In a stunning upset, Russian fighter Magomed Ankalaev defeated former kickboxing champion Alex Pereira to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion at UFC 313. Ankalaev outmatched Pereira with forward pressure and grappling, dominating him throughout the five-round fight. Despite Pereira's attempts to fight back in the final round, Ankalaev's superior performance secured him a unanimous decision victory and his first UFC title.
The MLS reigning champions, LA Galaxy, are set to face off against St. Louis City SC in a highly anticipated match. Galaxy has had a slow start to the current campaign, with three consecutive losses, while St. Louis has shown stronger form with draws in their first two games. The Brazilian winger for Galaxy, who was a key player in their success last year, will be a player to watch as he aims to lead his team to victory once again. St. Louis, on the other hand, will rely on their solid defense, led by Henry Kessler, who has been pivotal in keeping two clean sheets in their first two games. With a few players unavailable due to injury, both teams will have to dig deep to secure a much-needed win.
MI captain Hardik Pandya will miss their IPL 2025 opener against CSK due to a one-match ban for slow over-rates. Pandya has named Suryakumar Yadav, current India T20 captain, as his successor for the match. With experienced leaders like Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Pandya, the team looks to bounce back after a disappointing season last year.
As the Chennai Super Kings gear up for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, their captain MS Dhoni has once again proven that age is just a number for him. In a recent training session, the 43-year-old displayed his vintage form and managed to take down a fast bowler with ease, reminiscent of his heyday when he was dominating bowlers like Lasith Malinga. Despite his knee issues, Dhoni continues to be CSK's go-to wicket-keeper and is set to captain them in their first match against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. IPL fans can also get the latest updates on points table, schedules, and more through live score updates and news coverage.
Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has joined the ranks of legendary speedsters Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir in the list of most maiden overs bowled by a Pakistani bowler in T20I cricket. Afridi's impressive performance in the second T20I against New Zealand earned him a spot in the top five of the list. The young star started off the 135-run defence with a maiden over to Tim Seifert, showcasing his talent and potential for the national team.
In a thrilling second T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan, Tim Seifert stole the show with his explosive knock of 44 runs. After a slow start, Seifert unleashed his fury on Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi, hitting him for five sixes in a single over. His fireworks propelled New Zealand to a strong position, leaving Pakistan struggling in the chase.
Cricket superstar Virat Kohli made an emotional request to Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, urging them to show their support for new captain Rajat Patidar in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Patidar, who has already proven himself as a skilled and level-headed player, was retained for a record-breaking Rs 14 crore by the franchise and is poised to lead RCB to victory. Fans can look forward to seeing Patidar in action this Saturday as RCB takes on defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium.
India's star cricket batter, Virat Kohli, silenced critics with a memorable performance against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. After not scoring an ODI hundred since November 2023, Kohli's unbeaten 100 not only secured a crucial win for India, but also made him the fastest to reach 14,000 ODI runs, behind only Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. His formative coach, Rajkumar Sharma, expressed pride in his achievements and praised his ability to perform in high-pressure matches. With Kohli's continued success, India's chances of winning the Champions Trophy are looking strong.
After a spectacular display at Wembley, Newcastle United has finally ended their 56-year trophy drought with a 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the League Cup final. Manager Eddie Howe was doused in champagne and beer in the dressing room celebrations as he hailed the victory as proof that the team is ready for sustained success. Despite being typically composed and erudite, Howe encouraged the team to enjoy the celebrations, acknowledging the difficult days and underachievement that the club has faced in the past.
In a thrilling EFL Cup Final match at Wembley Stadium, Italy international Sandro Tonali helped his Newcastle side secure their first piece of silverware in 56 years. Despite Liverpool's late efforts, with substitute Federico Chiesa scoring in stoppage time, Tonali's solid performance, including a yellow card, contributed to their 2-1 win over the Reds. With Tonali's impressive form, it seems that the Magpies' decision to acquire him has paid off, especially as he has now won his first trophy in England.
After 70 long years, Newcastle United finally clinched a major domestic trophy as they beat defending champions Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Magpies, who had previously lost their last five final appearances, including the 2023 Carabao Cup final, were determined to end their drought and put in a stunning performance against the Reds. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured the win for Newcastle, despite a late goal from Liverpool's Federico Chiesa. With this historic victory, Newcastle has once again cemented their place in English football and brought joy to their loyal fans who have waited decades for this moment.