List of All Articles with Tag 'sports'

Australia recovered from losing three quick wickets and was mounting a recovery through Steve Smith and Travis Head in its bid for a series-clinching win over England on the final day of the fifth Ashes test

Haley Raso has scored her first Women’s World Cup goals at just the right time, with a first-half brace in Australia's 4-0 win over Canada in the pivotal group-stage finale

Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier paid respect to one another in a wholesome moment at UFC 291 on Saturday, speaking backstage after Gaethje knocked out his fellow American. Gaethje won the main-event bout with a stunning head kick in the second round, avenging a 2018 loss to Poirier and claiming the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title. And as Gaethje spoke to TNT Sports backstage after the fight, Poirier came over to congratulate his fellow lightweight. “Congratulations, man,” Poirier told Gaethje, patting him on the shoulder. “Bad motherf*****. I didn’t see it, I didn’t see the kick! Congrats, man. I’m proud of you, you worked hard for this. You took it. Have a great night.” Gaethje, 34, responded: “Thank you, man. We both are [bad motherf*****s], we both [worked hard]. That’s what we do. Let’s hang out, I’m serious.” Poirier, also 34, replied: “I’ll whip you at ping pong,” to which Gaethje laughed: “You might! I’m pretty good, but you might.” TNT Sports presenter McKenzie Pavacich then asked Gaethje what he was feeling after the interaction. “I feel bad,” he said. “I care about people, and I knew that I had to go in there and not care about him. “That hurts in a way, but it’s me or him. I chose this game, I signed up for this, and so I have to go there – luckily only twice a year, usually.” Gaethe, who suffered a TKO loss to Poirier in 2018, is positioned to fight for the UFC lightweight title next. Like Poirier, Gaethje is a former interim champion who has twice failed to become undisputed champion. In October, Islam Makhachev defends the title against Charles Oliveira, in a rematch 12 months in the making. Russian Makhachev submitted Oliveira to win the vacant belt last year, five months after the Brazilian submitted Gaethje. Oliveira, a former champion, previously submitted Poirier in 2021. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Justin Gaethje stuns Dustin Poirier with brutal head-kick knockout at UFC 291 Justin Gaethje reacts to Conor McGregor callout after knocking out Dustin Poirier Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend

Sam Kerr remained on the bench but thankfully for Australia, they did not need her. In a must-win match, the co-hosts did much more to keep their World Cup alive: thrashing the Olympic champions Canada to reach the knockout stages and restoring belief that looked to have been lost in the shock defeat to Nigeria. With it, Group B was flipped on its head: Ireland’s draw with Nigeria means Australia advance as group winners, avoiding a potential clash with England in the last-16. Kerr could yet return for that, but Australia finally found a way to play without their star striker and captain. It came at the perfect time with the Matildas facing elimination and a World Cup dream that was instead turning into a nightmare. Kerr was back on the bench after missing Australia’s opening two games with a calf injury, but against Canada they were instead lifted by another returning star in Mary Fowler. Ruled out of the defeat to Nigeria, a result that left Australia on the brink, Fowler returned to spark Australia’s attack into life, saving a World Cup that threatened to be over long before it was meant to. The Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson changed his shape and landed on a 4-4-2 that devastated Canada on the counter-attack, with Hayley Raso scoring a decisive brace from the right and Caitlin Foord enjoying her best performance of the tournament on the left. By the end, Australia’s position was so secure that there was no need to rush Kerr back. In her absence, Fowler has emerged as Australia’s next great hope. Badly missed against Nigeria after she was ruled out with concussion, Fowler gave Australia ideas and another option, a willing runner and clever dribbler to pull Canada out of their defensive shape. With Fowler setting Australia’s press alongside Emily van Egmond, her return meant Foord could return to the left wing, creating space for Steph Catley and restoring their key combination. It gave Australia familiarity and, even without Kerr, they had the attacking options to overwhelm Canada down the channels. Catley’s cross set up Raso’s opener inside 10 minutes, with the forward taking a touch before firing a low shot through the legs of Canada defender Ashely Lawrence. Australia were denied a second after a farcical offside, but Canada failed to take the warning with Raso scrambling in her second from a corner. Fowler’s tap-in, finished after Foord was released down the left in the second half, was then added to by Steph Catley’s late penalty. Relief had long since turned into joy, with Australia celebrating their biggest ever World Cup win, but this was meant to be nervy and a potentially disastrous night. Canada represented the worst possible opponents for a must-win decider, a side built for knockout football. In winning the Olympic gold medal, they were the team who simply refused to lose, absorbing pressure in their low-block and edging victories in games where they were second-best in possession and chances. They had cracked the code, always managing to find the breakthrough goal they needed to win close games. But at the World Cup that side did not turn up, and they became the first Olympic champions to exit at the group stage. Perhaps Chrstine Sinclair’s penalty miss in the opening stalemate with Nigeria was the moment that foreshadowed a doomed campaign - what would have been a historic goal for Sinclair, and a record sixth World Cup in which she had scored, turned into a missed opportunity. Throughout their three games, Canada only showed up in the second half against Ireland, where for 45 minutes they were able to solve some of their problems. Defensively, Canada never found a shape or structure that suited them. Kadeisha Buchanan, hooked at half time against Ireland, was overwhelmed again, struggling alongside Vanessa Gilles. Lawrence, another experienced member of their side, was often found out of position, never settling left or right. Behind them, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was far from the reassuring presence in goal that Canada desperately required. Bev Priestman’s four changes at half time was an alarming indication of how far Canada’s levels had fallen. It did not rescue them. Instead, Canada fell to their heaviest defeat under Priestman, a team in disarray. Australia now look the opposite: they are likely to face either Denmark or China in the last-16 and even without Kerr, this is a side who will be confident of progressing. Kerr could yet return and her World Cup is not yet over - more importantly, neither is Australia’s. Read More Kelly Smith: England can cope without Keira Walsh — here is how Lionesses can adjust Women’s World Cup group permutations: How can each team qualify? Nouhaila Benzina: The hijabi-wearing Moroccan making World Cup history

Justin Gaethje has claimed that he has little desire to fight Conor McGregor, after the Irishman called him out in the aftermath of UFC 291. Gaethje avenged a 2018 loss to Dustin Poirier on Saturday, knocking out his fellow American with a stunning head kick to win the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title. And McGregor, as he so often does after major UFC cards, then took to social media to call out one half of the main-event fight. “I’ll slap you around,” tweeted McGregor, 35. “I KO him one shot. Guarantee it.” At the UFC 291 post-fight press conference, Gaethje was asked about the former UFC champion’s comments. The lightweight, 34, replied: “I think he’s turned me down six times. And usually you have to lose to fight him, so don’t know what’s going on. “I don’t know, I don’t really care. Whatever. I fight MMA, I like to fight big fights, I like exciting things, so it sounds pretty exciting to me. [But] I’m not going to fight someone on steroids.” Gaethje was addressing the fact that McGregor, who has never tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, is currently absent from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) testing pool. McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler next, but the Irishman must first spend six months in Usada’s testing pool and return two negative tests – and zero positives. As such, McGregor vs Chandler is still without a date and location. Gaethje added: “I’ve never taken steroids in my life, never will. Well, maybe when I retire, I might... but I’ve never taken steroids, and I don’t want to fight someone that’s cheating. And I probably shouldn’t even say that if I want the fight, but it’s the truth.” McGregor vs Gaethje is a fight that many fans have long wanted to see. Meanwhile, McGregor has fought Poirier three times. McGregor knocked out the 34-year-old in a featherweight bout in 2014, before suffering a KO loss to Poirier in January 2021 at lightweight. In their trilogy fight in July 2021 – also contested at lightweight – McGregor suffered a broken leg at the end of Round 1. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Justin Gaethje stuns Dustin Poirier with brutal head-kick knockout at UFC 291 Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend Next UFC Fight Night: Event start time, card and how to watch

BRISBANE Nigeria advanced to the Women's World Cup knockout stages for just the third time in their history

Pre-tournament underdog Nigeria has used a scoreless draw against Ireland to advance to the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup

Jake Paul will fight Nate Diaz in a crossover boxing match this weekend, as Diaz competes for the first time since leaving the UFC. YouTube star Paul has quickly gained experience and slowly earned respect as a boxer in recent years, going 6-1 as a professional. Prior to his points loss to Tommy Fury in February, the American was unbeaten, and he holds a decision win against UFC legend Anderson Silva as well as knockouts of former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and MMA star Ben Askren. Now, the 26-year-old will take on another UFC icon in the form of Diaz. The 38-year-old was always a fan favourite in mixed martial arts but became a crossover star by submitting Conor McGregor in 2016. With that win, Diaz showed off his immense jiu-jitsu experience, though he is also famed for his resilience and cardio – attributes that he implemented to overwhelm some opponents in striking exchanges. American Diaz left the UFC in September after submitting Tony Ferguson, and now fans wait to see how he will fare in his boxing debut – against a younger opponent no less. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the fight? Paul vs Diaz will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday 5 August. The main card is due to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 6 August (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday). Ring walks for the main event are then expected at around 4am BST on Sunday (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The event will air live on the streaming platform Dazn. It will be available to existing subscribers, and it will also be purchasable on Dazn Pay-Per-View for non-subscribers – at a cost of £14.99. A Dazn subscription is available to purchase here, with monthly plans starting at £9.99. Odds Paul – 1/3 Diaz – 3/1 Draw – 14/1 Via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz (cruiserweight) Amanda Serrano (C) vs Heather Hardy 2 (undisputed women’s featherweight titles) Shadasia Green vs Olivia Curry (women’s super-middleweight) Ashton Sylve vs William Silva (lightweight) Alan Sanchez vs Angel Beltran Villa (welterweight) Kevin Newman II vs Quilisto Madera (middleweight) Chris Avila vs Jeremy Stephens (super-middleweight) Noel Cavazos vs Jose Aguayo (welterweight) Luciano Ramos vs Cee Jay Hamilton (super-lightweight) Read More KSI vs Tommy Fury: When is fight and how to watch Justin Gaethje stuns Dustin Poirier with brutal head-kick knockout at UFC 291 Terence Crawford’s masterclass puts him in conversation to be an all-time great What time does Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz start this weekend? When is KSI vs Tommy Fury and how to watch The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Jake Paul will box another UFC star this weekend as he faces Nate Diaz. YouTube star Paul has gone 6-1 as a professional boxer in recent years, and the 26-year-old holds wins over ex-UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva – including a knockout of the former – and a KO of Ben Askren, who was also an MMA champion before joining the UFC. Now the American, who was outpointed by Tommy Fury in February, goes up against fan favourite Diaz, who left the UFC in September and is making his boxing debut here. Diaz, 38, holds a special place in the hearts of many mixed martial arts fans, and he became a crossover star in 2016 when he submitted Conor McGregor. With that victory, as well as his submission of Tony Ferguson in his final UFC fight last year, Diaz showed off his immense jiu-jitsu skills. However, the American is also known for his impressive cardio and resilience, and he will look to use those against his younger opponent this weekend. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the fight? Paul vs Diaz will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday 5 August. The main card is due to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 6 August (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday). Ring walks for the main event are then expected at around 4am BST on Sunday (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The event will air live on the streaming platform Dazn. It will be available to existing subscribers, and it will also be purchasable on Dazn Pay-Per-View for non-subscribers – at a cost of £14.99. A Dazn subscription is available to purchase here, with monthly plans starting at £9.99. Odds Paul – 1/3 Diaz – 3/1 Draw – 14/1 Via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz (cruiserweight) Amanda Serrano (C) vs Heather Hardy 2 (undisputed women’s featherweight titles) Shadasia Green vs Olivia Curry (women’s super-middleweight) Ashton Sylve vs William Silva (lightweight) Alan Sanchez vs Angel Beltran Villa (welterweight) Kevin Newman II vs Quilisto Madera (middleweight) Chris Avila vs Jeremy Stephens (super-middleweight) Noel Cavazos vs Jose Aguayo (welterweight) Luciano Ramos vs Cee Jay Hamilton (super-lightweight) Read More KSI vs Tommy Fury: When is fight and how to watch Justin Gaethje stuns Dustin Poirier with brutal head-kick knockout at UFC 291 Terence Crawford’s masterclass puts him in conversation to be an all-time great How to watch Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz online and on TV this weekend When is KSI vs Tommy Fury and how to watch The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Barbra Banda of Zambia scored the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history with her penalty kick in the 31st minute against Costa Rica

KSI and Tommy Fury will fight each other in a boxing match in October, as their brewing rivalry threatens to boil over. YouTube star KSI, 30, has fought several times, notably drawing with Logan Paul in 2018 then beating him in 2019, and most recently fighting Joe Fournier to a No Contest. KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) knocked out Fournier with an illegal elbow in May, and the result was later overturned. Meanwhile, Fury – half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson – is unbeaten like KSI but with much more professional experience. The 24-year-old is 9-0 as a pro, having most recently beaten Jake Paul on points in February. After KSI’s contest with Fournier, ex-Love Island contestant Fury entered the ring for a face-off, and the pair will share a ring again when they square off in October. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the fight? KSI vs Fury will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 14 October. No timings for the event have yet been announced, but the main card is likely to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). Ring walks for the main event are likely to follow at around 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will air live on the streaming platform Dazn. It will be available to existing subscribers, and it will also be purchasable on Dazn Pay-Per-View for non-subscribers. A Dazn subscription is available to purchase here, with monthly plans starting at £9.99. Who else is fighting? Logan Paul, KSI’s opponent-turned-business partner at their Prime energy-drink company, will fight in the evening’s other ‘main event’. It has not yet been announced who the YouTube star will box. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Errol Spence reveals date of Terence Crawford rematch – ‘We got to do it again’ Terence Crawford’s masterclass puts him in conversation to be an all-time great Justin Gaethje stuns Dustin Poirier with brutal head-kick knockout at UFC 291

Adidas AG agreed to extend its shirt-sponsorship deal with English football club Manchester United in one of the