Sports
Israel Adesanya reacts to knockout loss to Imavov in Saudi
Israel Adesanya reacts to knockout loss to Imavov in Saudi
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is reassessing his career trajectory after a devastating defeat at UFC Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian-born fighter suffered his fourth loss in five bouts, falling to Nassourdine Imavov via second-round knockout on Saturday, February 1, in Riyadh.
Imavov capitalized on an opening, landing a decisive shot that left Adesanya vulnerable before finishing the fight with ground-and-pound. Though Adesanya showed frustration with the referee’s stoppage, officials had little choice, as allowing the bout to continue could have led to a more severe outcome, according to GIVEMESPORT.
Following the loss, which brought his professional record to 24 wins (16 KOs) and five defeats, Adesanya addressed his future in an interview on the UFC post-fight show. While he did not commit to any immediate decisions, including retirement, he acknowledged that he would take time to reflect.
“I have to chill and then think about things,” Adesanya said. “I will relax first for a little bit, just help the teammates who have fights coming up, and yeah, see what I want to. I was going to do that anyway, but you know, now I’m forced to. Shoutout to Nassourdine for that.”
Adesanya, once a dominant force in the middleweight division, ascended quickly to championship status and pursued a second title in another weight class. However, after a meteoric rise, he now finds himself on a downward trend in the rankings. The path back to a title shot remains uncertain.
Expressing disappointment in the outcome, Adesanya noted that he had controlled the first round—according to GIVEMESPORT’s unofficial scorecard—before being stopped early in the second.
Reflecting on the fight, he said: “My team’s still proud of me for the work that I put into this. It’s just the thrill and agony. To be able to feel something so great but also able to feel something so deep and so [frustrating]. It’s a f****** lovely game, but it’s a stupid game at the same time.”
Acknowledging Imavov’s momentous victory, he added: “He must be excited to beat a guy like me. But again, I felt good. Round one, I was in control of everything. In hindsight, maybe I should have taken some time. I just didn’t want him to rest because I knew he was tired.”
Adesanya now faces a critical period in his career, with fans and analysts eager to see what his next move will be.
Sports
Lamine Yamal Fires Back: “Mocking Religion Makes You Ignorant, Racist”
Lamine Yamal Fires Back: “Mocking Religion Makes You Ignorant, Racist”
Lamine Yamal has sparked widespread conversation after condemning the act of mocking religion, describing it as both ignorant and racist.
The FC Barcelona youngster issued the strong warning while reacting to offensive remarks targeting his beliefs, stressing that respect for religion and cultural differences should never be compromised.
According to Yamal, ridiculing someone’s faith goes beyond humor or free speech, and instead reflects a deeper problem of intolerance and lack of understanding in society.
He said acts of religious mockery contribute to division and hostility, especially in a world where diversity continues to grow across communities, sports, and online spaces.
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The teenage football star urged fans and social media users to embrace tolerance, respect, and inclusivity, rather than spreading hate or engaging in abusive behavior.
His comments come amid rising concerns over online abuse in football, where players increasingly face attacks related to race, religion, and personal identity.
Yamal’s stance has drawn praise from supporters and observers who see his response as a bold step in addressing racism in sports and promoting unity among fans worldwide.
As conversations around freedom of expression vs hate speech continue globally, the young star’s message highlights the importance of mutual respect in maintaining harmony both on and off the pitch.
Lamine Yamal Fires Back: “Mocking Religion Makes You Ignorant, Racist”
Sports
FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in United States
FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in United States
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the Iran national football team will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and play its group stage matches in the United States as originally scheduled, dismissing doubts raised amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Infantino made the announcement on Tuesday during Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkey, saying, “Iran will be at the World Cup. The matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.” He stressed that there is no alternative plan to relocate the games, affirming FIFA’s commitment to keeping the tournament on course.
Iran had previously announced it was negotiating with FIFA to move its matches from the United States to Mexico due to security concerns linked to the ongoing US-Israeli-Iran conflict. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had expressed willingness to host the games if necessary, but FIFA confirmed all three fixtures will remain in the U.S., ensuring compliance with the official tournament draw.
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The Iranian squad is drawn in Group G, alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Their matches are scheduled as follows:
- Iran vs New Zealand – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, June 15, 2026
- Iran vs Belgium – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, June 21, 2026
- Iran vs Egypt – Lumen Field, Seattle, June 26, 2026
Infantino, who attended the friendly match in Turkey, praised the Iranian team as “very, very strong” and confirmed that players and coaches are well-prepared for the tournament. He highlighted FIFA’s principle that all qualified teams must compete according to the official schedule, unaffected by political disputes.
Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, Vice President of the Iran Football Federation (FFIRI), affirmed Iran’s commitment to FIFA’s regulations, stating: “Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honor them.” He said the meeting with Infantino during the friendly gave the team reassurance and a morale boost ahead of the World Cup.
Earlier, some Iranian officials, including Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, had expressed concerns over participation due to safety issues. There were even suggestions that the country might withdraw, but FIFA’s firm stance ensures Iran will compete on U.S. soil as planned.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring 48 teams across multiple North American cities. Iran’s participation guarantees that Group G matches will proceed as drawn, offering fans clarity and ensuring the integrity of the tournament.
FIFA Confirms Iran Will Play 2026 World Cup Matches in United States
Sports
Osimhen Among Highest-Paid African Footballers in 2026 — See Full List
Osimhen Among Highest-Paid African Footballers in 2026 — See Full List
The highest-paid African footballers in 2026 continue to earn staggering wages, with stars in the Saudi Pro League dominating the rankings due to lucrative contracts. From Riyad Mahrez to Mohamed Salah, African players remain among the top earners in global football, earning hundreds of thousands of pounds weekly.
Leading the list is Riyad Mahrez, who earns an estimated £827,000–£886,000 per week at Al-Ahli, making him the highest-paid African footballer. He is followed by Sadio Mané, who earns around £630,000–£680,000 weekly at Al-Nassr.
Defender Kalidou Koulibaly earns about £550,000–£590,000 weekly at Al-Hilal, making him the highest-paid African defender. In Europe, Mohamed Salah continues to command massive wages of £350,000–£400,000 per week at Liverpool FC.
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Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen earns between £250,000–£318,000 weekly at Galatasaray, making him one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers.
Midfielder Franck Kessié and defender Achraf Hakimi both earn just over £220,000 per week, playing for Al-Ahli and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy earns up to £200,000 weekly, while Iñaki Williams takes home about £180,000 per week at Athletic Bilbao. Veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completes the list with weekly earnings of £150,000–£160,000 at Al-Qadsiah.
Top 10 Highest-Paid African Footballers (2026) – Weekly Salaries
| Rank | Player | Club | Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riyad Mahrez | Al-Ahli | £827,000 – £886,000 |
| 2 | Sadio Mané | Al-Nassr | £630,000 – £680,000 |
| 3 | Kalidou Koulibaly | Al-Hilal | £550,000 – £590,000 |
| 4 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool FC | £350,000 – £400,000 |
| 5 | Victor Osimhen | Galatasaray | £250,000 – £318,000 |
| 6 | Franck Kessié | Al-Ahli | £220,000 – £233,000 |
| 7 | Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain | £220,000 – £227,000 |
| 8 | Edouard Mendy | Al-Ahli | £170,000 – £200,000 |
| 9 | Iñaki Williams | Athletic Bilbao | ~£180,000 |
| 10 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Al-Qadsiah | £150,000 – £160,000 |
The rankings underline the growing dominance of the Saudi Pro League, which now offers significantly higher wages than most European leagues, attracting top African talent. Only a few players, such as Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, remain among the top earners in Europe.
Osimhen Among Highest-Paid African Footballers in 2026 — See Full List
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