitchell is a +205 betting underdog. *Odds via BetOnline UFC Fight Card Schedule For April 2025: Including UFC 314 Age: 30 Height: 5' 10' Reach: 70' Stance: Southpaw Age: 28 Height: 5' 7' Reach: 69' Stance: Orthodox UFC 314 Fight Card: Date, Time, Location, How To Watch Or Stream LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Jean Silva is seen on stage during the UFC 314 press conference at ... More Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) The easy thing to do with this fight would be to look at how Josh Emmett destroyed Bryce Mitchell. The problem with that is that it discounts Emmett's wrestling skills. In that loss, Mitchell did not attempt a takedown for the first time in his career. One reason for that might have been that the fight lasted under two minutes. Another reason might have been because Emmett is a good wrestler and Mitchell respected his wrestling and his power. Don't expect Mitchell to worry about Silva's takedown defense. With that being said, Silva has stopping power in his strikes. If Mitchell gets sloppy or gives Silva an opening, he will land damaging blows. Let's not forget that each of his UFC fights have ended via knockout. Silva needs to be aware of Mitchell's takedown attempts and superb ground skills, while looking to exploit Mitchell's not great striking game. If he can do that, Silva should have success, and with each round starting on the feet, Silva will have the opportunity to do damage. The betting pick is Silva to win via knockout, but there is betting value in picking Mitchell to win via submission. UFC 314 Fight Card Odds And Predictions: Rodriguez Vs. Freire We will have more on UFC 314 Mitchell vs. Silva scrap as fight night nears, as well as live results, reactions, highlights and more for the UFC 314 pay-per-view card on fight night.
