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#UFC253: Israel Adesanya ‘Izzy’defeats Paulo Costa To Retain the Middleweight Championship
Unbeaten Israel Adesanya defended his middleweight title in style with a dominant second-round stoppage of Paulo Costa at UFC 253 on Sunday.
Poland’s Jan Błachowicz also stopped Dominick Reyes late in the second round on Fight Island, the mixed martial arts promotion’s bubble performance venue in the Middle East, to claim the light heavyweight title vacated by Jon Jones.
Adesanya (20-0) carved up his previously unbeaten Brazilian opponent with flair and ease, battering Costa with leg kicks before ending it late in the second round. Adesanya crumpled Costa with a combination at the center of the octagon, and the champion finished on the ground with 61 seconds left in the round.
“I told you guys that it was going to be violent, and it was going to end fast,” Adesanya said. “That’s what I did. It was a little bit sloppy, but I’m a dog, so I do what I do.”
The win was the ninth straight in the UFC for Adesanya, the Nigeria-born, New Zealand-based phenomenon who has soared to prominence in mixed martial arts over the past three years.
In UFC 253′s co-main event, the 37-year-old Błachowicz (27-8) capped his late-career surge by winning his first UFC title.
After controlling most of the action in a slow first round, Błachowicz apparently broke Reyes’ nose during the second round, and he abruptly ended it when he landed a high left hook to the side of Reyes’ head. Reyes wobbled, stumbled and fell, and Błachowicz promptly finished him on the ground with 24 seconds left in the round.
“I still don’t believe it, but it’s here,” Błachowicz said. “It’s not a dream, right? It happened. I have the legendary Polish power, I proved it one more time. … Even a pandemic can’t stop me right now.”
Unheralded flyweight Brandon Royval also had a highlight-reel win on Fight Island, stopping Kai Kara-France with a guillotine choke in the second round.
Adesanya won his title last year by beating Robert Whittaker, but he was in need of a redemptive performance after defending his belt last March with a stupendously boring decision over Yoel Romero in Las Vegas.
The champion known as “The Last Stylebender” reminded the UFC just what he can do while dispatching Costa with ease
The heavily muscled Costa opened the fight with a cocky swagger, daring Adesanya to kick his lead leg by putting his hands behind his back. Adesanya preened back at Costa, but largely kept his distance and tagged Costa with kicks, while Costa’s own kicks were less successful.
Costa’s striking game never got going, and Adesanya wore him down before finishing the fight.
“I built a beachfront condo inside his head from the first time we met,” Adesanya said. “The way he was fighting, you just want me to stand there so you can punch me. I’m not stupid, dummy.”
While Adesanya was a favorite, Błachowicz’s victory was a surprise. He is the first fighter other than Jones or Daniel Cormier to hold the UFC light heavyweight title since 2011, when Jones began his rocky reign.
Jones vacated his belt three times during the ensuing nine years for doping offenses and criminal misbehaviors, but always reclaimed it. But he voluntarily relinquished the title earlier this year after lengthy negotiations over the future of his career with the UFC, apparently receiving the financial incentive to move to heavyweight.
But Jones doesn’t have a fight booked at heavyweight, and Błachowicz isn’t buying the move.
“Only one man is in my mind,” Błachowicz said. “Jon Jones, where are you? Don’t be a quitter. This is how we do it in Poland. I’m waiting for you.”
UFC President Dana White said he wouldn’t stop Jones if the former champion wanted to fight Błachowicz, a six-year UFC veteran. He earned this title shot with three straight wins, including stoppages of former champion Luke Rockhold and Corey Anderson.
Reyes is a former college football player from Southern California who only recently devoted himself to the sport full-time, but his 12-0 start to his career landed him a title shot at Jones in February. Jones won their matchup by decision, but most observers thought Reyes had nearly pulled off the monumental upset, keeping him first in line for a second title shot when Jones vacated.
Adesanya also said he wants to fight Jones soon, and he would be willing to move up to do it.
-AP
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Sports
Mason Greenwood Nets Four Goals in Marseille’s 6-2 Ligue 1 Triumph Over Le Havre

Mason Greenwood produced a sensational performance as Olympique de Marseille crushed Le Havre 6-2 at the Orange Vélodrome on Saturday, with the English forward scoring four times to propel his side to the top of the Ligue 1 table.
The 24-year-old attacker was in unstoppable form, equalizing from the penalty spot before adding a spectacular curling effort to give Marseille control of the match. Greenwood completed his hat-trick with a precise finish and capped off his night with a composed strike to make it four goals, becoming the first Marseille player to achieve such a feat in Ligue 1 since 1991.
His four-goal display also ended a 22-month drought for any player scoring four times in a single French top-flight game.
The victory lifted Marseille to 18 points from eight matches, keeping them firmly in the title race and showcasing the attacking potency of manager Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Greenwood’s outstanding form continues to turn heads across Europe he now boasts seven goals and four assists in all competitions this season, underlining his resurgence since joining Marseille.
Le Havre managed two consolation goals but were ultimately overwhelmed by Marseille’s relentless attacking play and clinical finishing.
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Sports
Arsenal Reclaims Premier League Lead with 1-0 Win Over Fulham

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, thanks to Leandro Trossard’s second-half strike from a well-worked set piece.
Leandro Trossard scored the decisive goal in the 58th minute, converting a clever corner routine initiated by Bukayo Saka and flicked on by Gabriel Magalhães. The goal secured three vital points for Mikel Arteta’s side, who now sit three points clear at the top of the table.
The win also extended Arsenal’s remarkable defensive record — the Gunners have now gone two consecutive matches without conceding a shot on target, a feat they last achieved during their 2003–04 “Invincibles” season.
Arsenal’s dominance from set pieces continues to pay dividends, with 10 of their 15 league goals this season coming from dead-ball situations.
Bukayo Saka delivered another standout performance, winning 14 duels and creating six chances, underlining his growing influence in Arsenal’s title charge.
Fulham, meanwhile, struggled to find attacking rhythm throughout the contest, as Arsenal’s high press and disciplined backline restricted them to speculative efforts from distance.
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Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Stunning Equalizer Powers Al Nassr’s 5-1 Win Over Al-Fateh

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a vintage performance as Al Nassr cruised to a dominant 5-1 victory over Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Al Awwal Park.
The Portuguese superstar scored twice including a thunderous 25-yard equalizer to inspire Al Nassr’s comeback after an early setback, bringing his career tally to 949 goals.
João Félix was the night’s standout performer with a brilliant hat-trick, ensuring Al Nassr’s emphatic win and maintaining their chase at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in the 60th minute, quickly redeemed himself with a powerful long-range strike that swung the game’s momentum in Al Nassr’s favor.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner later celebrated the victory with American streamer IShowSpeed, who was in attendance at the stadium. The pair were seen sharing smiles post-match, with Ronaldo even following Speed on Instagram a moment that set social media abuzz.
Al Nassr’s latest triumph further solidifies their attacking form this season, with Félix and Ronaldo forming a potent partnership in front of goal.
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Sports
Nottingham Forest Sack Ange Postecoglou after losing 3-0 to Chelsea.

Chelsea cruised to a convincing 3–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, extending their Premier League winning streak to two matches.
Goals from Pedro Neto, Josh Acheampong, and Reece James sealed the Blues’ dominance, piling pressure on Forest, who remain in the relegation zone after yet another disappointing display.
Just 19 minutes after the final whistle, Nottingham Forest announced the sacking of head coach Ange Postecoglou, ending his brief 39-day spell in charge. The Australian manager oversaw eight winless games since his appointment, with the club citing “disappointing results and performances” in its official statement.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The club will make no further comment at this time,”the statement read.
Forest have yet to name a successor, but interim management is expected to be announced in the coming days.
The result lifts Chelsea to 6th place in the Premier League standings, with confidence visibly growing under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.
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Sports
CAF Unveils 2025 Women’s Awards Nominees, Spotlighting African Soccer Stars

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the nominees for the 2025 CAF Women’s Awards, celebrating Africa’s finest female football talents, coaches, and teams.
Nigeria leads the nominations list with several standout contenders, including Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, both shortlisted for the prestigious Player of the Year (Women) award following their impressive performances at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Super Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also earned a nod for Goalkeeper of the Year, cementing her reputation as one of Africa’s top shot-stoppers.
In the coaching categories, Justin Madugu, head coach of the Super Falcons, and Bankole Olowookere, coach of the U-17 women’s team (the Flamingos), were both nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year.
Nigeria’s dominance continues with both the Super Falcons and the Flamingos nominated for National Team of the Year, showcasing the nation’s growing depth in women’s football.
Other notable contenders include Ghana’s Portia Boakye, Malawi’s Chawinga sisters (Tabitha and Temwa), and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, who were nominated for Club of the Year after another stellar season on the continent.
The CAF Women’s Awards 2025 ceremony will be held in December in Rabat, Morocco, where Africa’s best female footballers and coaches will be honored for their achievements.
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