Latest news with #Champi
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pimblett targeting Topuria or Gaethje fight in October
Paddy Pimblett says he would love to fight Ilia Topuria in Abu Dhabi in October but his opponent is most likely to be Justin Gaethje. Liverpool's Pimblett earned a statement win over Michael Chandler last month before calling for his next bout to be against an opponent ranked in the top five. Spain's Topuria faces Brazil's Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt at UFC 317 on 28 June after former champion Islam Makhachev vacated his belt to move up to welterweight. American Gaethje doesn't have a fight booked and is third in the UFC's lightweight rankings - five places above Pimblett. The UFC usually hosts a numbered event in Abu Dhabi in October but a potential date for this year's show is yet to be set. "I'm hoping to fight in Abu Dhabi in October. I think that's when I'm going to be back in the cage," Pimblett told BBC Sport. "I was thinking Ilia might call me out if he wins [against Oliveira]. I'd love to beat him if he gets the belt. "I'd love to fight him anyway but he's booked, so I think it's more than likely Justin Gaethje." Pimblett has history with former featherweight champion Topuria after the pair clashed at a hotel before UFC London in 2022. Topuria, 28, vacated his belt earlier this year to move up to lightweight, opening the door to a potential fight with Pimblett. Gaethje, meanwhile, last fought in March with a win over Rafael Fiziev - and with 20 knockouts from 26 bouts, he remains one of the most popular fighters on the roster. With fourth-ranked Max Holloway facing fifth-ranked Dustin Poirier on 19 July, the only other fighter without a fight booked in the top five is Armenia's Arman Tsarukyan, who Pimblett has no interest in. "No one [cares] about Arman Tsarukyan and people actually want to watch Gaethje fight. People know it'll be an exciting fight, me versus Gaethje," said Pimblett. "Tsarukyan, he's just an absolute tool, and then it's me and Gaethje. "One win away and I'll be fighting for the belt. Yeah, that's always been the aim. It's the only aim that we have." Since his UFC debut in 2021 Pimblett has won all seven fights and grown into one of the most popular fighters in the promotion. Pimblett has long wanted to headline a show in his hometown Liverpool but the UFC hasn't held an event in the city since 2018, instead choosing to put shows on in London and Manchester. Because Liverpool's biggest arena, the M&S Bank Arena, only has a capacity of 11,000, Pimblett has suggested Premier League champions Liverpool's stadium Anfield as a potential venue. UFC president Dana White, however, has often opted against hosting shows in stadiums, citing a lack of atmosphere and potential rain as the reasons why. Pimblett has suggested White should visit Anfield to watch a Liverpool game to change his mind. "It needs to be Anfield. That's the only the only viable place to do it. And I know Dana doesn't like doing stadiums, he's done it in Australia, but Anfield is different," said Pimblett. "He needs to come to Anfield on a Champions League night or when we play Manchester United or something like that, or even the blue shirt [Everton]. "You need to come and watch because you'd be like 'wow, this is unbelievable'." MMA schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dessie Hutchinson sends warning to rivals as he vows Waterford will give Munster SHC ‘right lash' ahead of Clare clash
DESSIE HUTCHINSON hopes that Waterford can conquer their Colosseum as they aim to reclaim a place among the hurling emperors of Munster. Ahead of their participation in the sixth edition of the provincial round-robin system, the Déise have yet to qualify for the All-Ireland SHC series via the present format. 2 Dessie Hutchinson insisted Waterford are capable of challenging Munster's big guns Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 Hutchinson captained Waterford to the Division 1B league title Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Their most recent attempt was their best to date, as they ultimately became victims of Munster's fine margins after finishing just a point adrift of third place. But Hutchinson, who has been appointed captain by boss Peter Queally, is adamant that they can at least go one better this time around. He said: 'I suppose we have the belief within our squad that we can do it, more so than pressure. 'Without looking back too much, you think of last year's games and we weren't far away. Read More on GAA 'And we're definitely doing a lot more now than we were this time last year, in terms of the way we're going to play and stuff that we feel is going to give us a massive opportunity to go ahead and make sure that we're in that top three. 'But I suppose one thing the management did, they built a lot of belief in us in terms of we're as good as anyone else in the country. 'That's really important. We're full of confidence and we'll give it a right lash.' Having served as coach under Davy Fitzgerald, Queally was appointed to succeed the Clare man in the hotseat on a two-year term last August. Most read in GAA Hurling And Hutchinson speaks glowingly of the new gaffer, who starred at wing-back in 2002 when The Ballygunner forward said: 'He's built a lot of confidence in us as players. He's a passionate Waterford man and he's bringing that out in us now and what it means to be playing for Waterford, which obviously is a massive thing. RTE pundit Peter Canavan angers fans after leaving notable county out of his 'big four' All-Ireland contenders 'If you go away from that, you're in a little bit of bother. 'He knows what it's like to play, he knows what it's like to coach and now he knows what it's like to manage Waterford and that's a massive thing. He's brought a lot of professionalism. He's put a great backroom team in place. Everyone is contributing fully. Every bit of help that we need, it's there on hand for us.' Albeit they operated at a level below the elite, the Waterford players excelled as Queally began his tenure by Hutchinson added: 'If you make a mistake trying something for the betterment of the team, nobody's going to say a word to you and I suppose that gives players freedom to play to their ability. 'We have a lot of good, skilful hurlers in the squad and it's great for lads to be able to go out and show it all the time.' CUTTING THEIR TEETH While their four rivals in the Munster SHC all sharpened their axes for the Championship in Division 1A, half of the opposition Waterford encountered in the second tier were Joe McDonagh Cup sides. Having started the campaign with a defeat to Carlow, they regrouped to seal promotion thanks to wins over Still, there will be fears among supporters that the lack of exposure to hurling's heavyweights leaves Waterford at a disadvantage when they enter the arena this weekend. Clare, Limerick all already have a point on the board after two fierce duels and it may be a case of the Déise being thrown to the lions. Hutchinson said: 'I suppose you can't be disrespectful to teams and not once have we done that in any of the games we've played. 'But especially with the Munster Championship, sometimes you wonder where you really are compared to the teams that have been playing in 1A because you see how taxing those games have been on certain teams and it can be hard to know at times. 'You have to trust the training that you're doing and we're lucky enough to play really good in-house games. Even last year it was the same — they were as good as any Championship game and I think it's important that you get the best out of those games when you do play them.' 'We pride ourselves on Walsh Park. When the Waterford crowd gets behind you in Walsh Park, it's a massive thing and we feed off that too." Last summer's All-Ireland final was a true epic that saw Clare pip Cork after extra-time. But en route to the Cork were beaten by the hosts at Walsh Park before Clare needed a last-gasp '65 from Mark Rodgers to claim a one-point win over the Déise in Ennis. Yet while the Banner, the Rebels and six-in-a-row Munster champions summer as spectators. Hutchinson admitted: 'It was very tough. The All-Ireland final in particular, you're thinking we were after beating Cork and there was a puck of a ball between ourselves and Clare. 'On another day that goes our way and who knows? 'It just goes to show that when you're in the driving seat in games in Munster, you have to stay at it and you have to make sure you get that result. 'All these games will come down to a puck of a ball and you just have to be on it for 75, nearly 80 minutes now, making sure you're carrying out your whole game-plan and keep going from there.' WALSH THIS SPACE The All-Ireland champions, who drew with Cork in their opener last weekend, will be in the opposing corner on Sunday when Waterford get their first taste of Championship fare for 2025. And with selector Dan Shanahan describing Walsh Park as 'our Colosseum', Hutchinson is keen to put on a show that will thrill the masses. He said: 'We pride ourselves on Walsh Park. When the Waterford crowd gets behind you in Walsh Park, it's a massive thing and we feed off that too. 'But we're always confident when we do play in Walsh Park and we've had some very good results in Walsh Park. 'You think about them and you think about going a step further and qualifying from the Munster Championship and the buzz that would bring around the place. 'You feed off that and think about it at times and it's important that we just focus on that first game against Clare and make it as good as we can. The Waterford people will come behind us in it and hopefully it'll be good enough on the day.' Indeed, a crucial week at Walsh Park could define Waterford's season as they also host Limerick there the following Saturday. But Hutchinson insisted: 'You can't forget about the Clare game and think about what's happening six days later. 'You just have to focus on the game and make sure you're getting a performance in there that's going to be enough to win the game. 'Because the home wins are so important in Munster, especially for us now with two in a row six days apart. It's a massive thing for us.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📈 MLS Power Rankings: Miami climb, a pair of surprises in the top-three
The MLS Power Rankings are truly beginning to take shape, and it is no secret that there are a number of surprises from the opening few weeks of the campaign. From Atlanta's slow start to Philadelphia's rapid one, let's dig into the top-10 rankings after matchday 3. 📸 Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images It took until week three for the Quakes to suffer their first defeat under Bruce Arena, a marked improvement after finishing bottom of the league last season. Yet if San Jose are going to become a mainstay in the top-10 they will have to make PayPal Park a fortress this season. 📸 Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images The Loons' start to the 2025 season may be low-key so far, but two wins from three will give Eric Ramsay's side absolutely no complaints. With all three games to start to the season finishing 1-0, the Loons have shown a propensity for staying in matches, no matter the caliber of the opposition. Kelvin with the seismic shift — Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) March 9, 2025 📸 Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images San Diego may have been the majority's pick for Wooden Spoon contenders, but the expansion club have proven the doubters wrong in the early weeks of the season. They proved their worth once again over the weekend with a comprehensive victory over Real Salt Lake. Mikey Varas' side remain unbeaten in their entire club history. 📸 Steven Bisig-Imagn Images It felt like the Sounders had been waiting on their breakout game this season, but they certainly found it when they put five past LAFC in a comfortable thrashing at Lumen Field. This Seattle side personifies the depth over star-power philosophy, but if this past weekend is anything to go by, their lack of a superstar is not going to be an issue. Jordan Morris scores the 87th goal of his @SoundersFC career, making him the all-time leading scorer for the club. ☝️Seattle lead 3-1 at home! — Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 8, 2025 📸 Steven Bisig-Imagn Images LAFC slide the most of any team in our top-10 this week after the aforementioned beatdown in the Pacific Northwest, but don't fret LAFC faithful, the Black and Gold will not remain outside of the top-five for long. With the squad being stretched by Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures during the week, they should come back into the conversation when they can focus on home-front affairs. 📸 Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Crew may just be showing the first signs of teething in the wake of departures of some key stars in the offseason. Including the first-leg of their Champions Cup clash with LAFC last week, Wilfried Nancy's side have not won, or scored, in two straight matches. There is plenty of confidence in the system in Columbus, but the thin squad will be tested in the coming weeks. 📸 Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images Pat Noonan's side got back to winning ways in MLS over the weekend, comfortably easing past Toronto, but they remain focused on a highly competitive Champions Cup tie with Liga MX giants Tigres. If they can remain in the win column in MLS while their attention is elsewhere, there is no reason they can't remain in the early Supporters Shield conversation. From front to back in a flash. ⚡An incredible @fccincinnati team goal! — Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 9, 2025 📸 Simon Fearn-Imagn Images The 'Caps are truly one of the wonderful surprises in MLS this season, starting their league campaign with three wins from three. Few people held this Vancouver side in high esteem coming into the season with off-field issues plaguing the discourse in British Columbia, but they have been seemingly shot out of a cannon so far. National team call-up for Brian 🇺🇸Striker Brian White has been called up to the @USMNT for their March international window#VWFC — Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) March 11, 2025 📸 Winslow Townson-Imagn Images The Union are chief among the early shocks in 2025. With Tai Baribo leading from the front, Philadelphia have started life under Bradley Carnell with three wins from three matches, scoring 10 goals in that stretch. The trademark of the club had been to overachieve with lesser resources in the last half-decade, but this start to the season is smashing expectations. Tai Baribo (6 goals in 3 games) is on pace to tie or break the record for most goals through the first 4 games of a season. 👀7 - Edson Buddle (2010)6 - Raul Diaz Arce (1997)6 - Ante Razov (1999) 6 - Carlos Ruiz (2002)6 - Clint Dempsey (2014)6 - Erick Torres (2017)6 -… — Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 11, 2025 📸 CHRIS ARJOON - AFP or licensors With or without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami find a way to carve out results. The Herons played more than 50 minutes of their win against Charlotte on Sunday with 10-men, but it didn't seem to slow them down at all. To make matters worse for Miami's rivals, the true strength of Javier Mascherano's team this season has come from their young core that surrounds the aging superstars. 4-straight games with a goal (across competitions) 🔥 Instant impact from @InterMiamiCF's newest midfielder Tadeo Allende. — Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 9, 2025 📸 Rich Storry - 2025 Getty Images
