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Impa Kasanganay earns top seed after victory in PFL light heavyweight playoffs

Impa Kasanganay earns top seed after victory in PFL light heavyweight playoffs
Impa Kasanganay on his way to victory against Jakob Nedoh at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. (PFL)
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Updated 22 June 2024
Arab News

Impa Kasanganay earns top seed after victory in PFL light heavyweight playoffs

Impa Kasanganay earns top seed after victory in PFL light heavyweight playoffs
  • Kasanganay will face Josh Silveira in the 2024 PFL light heavyweight semifinals
  • The 2024 PFL Global Season action continues Friday, June 28 from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Updated 22 June 2024
Arab News

SALT LAKE CITY: Impa Kasanganay emerged victorious on Friday night as the 2024 PFL Global Season resumed from the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The 12-fight Professional Fighters League event card featured the lightweight and light heavyweight divisions.

The evening’s co-main event featured 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion Kasanganay squaring off with Jakob Nedoh. The two battled back and forth until Kasanganay landed a flurry of devastating punches leading to a doctor’s stoppage after the second round. Kasanganay continues his million-dollar journey with a berth in the 2024 PFL Global Season playoffs.

In the night’s other main event, Clay Collard and Mads Burnell went the three-round distance. Burnell took control of the action with a superior ground game, nullifying Collard’s striking advantage. Burnell earned a unanimous decision, playing the spoiler in Collard’s hometown return.

Former lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull faced Bruno Miranda in a lightweight global season bout with Miranda defeating Pitbull by split decision. Unfortunately for both fighters, Miranda and Pitbull were eliminated from the PFL playoffs due to points.

The 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson met 2023 runner-up Josh Silveira in Global Season action. The two battled for three rounds, showcasing their technical acumen. In the end, it was Wilkinson taking the razor-thin, split-decision victory. Both competitors clinched 2024 PFL playoffs berths.

Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov squared off with Cameroon’s Simon Biyong in a light heavyweight PFL Global Season matchup. After three intense rounds, Yagshimuradov was judged as the superior fighter, winning by unanimous decision. As a result, Yagshimuradov clinched a spot in the 2024 PFL playoffs.

“The Professional Fighters League’s debut in Salt Lake City was an unforgettable event featuring the best athletes in MMA as they continued their million-dollar journey,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “The PFL season format makes every fight a must-win, giving us an unparalleled connection to the fans while providing unrivaled action with the highest stakes in the sport.”

“Salt Lake City saw eight athletes qualify for the 2024 PFL Global Season playoffs in a night of non-stop PFL action,” said Ray Sefo, president of fighter operations at PFL. “We look forward to next week’s 2024 PFL regular season finale in Sioux Falls.”

Antonio Carlos Jr. and Alex Polizzi met in Global Season light heavyweight action. Polizzi earned a hard-fought unanimous decision. The decision ended both fighters’ hopes of moving on to the 2024 PFL playoffs.

Brent Primus defeated Solomon Renfro by submission in the third round in a lightweight PFL Global Season matchup. Primus clinched a 2024 PFL playoff berth with the victory.

Sadibou Sy faced off against Andrew Sanchez in a light heavyweight Global Season bout. In an action-packed fight, both men traded strikes until Sy ended the affair in the third round by TKO.

In a lightweight Global Season matchup, it was win-or-go-home time for Gadzhi Rabadanov and Elvin Espinoza. The fight went the distance, with both fighters trading shots for three rounds. In the end it was Rabadanov who left the PFL smartcage victorious after a unanimous decision, earning a spot in the 2024 PFL playoffs.

In lightweight PFL Global Season action, Adam Piccolotti defeated Michael Dufort by split decision in a hard-fought matchup. The victory was not enough to put Piccolotti into the postseason, Dufort however, did eventually earn his first trip to the PFL playoffs.

In an exciting PFL Global Season lightweight alternate bout, Sergio Cossio defeated Anthony Romero by unanimous decision in his PFL debut. The win extends former lightweight champion Cossio’s winning streak to nine.

The first fight of the night, a featherweight showcase bout between undefeated fighters Brahyan Zurcher and Julian Ruiz, resulted in a second-round KO by Zurcher. Zurcher improves to 9-0 as a pro with seven stoppage wins.

The 2024 PFL Global Season continues on Friday, June 28 from Sioux Falls, South Dakota with featherweight and welterweight action.

Topics: UFC MMA PFL

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Al-Ain ‘honored and proud’ to represent UAE at Club World Cup against Juventus, says Khalid Al-Hashemi

Al-Ain ‘honored and proud’ to represent UAE at Club World Cup against Juventus, says Khalid Al-Hashemi
Updated 14 sec ago
Arab News

Al-Ain ‘honored and proud’ to represent UAE at Club World Cup against Juventus, says Khalid Al-Hashemi

Al-Ain ‘honored and proud’ to represent UAE at Club World Cup against Juventus, says Khalid Al-Hashemi
  • The defender said the club’s sponsorship by ADNOC and XRG in the new tournament is indicative of support from across the UAE
Updated 14 sec ago
Arab News

ABU DHABI: Al-Ain defender Khalid Al-Hashemi says it will be a privilege for the club’s players to take to the field at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Juventus in their opening fixture.

Al-Ain begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against the Italian giants in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 18 (4 a.m. KSA on June 19) before further Group G matches vs. Manchester City and Wydad.

Al-Hashemi, who starred in both legs of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League final and is a UAE national team defender, says Al-Ain are relishing the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level.

“Preparations are going well here in the US with the coach and the technical staff,” said the 28-year-old center-back, who wears No.16 for Al-Ain. “The opportunity to play against Juve and against City in particular is a big opportunity to learn and see how our levels are now, and if we can reach their levels and compete. We will do our best in our training sessions before the games and hopefully we can get good results.

“Our hopes are really high,” Al-Hashemi added. “We all know that we have pressure, but we want to represent Al-Ain and the UAE in the best way possible. We want to get results and show that Al-Ain are not just here (to make up the numbers) — we want to compete, we want to fight for the badge, for the flag and the country.”

The club enters the new competition with significant backing from XRG, the official sponsor of Al-Ain’s training kit during the FIFA Club World Cup, and through to the end of the upcoming season; as well as ADNOC, who will be the official sponsor of club’s first team jerseys during local matches throughout the upcoming season.

Al-Hashemi believes this backing is indicative of the support from across the UAE as Al-Ain seek to make the nation proud on the biggest global stage in club football.

“We are very privileged to have this partnership with XRG and ADNOC,” says Al-Hashemi. “Al-Ain is honored and I think both parties are very happy with this partnership. Hopefully we represent our club, the company and our country on the biggest stage in a good way and get good results. We are very honored and very proud to be at the biggest club competition in world football.”

Al-Ain secured their place at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2023-24 AFC Champions League, defeating Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos 6-3 over two legs in the final.

Following their opening FIFA Club World Cup match against Serie A giants Juventus, Al-Ain travel to Atlanta to play eight-time Premier League winners Manchester City, before concluding their group stage fixtures against Wydad from Morocco in Washington, D.C. on June 26.

Al-Hashemi, who was born in Abu Dhabi, says one of his big hopes from Al-Ain taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup is that it will inspire the next generation of Emirati footballers. The competition, the first under an expanded format, runs from June 14 to July 13 in the US, and features 32 top teams from across world football.

“I imagine that when we play in the FIFA Club World Cup, the young generation will see this and say ‘one day I want to play in this competition, the biggest competition in the world’,” said AI-Hashemi. “Imagine how that will impact the young generation and give them hope and inspiration to play for a club and the national team. Hopefully, as a group and individually, we inspire the young generation to come back here to this tournament.”

Topics: football al-ain fc UAE Club World Cup

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Former champion Kvitova handed Wimbledon wildcard

Updated 2 min 52 sec ago
Reuters

Former champion Kvitova handed Wimbledon wildcard

Former champion Kvitova handed Wimbledon wildcard
  • The Czech, winner at the All England Club in 2011 and 2014, began her comeback from a 17-month maternity break last February
Updated 2 min 52 sec ago
Reuters
LONDON: Two times Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been handed a wildcard to the women’s singles draw after being ranked too low for direct entry, organizers said on Wednesday.
The Czech, winner at the All England Club in 2011 and 2014, began her comeback from a 17-month maternity break last February.
The 35-year-old, a former world number two, is currently 572nd in the WTA rankings. She lost in the first round of a WTA 500 event on grass at Queen’s Club earlier this month.
Kvitova was the only non-British player on the initial list of wildcards, which includes former British men’s number one Dan Evans.

Inzaghi downplays Al-Hilal agreement timeline, says he gave everything to Inter

Inzaghi downplays Al-Hilal agreement timeline, says he gave everything to Inter
Updated 27 min 26 sec ago
Reuters

Inzaghi downplays Al-Hilal agreement timeline, says he gave everything to Inter

Inzaghi downplays Al-Hilal agreement timeline, says he gave everything to Inter
  • “It might look like it’s something that came quickly, but it’s the result of hard work,” Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada said
Updated 27 min 26 sec ago
Reuters

MIAMI:Simone Inzaghi said he gave his all to Inter Milan before taking over at Al-Hilal earlier this month after the Saudi club’s CEO told the BBC the move had been agreed before Inter’s 5-0 loss to Paris St. Germain in the Champions League final.
Inzaghi won a Serie A title, two Coppa Italias and three Italian Super Cups during his four years at Inter but could not deliver the Champions League title and left the club just days after their humiliating defeat by PSG in Munich.
“It might look like it’s something that came quickly, but it’s the result of hard work,” Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada said.
“He was playing a massive match and asked (us) to keep things aside until after the final, it was decided but not signed before the final, just because out of respect he asked us to wait, which is certainly fair enough.”
The comments prompted Italian media to question whether the Inter squad knew about the move ahead of the final and if it had any impact on their performance.
Inzaghi, speaking ahead of Al-Hilal’s first game at the Club World Cup against Real Madrid on Wednesday, said there could be no questions about his commitment to Inter during his time there.
“Today I heard — or heard about — all sorts of things, as has often happened during the four years I was at Inter,” the Italian told a press conference.
“If this was the price to pay for my four years at Inter, I’ll gladly pay it. But it’s nothing compared to the good I received from the entire Inter world — I mean the fans, the management, the players, everyone at Inter.
“I know I’ll miss it — I’ll miss everything, even this — even the most unfair accusations that were made over these four years.
“But I was truly happy. I gave my all.”
Inter President Beppe Barotta did not want to be drawn into the controversy but said no individual was bigger than his club.
“I don’t chase after rumors, denials, or other people’s behavior — everyone knows what they’ve done,” he said before Inter’s Club World Cup game against Monterrey on Tuesday.
“A cycle has ended and we thank Simone Inzaghi for all he’s given us, but now there’s a new cycle to open and focus on. Inter’s story moves forward and doesn’t depend on individuals. ”

Topics: Inzaghi Al-Hilal

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Not slowing down at 39, Sergio Ramos soars and scores a goal for the ages at the Club World Cup

Not slowing down at 39, Sergio Ramos soars and scores a goal for the ages at the Club World Cup
Updated 18 June 2025
AP

Not slowing down at 39, Sergio Ramos soars and scores a goal for the ages at the Club World Cup

Not slowing down at 39, Sergio Ramos soars and scores a goal for the ages at the Club World Cup
  • Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw
Updated 18 June 2025
AP

PASADENA: Sergio Ramos leaped in the air and soared back in time.
The 39-year-old center back slipped through the penalty area, outfoxed two Inter Milan players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey in the Club World Cup on Tuesday night. Just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, Ramos combined smarts, timing and physicality to make an enormous play on an international stage.
Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament.
“There is always a joy to contribute to the team by scoring,” Ramos said through an interpreter. “But if we can get points, that’s even better. We played very well as a team. Of course, football showcases the goal, but we’re here to share this experience.”
Still, the moment was exactly what Ramos had in mind four months ago when he eschewed the comfortable life at a Saudi club or the lure of Major League Soccer to continue his professional career in Liga MX with Monterrey — a proud and relatively wealthy club, but hardly the Mexican equivalent of Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
When he returned to the sport from a nine-month break, Ramos chose Rayados in part because they had already qualified for the Club World Cup, and he wanted to play with the world watching.
FIFA has been similarly eager to showcase the world’s most famous players in this tournament, whether it’s by quickly including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on curious grounds, or by creating a special transfer window in an unsuccessful attempt to encourage a CWC club to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ramos made it happen for himself — and then one of the greatest center backs in soccer history delivered in Monterrey’s first match, complete with an appropriately flashy celebration with his thrilled teammates and their ecstatic fans.
While he showed his usual defensive prowess for much of the match against Inter, Ramos also has been a regular contributor on offense since signing with Monterrey, which has already made him its captain and a fan favorite.
Monterrey qualified for the Club World Cup way back in 2021 by winning the CONCACAF Champions League. At that time, Ramos was at PSG, only a few months removed from the end of his 16-year career at Madrid.
“He comes from football that we all know, and he has a lot of information that he can share with his teammates,” new Monterrey coach Domènec Torrent said after his debut. “This is always something that’s very helpful. His character, his personality, he’s a leader every day. The players, he expects much of them, but that’s (good) because I have a leader on the pitch every day who knows what we expect.”
Torrent said his job is much easier because he can rely on Ramos at the back and his former Real Madrid teammate, Sergio Canales, in the offensive attack to keep their teammates organized and working hard. Canales hit the post with an impressive 30-yard strike in the second half.
Not everything was perfect in Pasadena: Ramos shared some responsibility for Lautaro Martínez’s tying goal late in the first half, although it came after an exceptional bit of ball movement that would have been difficult for any team in the world to stop.
Ramos then pushed through fatigue in the second half to keep the match tied, delivering a key result to Monterrey’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage. He was named the man of the match.
“We had a very good second half especially,” Ramos said. “We faced a very tough opponent, so that’s very gratifying. The result speaks volumes.”

Topics: Ramos football

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Nelly Korda suffers neck spasm, but will be ready for Women’s PGA Championship

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Updated 18 June 2025
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Nelly Korda suffers neck spasm, but will be ready for Women’s PGA Championship

Nelly Korda suffers neck spasm, but will be ready for Women’s PGA Championship
  • Korda cited a neck injury for missing a pair of tournaments on the Asia swing late in the 2024 season
  • Korda said the heat in Texas this week will be a potential complicating factor as she tries to gameplan how to “be smart” and take care of her body while going out and competing
Updated 18 June 2025
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FRISCO, Texas: World No. 1 Nelly Korda attended a press conference Tuesday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with therapeutic tape on her neck.

Korda explained that she suffered a spasm the day before during practice at PGA Frisco, the site of this week’s major championship.

“I hit a shot out of the rough yesterday (Monday), and my neck went into a full spasm,” Korda said. “It’s getting better, but yeah, it was not very good yesterday.”

But Korda — the betting favorite to win this week despite a winless start to her season —  said she expects to be ready for her first-round tee time Thursday.

The injury nonetheless comes at a tough time for Korda, whose last win on the LPGA Tour came in November. She tied for second at the US Women’s Open earlier this month.

Korda cited a neck injury for missing a pair of tournaments on the Asia swing late in the 2024 season. She also sat out a chunk of the 2022 season due to a blood clot in her arm.

“Obviously with the injury that I had last year, every single time something kind of flares up in my neck now, I think I feel it a little bit more than what I used to,” she said.

“But I have a great physio who takes care of me. Trying to work through it, but I’ll be ready by Thursday.”

Korda said the heat in Texas this week will be a potential complicating factor as she tries to gameplan how to “be smart” and take care of her body while going out and competing.

Korda won the first of her two major titles at the 2021 Women’s PGA in Atlanta. That earned her a lifetime invite to the champions’ dinner, but she had to pass on the tradition Monday evening while getting treatment for her neck.

“I didn’t go because of my neck. I was so sad to miss it, though,” Korda said. “I messaged (defending champion Amy Yang of South Korea); the menu looked unbelievable. I love Korean food. So I was really jealous.

“At the end of the day, I need to prioritize my body. So I wasn’t able to go, but I missed out on a good dinner.”

Topics: Women’s PGA Championship Nelly Korda KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

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