Weigh-in results ahead of PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions crossover event in Riyadh

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league in the world, kicks 2024 off with the biggest MMA event of the year, PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions. (Supplied)

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Updated 24 February 2024

Arab News

February 24, 2024 02:07

Weigh-in results ahead of PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions crossover event in Riyadh

The card includes 2 champion-versus-champion bouts; PFL Heavyweight Champ Renan ‘Problema’ Ferreira takes on Bellator Heavyweight Champ Ryan ‘Darth’ Bader
PFL Light Heavyweight Champ Impa ‘Tshilobo’ Kasanganay drops down to middleweight to take on Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen

Updated 24 February 2024

Arab News

February 24, 2024 02:07

RIYADH: As the Professional Fighters League 2024 season gets underway on Saturday with what it is billing as the biggest mixed martial arts event of the year, the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the fighters gathered for the weigh-in on Friday.

The card feature a pair of champion-versus-champion headline bouts, as some of the biggest names in combat sports go head to head inside the PFL SmartCage.

In the main event, 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan “Problema” Ferreira will take on Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan “Darth” Bader.

At the weigh-in, Ferreira, who is coming off his first championship campaign in the PFL, was 263.2 lbs. Bader, who has held the Bellator title since 2019, was 231.1 lbs.

In the other headline event, 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Impa “Tshilobo” Kasanganay drops down to middleweight to take on Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen.

Kasanganay, who captured PFL gold in his first season, weighed in at 185.8 lbs, while Eblen, who aims to maintain his undefeated career record, was 185.5 lbs.

Two of the world’s top welterweights will clash in a catchweight bout, as two-time PFL champion Ray Cooper III meets reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson. Cooper III weighed in at 182.4 lbs, and Jackson at 182 lbs.

Former PFL Heavyweight Champion Bruno Cappelozza will take on Bellator’s Vadim Nemkov in a heavyweight bout. Cappelozza weighed in at 236.2 lbs, and Nemkov at 238.1 lbs.

Leading PFL contender Thiago “Maretta” Santos faces top Bellator contender Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero. The former weighed in at 205.2 lbs, and the latter at 205 lbs.

A pair of the lightweight division’s elite will also go head-to-head, as 2023 PFL runner-up “Cassius” Clay Collard takes on former Bellator Lightweight Champion A.J. “Mercenary” McKee. Collard weighed in at 155.5 lbs, and McKee at 154.8 lb.

Official PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions weigh-in results:

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Card: 3 pm ET

PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion — Heavyweight

Renan Ferreira 263.2 lbs vs. Ryan Bader 231.1 lbs

PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion — Middleweight

Impa Kasanganay 185.8 lbs vs. Johnny Eblen 185.5 lbs

Catchweight (182 lbs) Bout

Ray Cooper III 182.4 lbs vs. Jason Jackson 182 lbs

Heavyweight Bout

Bruno Cappelozza 236.2 lbs vs. Vadim Nemkov 238.1 lbs

Light Heavyweight Bout

Thiago Santos 205.2 lbs vs. Yoel Romero 205 lbs

Lightweight Bout

Clay Collard 155.5 lbs vs. AJ McKee 154.8 lbs

Early Card: 12 pm ET

Lightweight Bout

Henry Corrales 155.7 lbs. Vs. Aaron Pico: 155.7 lbs

Lightweight Bout

Biaggio Ali Walsh 155.4 lbs vs. Emmanuel Palacio 152.6 lbs

Women’s Catchweight (165 lbs) Bout

Claressa Shields 164.4 lbs vs. Kelsey DeSantis 164.6 lbs

Featherweight Bout

Abdullah Al-Qahtani 146 lbs vs. Edukondal Rao 145.7 lbs

Amateur Catchweight (129 lbs) Bout

Malik Basahel 124.9 lbs vs. Vinicius Pereira 129.2 lbs

Pereira missed weight. The bout will be contested at 129 lbs catchweight.

Topics: PFL Champions

‘Amazing’ Topuria in confident mood ahead of title defense against Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Updated 7 sec ago

Arab News

October 19, 2024 20:14

‘Amazing’ Topuria in confident mood ahead of title defense against Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

‘El Matador’ praises Abu Dhabi’s role in growth of combat sports

Updated 7 sec ago

Arab News

October 19, 2024 20:14

ABU DHABI: Undefeated featherweight champion Ilia Topuria says he feels “amazing” as he prepares to take on the ever-dangerous Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 at the Etihad Arena on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.

The bout, which takes place on Oct. 26, will be Topuria’s first title defense after the fighter, nicknamed “El Matador,” won the featherweight belt earlier this year by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.

“I feel amazing,” Topuria told Arab News. “This is the last part of the training camp, cutting weight, and that’s it. On Oct. 26 I’ll take what belongs to us, which is victory.”

Topuria acknowledged that while he had made some adjustments, the core of his training remains the same.

He said: “It’s been … a bit more professional. We always try to implement new skills and things we’ve learned from past experiences.”

As for his mindset, it has not shifted since he reached the pinnacle of the sport. He added: “I always felt like I was the best in the world, and I still have that same feeling.”

Holloway, who is known for his relentless striking volume and durability, presents a unique challenge, but Topuria’s approach remains straightforward, and he said: “The plan is simple: Go in and take his head off. That’s it.”

In fact, Topuria has something special planned for the opening moments of the fight, and added: “I’ll point to the ground in the first 10 seconds and give the fans the most exciting 10 seconds in UFC history.”

Whether Holloway will engage in this bold challenge remains to be seen, but Topuria is clear about his own strategy.

He said: “I don’t know what he’s going to do, but I know what I’m going to do. I’ll point to the ground, stay in the middle of the Octagon, and if he wants to bang, we can bang. If not, I might have to do something different.”

Returning to Abu Dhabi is significant for Topuria, who made his first UFC bow in the city four years ago on Fight Island during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “I have very good memories here. I made my UFC debut in Abu Dhabi, though it was without fans. Now I have the opportunity to come back and defend my belt in front of everyone. It’s great; I can hardly wait.”

Topuria highlighted the city’s role in the global growth of combat sports as he praised the development of the sport in the region.

He said: “It’s growing a lot. They’re supporting not only MMA (mixed martial arts), but also boxing, and the growth is amazing. I feel like the development here is incredible, even compared to Europe. The culture, the food — everything is great.”

Although his days in Abu Dhabi are focused on training, Topuria revealed he plans to do some sightseeing.

He added: “We’re going to do a bit of exploring in Abu Dhabi before the fight. We’re planning to visit the museums and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and we want to explore other parts of the city, such as Yas Marina Circuit.”

As a professional mixed martial artist of Georgian and Spanish descent, Topuria has a message for his community of compatriots in the UAE, saying: “They’re going to enjoy what they see and feel a lot of pride when they watch me shine. This fight is for them.”

Topuria does not feel burdened by being champion, and said: “I don’t feel any extra pressure. I chose this path, and I’ve dreamed of this moment. God is giving me what I’ve asked for, so I just feel gratitude.”

Topuria plans to return home quickly after the fight to his 2-month-old daughter, adding: “I’ll be leaving the next day because I need to take care of her and my son. Of course, this (the fight) is for both my children — it’s for my whole family.”

The fighter is ready to make a statement at UFC 308 and give the fans in the UAE’s capital a memory for the ages, cementing his legacy in Abu Dhabi.

Topics: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) MMA UFC UAE Abu Dhabi

Mixed fortunes for Saudi golfer Khalid Walid Attieh in round 3 after making the cut in Thailand

Updated 43 min 19 sec ago

Arab News

October 19, 2024 19:43

Mixed fortunes for Saudi golfer Khalid Walid Attieh in round 3 after making the cut in Thailand

The Black Mountain Championship is second event in this season’s International Series at which the amateur from Riyadh has advanced to the final two rounds
After a 4-under 68 on Thursday and a 2-under 70 on Friday, in round 3 he had 4 birdies and a bogey on the front 9 but dropped 5 shots on the back 9 to card a 1-over 73

Updated 43 min 19 sec ago

Arab News

October 19, 2024 19:43

HUA HIN, Thailand: After making the cut at the Black Mountain Championship at Hua Hin in Thailand on Friday, Saudi golfer Khalid Walid Attieh had mixed fortunes as he faced challenging conditions during his third round on Saturday.

It is the second time in five events of this season’s International Series that the 29-year-old has advanced to the final two rounds, following his success at the season-opener in Oman in February when he became the first Saudi amateur to make the cut in a professional tournament.

His campaign at Black Mountain Golf Club began with a solid, 4-under-par 68 on Thursday, followed by a 2-under 70 on Friday.

Battling tricky conditions in the third round, the Riyadh-born golfer recorded four birdies and a bogey on the front nine but dropped five shots on the back nine to card a one-over-par 73.

Reflecting on his performance in the tournament so far, Attieh said he is proud to be representing the Kingdom on a global stage.

“It’s such a great event,” he said. “I am very grateful to the Saudi Golf Federation and the International Series for giving me a spot, and obviously to represent my country, it’s been very special.

“Everyone here on the Asian Tour is super nice as well, and I got to play with some really nice guys and some good people, and then also the people running the tournament are doing an amazing job. So, nothing but positives here.”

It is the second time in five events of this season’s International Series that the 29-year-old has advanced to the final two rounds. (Supplied)

Attieh said he has been impressed by the sense of camaraderie on the Asian Tour, including the welcoming attitude of players and tournament officials alike.

“Everyone has been super supportive,” he said. “It’s a tight-knit community where once you’ve played with someone, they become a friend for life. That’s not something you find everywhere.”

Black Mountain marks the start of a demanding concluding run of six events in just eight weeks for the 10-event International Series. Despite the challenge this poses, Attieh remains happy with his progress so far and optimistic about his chances, especially after his tied-for-69th finish in Oman.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I’ve been playing some good golf so it’s nice finally to see all the hard work pay off. I have put in a lot of time, a lot of effort and finally I get to see some results.

“I think this week it definitely felt like that. At one stage I thought I could be even further up the leaderboard and I think it was just a few mental errors on the back nine that cost me a little bit. But I am happy, overall, with where the game is and I think that, moving forward, it’s going to give me a lot of confidence.”

When the Black Mountain Championship concludes on Sunday, Attieh’s focus will shift to next weekend and a second International Series event in Thailand, at the Thai Country Club from Oct. 24-27.

Topics: golf International Series Saudi Arabia Golf Saudi Khalid Walid Attieh

UAE’s Al-Qemzi struggles as Anderson claims powerboat F1 win in China to lead title race

Updated 19 October 2024

Arab News

October 19, 2024 18:30

UAE’s Al-Qemzi struggles as Anderson claims powerboat F1 win in China to lead title race

Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qemzi, Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt, Victory Team duo among casualties as championship heads for big finish in UAE

Updated 19 October 2024

Arab News

October 19, 2024 18:30

ZHENGZHOU, China: Sweden’s Jonas Andersson cruised to victory in Zhengzhou, China on Saturday to take the lead in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship, setting up a tense climax in Sharjah in December.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qemzi was among those who failed to finish an incident-paced race which saw Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt lose his championship lead when halted by mechanical problems, while a collision between Victory Team drivers Erik Stark and Ahmad Al-Fahim took both of them out of the running.

Defending world champion Andersson now carries a three-point lead over Canadian rookie Wyatt into December’s final round in Sharjah, with Frenchman Peter Morin climbing to third in the standings following his second-place finish in Zhengzhou.

Al-Qemzi’s early retirement with technical issues completed a trail of misfortune in Zhengzhou for Team Abu Dhabi, for whom five-time F2 world champion Rashed Al-Qemzi (Thani’s cousin) was unable to start the Grand Prix following his problems in yesterday’s sprint race.

The team will now look to round off the season with a much-improved showing on Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, where Thani Al-Qemzi made his F1H2O debut back in 2020, and where he finished third last year, one of his 45 podium finishes.

Andersson had already secured his second world title before the championship arrived in Sharjah last season. He went on to record his fourth successive race victory, and Wyatt will be aiming to prevent a repeat performance in two months’ time.

Sharjah Team’s Canadian rookie has been enjoying a brilliant debut season in the championship, with wins in Indonesia, Sardinia and most recently Shanghai.

He began to lose pace in the early stages in Zhengzhou, however, eventually coming to halt after 14 laps, but will look to quickly shrug off the setback in the hope of securing the drivers’ title for his team on home waters.

The penultimate round of the championship had barely got under way on Saturday when Stark and Al-Fahim collided, sending the two Victory boats out of the race, while the opening lap also saw American Brent Dillard barrel-roll to a halt.

China has been a happy hunting ground in the past for Team Abu Dhabi veteran Thani Al-Qemzi, with two of his 10 race wins arriving there, but his 157th career Grand Prix was brought to a halt after just two laps.

After securing his 13th pole position, followed quickly by victory in the sprint race on Friday, Andersson looked fully in control again on Saturday as he recorded his 15th Grand Prix win, with almost 10 seconds to spare over Morin. Finland’s two-time world champion Sami Selio took third place.

Topics: Motorsport power boat racing Team Abu Dhabi

Spurs run riot to beat West Ham

Updated 19 October 2024

AFP

October 19, 2024 17:40

Spurs run riot to beat West Ham

A third win in four Premier League games lifted Ange Postecoglou’s men to sixth in the table ahead of the later kick-offs but heaps the pressure on new West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui
Victory for Spurs comes after they blew a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat at Brighton in their final league game before the international break

Updated 19 October 2024

AFP

October 19, 2024 17:40

LONDON: Tottenham roared back from behind to beat West Ham 4-1 on Saturday, overrunning their London rivals in the second half to ease the pain of their recent collapse against Brighton.
A third win in four Premier League games lifted Ange Postecoglou’s men to sixth in the table ahead of the later kick-offs but heaps the pressure on new West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui.
Victory for Spurs comes after they blew a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat at Brighton in their final league game before the international break.
The teams were level at half-time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Mohammed Kudus’s opener against the run of play was canceled out by the impressive Dejan Kulusevski.
But the match changed complexion in a frantic spell early in the second half when Yves Bissouma, an own goal from Alphonse Areola and a fourth from Son Heung-min took the game away from West Ham.
Tottenham were in control of the match early on and in-form Brennan Johnson flashed a shot narrowly wide on six minutes.
But West Ham played their part in an absorbingly open contest, giving their hosts a scare when Jarrod Bowen surged down the right and cut back to Kudus, whose stinging shot was palmed away by Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham captain Son went close shortly afterwards after creating space for himself but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock, making their opponents pay for not learning their lessons.
Kudus found the net for the second successive game in the 18th minute following more good work down the right by Bowen, whose shot deflected into the path of the Ghana international.
Johnson should have equalized shortly before the half-hour mark but he mistimed his header from close range, with the ball coming off his shoulder.
As Tottenham continued to press, Pedro Porro unleashed a shot from range, which took a wicked deflection but West Ham goalkeeper Areola reacted sharply to keep it out.
But Spurs got the equalizer they deserved about 10 minutes from half time.
West Ham lost the ball while on the attack and James Maddison surged forward to feed Kulusevski, whose shot came off the goalkeeper’s hand and the inside of both posts.
A measure of Tottenham’s dominance during the first half was that they won 12 corners to two for West Ham.
Postecoglou replaced Maddison with Pape Sarr at half-time in a tactical switch and Tottenham were quickly in charge.
Son played a lovely pass with the outside of his right foot to find Destiny Udogie, whose calm cut-back was met by Bissouma, who stroked the ball home in the 52nd minute.
Lopetegui prepared to make a triple change but did not have time before an own goal from Areola following a mix-up in the penalty area made the score 3-1 three minutes later.
South Korean international Son extended Tottenham’s lead when Sarr sent him clear and he beat the defender before squeezing his shot past Areola.
Kudus was shown a straight red in the final minutes after a VAR check following a melee, compounding a bad day for the visitors, who have just two wins from eight Premier League matches this season.

Topics: English Premier League (EPL) Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United

Gavi back from long-term injury for Barca: Flick

Updated 19 October 2024

AFP

October 19, 2024 16:13

Gavi back from long-term injury for Barca: Flick

The 20-year-old has been absent since suffering a severe knee injury playing for Spain in November 2023
“For Gavi it’s the next step, it’s an important step, all the coaches, the whole club are happy, that is the next step, and he is on the bench,” Flick told a news conference

Updated 19 October 2024

AFP

October 19, 2024 16:13

BARCELONA: Barcelona midfielder Gavi will be part of the La Liga leaders’ squad to face Sevilla this weekend after a long injury lay-off, coach Hansi Flick confirmed Saturday.
The 20-year-old has been absent since suffering a severe knee injury playing for Spain in November 2023, missing his country’s Euro 2024 triumph this summer.
“For Gavi it’s the next step, it’s an important step, all the coaches, the whole club are happy, that’s is the next step, and he is on the bench,” Flick told a news conference.
The tenacious midfielder burst into Barcelona’s first team in the 2021-22 season and became Spain’s youngest ever player at 17, but was soon usurped by team-mate Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona will also be boosted by the return of Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez after their recent injuries, while Flick confirmed teenage star Yamal is fit after a minor hamstring issue.
“The rest and the treatments for him were really good, so thank you to the national team,” said Flick. “He is ready to play.”
Flick said Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who also recently made his comeback from an ankle injury, felt discomfort in training and was a doubt for the game on Sunday at the club’s temporary Olympic stadium home.
Barcelona still have several players out injured including Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres and Andreas Christensen.

Topics: Barcelona Gavi Hansi Flick

Weigh-in results ahead of PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions crossover event in Riyadh

Weigh-in results ahead of PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions crossover event in Riyadh

Saudi golfer Faisal Salhab has impressive opening round at $2m International Series Oman

Saudi female tennis players challenge stereotypes as sporting dreams become reality

‘Amazing’ Topuria in confident mood ahead of title defense against Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

‘Amazing’ Topuria in confident mood ahead of title defense against Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Featherweight champion Topuria to take on Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Tony Ferguson eyes comeback victory at Abu Dhabi UFC debut

Mixed fortunes for Saudi golfer Khalid Walid Attieh in round 3 after making the cut in Thailand

Mixed fortunes for Saudi golfer Khalid Walid Attieh in round 3 after making the cut in Thailand

Amateur Attieh creates history for Saudi Arabia in professional golf

Saudi female amateur golfer hopes for professional future

UAE’s Al-Qemzi struggles as Anderson claims powerboat F1 win in China to lead title race

UAE’s Al-Qemzi struggles as Anderson claims powerboat F1 win in China to lead title race

Rashed Al-Qemzi steps up to powerboating F1 as Team Abu Dhabi and Comparato part company

Team Abu Dhabi duo ready for powerboating battle after Wyatt claims pole in China

Spurs run riot to beat West Ham

Spurs run riot to beat West Ham

Tottenham and Lazio stay perfect in Europa League with second straight wins

Tottenham overcome early red card to post 3-0 win in revamped Europa League

Gavi back from long-term injury for Barca: Flick

Gavi back from long-term injury for Barca: Flick

Gavi goal against Norway sees Spain and Scotland qualify for European Championship

Barcelona concede late equalizer to Granada after Gavi red card

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Weigh-in results ahead of PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions crossover event in Riyadh

Weigh-in results ahead of PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions crossover event in Riyadh

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