Kamaru Usman will face Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294, after replacing Paulo Costa on 10 days’ notice. Usman, who reigned as welterweight champion from 2018 until 2022, will make his middleweight debut in the bout, which pits him against one of the most dominant prospects in mixed martial arts. Swedish-born Russian Chimaev is 12-0 as a professional with 11 stoppage wins. The match-up was confirmed on Wednesday (11 October), when Costa revealed that he would need two elbow surgeries this week, having already undergone one two weeks ago. As such, the Brazilian is out of UFC 294, which takes place in Abu Dhabi on 21 October. The 32-year-old’s withdrawal was the second by a Brazilian in the space of two days; on Tuesday (10 October), Charles Oliveira withdrew from the main event of UFC 294 due to a severe cut over his right eye. Oliveira was due to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in a rematch – 12 months after the Russian submitted him in the same venue in Abu Dhabi. Alexander Volkanovski, who holds the featherweight title, is stepping in to replace Oliveira and contest his own rematch with Makhachev, who narrowly outpointed him to retain the lightweight belt in February. Usman, 36, last fought in March, suffering a decision loss to Leon Edwards while challenging for the welterweight title, which Edwards took from the Nigerian-American with a brutal head kick last August. Chimaev, 29, last fought in September 2022, submitting Kevin Holland in Round 1. Chimaev was originally set to face Nate Diaz on that occasion but missed weight, leading the card to be altered on short notice. Diaz instead fought and submitted Tony Ferguson in the main event. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Usada ends UFC partnership over ‘untenable’ Conor McGregor situation Charles Oliveira replaced by Alexander Volkanovski in Islam Makhachev fight UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend believed his time in the role was about to end before he signed a contract extension until April 2026...

Wayne Rooney has been confirmed as the new manager of Birmingham City. The former England captain left MLS side DC United last week and has now returned to English football with the Championship outfit. Former manager John Eustace was sacked last week, despite guiding Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship this season. Rooney, 37, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Blues with immediate effect and has been joined in the dugout by ex-England team-mate Ashley Cole and former Manchester United team-mate John O’Shea. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time, said Rooney. “It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected. “I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity. It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.” Rooney started his coaching career with Derby County in 2021, where he guided the Rams to safety in his first season. A year later they were relegated but only after battling a 21-point deduction due to finance-related issues. The former Manchester United and Everton striker then joined DC United in the United States; they finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last year and Rooney left his side in ninth place this season. “I have a clear way that I want the team to play, and my coaching staff and I will work hard to implement it,” Rooney added. “We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet. “I’ve played at St. Andrew’s and Birmingham City fans were always loud and passionate about their team. It was a really difficult place to come as an opponent and now I get to experience what it is like to have them behind us. My job is to elevate the Club to the next level and I can’t wait to get started. “I know what the expectations are and our job is to deliver.” Cole, currently an assistant coach with England Under-21s, and Ireland men’s senior team assistant O’Shea will both retain their roles with their respective national sides. Carl Robinson and Peter Shuttleworth, who both assisted Rooney in D.C., will also be part of his team at St Andrew’s. US-based Shelby Companies Limited completed a takeover of Birmingham in July and owner Tom Wagner has been reportedly seeking to make a change of management, with Rooney’s name linked with the club last month. In August seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady became a minority owner in the club. “Wayne is a born winner,” said Wagner. “We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the Club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey. His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City. “Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the Board and everyone at the Football Club.” Read More John Eustace sacked amid reports Birmingham keen to make Wayne Rooney manager How Lionel Messi and Inter Miami broke America: From armed guards to Kardashians in the crowd Garry Cook vows to make Birmingham ‘a powerhouse’ amid Wayne Rooney reports Wayne Rooney appointed Birmingham manager on three-and-a-half year deal Garry Cook vows to make Birmingham ‘a powerhouse’ amid Wayne Rooney reports John Eustace sacked amid reports Birmingham keen to make Wayne Rooney manager

Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard kept the overall lead of the Tour de France on Sunday crossing the finish line in the second of four Alpine tests...

Manchester City assistant Juanma Lillo says Erling Haaland’s mentality helps set him apart from most other goalscorers. Haaland missed a first-half penalty and several other chances in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League win at Sheffield United before finally breaking the hosts’ stubborn resistance at Bramall Lane. The Norway striker headed City into a second-half lead and after substitute Jayden Bogle fired a late Blades equaliser, Rodri smashed home City’s winner to send them top of the table with three straight wins. Lillo, who took on the head coach’s role as Pep Guardiola recovers from back surgery, said: “Today would have been difficult for any striker, how it played out in the first half. “Of course there was the situation with the penalty, which is frustrating for anyone, but that could happen to any striker, not just Erling. “What it does show is that, and not just because he scored, because he came close on a couple of other occasions as well, came really close with (another) header, that it really shows his mental fortitude to keep going and keep going. “That’s something that’s really difficult to find and he showed it throughout. “He’s a very young lad and his mindset is so good that, OK he’s missed a penalty, but he’s come back now and he wants to keep going and keep trying to score these goals.” The Blades’ central back three of captain John Egan, Jack Robinson and Anel Ahmedhodzic were key to their side’s disciplined rearguard action, which stifled Haaland for large parts of the game. Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom, who could not hide his disappointment at failing to hold on for a point, said: “I’m not going to tell you the plan because we may do it again next time. “The central defenders enjoyed that challenge. Haaland enjoyed that challenge and got really wound up. “He was really pleased with his goal obviously. He’s a big, big threat.” The Blades introduced latest signing Cameron Archer to the Bramall Lane faithful before kick-off and Heckingbottom expects more transfer activity between now and midnight on Friday when the window closes. “We’ve lost players but that’s changed our resources, so we’re doing as much as we possibly can to come out of the window in the best possible shape,” he added. “I’ve been pleased with the signings and pleased with them as characters, as people and buying into what we’re about. “You can see in the performance. The reason I’m so disappointed about not having a point is for the players and the fans. “You could see the reaction, everyone’s together on it, everyone knows what we’re trying to do. “That’s the reason I’m really upset about the point. How crucial it will be at the end of the season, who knows?” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tom Moody expects Gus Atkinson to show what he can do on the world stage The sporting weekend in pictures Police investigate after brick attack on Aston Villa bus after win at Burnley

The Cleveland Browns keep pushing

Georgia second-year coach Mike White says he usually avoids bringing up the NCAA Tournament with his players when discussing goals

Manchester United face old nemesis Vincent Kompany at Burnley this weekend in desperate need of a Premier League win while Arsenal host in-form Tottenham in...

The Boston Celtics made several acknowledgments for this week's victims of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine during their home opener

Ryan O’Reilly scored for Nashville in his return to St. Louis, and the Predators beat the Blues 8-3 for their fourth consecutive victory

The Chargers are trading cornerback J

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2023--