Conor McGregor has confirmed he will return to the UFC this summer, with intense speculation suggesting the Irishman will face Jorge Masvidal in Las Vegas on 11 July.
The former dual-weight champion has been absent from the octagon for nearly five years.
His last appearance ended in disaster when he suffered a severe leg break during a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier.
However, the Dubliner took to social media to emphatically announce his impending comeback during International Fight Week.
The rumours are true. Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again!
Masvidal emerges as clear favourite
While no official opponent has been named, supporters have quickly connected the dots following recent comments from another veteran fighter.
Former welterweight title challenger Masvidal recently revealed that the promotion blocked his request to compete on an upcoming Netflix boxing card.
The Miami native claimed executives denied the move because they have significant plans for his next appearance.
They said ‘No, we’re going to use you’ and I’ll break the news on this podcast who they want me to fight and when and where.
Social media consensus points to blockbuster showdown
Masvidal noted that he had a lucrative offer on the table but insists he is eager to fulfil his current contractual obligations.
This revelation has led numerous combat sports enthusiasts to conclude that a long-awaited clash between the two superstars is finally materialising.
Supporters correctly highlight that both men remain under contract and possess the star power required to headline the July event.
Although the matchup would have carried even more divisional relevance several years ago, it remains a highly lucrative proposition for the promotion.
Rasmus Hojlund has confirmed he will leave Manchester United permanently for Napoli after claiming manager Ruben Amorim did not want him at Old Trafford.
The Danish international is expected to finalise a £38m transfer to the Serie A club following a successful loan spell.
United originally paid Atalanta £72m for the striker in 2023 under former boss Erik ten Hag.
Struggles and a historic low
The 22-year-old endured a difficult spell in English football, suffering a 21-game goal drought between December and March during his final season.
His lack of form coincided with a disastrous campaign for the Red Devils, who recorded their worst-ever Premier League finish of 15th place.
Following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko in Manchester, the forward was subsequently sent out on loan to Naples.
Finding form in Italy
Since returning to the Italian top flight, the former Atalanta prospect has rediscovered his goalscoring touch with 10 goals in 26 league appearances.
Speaking to Danish outlet TV2, he expressed relief at finding a supportive environment.
“I got what I wanted with my transfer,” the striker explained.
“I got a team that believes in me a lot. A club that believes in me a lot. A sporting director, a president and a coach who wants me.”
He added: “I was put in a bit of a box at the end in Manchester. I knew there wouldn’t be much football for me if it continued like this.”
Dealing with media scrutiny
The Copenhagen-born forward also addressed the intense criticism he faced in his homeland during his time in the Premier League.
“I was happy to play football in Manchester,” he said.
“I know that, especially in Denmark, a media image was formed that it was all just terrible, and that I played like a bag of nuts, but that’s not how I look at it.”
The attacker acknowledged the difficulty of ignoring online commentary in the modern game.
“It’s hard not to be on your phone. And if you are on your phone, you’re bound to see what’s being written about you in some way,” he noted.
Remaining grounded
Despite his recent resurgence in Italy, he insists he remains focused on personal improvement rather than media praise.
“Now it’s portrayed as if I’m back and just doing really well, but inside myself my thoughts are in a completely different place,” he concluded.
“I’m self-critical. I still want to be even better, more involved in the games and score more goals.”
Swansea City midfielder Ethan Galbraith believes Northern Ireland can upset Italy in Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo to move one step closer to the tournament in North America.
Michael O’Neill’s side are just two victories away from securing a place at this year’s global showpiece.
Should the visitors prevail against the Azzurri, they will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in a decisive final.
The 24-year-old was an unused substitute in 2021 when a resolute defensive display secured a goalless home draw against the same opposition.
That famous result ultimately contributed to the four-time world champions missing out on qualification for the Qatar tournament.
Embracing a surreal opportunity
The former Manchester United academy prospect admits that being so close to football’s biggest stage feels like a dream.
“I’ve thought about it a few times and they are going to be tough games, but to even be a part of those games is huge.”
“We can go out there, give it our all and hopefully it will be enough on the night.”
“It’s a bit of a pinch me moment. To be involved in this squad is unreal, but to be two games away from a World Cup is crazy.”
Absentees and mounting pressure
The Green and White Army travel to Bergamo without several key figures, as influential duo Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard are both sidelined.
However, the hosts face their own selection issues after Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali suffered a groin injury during a weekend defeat by Sunderland.
Despite those missing players, the home side remain heavy favourites but face immense national pressure to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.
The Welsh club midfielder insists his international team-mates are preparing to face the strongest possible version of their opponents.
Drawing confidence from past tests
Although they finished third in their qualification group, spirited performances during two defeats against Germany have provided valuable tactical lessons.
The dynamic playmaker feels those challenging fixtures have perfectly prepared the squad for Thursday’s daunting task.
“You have to prepare for their best team and we did that with Germany.”
“Germany are a top side and so is Italy with a number of superstars, so having those games against Germany in the group has put us in good stead for this game.”
“If we can go out and give it 100%, we can be a match for anyone.”
Coco Gauff has secured her place in the Miami Open semi-finals after overcoming Belinda Bencic in an epic quarter-final encounter in Florida.
The American star produced a resilient performance to move past her experienced Swiss opponent and advance to the final four.
Bencic tested the home favourite throughout the gruelling contest, but ultimately fell short against the dynamic young talent.
Home favourite continues impressive hard-court run
Reaching the latter stages in Miami represents another significant milestone for the hugely popular Florida resident.
The former Olympic gold medallist pushed her to the limit, ensuring the passionate crowd were treated to a thrilling tennis spectacle.
Gauff will now prepare for her upcoming semi-final clash as she looks to claim one of the most prestigious titles on the WTA Tour.
Eyes on the Miami Open prize
The high-profile tournament is considered one of the most demanding events outside of the four Grand Slams.
Securing the coveted trophy on home soil remains the ultimate objective for the lightning-fast baseliner.
Families and former champions are demanding a dedicated specialist care home for retired fighters, telling a new BBC documentary that boxing routinely fails to support its most vulnerable heroes.
The severe physical and neurological toll of the ring leaves many former athletes facing significant difficulties once the cheering stops.
In the wake of the passing of Ricky Hatton, renewed focus has been placed on the glaring lack of aftercare for those who sacrifice their health for the sport.
A steep decline from Olympic glory
Terry Spinks represents a stark example of the disparity between public adulation and private suffering.
The Londoner captured Olympic gold at the 1956 Melbourne Games to become a national phenomenon.
Despite achieving the status of a household name, the bookmaker’s son ultimately succumbed to a battle with alcoholism and severe brain injuries.
His cousin, Rosemary Elmore, sacrificed her career to support the former amateur star on a basic carer’s allowance.
Terry didn’t know me. He didn’t know anybody.
She acknowledges that not every competitor is fortunate enough to have a family safety net when their physical health deteriorates.
Campaigning for a permanent sanctuary
For many advocates, the solution lies in establishing a permanent bricks-and-mortar facility.
Former British champion Jimmy Revie is currently living with dementia at the age of 78.
His wife, Louisa, relies on local meetings with other ex-boxers to keep his spirits up.
When he goes to the meetings he comes alive because he sees all the old fighters, and they all say ‘hello Jim’ and they’re all friendly.
She is passionately backing the Ringside Charity Trust, an organisation fighting to open a 36-bed specialist care home.
The proposed facility would mirror the dedicated support structure already provided by the Jockey Club for retired jockeys.
Combating isolation after retirement
The charity currently operates a dedicated helpline to assist former athletes experiencing severe mental or physical distress.
Advocates envision a space with specialised nursing staff and tailored entertainment, including a cinema for residents to watch historic bouts.
Stephen Smith, an experienced coach and member of a prominent fighting family, believes professionals often become highly vulnerable once their careers conclude.
Your phone doesn’t go again once you retire.
He insists that implementing a structural safety net is crucial to ensuring fighters are no longer kicked to the kerb.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow.
The franchise announced on Tuesday night that the two-time All-Star requires a platelet-rich plasma injection to optimise ligament healing.
Medical staff expect him to be fully ready for the start of the 2026-27 NBA campaign.
Setbacks disrupt promising career
The explosive playmaker originally sustained the elbow issue on 21 January.
He suffered the sprain during his second appearance following a two-week absence caused by calf soreness.
A recent medical consultation regarding his lingering discomfort ultimately led to the season-ending decision.
Trade rumours and limited appearances
This latest physical setback compounds a heavily disrupted period for the American, who managed just 20 games this campaign.
He has featured in a total of only 79 matches over the past three seasons due to a combination of multiple suspensions and various injuries.
Memphis reportedly explored the trade market for their marquee player ahead of the February deadline, but encountered little interest from rival organisations.
He currently has two seasons and $87m remaining on his existing contract with the team.
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis will leave his position following the team’s stunning first-round exit from the NCAA tournament against VCU.
Davis informed his players of his departure on Tuesday night, opening up one of the most prestigious jobs in college basketball.
The 54-year-old’s exit concludes a tumultuous week for the Tar Heels following their dramatic 82-78 overtime defeat by the 11th-seeded Rams.
Historic collapse seals fate
The historic programme faced severe backlash from donors and fans after blowing a 19-point second-half lead on Thursday.
It marked the largest comeback in the NCAA tournament since 2018 and confirmed a second consecutive first-round elimination for the Chapel Hill outfit.
The former NBA shooting guard appeared visibly agitated during his post-match press conference.
When questioned about his in-game rotations, he offered a blunt response.
“Because that was my decision.”
Highs and lows of a Tar Heel legend
The departure ends a deeply personal tenure for the coach, who previously played under legendary mentor Dean Smith before spending nine years as an assistant to Roy Williams.
Promoted to the top job in 2021, his reign delivered wildly fluctuating fortunes despite an impressive overall record of 125 victories and 54 defeats.
His crowning achievement came during his debut season, guiding an eighth-seeded Carolina side to the 2022 national championship game.
That run famously included ending Mike Krzyzewski’s career with a Final Four victory over bitter rivals Duke, though they ultimately surrendered a 15-point halftime advantage to Kansas in the final.
Recent struggles overshadow accolades
Despite earning Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year honours this season after reaching the Sweet 16, consistency remained an issue throughout his tenure.
His second campaign saw the team become the first preseason number one to completely miss out on the NCAA tournament.
This season, injuries to projected top NBA draft pick Caleb Wilson derailed a promising start, with the team winning just five of their final ten matches.
The university must now begin the search for a new leader to restore stability and handle the nearly $5.3m guaranteed money remaining on his contract.
The United States House of Representatives passed the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act by a voice vote on Tuesday, advancing a bill that could fundamentally restructure professional boxing by allowing Unified Boxing Organizations.
The legislation will now head to the Senate before potentially reaching President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
If enacted, the bill permits the creation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) as an alternative career route for fighters.
Current regulations demand a strict separation between fight promoters and the sanctioning bodies that govern rankings and titles.
Creating a unified system for fighters
The proposed reforms would allow UBOs to manage promotions, rankings, titles, and matchmaking simultaneously.
This consolidated model mirrors the operational structure currently utilised by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in mixed martial arts.
Crucially, the new legislation would only govern the boxing industry and does not extend its regulatory reach to MMA.
Prominent combat sports figures, including UFC chief executive Dana White and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, have publicly backed the initiative.
Enhanced medical safeguards and financial minimums
Supporters argue the framework provides stronger health care provisions, including mandatory physicals alongside comprehensive brain and eye testing.
The bill also stipulates a strict limit of one championship belt per weight class for each sanctioning body.
Fighters would additionally be guaranteed a minimum mandatory payment of $200 per round under the new structural provisions.
Proponents emphasise that UBOs are designed to offer an alternative opportunity rather than replacing the traditional boxing model entirely.
“My hope is, by its passage, you’re not just going to have one UBO, my hope is that you’re going to have a dozen UBOs operating, if not more, in this sport.”
Representative Brian Jack
Criticism over fighter power and monopolies
However, detractors warn the sweeping changes could erode crucial protections established by the original 1996 and 2000 Ali Act bills.
Critics argue the revised structure might transfer significant financial leverage away from athletes and back towards powerful promoters.
Sceptics within the combat sports community have accused White of pushing the legislation to mirror his tightly controlled business model through his new Zuffa Boxing venture.
The world’s premier MMA promotion has previously faced two major antitrust lawsuits from athletes alleging wage suppression and monopolisation tactics, recently settling one case for $375m.
The influential promotional executive has dismissed these monopoly concerns, echoing congressional arguments that the bill simply provides fighters with additional choices.