UFC to host its first event in Azerbaijan

UFC’s debut event in Azerbaijan wil take place on Saturday, June 21 at the Baku Crystal Hall. (UFC)
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Updated 14 April 2025
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UFC to host its first event in Azerbaijan

  • June 21 card features light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr

BAKU: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, will make its debut in Azerbaijan with a main event featuring former UFC light heavyweight champion and No. 4-ranked contender Jamahal Hill against No. 7-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.

In partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, the UFC event will be on Saturday, June 21 at the Baku Crystal Hall.

The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony with Dana White, the UFC president and CEO, and Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov in Miami before UFC 314 last Saturday.

“Azerbaijan and the city of Baku have an incredible history of hosting massive global sporting events,” White said. “We have so many great athletes from in and around this country that it was a natural next destination for us. I’m excited to have our debut event there on June 21.”

Gayibov emphasized the significance of the event in advancing Azerbaijan’s role in the international sports community.

“Hosting UFC in Baku marks another significant milestone in our efforts to develop Azerbaijan as a regional sports leader,” he said. “Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev’s unwavering support and attention, along with his successful sports policy, Azerbaijan has gained international recognition in the world of sports — and the city of Baku has established itself as a key hub for major global sporting events.

“This partnership with UFC further strengthens our reputation as a global sports hub, showcasing our commitment to sports development and international cooperation.”

Former champion Hill (12-3 1NC, from Michigan, US) aims to make a quick return to the Octagon for his second bout of 2025. The first Dana White’s Contender Series alum to become an undisputed UFC champion, his route to the title included wins over Thiago Santos, Johnny Walker and Jimmy Crute. Hill now plans to make a statement against Rountree Jr. and turn his attention to the championship picture.

Rountree Jr. (14-6 1NC) competes for the first time since his valiant Fight of the Night effort against Alex Pereira at UFC 307 in October. A devastating striker with 9 of his 13 wins coming by way of KO, Rountree Jr. has entertained fans with victories over Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson and Modestas Bukauskas. He now looks to take Hill’s spot in the top five with another signature performance. 

Also featuring on a stacked card will be the return of Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5) as he aims to become the first Japanese UFC champion. Standing in his way will be No.10-ranked Russian flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2) who is training under former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and also has his eyes on the top of the flyweight division.

Expect fireworks as heavyweights collide with No.5 ranked Curtis Blaydes (18-5) taking on Dana White’s Contender Series standout Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1) who will be looking to make a statement in his Octagon debut.

 

Additional bouts on the card include:

Middleweight: Ismail Naurdiev, Austria/Morocco (24-7) vs. Junyong Park, South Korea (18-6).

Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab, Egypt (6-0) vs. Mohammed Usman, Nigeria/US (10-4).   

Bantamweight: Irina Alekseeva, Russia (5-2) vs. Klaudia Sygula, Poland (6-2).

Bantamweight: Daria Zhelezniakova, Russia (9-2) vs. Melissa Mullins, England (7-1).


Barca coach Flick unhappy with LaLiga kickoff timings amid hectic schedule

Updated 4 sec ago
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Barca coach Flick unhappy with LaLiga kickoff timings amid hectic schedule

“Every league protects their clubs, especially when they play in the semifinals of the Champions League,” Flick said
“I’m happy we’re not playing on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. against Valladolid”

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s resilience with the club still competing on three fronts this season but complained about the timing of their next LaLiga match against Celta Vigo as he wanted to give his players some more rest.
League leaders Barcelona advanced to the semifinals of the Champions League after defeating Borussia Dortmund on aggregate while they also face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final later this month.
With a four-point lead over Real, Barca can steal a march on the title when they play Celta Vigo on Saturday but Flick questioned the league for not scheduling the game later in the day instead of an early kickoff.
Flick said players need more time to rest as they arrive back in Barcelona very late from away games in Europe and do not get into bed until 5 am.
“Every league protects their clubs, especially when they play in the semifinals of the Champions League. It’s unbelievable, we have no time to rest,” Flick told reporters on Friday.
“For me, the guys responsible for that — I want to discuss it with them... I don’t want to make excuses or complain. I’m happy we’re not playing on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. against Valladolid.
“But why can’t we play at 6:00 p.m. like we normally do? Give me one reason. To me, it’s a joke and it affects Spanish football. The rest of the teams in the European leagues benefit.
“I’m speechless because this situation is unbelievable. In the Bundesliga or Premier League, they take care of their clubs... They (LaLiga) have no idea what this (arriving late) means for the players.”
Celta Vigo are seventh in the standings, chasing European football, and Flick praised their 37-year-old coach Claudio Giraldez who came in this season and lifted a club that finished the last three campaigns in the bottom half.
“I have the highest respect for his work, he’s coached a great team... it has nothing to do with his age,” Flick said.
“Celta have a clear idea of how they want to play, they’re very brave in their build-up.
“For us it’s important we show our strengths, maybe what we missed in Dortmund. We spoke about the situations we had in Dortmund and we have to do better tomorrow... We have to play at our highest level. Also, they like their away matches.”

Al-Nassr seeking revenge in tonight’s clash against Al-Qadsiah

Updated 35 min 14 sec ago
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Al-Nassr seeking revenge in tonight’s clash against Al-Qadsiah

  • Team look to maintain pressure on the league toppers, Al-Ittihad
  • Friday’s match is expected to witness the return of Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic

RIYADH: Al-Nassr’s first football team will play against Al-Qadsiah at 9:00 p.m. Saudi time tonight, as part of Round 28 of the Saudi Roshn League, at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.
The capital’s team, which has entered the title race, aims to secure all three points and take revenge after losing to their opponent 1-2 in the first leg. They also look to maintain pressure on the league toppers, Al-Ittihad.
The two clubs have previously met 17 times in the Pro League, with Al-Nassr achieving nine victories, while Al-Qadsiah has five wins, and three matches ending in a draw.
Al-Qadsiah’s net has received 30 goals by Al-Nassr’s strikers, while the latter have conceded 18 goals during those encounters.
Italian coach Stefano Pioli hopes his side Al-Nassr can earn the three points without any injuries, especially with the final rounds of the Elite Asian Cup just one week away.
Friday’s match is expected to witness the return of Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who missed the previous game against Al-Riyadh — which Al-Nassr defeated 2-1 in Round 27 — due to rest.
Meanwhile, Spanish coach Michel Gonzalez described their clash against Al-Nassr as tough but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge and secure a win — something that has eluded them in the last four rounds, in which they drew twice and lost twice.
Al-Nassr sit in third place with 57 points, just one point behind second-placed Al-Hilal and eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad. Al-Qadsiah hold fifth place with 52 points, tied with Al-Ahli.


Former Man United prospect Joe Thompson dies at 36 after third cancer diagnosis

Joe Thompson dies age 36. (via@instagram)
Updated 50 min 8 sec ago
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Former Man United prospect Joe Thompson dies at 36 after third cancer diagnosis

  • Thompson died at home with his family by his side
  • He retired in 2019 and went on to become a motivational speaker and soccer pundit

MANCHESTER, England: Joe Thompson, a former Manchester United academy player who made more than 200 appearances for local club Rochdale, has died. He was 36.
Fifth-tier English club Rochdale announced that Thompson, who had been fighting cancer for a third time, died Thursday at home with family by his side.
“We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality,” Rochdale said in a statement on Friday.
“He faced every battle head-on, both on and off the pitch. His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everyone who has been touched by his story. Above all of that, Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an incredible father to Thailula and Athena Rae.”
A midfielder, Thompson was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013 while playing for Tranmere. The disease returned three years later.
Thompson announced he was cancer-free in 2017 and less than a year later entered himself “into Rochdale folklore,” the club said, by coming off the bench in the final game of the 2017-18 season to score in a 1-0 win that kept the team in the third tier.
He retired in 2019 and went on to become a motivational speaker and soccer pundit. He also held an ambassadorial role with United.
Last year, Thompson was diagnosed with cancer for a third time.
United posted a tribute to Thompson on its social media channels, saying he “epitomized our club’s values.”
Rochdale, located just north of Manchester, said its players would wear black armbands during Friday’s match at Altrincham in the National League.


Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli ready to make a mark at PFL MENA in Jeddah

Updated 18 April 2025
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Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli ready to make a mark at PFL MENA in Jeddah

  • Hamli faces Bahrain’s Abbas Khan on May 9 at Onyx Arena

JEDDAH: On May 9 the second season of PFL MENA kicks off in Jeddah with several young fighters battling to make their mark in the sport.

A new talent is Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli, who meets Bahrain’s Abbas Khan in a lightweight quarterfinal bout.

Undefeated in eight professional bouts with five wins by stoppage, Hamli has fought for multiple promotions, most recently with WAR MMA in Spain, where he scored back-to-back unanimous decision wins.

Stepping onto the biggest stage of his MMA career, Hamli says that getting to compete in the PFL SmartCage is a dream come true.

“It means a lot to me because it reflects all the hard work I’ve put in,” Hamli said. “Having the opportunity to compete in such a big organization like PFL is a dream come true.”

Hamli says that he followed the first season of PFL MENA, thanks in large part to compatriot Rachid Haz.

Haz fell short of claiming the PFL MENA bantamweight championship, losing by knockout to Ali Taleb in the first round of the finals bout.

“I followed (the first season) especially since Rachid, my fellow Moroccan, made it to the final,” Hamli said. “Even though he didn’t win, we supported him all the way.”

“I’m super prepared and focused, and people are going to see a great show,” Hamli said. “I believe I’m a complete fighter in every aspect, and I’m very hungry for this.”

Hamli knows that Khan will not be an easy assignment. “He’s a good opponent, quite well-rounded. I’m really looking forward to stepping inside the SmartCage with him.”

The complete 2025 PFL MENA 1 Fight Card:

Featherweight quarterfinal: Abdullah Al-Qahtani (10-2) vs. Islam Reda (12-1)

Lightweight quarterfinal: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (7-2) vs. Ahmed El-Sisy (6-1, 1 NC)

Lightweight quarterfinal: Salah Eddine Hamli (8-0) vs. Abbas Khan (8-3)

Featherweight quarterfinal: Izzedine Al-Derbani (15-5) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3)

Flyweight Showcase: Malik Basahel (0-0) vs. Mountasser Boutouta (1-0)

Featherweight quarterfinal: Abdelrahman Alyhasat (5-0) vs. Taha Bendaoud (4-0)

Featherweight quarterfinal: Hussein Salem (12-5) vs. Assem Ghanem (6-0)

Lightweight quarterfinal: Georges Eid (10-5, 1 NC) vs. Mohammad Fahmi (4-0)

Lightweight Showcase: Ahmed Makki (1-3-1) vs. Hasham Elnamer (3-0)

Lightweight quarterfinal: Abdullah Saleem (5-0, 1 NC) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-6-1)

Featherweight Showcase: Youssef Alhosani (4-1) vs. Neder Jeffel (2-0)

Amateur catchweight 166 pounds (74kg) Showcase: Abdulaziz bin Moammar (10-3 AM) vs. Fares Hamdani (2-0 AM)


Top drivers geared up for Jeddah F1 weekend

Updated 18 April 2025
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Top drivers geared up for Jeddah F1 weekend

  • Defending champion Max Verstappen hopes to improve on Bahrain
  • Veteran Fernando Alonso thinks ‘high-speed’ circuit suits his team

JEDDAH: Some of the world’s top drivers including Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Isack Hadjar are geared up for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah this weekend.

At a press conference on Thursday, Red Bull’s Verstappen, the defending champion, said: “I hope it will be better than Bahrain (where he finished sixth), there are high-speed corners with a different asphalt.

“And I hope we will be more competitive. Here we have always done one stop but we will see how the tires hold up, it will be quite hot. We are making an improvement process.”

Aston Martin’s Alonso said: “The first few weekends have not been easy for us but I think the high-speed nature of Jeddah should suit us better.

“We are still discovering the car, the first GPs showed that the slow corners were our weak points but there were other concerns about bouncing and we are still working on it.

“Here there is much more grip and it should be a better weekend. I think in Formula 1 there is never a quick fix to solve the problems but we have some ideas, some are related to the set-up that we will try this weekend.”

Red Bull Junior Hadjar shared his excitement about racing in Jeddah: “Bahrain wasn’t as good as the previous two GPs. I don’t think our level was that low and I think this track will suit us better.

“Every track is always impressive for the first time, I think I got into the rhythm straight away and I’m looking forward to trying the track here, especially the first sector.”

Several other drivers also spoke to the media on Thursday including Williams’ Alex Albon, Haas’ Ollie Bearman and Stake’s Gabriel Bortoleto.