Sports
Israel Adesanya defeats Cannonier to retain UFC middleweight title
Israel Adesanya defeated Jarred Cannonier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to retain the UFC middleweight championship.
Adesanya fought against middleweight contender Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 at the T-mobile Arena, Las Vegas Sunday morning.
Since making his debut in 2018, ‘The Last Stylebender’ has looked better each time he’s stepped into the Octagon and is still undefeated in the middleweight. He first captured the interim title in the Fight of The Year winner against Kelvin Gastelum in 2019.
‘Izzy’ then defeated Robert Whittaker and unified the titles that same year.
He has successfully defended his title four times since then. On an otherwise perfect record for Adesanya (22-1), his only loss was during his unsuccessful step up to light heavyweight, losing to then-champion Jan Blachowicz.
On Sunday, the Nigerian-born New Zealander successfully defended his middleweight title for the fifth time.
While Adesanya defeated Robert Whittaker in February for the second time to retain his middleweight strap, Cannonier knocked out Derek Brunson in the second round in February to become the weight’s No.1 contender.
In the last round on Sunday, Cannonier struggled to get a takedown while Adesanya was cautious as the crowd got restless.
Though Adesanya landed clean jabs, Cannonier fired back with a flurry of punches.
However, Cannonier failed to complete a takedown and lost by unanimous decision.
Round four
Cannonier landed a little right hand early in the round but Adesanya tagged him with a hard jab in round four.
Adesanya landed a heavy body kick and a two-punch combo behind it. Another right hand landed for Adesanya.
He then landed a left and ducked and spun under a wild shot from Cannonier. Cannonier grabbed another clinch along the cage but did nothing with it before Adesanya broke away and landed a leg kick.
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Again, Cannonier clinched up along the cage while Adesanya landed a few inside punches.
Round three:
Israel Adesanya went right back to the leg kicks before throwing a front kick that just missed Cannonier’s face.
For the first time in the fight, Cannonier shot but Adesanya threw him into the cage, easily avoiding the takedown. Cannonier missed with a sweeping hook.
Cannonier shot again and landed a right hand in the process.
He then stuck Adesanya against the cage, landing some good shots to the face and body in his best moment of the fight.
Adesanya came back with a hard jab and more kicks to the legs.
Cannonier connected with a left and right hand before Adesanya threw a four-strike flurry in return.
Cannonier then again drove forward with a clinch to stick Adesanya to the cage.
Adesanya landed a lot of short shots to Cannonier’s head while Cannonier held the clinch and kneed at the champ’s legs.
A better round for Cannonier but still likely one for the champ.
Round two:
Adesanya landed a good early jab, continuing to use his length to keep Cannonier from getting inside.
Adesanya then missed a head kick but landed to the body.
Adesanya landed a few hard leg kicks and then a left hand to Cannonier’s face. Adesanya started to throw more kicks to the legs and body as Cannonier’s output started to drop.
Cannonier just missed with a big counter left hand.
Adesanya opened up with a few flurries of strikes before landing a solid combination that stumbled Cannonier.
Then came an accidental eye poke by Adesanya that led to a break.
Adesanya went back to work on the legs with kicks but Cannonier returned with some of his own.
Adesanya landed one last left hand before the end of the round.
Round one:
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier both threw leg kicks in round one without a touch of gloves.
Adesanya threw leg kicks and blocked Cannonier’s. A wild, winging overhand right was dodged by the champion.
Adesanya switched stances and twitches – not even fully feinting yet.
Cannonier missed with his first leg kick while Adesanya landed an early one of his own.
Both men were very hesitant early, but Adesanya landed a few left hands and more leg kicks as Cannonier stalked forward. Cannonier did land a few leg kicks after about a minute of action.
Adesanya landed a good body kick and used feints to keep Cannonier a bit unsettled. Adesanya started mixing his angles and strikes, but Cannonier did find a home for a few more leg kicks.
Cannonier ducked under an Adesanya head kick but did eat a left hand after.
PUNCH
Sports
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.
The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.
“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.
“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.
Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Sports
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Nigerian international Ademola Lookman was the star of the show on Sunday, delivering a match-winning performance as Atalanta secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in an explosive Serie A encounter at the Gewiss Stadium.
Lookman not only scored the decisive goal but also provided a crucial assist that helped Atalanta draw level earlier in the match.
Fiorentina took the lead early in the game, but Lookman’s magic inspired Atalanta’s comeback.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Lucas Martinez Quarta capitalized on a rebound, rifling the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Atalanta, however, responded quickly. In the 21st minute, Lookman sent a superb cross into the box, and Mateo Retegui connected with a powerful header that left Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea with no chance, leveling the score at 1-1.
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Fiorentina regained the lead in the 32nd minute when Moise Kean tapped home after Robin Gosens headed the ball across the goal. Moments later, Kean came close to adding a third but saw his effort hit the post.
Atalanta fought back once again, and just before halftime, Charles De Ketelaere’s deft header from an Ederson free kick made it 2-2.
The momentum had shifted, and it didn’t take long for Lookman to showcase his individual brilliance. In first-half stoppage time, he embarked on a solo run, weaving through the Fiorentina defence before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to give Atalanta a 3-2 lead.
Lookman nearly extended his tally in the second half, coming close to scoring on several occasions, including a narrow miss in the 49th minute.
Despite Fiorentina’s pressure, Atalanta held on for a crucial victory, with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also making a number of key saves to secure the win.
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Sports
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
The U-18 national women’s basketball team, the Junior D’Tigress, failed to win the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2024 final on Saturday.
The team lost 56-76 to Mali that clinched a record ninth title.
A report by Premium Times notes that despite a strong start with a 5-0 run, the Nigerians struggled to keep up with the dominant Malian side.
Mali won all four quarters, taking the first 11-8, the second 18-15, the third 24-19, and the fourth quarter with a commanding 23-14.
The Malians excelled in the paint, outscoring Nigeria 30-16, and capitalised on fast breaks, adding 15 points. Nigeria’s bench was more productive, contributing 24 points compared to Mali’s 12.
Mali’s 17-year-old Oummou Koumare was named FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket’s Most Valuable Player.
Nigerian guard Idubamo Beggi earned a spot in the All-Star team of the tournament.
She scored 23 points in the opening loss to Egypt and the semifinal victory over Uganda, although the Malians held her to 14 points in the final.
Beggi also contributed 32 assists and 17 rebounds throughout the tournament in South Africa.
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