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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alexander Volkanovski provides update on next UFC fight: 'The rumors are pretty much true'
Alexander Volkanovski provides update on next UFC fight: 'The rumors are pretty much true' UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski expected Movsar Evloev to be his next challenger – but it appears he won't be. Prior to defeating Diego Lopes to claim the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314, Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) said he was willing to make his first title defense against Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in September. However, the promotion opted to go a different direction. With Noche UFC originally set to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in Sept. 13 before moving to San Antonio, Texas, rumors swirled that Yair Rodriguez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is likely next for Volkanovski. "It's pretty clear that it wasn't going to be Movsar," Volkanovski told FOX Sports Australia. "That's who I thought it would be. Obviously, him being undefeated and on the sort of a tear that he's on, but I think they've matched him up. You've seen him tweet something about that. So, he already went out and made that public that he unfortunately can't fight for the title. "Yair's name has popped up. No dates are set right now. So, again, I think it's just a lot of moving parts all through the whole division. I think there's a lot happening right now. So, we'll see what's happening. We'll see what comes up. All I can really tell you is everyone pretty much knows the situation, and the rumors you're hearing are pretty much true, but nothing's locked in." Rodriguez in the title picture may come as a surprise to many since he is 1-2 in his past three fights. After back-to-back losses to Volkanovski for the featherweight title then Brian Ortega, "El Pantera" rebounded with a unanimous decision win over former Bellator champion Patricio Freire at UFC 314.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gout Gout admits Noah Lyles has two-word nickname for him as he shares messages
Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm over the last 12 months and the 17-year-old has a strong bond with Olympic champion Noah Lyles, who has a nickname for his young friend Noah Lyles has taken the prodigious Gout Gout under his wing as he affectionately uses the nickname "Little Bro" for the 17-year-old sprinting sensation. The Australian teenager has been making waves in the athletics world, surpassing records once held by the legendary Usain Bolt. His prowess was on full display last year when he clinched silver in the 200m at the Under-20 World Championships. Now, with an eye on the senior World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, Gout is set to represent Australia after shattering the Oceanian record and breaking a longstanding national record. He has already developed a close friendship with Olympic 100m gold medallist Lyles, as the pair have trained together and keep in touch online. Lyles even has an affectionate nickname for his fellow athlete, who is a decade younger than him. Speaking to FOX Sports Australia, Gout revealed: "He calls me 'Little Bro' so we definitely have a great connection. Obviously, I gave him a nudge. "I said in the podcast (Gout appeared on Lyles' podcast earlier this year), I told him I'd be running up his a**, for sure. "It's definitely great. He messages me occasionally and I tell him 'Congratulations' and stuff like that. He's a great guy" Lyles has been sharing some tips with Gout, even though they might soon be head-to-head competitors on the track. While appearing on Foxtel's The Back Page, Gout said: "Some of it is definitely physical. I'm still a teenager and haven't grown into my body yet. "Still getting my grown man's strength, as Noah would say, and just working on those little aspects, a couple of things at the start, gaining power and strength. Those little things really take you to the next level." Gout doesn't shy away from his ambitious goals to conquer the sprint world like Bolt did in the late 2000s and early 2010s. He said: "The goal is winning the Olympics and winning the World Championships. "Honestly, dominating like Bolt did. I think that limit is reachable for me." As he looks ahead, the teenager's eyes are set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Games planned for his hometown, Brisbane. Gout added: "The times I've run so far could potentially make it into finals, make the top four, top five, top six. Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement. "And trying to be on that podium running against [Letsile] Tebogo, Noah, [Lachlan] Kennedy, all them athletes. That's definitely a goal in mind and keep aiming for the top."
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Usain Bolt comment speaks volumes as Gout Gout, 17, shows his true colours
Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm over the past six months, and he has already been compared to eight-time Olympic gold-medallist and world record holder, Usain Bolt Rising sprinting star Gout Gout has set his sights on emulating the legendary Usain Bolt by dominating the track, as he continues to impress at a tender age. The 17-year-old prodigy, who clinched silver in the 200m at last year's World Championships in Lima, boasts an impressive eight victories at the Australian Athletics Championships. His prowess was further highlighted when he shattered a national record in Brisbane last December, clocking an astonishing 20.04s in the 200m. With the athletics world buzzing about his potential, Gout Gout has openly expressed his ambition to reign supreme in the sport, much like Bolt once did. Speaking to FOX Sports Australia, he said: "The limit is just obviously winning Olympics and winning World Championships, and honestly dominating like Bolt did. "I think that's a limit that's reachable for me," reports the Mirror US. The statement affirms Gout Gout's self-belief and his sense of destiny within the realm of athletics. Following his explosive emergence, many Olympic enthusiasts are already predicting that Gout Gout will don his country's colours at the Brisbane Summer Games in 2032. Yet, the young sprinter has his eyes set on achieving greatness even sooner, at the LA Games slated for three years from now. He added: "The times I've run so far could potentially make it into finals, make the top four, top five, top six. Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement and trying to be on that podium running against [Letsile] Tebogo, Noah [Lyles], [Lachlan] Kennedy, all them athletes. "That's definitely a goal in mind and keep aiming for the top." With a haul of eight Olympic golds, Bolt is immortalised as an athletics legend, and with world records of 9.58s and 19.19s in the 100m and 200m since 2009, he's set a high bar that fans reckon is insurmountable. Gout Gout's rise has drawn eager comparisons to Bolt, though the Aussie sensation confesses the constant parallels wear him out. He said: "It definitely gets tiring. I'm trying to make a name for myself." Yet, it was a special moment when Bolt acknowledged Gout Gout online, a nod he appreciated. He added: "I think he said, 'He looks like young me' so that was pretty cool." It's been a breakout year for Gout Gout, finishing second in the Maurie Plant Meet's 200m to Kennedy in March, followed by taking gold at the Australian Athletics Championships last month. Only time will reveal the heights this young sensation can reach, and we may even see him representing his country on the global stage, potentially challenging Bolt's records and glory, in the years to come.
