ABU DHABI – Arman Tsarukyan thinks the UFC lightweight division is trending toward a championship rematch between himself and Charles Oliveira in 2025.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) expects to claim the 155-pound belt from Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) during their expected meeting in January or February of next year. Before that happens, though, Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) will have a rematch of his own with Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

There has been no love lost between Tsarukyan and Chandler in recent months. Tsarukyan was one of the harshest critics of Chandler waiting nearly two years for a Conor McGregor fight to materialize, and Chandler has clapped back on multiple occasions.

Chandler claims his fight against Oliveira is a title eliminator and the winner will get whoever emerges with the belt between Tsarukyan and Makhachev. There’s potential for a fun build for a Tsarukyan vs. Chandler fight, but the current top contender just doesn’t see it happening.

“Michael Chandler is going to lose for sure,” Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie. “He’s the No. 1 easy fight for Charles Oliveira. He’s going to choke him out or knock him out. He’s easy money for Oliveira, so I’m so happy for him.”

Tsarukyan said if both he and Oliveira get the job done, they would run it back. Their first meeting took place at UFC 300 in April with Tsarukyan taking a split decision. He thinks the UFC brass would have no problem running it back.

“After the fight Oliveira is going to be the next after me,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m going to fight with Islam and then after that fight he’s for sure going to fight for the title. He has a big name, he was the champion and UFC loves him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

ARSENAL wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly was left baffled after being temporarily blocked from entering the pitch during Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 18-year-old was introduced to replace Riccardo Calafiori in the 72nd minute.

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However, he was briefly stopped from entering the pitch by the fourth official due to an earring.

The official would not let him go on until he took the earring out – even though it was taped up.

Lewis-Skelly quickly resolved the issue before running on for his second-ever Champions League appearance.

Fans on social media found the mishap hilarious, with one person writing: “Myles Lewis-Skelly trying to come on for Arsenal with a brand new earring taped over. 4th official not having it 😂.”

Another commented: “They made Lewis-Skelly take out his fresh piercing 😂 He better hope that don’t heal up and close on him.”

While a third joked: “Lewis-Skelly’s mum is gonna be fuming 😭 his entry into a champions league game delayed because he has to take his earring off 🤣.”

Arsenal went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to an own-goal.

Gabriel Martinelli‘s 29th-minute strike was deflected in off the back of Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk.

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The Gunners had plenty of chances to extend their lead but failed to make the most of them.

Leandro Trossard missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left to play.

The Belgian fired his shot straight down the middle, making it relatively easy for Riznyk to save.

Arsenal now have seven points from three games in the Champions League.

The UFC 308 fight card, start time is for the UFC pay-per-view Saturday afternoon from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In the main event, Ilia Topuria will put his UFC featherweight title on the line against former UFC champion Max Holloway. Topuria has won all seven of his UFC fights en route to a 15-0 career record, while Holloway (26-7) has won four of his past five fights.

Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker will square off against Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event.

Check out the UFC 308 fight card below.

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 2 p.m. ET)

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Prelims (ESPN+ at 10 a.m. ET)

Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Chris Barnett

Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal

Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira

After starting with a tap-in to level the scores, Vinicius Jr’s last two strikes against Dortmund were something special.

At 3-2, with the threat of a Dortmund equaliser hanging over Real Madrid, he picked up the ball in his own half, raced down the left beating Emre Can with pure pace and fired a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

He completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, this time running from 40 yards out, beating three defenders, and hammering a strike into the roof of the net.

He then celebrated by removing his shirt, sprinting to the home fans who chanted “Ballon D’or – Vinicius Ballon D’or”.

After the match, Vinicius Jr told Spanish news outlet Movistar: “It’s a dream made reality when our fans chant my name, I want to keep rewarding them with more and more goals.

“I’m 24 and I want to stay with Madrid forever. I want to give everything back to a club which has given me so much.”

ABU DHABI – Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway has the MMA world split as to who will leave UFC 308 as champion.

Former interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez gave his thoughts and prediction on the highly anticipated championship bout Saturday night at Etihad Arena. Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who’s fought Holloway in the past, believes the Hawaiian will reclaim his belt and take the undefeated status from Topuria.

“It’s going to be an interesting match,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I think Max Holloway has more tools, and he’s a super smart fighter. Also, Topuria is a real power puncher. I just think if Max Holloway is smart enough to keep his distance, he can win the fight. My prediction is Max Holloway.”

Earlier this year, Topuria had plenty to say about Rodriguez and vice versa. Topuria questioned Rodriguez’s skillset, and Rodriguez fired back a few verbal shots his way.

“I don’t have a relationship with him at all,” Rodriguez said. “Yeah, some words have been said, and I hope he’s ready to back them up, because I’m ready.”

Rodriguez hasn’t fought since losing to Brian Ortega in February. He says he’s healthy and ready to return and just waiting on the green light from the promotion. There’s nothing official, but Rodriguez said the UFC has shown interest in having him fight in February in Mexico City.

Jhon Duran has made a habit of coming off the substitutes bench and scoring for Aston Villa this season.

On Tuesday, the Colombia forward made his first start at Villa Park for 11 months and marked it with his side’s second goal against Bologna in the Champions League.

Duran’s celebrations were cut short when he was immediately replaced by Ollie Watkins, and he showed his displeasure by kicking the back of one of the dugout seats in frustration.

Unai Emery is not too upset with Duran’s reaction, however.

Duran now has seven goals in all competitions while Watkins has five – two forwards delivering goals as Villa enjoy one of their best starts to a season for years.

“Duran got a goal again and he’s on fire,” former England defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Villa have great competition for that centre-forward role, with him and Watkins capable of scoring goals.”