Renan Ferreira dominates Ryan Bader in Riyadh to set up Ngannou showdown

Renan Ferreira celebrates beating Ryan Bader at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Saturday night. (Supplied)

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Updated 25 February 2024

Arab News

February 25, 2024 09:58

Renan Ferreira dominates Ryan Bader in Riyadh to set up Ngannou showdown

Johnny Eblen, Jason Jackson, AJ McKee also victorious in inaugural PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event
Abdullah Al-Qahtani, the first fighter to represent Saudi Arabia in the PFL, defeated India’s Edukondal Rao in featherweight contest

Updated 25 February 2024

Arab News

February 25, 2024 09:58

RIYADH: Renan Ferreira defeated Ryan Bader in the main fight of the evening as the Professional Fighters League staged the first-ever MMA event in Saudi Arabia, PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The 11-fight card featured four bouts for the newly minted Super Belt, with additional action from the biggest names in combat sports taking place inside the PFL SmartCage.

In the highly anticipated main event, 2023 PFL heavyweight Ferreira seized the throne, scoring a TKO of Bellator heavyweight Champion Bader 21 seconds into round one. Ferreira hoisted his Super Belt flanked by boxing icon Mike Tyson, and is now set to face combat sports superstar Francis “The Predator” Ngannou, who will make his PFL debut when they meet.

In the co-main event of the evening, 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Impa Kasanganay challenged undefeated Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen. The back-and-forth affair went the three-round distance, with Eblen taking the victory via narrow split decision and a Super Belt.

“Tonight the Professional Fighters League and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were at the center of the MMA world,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray.

“PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions was the first-ever PFL PPV Super Fight global event and delivered electrifying action from the best fighters in MMA. The PFL remains committed to delivering premium MMA experiences to our fans around the globe.”

In the fourth fight of the PPV main card, two-time PFL welterweight champion Ray Cooper III defeated current Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson via a second-round TKO to claim the Super Belt while improving his career record to 18-4.

The 2021 PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza and former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov went toe-to-toe in a heavyweight bout, with the former coming out on top to take his first Super Belt in the process.

Also on the main card, Yoel Romero defeated Thiago Santos in a light heavyweight matchup via a unanimous decision victory.

The main PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions action began with a lightweight affair which saw former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee defeat PFL lightweight runner-up Clay Collard after one minute of action.

Henry Corrales and Aaron Pico went toe-to-toe in a lightweight rematch which closed out the early card. Corrales was no match for the offensive onslaught of Pico, who came out with a flurry of elbow strikes. Pico won his third consecutive bout with an opening round TKO.

In lightweight action, Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, stepped into the PFL SmartCage for the first time as a professional against Argentina’s Emmanuel Palacio and proceeded to dominate his opponent with his grappling to claim a unanimous decision win.

Further action on the early card featured the return of two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields, who weathered the early submission attempts from the powerful Kelsey De Santis to win a closely contested split decision.

Abdullah Al-Qahtani, the first fighter to represent Saudi Arabia in the PFL, stepped back into the PFL SmartCage to face Edukondal Rao in a featherweight contest. Al-Qahtani stopped Rao by TKO in the third round of a fight that featured exciting stand-up exchanges.

Kicking off the action in the early card, Saudi Arabia’s Malik Basahel defeated Brazil’s Vinicius Pereira via unanimous decision in an amateur flyweight showcase bout. Basahel’s victory improves his amateur record to 18-2-1.

Main card results:

Renan Ferreira (13-3) def. Ryan Bader (31-8) via 1st round TKO (:21)

Johnny Eblen (15-0) def. Impa Kasanganay (15-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Jason Jackson (18-4) def. Ray Cooper III (25-10-1) via 2nd round TKO (:23)

Vadim Nemkov (18-2) def. Bruno Cappelozza (15-7) via 2nd round submission (2:13)

Yoel Romero (16-7) def. Thiago Santos (22-11) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

AJ McKee (22-1) def. Clay Collard (24-12) via 1st round submission (1:10)

Early Card Results:

Aaron Pico (13-4) def. Henry Corrales (21-8) via 1st round TKO (4:53)

Biaggio Ali Walsh (1-0) def. Emmanuel Palacio (1-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Claressa Shields (2-1) def. Kelsey De Santis (1-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Abdullah Al-Qahtani (8-1) def. Edukondal Rao (4-2) via 3rd round TKO (0:23)

Malik Basahel (18-2-1 AM.) def. Vinicius Pereira (5-1 AM.) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

Updated 11 sec ago

AFP

December 22, 2024 21:16

Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

Updated 11 sec ago

AFP

December 22, 2024 21:16

JOHANNESBURG: Rising star Saim Ayub hit his second century of the series — and his third in five innings — as Pakistan completed a series cleansweep over South Africa in the third one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
Left-handed opening batsman Ayub made a sparkling 101 off 94 balls in a Pakistan total of 308 for nine.
Heinrich Klaasen thrashed 81 off 43 balls for South Africa — but the hosts were beaten by 36 runs chasing an adjusted target of 308. The match was reduced to 47 overs a side because of rain.
Ayub, 22, hit 113 not out in the second one-day game against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month and 109 in the series opener against South Africa in Paarl last week.
In between his one-day appearances he made an unbeaten 98 in the second Twenty20 international against South Africa in Centurion.
In contrast to Ayub’s form, his opening partner Abdullah Shafique was out for his third successive duck after Pakistan were sent in to bat.
But Ayub was seldom troubled as he played shots all around the wicket in partnerships of 114 with Babar Azam (52) and 93 with captain Mohammad Rizwan (53).
Ayub fell to debutant Corbin Bosch, caught behind attempting an audacious flick to leg, after hitting 13 fours and two sixes.
Bosch, the son of the late Test and one-day international player Tertius Bosch, received a call-up after injuries hit South Africa’s fast bowling resources.
For the third successive match, Klaasen was the only South African to make a half-century. He kept South Africa ahead of the required run rate until he was sixth man out, caught on the square leg boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi with the total on 194 in the 29th over.
Ayub followed up his century by taking one for 34 in 10 overs with his mixture of off-spin and carrom balls, claiming the key wicket of David Miller and producing the most economical figures by any bowler in the match.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 308-9 in 47 overs (Saim Ayub 101, Mohammad Rizwan 53, Babar Azam 52, Salman Agha 48; K. Rabada 3-56) v South Africa 271 in 42 overs (H. Klaasen 81, C. Bosch 40 not out)
Result: Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS method)
Series: Pakistan won the three-match series 3-0
Toss: South Africa

Mbappe back from ‘bottom’ as Real Madrid down Sevilla

Updated 18 min 28 sec ago

AFP

December 23, 2024 00:16

Mbappe back from ‘bottom’ as Real Madrid down Sevilla

Mbappe, back after a brief absence with a thigh injury, scored for Madrid in midweek as they won the Intercontinental Cup

Updated 18 min 28 sec ago

AFP

December 23, 2024 00:16

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe said he had bounced back from hitting rock bottom after helping Real Madrid thrash Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday to move second in La Liga above stuttering rivals Barcelona.
After Atletico Madrid beat Barca on Saturday to claim top spot at Christmas, Carlo Ancelotti’s side also took advantage with a comfortable home win which leaves them a point behind the leaders.
Madrid coach Ancelotti said ahead of Sevilla’s visit that Mbappe’s adaptation period had ended following his summer switch from Paris Saint-Germain and the French forward proved the coach right with a strong performance and his 14th goal of the season across all competitions.
Fede Valverde also netted a brilliant effort from range, with Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz on the scoresheet for the hosts too, the latter assisted by a clever Mbappe pass.
Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla, although they were thoroughly outplayed on veteran defender Jesus Navas’ final game for the club.
“I think that we know each other better, my arrival changed a lot of things, and now, as the coach said, the adaptation is over and I feel very good in the team,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.
“We can see on the pitch that I click better with my team-mates and now we’re all playing better.”
Mbappe, back after a brief absence with a thigh injury, scored for Madrid in midweek as they won the Intercontinental Cup.
It was welcome relief for the forward after missing two penalties in recent weeks against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao, as well as suffering criticism for his form.
“I know I’ve got much more in my legs than I’m showing, but in the last games I’ve played better,” Mbappe added.
“The Bilbao game was good for me, I hit the bottom, I missed a penalty and it was a moment to realize that I have to give everything for this shirt and show my personality.”
With Vinicius Junior suspended, Mbappe took the reins and broke the deadlock in the 10th minute as Madrid brought the ball out from the back and worked it to Rodrygo on the left flank.
The Brazilian squared to Mbappe on the edge of the area, who took one touch to control, another to set himself and with his third, smashed a fierce effort past the helpless Alvaro Fernandez.
“I think (Mbappe) has been self-critical, he’s come out of a situation that could have been complicated for him,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“Yesterday I said his adaptation period was over, today he showed it, sometimes I’m not wrong.”
The coach said Madrid had found their footing after struggling at times in the first half of the season.
“We’re running a bit more, playing with more intensity, we’re doing things well again, as we have to do — they’ve been complicated months,” Ancelotti added.
Madrid’s second, 10 minutes later, was even better, with Valverde firing a screamer into the top corner from over 30 yards out after a short corner.
Ancelotti’s side were in full flow and the third followed in the 34th minute when Lucas Vazquez crossed for Rodrygo.
Sevilla hit back within a minute, with Romero nodding home from Juanlu Sanchez’s cross.
Madrid stretched their lead after the break with Mbappe dinking a superb pass through for Diaz to finish clinically.
Sevilla brought on Navas after the hour mark and he was applauded by the Santiago Bernabeu, with this his 705th and final appearance for the club, far more than any other player.
Madrid and Sevilla players together gave the retiring Spanish great — a World Cup winner in 2010 and two-time Euros champion — a guard of honor at the start of the game.
Navas, 39, won four Europa Leagues and two Copa del Rey trophies with Sevilla, but his final appearance ended in disappointment for the Andalusians.
Lukebakio pulled one back late on for Sevilla as Madrid were able to finish an impressive year, in which they became Spanish and European champions, with positive vibes.
“Today was a spectacle, I haven’t seen anything like that in my life at an away ground, it was crazy,” an emotional Navas told reporters.
“I was thinking of all the moments that I’ve lived through, the joys I’ve given to my Sevilla and my national team.”

Topics: La Liga Kylian Mbappe real madrid Sevilla

Joao Fonseca follows Sinner as landmark NextGen champion in Jeddah

Updated 25 min 12 sec ago

AFP

December 22, 2024 19:27

Joao Fonseca follows Sinner as landmark NextGen champion in Jeddah

Brazil’s Fonseca, 18, came through 2-4, 4-3 (10/8), 4-0, 4-2 to see off his left-handed American opponent

Updated 25 min 12 sec ago

AFP

December 22, 2024 19:27

JEDDAH: Joao Fonseca became the second youngest champion of the NextGen ATP tournament on Sunday when he defied his lowly ranking of 145 to defeat Learner Tien in the final.
Brazil’s Fonseca, 18, came through 2-4, 4-3 (10/8), 4-0, 4-2 to see off his left-handed American opponent.
He is the youngest champion at the event since current world number one Jannik Sinner claimed the title also at the age of 18 five years ago.
“I was really nervous before the match. I knew it was going to be so difficult,” Fonseca said before lifting the trophy with tennis legend Rafael Nadal watching on from the stands.
“I played a final against Learner in juniors at the 2023 US Open and I know the way he can play. He is such a nice guy and a great player, so I knew it was going to be difficult, mentally and physically. But I got through.”
Fonseca, the lowest-ranked player in the eight-man field, won all five matches he played this week at the Red Sea venue.
He began the year ranked at 730 in the world and having made a maiden ATP quarter-final in Rio this year, he will be aiming to make significant progress in 2025.
“I need to believe when I go before a tournament that I can win,” Fonseca said.
“But now I have won it I am thinking, ‘Wow, I made it’. I am very proud of myself.”

Topics: tennis Saudi Arabia ATP 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals

Green Falcons fall to defeat against Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Updated 22 December 2024

John Duerden

December 22, 2024 22:45

Green Falcons fall to defeat against Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Updated 22 December 2024

John Duerden

December 22, 2024 22:45

KUWAIT CITY: Saudi Arabia lost 3-2 to Bahrain on Sunday to get their challenge for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup off to the worst possible start.

The defeat at the hands of their rivals in 2026 World Cup qualification leaves Herve Renard’s men with it all to do if they are to finish in the top two places in Group B and progress to the semi-final.

It also means that the Green Falcons have won just one of their last eight competitive matches.

Bahrain, who drew with Saudi Arabia in October in the final match of Roberto Mancini’s troubled tenure, took the lead in the 19th minute in Kuwait City with a well-worked corner.

Mahdi Al-Humaidan swung over a cross from the right and there was Mahdi Abduljabbar to met the ball at the near post and send a powerful header into the opposite top corner.

Seven minutes before the break and Bahrain extended their lead. Mohamed Marhoon’s low cross from the right took a slight touch from Ali Lajami to help the ball on its way to Humaidan who shot past Nawaf Al-Aqidi from close range.

Saudi Arabia have not won the trophy for 20 years and Renard had selected a strong team to start this campaign and they got back into the game with 17 minutes remaining.

Bahrain failed to deal with a ball into the area and there was Musab Al-Juwayr to side foot the ball beautifully home from the right side of the area.

Suddenly the Saudi Arabian fans in the Jaber International Stadium were on their feet but not for long as three minutes later, Marhoon restored Bahrain’s two-goal cushion in exquisite fashion.

Mohamed Al-Romaih’s volleyed pass from midway in the Saudi Arabian half floated over the heads of the green backline for Marhoon to gently lift the ball over Al-Aqidi.

To Saudi Arabia’s credit, they kept coming back and were given a penalty with four minutes remaining as Amine Benaddi handled in the area. It looked as if Salem Al-Dawsari was going to take the kick but the star of the team, who missed from the spot against Indonesia and Bahrain in recent World Cup qualifiers, handed the ball to Salem Al-Shehri who made no mistake.

The 2004 champions were unable to get the third goal that would have earned a point and now face Yemen, who earlier lost 1-0 to Iraq, in need of improvement, a lift and — most importantly — a win.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Bahrain Gulf Cup 26th Gulf Cup

Troubled Manchester United humiliated by Bournemouth

Updated 22 December 2024

AFP

December 22, 2024 16:29

Troubled Manchester United humiliated by Bournemouth

Second successive flop for Amorim’s side following 4-3 League Cup quarterfinal exit at Tottenham
Bournemouth win came a year after securing first ever victory at Old Trafford

Updated 22 December 2024

AFP

December 22, 2024 16:29

MANCHESTER: Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim lost for the fourth time in his nine games in charge of the troubled Old Trafford club.
It was a second successive flop for Amorim’s side following their 4-3 League Cup quarter-final exit at Tottenham on Thursday.
Bournemouth took a first-half lead through Dean Huijsen before Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo netted after the interval to complete a dismal afternoon for Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.
A year after securing their first ever victory at Old Trafford, Andoni Iraola’s Cherries triumphed by the same scoreline as they inflicted the biggest blow of Amorim’s short reign.
Huijsen became the latest player to capitalize on United’s woeful set-piece defending, before a Kluivert penalty and a Semenyo strike sealed a stunning win that brought boos from the home fans at full-time.
The result leaves United marooned in 13th over Christmas and marked an alarming fall from grace after last Sunday’s 2-1 derby win at Manchester City.
Amorim had always warned there would be bumps in the road but this fourth defeat in his ninth match in charge further underlined the issues at hand.
Marcus Rashford’s absence from a third consecutive matchday squad had dominated the pre-match discussion as Amorim made six changes.
United offered little attacking threat without Rashford and their glaring deficiences at the back were ruthlessly exploited by a Bournemouth side who are now up to fifth place.
Tyrell Malacia was furious to be adjudged to have fouled Adam Smith and Huijsen easily beat Joshua Zirkee to head home the resulting free-kick from Ryan Christie in the 29th minute.
Amorim brought on Leny Yoro for Malacia at half-time and soon made two further changes, with Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho replacing Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte.
The changes made no difference and Noussair Mazraoui conceded a careless penalty when he brought down Kluivert in the 61st minute.
The Netherlands international stepped up to send Andre Onana the wrong way as he stroked home from the spot.
United’s capitulation was complete two minutes later.
Kobbie Mainoo’s pass was cut out and Bournemouth broke as Evanilson slipped in Dango Ouattara, whose cutback was driven home by Semenyo.
Jubilant Bournemouth fans chanted “Man United, it’s happened again” in reference to last year’s victory, while the dejected home supporters flooded toward the exits.

Topics: football soccer England Premier league Manchester United AFC Bournemouth

Renan Ferreira dominates Ryan Bader in Riyadh to set up Ngannou showdown

Renan Ferreira dominates Ryan Bader in Riyadh to set up Ngannou showdown

Professional Fighters League extends global reach with launch of PFL MENA after inaugural Riyadh event

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

Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

Mbappe back from ‘bottom’ as Real Madrid down Sevilla

Mbappe back from ‘bottom’ as Real Madrid down Sevilla

Atletico snatch late win at Barca to top La Liga

Bellingham and Mbappe strike as Real Madrid beat Girona

Joao Fonseca follows Sinner as landmark NextGen champion in Jeddah

Joao Fonseca follows Sinner as landmark NextGen champion in Jeddah

Rafael Nadal delights fans after landing in Jeddah for Next Gen ATP Finals

‘Hate it’: Tien beats friend to set-up NextGen final against Fonseca

Green Falcons fall to defeat against Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Green Falcons fall to defeat against Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Renard confident Green Falcons ready for Gulf Cup challenge

Green Falcons arrive in Kuwait for 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

Troubled Manchester United humiliated by Bournemouth

Troubled Manchester United humiliated by Bournemouth

Son scores direct from a corner as Tottenham beats Man United 4-3 in the English League Cup

Tottenham joins list of top Premier League teams to lose at Bournemouth as fans jeer Postecoglou

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Renan Ferreira dominates Ryan Bader in Riyadh to set up Ngannou showdown

Renan Ferreira dominates Ryan Bader in Riyadh to set up Ngannou showdown

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Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

Mbappe back from ‘bottom’ as Real Madrid down Sevilla

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