The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to proceed with patience after James Harden's trade request.James Harden opted not to join the 2023 free agent class, instead opting into the final year of his contract in order to request a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. Now Daryl Morey and the front...

Islam Makhachev has demanded a ‘thank you’ from Alexander Volkanovski ahead of their rematch at UFC 294, where the latter is challenging the Russian on 11 days’ notice. Volkanovsi is replacing Charles Oliveira in Saturday’s main event in Abu Dhabi, bidding for revenge against Makhachev after losing a narrow decision to the lightweight champion in February. Volkanovski, who holds the featherweight title, was fighting on home turf in Perth, Australia, on that occasion, whereas Makhachev will have the majority of the support at the Etihad Arena. “I feel great. All the people, they’re all on my side now,” said a grinning Makhachev, 31, at the UFC 294 press conference on Thursday (19 October). “Last time in Australia... everything has changed, brother, everything has changed,” he added, looking at Volkanovski, 35. Volkanovski replied: “Islam needs all the advantages he can get, that’s all he thinks about. I don’t need none of that; I’ve got these [my hands], that’s all I worry about. I rely on my skills – not crowds, not nothing.” “Everybody knows what you need: just money, that’s it,” Makhachev fired back. “He’s just come to make money. I put my win streak, I put my belt [on the line].” Volkanovski took issue with the Dagestani’s claim, saying: “I don’t know what mentality or mindset he has; I want to avenge my losses. It burns me. I didn’t get my hand raised, that hurts me. Now I have to do it on [11] days’ notice, and I’m okay with that. I accept that, and I’m ready to put on a show.” Mateusz Gamrot was the planned back-up fighter for UFC 294’s original main event, but the lightweight contender was overlooked in favour of Volkanovski, whom some fans believe should have been declared the winner against Makhachev in February. “You have to say thanks to me,” Makhachev told the Australian on Thursday. “I can choose any other opponent. We have Gamrot, we have [Dustin] Poirier, everybody is ready to fight for the belt. But I give you for the second time a chance. Just say ‘thank you’, that’s it.” The champions also paid respect to each other, however. “Of course he is good,” Makhachev said. “If you want to beat him... he never gives up, he’s gonna fight five rounds, it doesn’t matter how many days’ notice. We will show the best fight again for all the people [who were] waiting for it. “I tried [to finish him], brother, but this guy’s so tough. I landed many good punches, but this time... maybe some choke or something,” the Russian laughed. Makhachev’s victory over Volkanovski extended his win streak to 12 in a row, dating back to 2016. Meanwhile, that result marked Volkanovski’s first defeat since 2013. The Australian bounced back with a TKO win against Yair Rodriguez in July, beating the Mexican to retain the featherweight title. Volkanovski has reigned as featherweight champion since 2018, defending and retaining the title five times. Meanwhile, Makhachev won the vacant lightweight belt by submitting Oliveira at the Etihad Arena last October. The Russian’s rematch with the former champion was due to take place 364 days after their first bout. In the co-main event of UFC 294, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman replaces Paulo Costa on 10 days’ notice, making his middleweight debut against rising contender Khamzat Chimaev. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC 294 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Makhachev fight updates and results tonight Volkanovski vs Makhachev gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC Alexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice Major UFC title fight undergoes dramatic late change Back-up fighter revealed for tantalising UFC title fight Alexander Volkanovski reacts to scorecards after loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284

Marcus Semien’s two-run triple and three-run homer powered Texas to a 10-run lead by the third inning, Corey Seager hit another long home run and the Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-7 to move ahead three games to one in the World Series

The cup specialists have so far struggled with the new league. After winning the Euros and reaching the World Cup final, the Lionesses face the prospect of a rare failure in the inaugural Women’s Nations League. England must beat Netherlands at Wembley on Friday and then Scotland at Hampden on Tuesday to have any chance of topping their group. But given Sarina Wiegman also won the Euros and reached the World Cup final with her native Netherlands, allowing the Dutchwoman to claim the title of the ultimate tournament manager, perhaps the return to must-win, knockout football will suit the Lionesses ahead of a decisive week. Qualification for the Olympics is on the line, after all. But that has also been the case throughout England’s Nations League campaign and after hitting great heights in each of the last two summers, Wiegman’s side have suffered their first real dip in form. Now they must shake off their World Cup hangover, after they were beaten by the Netherlands in September and following last month’s damaging defeat in Belgium. Wiegman’s side have been unusually flat and their performances have featured too many errors: now hit by further injuries to the defence and without captain Millie Bright, England’s backs are against the wall. Though there is also an argument that such a mindset can benefit them, making their task clearer. It was at the World Cup where the Lionesses used their resilience in overcoming injuries and unforeseen hurdles, to adapt their plans and reach the final. They face a similar situation now with elimination from the Olympics qualification process on the line – even if they also require Belgium to drop points against either Scotland or the Netherlands. “I think it suits us; we’ve got the character to do that,” said midfielder Keira Walsh. “I think the team is ready,” Wiegman said. “We’re very clear on how we want to play and what we want to do.” There remains a question over the centre of defence, however. Bright has started England’s last 11 games since the start of the World Cup but has been ruled out of the matches against the Netherlands and Scotland because of a recurrence of the knee injury that threatened her place in Wiegman’s World Cup squad before the summer. In her absence, Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter will form a new centre-back pair. But behind those two in the pecking order, there is a lack of experience: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan and Maya Le Tissier have 12 caps between them. Millie Turner, called up to replace Bright, has yet to play for her country. Even with Bright in the side, England’s defensive record since the World Cup has been poor and what was a strength in Australia can no longer be relied upon in the same way. The Lionesses conceded twice in Utrecht, three times in Louven. England still continued to control the ball and create chances but they failed to take them – and paid the price. “I think it was maybe just a slight lack of concentration at times,” Walsh said. “I think it happens and most of the time you don’t get punished. I think it was just one of those games where we did. But let’s not catastrophise it.” There were still positives to be taken, Walsh continued, and to add to that there is now the welcome return of Beth Mead. The Euros Golden Boot winner and player of the tournament is back with the Lionesses for the first time in over a year, after returning from her ACL injury. Mead feels she is sharp after scoring twice for Arsenal at the weekend, playing with freedom after withstanding the hardest year of her life. Wiegman, who was patient in bringing the forward back, says she is training like she “hasn’t been away”. Her return adds to England’s remarkable depth in the forward positions, and the international window arrives with those options hitting form in the Women’s Nations League as well. On Sunday, Mead hit her first goals since her injury return; Lauren James has five in her last two WSL starts for Chelsea; Rachel Daly has scored in two games in a row for Aston Villa; as has Lauren Hemp with Manchester City. Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly are competing for places among the forward line as well. “This time of the season, everybody has already played a lot of games and they feel more settled within their environments,” Walsh said earlier this week. “I think you can see that with our forward players creating and scoring. Training today was the first session that everyone was on the grass and it was really competitive. It was a really good intensity. So for me, playing behind those players is really exciting.” Mead offers something fresh as well, to add to the true No 9s of Russo and Daly, the touchline-hugging wingers of Hemp and Kelly, and the all-round, dynamic threat of James. “She’s a little bit different to the rest,” Walsh said. “She has much more of a striker’s mindset in terms of the way she wants to finish and get on the end of things. I think Hempo [Lauren Hemp] and Chloe [Kelly] are very direct. They like the balls to go one v one, whereas I think Beth comes inside a little bit more, I think it’s good to have such a variety.” Under Wiegman, the Lionesses haven’t got much wrong, but now Walsh says England “want to put things right”. It starts at Wembley. Read More Is England vs Netherlands on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses What do the Lionesses need to do for Team GB to qualify for the Olympics? Sarina Wiegman dismisses concerns over inexperienced England defence

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