Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh

PFL MENA 3 playoffs will take place in Riyadh on Sept. 20. (PFL)
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Updated 28 August 2024
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Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh

  • The Kingdom’s leading MMA fighter faces Abdelrahman Alhyasat in the Featherweight Semifinal Main Event
  • Jarrah Al-Selawe meets Omar El-Dafrawy in the welterweight semifinal co-main event

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League has announced the semifinal matchups set to take place at PFL MENA 3, which is being held at Boulevard City on Sept 20.

Fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions will compete for a spot in the PFL MENA Finals and will look to move one win away from becoming among the inaugural PFL MENA champions.

In the main event, Saudi Arabia’s own Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) takes on Jordan’s Abdelrahman Alhyasat (4-0) in the featherweight semifinals. Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature PFL veteran and former two-division champion Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) of Jordan taking on Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy (11-6) in a welterweight semifinal bout.

PFL MENA 3 will air live in primetime on MBC Action, with the free-to-air broadcasts accessible to fans across the region. In addition to PFL MENA, MBC Action will air the PFL Global Season, PFL Europe, Bellator Champions Series and PFL’s Pay-Per-View Superfight Division events.

Other semifinals matchup will feature Algeria’s Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) taking on Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1) of Iran in the lightweight division, while Iraq’s Ali Taleb (10-1) meets Jordan’s Jalal Al Daaja (11-8) in the bantamweight division.

Jerome Mazet, general manager of PFL MENA, said: “We’re very excited to be heading into the playoffs of the inaugural PFL MENA season. Fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions are competing for a spot in the finals and are looking to become the first PFL MENA champions. We’re building stars here, and we can’t wait to see who makes it to the finale.”

The complete PFL MENA 2 fight card is as follows:

Featherweight semifinal bout:

Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) vs. Abdelrahman Alhyasat (4-0)

Welterweight semifinal bout:

Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (11-6)

Welterweight semifinal bout:

Mohammad Alaqraa (6-0) vs. Badreddine Diani (8-3)

Lightweight semifinal bout:

Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1)

Bantamweight semifinal bout:

Ali Taleb (10-1) vs. Jalal Al Daaja (11-8)

Featherweight semifinal bout:

Islam Reda (11-1) vs. Marouaune Bellagouit (5-0)

Bantamweight semifinal bout:

Elias Boudegzdame (19-8) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (14-3)

Lightweight semifinal bout:

Georges Eid (9-4, 1NC) vs. Omar Reguigui (4-0, 1NC)

  • Georges Eid will face Omar Reguigui, replacing Abdullah Saleem who didn’t pass the in-competition drug test.

Alternate featherweight showcase bout:

Adam Meskini (8-3) vs. Yazeed Hasanain (3-1)


Ex-Barcelona and Spain star Iniesta retires aged 40

Updated 3 sec ago
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Ex-Barcelona and Spain star Iniesta retires aged 40

  • Andres Iniesta came up through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and made his first-team debut in 2002 aged just 18
BARCELONA: Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, who won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with an all-conquering Spain team, announced his retirement from football on Tuesday at the age of 40.
“Being on the pitch is over,” a visibly emotional Iniesta told reporters at a news conference in Barcelona.
“I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life. Now I need to continue educating myself, I’m in the process of doing my coaching diploma and that’s the next step.”
“I will try to come back and do a great job, but it won’t be running after the ball, but from another place,” he added.
Iniesta came up through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and made his first-team debut in 2002 aged just 18, becoming a mainstay in the midfield before his departure 16 years later.
He won nine La Liga titles and the Champions League four times with Barcelona, but his greatest moment came in the 2010 World Cup final when he scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in extra time.
After leaving Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta spent five years with Japanese club Vissel Kobe before playing one final season with Emirates of the UAE.

Manchester City accuse Premier League of ‘misleading’ claims after legal case

Updated 29 min 4 sec ago
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Manchester City accuse Premier League of ‘misleading’ claims after legal case

  • The Premier League champions launched a legal challenge to the regulations earlier this year on the grounds that they breached competition law

LONDON: Manchester City have accused the Premier League of a “misleading” response following a legal case concerning rules governing commercial deals.
City wrote to the other 19 Premier League clubs and the league late Monday to challenge the league’s interpretation of the outcome, saying their position was that all the associated party transaction (APT) rules were now void.
The Premier League champions launched a legal challenge to the regulations earlier this year on the grounds that they breached competition law.
The APT rules are designed to ensure commercial deals with entities linked to a club’s owners reflect fair market value and are not artificially inflated.
The Premier League champions and the Premier League both claimed victory on Monday after the publication of a decision of an arbitration panel.
The English top flight said in its summary that City were “unsuccessful in the majority of (their) challenge” and that the tribunal considering the case had determined the APT rules were necessary and pursued a legitimate objective.
But City, in their own statement, said the tribunal had declared the APT rules “unlawful” and that the league had abused a dominant position under competition law.
The club’s general counsel, Simon Cliff, in his letter to the other clubs, said: “Regrettably, the (Premier League) summary is misleading and contains several inaccuracies.”
“Of even greater concern, however, is the Premier League’s suggestion that new APT rules should be passed within the next 10 days,” he said in an email, according to Britain’s PA news agency and the BBC.
“When the Premier League consulted on and proposed the original APT Rules in late 2021, we pointed out that the process (which took several weeks) was rushed, ill-thought-out and would result in rules that were anti-competitive. The recent award has validated those concerns entirely.
“The tribunal has declared the APT rules to be unlawful. MCFC’s position is that this means that all of the APT rules are void, and have been since 2021.”
Cliff told the other clubs that it was “peculiar” that the league had said in its summary that City were unsuccessful in the majority of their challenge.
“While it is true that MCFC did not succeed with every point that it ran in its legal challenge, the club did not need to prove that the APT rules are unlawful for lots of different reasons,” he wrote.
“It is enough that they are unlawful for one reason. In the event, the tribunal found the APT rules are unlawful for three different sets of reasons.”
The Premier League said changes to the rules arising from the tribunal judgment could be made “quickly and effectively” and is understood to have called a clubs meeting to discuss making those changes.
But Cliff warned against a “kneejerk reaction,” saying it could lead to further legal proceedings.
The Premier League declined to comment but stands by its summary and rejects any assertion that it was either inaccurate or misleading.
The case is separate from an ongoing hearing involving City, with the club fighting 115 charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.


Saudi MMA fighter relishing chance to join ‘Battle of The Giants’

Updated 08 October 2024
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Saudi MMA fighter relishing chance to join ‘Battle of The Giants’

  • Mostafa Rashed Nada is set to take on Egyptian newcomer Ahmed Sami on Oct. 19

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League will head back to Saudi Arabia on Oct. 19 with another stacked card as some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts come together at the Mayadeen for “Battle of The Giants: Brace For Impact.”

And fighting alongside the likes of Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira, and Cris “Cyborg” will be the Kingdom’s very own Mostafa Rashed Nada, a 185-pound standout who is undefeated inside the PFL SmartCage.

The 36-year-old made his PFL debut back in 2023, winning by a first-round technical knockout against Korey Kupp. Nada followed that up with another first-round stoppage win over Abdel Driai in the main event of PFL MENA 2 earlier this year.

Now, the Saudi native will take on Egyptian newcomer Ahmed Sami in the biggest MMA event of the year as he gets to live out what he says is a childhood dream.

“Competing on the international stage has been a childhood dream of mine, and I am happy to be the first fighter from Saudi Arabia to compete in a huge PFL event like this,” Nada said.

While Saudi Arabia is slowly becoming a staple for major PFL events, Nada believes that Battle of The Giants has the makings of becoming this year’s must-see MMA event.

“It’s not new for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host an event of this size, but of course I’m very excited and proud to be part of it,” said Nada. “I believe it’s going to be one of, if not the biggest event in the country this year.”

As one of the country’s biggest MMA stars, Nada fully understands how important representing the Kingdom on a global MMA stage is. He is also aware of the impact PFL MENA has had on the region in terms of growing the sport.

“Having the PFL in Saudi Arabia is great, and PFL MENA has been an amazing platform for all Saudis and Arabs to embark on becoming professional mixed martial artists and one day compete on the global stage that is the PFL, alongside the best fighters in the world,” Nada said.

“My main goal is to show the world that there are Arabian fighters ready to compete on the global stage. We are highly skilled and most importantly, we uphold our moral values before fighting.

“I want to be a good role model for the upcoming generation of Middle Eastern fighters,” added Nada.

Battle of The Giants: Brace for Impact will be headlined by Francis Ngannou taking on Renan Ferreira for the PFL Super Fights Championship, while Cris “Cyborg” meets Larissa Pacheco in the co-main event.


Shane Lowry looking forward to Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship return

Updated 08 October 2024
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Shane Lowry looking forward to Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship return

  • Former champion to take part in first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs from Nov. 7-10

ABU DHABI: Former champion Shane Lowry is excited to return to the UAE for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs taking place from Nov. 7 to 10.

The Irishman claimed the famous Falcon Trophy in 2019 just six months before becoming a Major champion, winning the Claret Jug at The 148th Open.

Lowry will join fellow Major winners Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Adam Scott, as well as Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood, in the field for the fourth Rolex Series event of the season at Yas Links.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed an excellent 2024 campaign, recording 13 top-20 worldwide finishes, including sixth-placed results at both The 152nd Open and US PGA Championship.

In addition, he partnered McIlroy to victory at the PGA TOUR’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

“I’m excited to end my season in the UAE, starting with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links,” said Lowry. “It’s always nice to return to a part of the world where you have had success in the past, and I hope to end the year on a high.”

As part of the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs, the championship will have the top 70 available players from the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex at the conclusion of the “Back 9.”

The top 50 players at the end of the week will then advance to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Also confirmed for the championship are Genesis Scottish Open champion Robert MacIntyre, who also represented Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup, and Thriston Lawrence, currently ranked second on the Race to Dubai Rankings.


Royals hit back against Yankees, Tigers maul Guardians

Updated 08 October 2024
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Royals hit back against Yankees, Tigers maul Guardians

  • The result leaves the best-of-five American League Division Series finely balanced at 1-1 as the series heads to Kansas City on Wednesday for Game 3.
  • Kerry Carpenter blasted a three-run home run in the ninth inning as the Detroit Tigers stunned the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 to level their series at 1-1

LOS ANGELES: The Kansas City Royals jolted the New York Yankees’s Major League Baseball playoff hopes with a series-leveling 4-2 win in the Bronx on Monday as the Detroit Tigers bounced back to stun the Cleveland Guardians.

The Royals, pipped 6-5 by the Yankees in a Game 1 thriller on Saturday, produced a four-run fourth inning blast to set up victory at Yankee Stadium.

The result leaves the best-of-five American League Division Series finely balanced at 1-1 as the series heads to Kansas City on Wednesday for Game 3.

“That’s just the way that we are — we fight together, and we win together,” said Royals veteran Salvador Perez. “We feel like a family.”

The Yankees, chasing their first World Series crown since 2009, got off to a smooth start with Giancarlo Stanton driving in a single to score Gleyber Torres in the third inning.

But the Royals jumped on Yankees starter Carlos Rodon in the fourth inning to build a three-run lead that ultimately proved decisive.

Perez homered to start the scoring blitz, before Tommy Pham’s line drive to center field sent Yuli Gurriel over home plate to make it 2-1.

Garrett Hampson’s single allowed Pham to score for 3-1 before, and then Hampson got home safely after Maikel Garcia’s single.

Rodon was pulled thereafter, but the Yankees were unable to claw back the deficit as the Royals bullpen produced a lights out performance to stymie the Bronx Bombers.

There was a nervous finale for the Royals after Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered to start the ninth for New York to make it 4-2 before Jon Berti singled to put the tying run on base.

But closer Lucas Erceg took care of business to bag the final three outs and leave the series at one apiece.

In Monday’s other playoff game, Kerry Carpenter blasted a three-run home run in the ninth inning as the Detroit Tigers stunned the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 to level their series at 1-1.

Carpenter, 27, crushed a 423-foot two-out moonshot to right field off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase to settle what had been a nerve-shredding pitcher’s duel before the ninth inning drama.

It marked another fairytale chapter for Carpenter, who only made his Major League debut two years ago and was working part-time in a sporting goods store in 2020 as he chased his dream of breaking into the big leagues.

“I received a whole lot of God’s grace right there, and that’s about it — and I put a good swing on the ball,” Carpenter said afterwards of his winning homer. “It felt really good. I blacked out after I hit it.”

The Tigers, who stunned the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round last week, had been thrashed 7-0 by Cleveland in Game 1 of the best-of-five ALDS tussle on Saturday.

But a superb pitching performance from starter Tarik Skubal and some scintillating defense shut down the Cleveland offense to leave the game scoreless and on a knife edge heading into the ninth inning, setting up Carpenter’s moment of magic.

“Everybody out there is just fearless and we have a bunch of guys who can execute when they need it most,” Carpenter said.

Skubal pitched seven innings, with just three hits for no runs, to keep the Tigers in touch.

The Tigers host Game 3 of the series in Detroit on Wednesday.