Conor McGregor says he has accepted a date and an opponent for his long-awaited UFC return, although the former two-weight champion is yet to receive a formal contract.
The Dubliner has not competed inside the octagon since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Taking to social media in a swiftly deleted post, the 36-year-old claimed terms had been agreed in principle.
“I have been offered an opponent and a date and I accept. Waiting on my contract.”
White House speculation intensifies
The timing of the announcement comes shortly after UFC CEO Dana White discussed plans for a historic event at the White House.
White recently confirmed that a card had been “built” for a potential show on President Donald Trump’s lawn later this year.
“We got the White House card done last week,” the promotional boss initially stated, before clarifying that matchmaking options had been laid out rather than fully signed.
While White did not explicitly link McGregor to the Washington DC event, the Irishman’s global profile makes him a logical candidate for such a high-stakes occasion.
Who will McGregor face?
McGregor did not disclose the identity of his opponent, sparking intense speculation regarding who will welcome him back to competition.
Michael Chandler remains a strong possibility, despite White previously suggesting that specific bout had been shelved.
Earlier this week, the former featherweight and lightweight king hinted at the match-up by posting Chandler’s “see you at the top” catchphrase online.
Other potential adversaries mentioned in connection with McGregor’s comeback include Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington and long-time rival Nate Diaz.
Tyson Fury is poised to make his return to the boxing ring for a heavyweight clash against the dangerous Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The former world champion has been out of action recently but is now preparing to face the menacing Russian puncher.
This bout represents a significant challenge for the Morecambe-based fighter as he looks to reassert his dominance in the division.
A dangerous test for the Gypsy King
Makhmudov, known as “The Lion”, carries a formidable reputation for knockout power and physical strength.
Sky Sports reporter Andy Scott has outlined the details surrounding the match-up, indicating that the fight will test Fury’s resilience.
The British heavyweight will need to utilise his superior movement and boxing IQ to negate the heavy-handed approach of his opponent.
The heavyweight landscape
Victory against the Montreal-based contender would propel Fury back into contention for major titles.
However, a loss could prove catastrophic for the 35-year-old’s future ambitions in the sport.
Fans are eagerly awaiting official confirmation of the date and venue for what promises to be an explosive encounter.
Tiger Woods has indicated he remains open to captaining the United States at the 2027 Ryder Cup after declining the role for next year’s contest.
Future leadership ambitions
The 15-time major champion famously turned down the opportunity to lead the Americans at Bethpage Black in 2025.
He cited ongoing time constraints regarding the negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as the primary reason for his decision.
However, the 48-year-old has now suggested that the timing could be more favourable when the biennial event travels to Adare Manor in Ireland.
Speaking about the possibility, the former world number one admitted that taking the helm for the away fixture is a prospect he is considering.
Changes in US management
Following Woods’ rejection of the 2025 captaincy, the PGA of America surprisingly appointed Keegan Bradley to lead the hosts in New York.
Bradley will be tasked with reclaiming the trophy after the United States suffered a heavy defeat by Europe in Rome last year.
The American legend has previously served as a vice-captain, most notably assisting Davis Love III during the victory at Hazeltine in 2016.
Woods owns a mixed playing record in the competition, having featured on just one winning team in eight appearances as a player.
A move to captain the side in 2027 would pit him against a European team looking to defend their formidable home record.
Teenager Ami Nakai has stormed into the lead of the women’s figure skating at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, heading a dominant display by the Japanese team.
The 17-year-old posted a season-best score of 78.71 to take top spot on the leaderboard in Italy.
She is followed closely by compatriot and three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto in second place.
With Mone Chiba – a bronze medallist at last year’s World Championships – sitting fourth, Japan currently occupy three of the top four positions ahead of the decisive free skate.
Liu in contention as Glenn falters
The Japanese trio capitalised on uncharacteristic errors from the highly fancied American contingent.
Reigning world champion Alysa Liu lies in third place, keeping medal hopes alive for the United States.
Liu, instantly recognisable by her halo hair and lip piercing, drew a raucous reaction from a crowd that included team-mate Ilia Malinin and rap icon Snoop Dogg.
However, the American lost vital points after landing her triple lutz on the quarter.
The judging panel deemed the rotation incomplete, penalising the skater for returning to the ice 90 degrees short.
It was a far more difficult evening for US champion Amber Glenn, who suffered a disastrous routine.
The 26-year-old missed her triple loop entirely, resulting in zero points for that specific element.
Glenn burst into tears as she exited the rink, aware that her medal chances had evaporated as she finished the segment down in 13th place.
Petrosian debuts amid boos
Russian national champion Adeliia Petrosian, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), sits in fifth place.
The 18-year-old is coached by the controversial Eteri Tutberidze, although she was accompanied by Daniil Gleikhengauz while receiving her scores.
Despite fans in the arena holding banners of support, the teenager faced a smattering of boos during her introduction – a rarity in figure skating.
Petrosian, who has been unable to compete internationally due to the ban on Russian athletes, performed a spotless routine to a Michael Jackson medley.
She landed an excellent triple flip and toe loop to earn a season-best score of 72.89.
Spours bows out for Team GB
It was an emotional end to the competitive career of Kristen Spours.
Competing in her final event before an injury-enforced retirement, the Team GB skater finished in 29th place.
The Woking-born athlete will miss out on the free skate, with only the top 24 competitors progressing to Thursday evening’s medal decider.
Tiger Woods says he is not ruling out a return to professional golf at the Masters in April following his recovery from back surgery.
The 15-time major champion underwent lumbar disc replacement in October after also rupturing his Achilles earlier in the year.
Woods, 50, has not played competitively since missing the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2024.
“It has been challenging,” said Woods, who is hosting this week’s Genesis Invitational. “My body has been through a lot. Each and every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get it to a level that I can play at the highest level.”
Recovery progress and physical toll
While the American confirms his Achilles is no longer an issue, the aftermath of his spinal procedure remains the primary hurdle for a comeback.
Woods is now able to hit full shots, but the physical demands of tournament play require patience.
“It’s just sore. It takes time,” he explained. “[Will Zalatoris] went through it, and it took him a while to come back. I’m a little bit older than [him]. It’s probably going to take me a little bit longer.”
Although his game has shown flashes of his former brilliance during practice, walking 72 holes remains a significant physical challenge due to the toll of multiple surgeries.
Champions Tour and cart usage
The former world number one has previously dismissed using a cart on the PGA Tour, but acknowledged he would consider it for senior events.
Having turned 50, Woods is now eligible to compete on the Champions Tour.
“I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart,” he said.
“That’s something that, as I said, I won’t do out here on this tour because I don’t believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that’s certainly an opportunity.”
Ryder Cup captaincy decision looming
Beyond his rehabilitation, the 82-time PGA Tour winner remains heavily involved in administrative duties as vice chairman of the board.
This workload is currently delaying a decision regarding the Team USA captaincy for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.
“They have asked me for my input on it, and I haven’t made my decision yet,” Woods stated.
“I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour. That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team, our Team USA… justice with my time.”
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey is set to return to mixed martial arts after nearly a decade away to face Gina Carano in a Netflix-streamed event on 16 May.
The bout will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and marks the first professional MMA card promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).
It will be contested at 145lb over five rounds and streamed live on the subscription service.
A clash of pioneers
Rousey described the matchup as the “biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history” in a statement confirming the news.
“Been waiting so long to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down… This is for all MMA fans past, present and future.”
Ronda Rousey
The 39-year-old has not competed in the cage since losing to Amanda Nunes in December 2016.
Organisers confirmed the fight will be professionally sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA and will take place inside a hexagonal cage.
From UFC dominance to WWE stardom
Rousey, an Olympic judo bronze medallist, became the face of women’s MMA during a dominant run as UFC bantamweight champion between 2013 and 2015.
She successfully defended her title six times before suffering a shock knockout defeat against Holly Holm.
Following her initial retirement from the sport, the Californian transitioned to professional wrestling, capturing world titles during a four-year stint with WWE.
She was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.
Carano steps back into the cage
Carano, widely regarded as a trailblazer for female fighters, has not competed professionally since a defeat by Cris Cyborg in 2009.
The 7-1 fighter was a major draw during her time in Strikeforce and helped raise the profile of women’s MMA prior to the UFC’s adoption of the division.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP, said the pairing of the two legends was the “perfect combination to enthrall the masses”.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has urged Casey Wasserman to step down as chairman of the 2028 Olympic Games following scrutiny over his past links to Ghislaine Maxwell.
Bass stated her position during a media interview on Monday, despite the organising board recently voting to keep their chairman in post.
“My opinion is that he should step down,” the Mayor told CNN.
The controversy stems from flirtatious emails sent in 2003 between the sports executive and Maxwell, which were published in US government files shortly before the Winter Games began in Milan.
IOC remains distant as pressure builds
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has largely attempted to distance itself from the scandal, insisting it remains a domestic governance issue.
Scrutiny has intensified throughout February, distracting from the opening week of the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
“I understand there are many conversations happening at this moment but I will not make any further comment,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in Italy on Tuesday.
“This is obviously a matter for the board of LA28 still at this stage.”
Mayor criticises board decision
The LA28 board had previously backed the chairman to remain in charge following an internal review conducted by outside legal counsel.
However, the city’s political leader described that move as “unfortunate” while acknowledging she does not hold the power to fire him directly.
“I don’t support the decision. I do think that we need to look at the leadership,” Bass added.
“However, my job as mayor of Los Angeles is to make sure that our city is completely prepared to have the best Olympics that has ever happened in Olympic history.”
Both the Mayor and California Governor Gavin Newsom are viewed as critical figures in delivering the complex logistical support required for the Games in four years’ time.
Wasserman expresses regret over contact
Wasserman has been instrumental in the Los Angeles project since the bid was originally launched in 2015.
The executive has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein or his former associate.
In a statement issued prior to arriving in Milan, the organising chief addressed the emails directly.
“I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell,” Wasserman said, noting the interaction occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light”.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking and the abuse of minors.
Alysa Liu has secured her place on the US Olympic team for Milan 2026 after finishing second at the national championships, capping a remarkable comeback to the sport following her retirement at age 16.
A new outlook on competition
The 20-year-old produced a stellar performance to take the lead before watching Amber Glenn claim the title.
Instead of retreating backstage, the Californian remained rink-side to cheer for her rival in a display of genuine sportsmanship.
Liu joined third-placed Isabeau Levito to roar in ovation as Glenn secured her third consecutive national title.
The World Championship medallist immediately embraced the winner, telling Glenn she "deserved" the victory.
"I mean, I would say that I was watching my competitors. But I was watching backstage so people wouldn’t see my reaction. Alysa is watching ice-side because she doesn’t care about her reaction. She is truly just supporting Amber."
Former Olympian Ashley Wagner
Returning on her own terms
The Oakland native had walked away from figure skating at just 16 years old, citing burnout and a lack of agency.
Her return marks a significant shift in mindset, with the skater now showcasing a unique personal style including multicoloured hair.
She has now been officially named to the American squad for the upcoming Winter Games in Milan.
Finding peace on the ice
Liu believes her previous Olympic experience was defined by decisions made by others regarding her music and costumes.
"I had no art to show before. People were making me skate to this [music], putting me in that dress, I had no control. I didn’t even know who was making the decisions and I didn’t want to be there anyways."
Alysa Liu
The American star feels she is now better equipped to handle the pressures of elite competition.
Liu could be pivotal in ending the United States’ 20-year medal drought in the women’s singles event.