Connect with us

Sport

Michael Chandler confident Conor McGregor returns, fires back at fighters criticizing him for waiting so long

Published

on

Michael Chandler confident Conor McGregor returns, fires back at fighters criticizing him for waiting so long

Once Michael Chandler realized that he wouldn’t be fighting Conor McGregor before the end of 2024, he had to move on with his career.

He’s now slated to face Charles Oliveira in a five-round rematch as the co-main event for UFC 309 in November but he knew the moment that fight got announced, he would start hearing about how he wasted the past two years of his career. Actually, Chandler heard that plenty of times from his fellow fighters long before Oliveira fight got announced because so many of them already criticized him publicly for sitting and waiting for McGregor to finally return.

No matter how loud the noise got from other UFC athletes, Chandler knows without a doubt that just about every single one of them wanted to be in his position.

“It’s really funny,” Chandler told MMA Fighting. “You’ve had a thousand fighters sit here across from you and talk to you doing interviews and all of them who have said that I was Conor’s little whipping boy or I was waiting too long or I was wasting my career, every single one of them would have held onto this Conor fight even if they say publicly that they wouldn’t. Every single one of those guys wants this fight.”

Advertisement

While he’s satisfied with the choices he made, Chandler still believes he will eventually get to welcome McGregor back to the octagon after his last appearance came all the way back in 2021.

The fight may not happen as originally scheduled but Chandler is confident that McGregor is eventually going to compete again — he just can’t say when that might happen.

“I do think [he returns],” Chandler said. “Maybe I’ve just been so close to it and so focused on it that you just look at his history, Conor McGregor is a nothing, nobody without the sport of mixed martial arts. Without the UFC platform. Without the legacy that he has created.

“I believe he’s romantic about it. I believe that he loves the sport. I believe that his spirit loves the sport but sometimes his body and his brain want other things. I’ve never walked a mile in that man’s shoes, neither have you, so who are we to critique him? But I do believe he comes back and when he does, I’ll be waiting. I just might have the title by then.”

Advertisement

There’s a risk and reward with any fight but Chandler getting the rematch against Oliveira could potentially vault him back into title contention with a win or a loss could cost him the chance to settle the score with McGregor when he does return.

Chandler understands that’s the reality of his situation but he’s confident that his choices will eventually pay off.

“I still stand firm in the notion that Conor McGregor is coming back,” Chandler said. “When he does, his road goes through Nashville, Tenn. and Michael Chandler and we finish The Ultimate Fighter. But it’s not going to be my next fight. I am Conor’s next fight but he is not my next fight.”

The best possible reward for Chandler after this whole ordeal is that beating Oliveira at UFC 309 gives him even more options for the future.

Advertisement

Maybe that means welcoming McGregor back to the octagon in early 2025 or perhaps he waits for an eventual showdown with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev instead.

Chandler has no problem betting on himself to win in November and then looking towards a very busy year ahead in 2025.

“When he gets his house in order, I’ll be waiting for him,” Chandler said about McGregor. “If not, I’ve got no problem beating Charles and going to fight for the title because if I had that choice today, I’m going to fight Islam after I beat Charles.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sport

Sky Sports pundits announce never-before-seen broadcast for huge Arsenal vs Man Utd clash

Published

on

Sky Sports pundits announce never-before-seen broadcast for huge Arsenal vs Man Utd clash

GARY NEVILLE has revealed a stunning new broadcast feature for Arsenal’s clash against Manchester United next month.

The Gunners take on the Red Devils on December 4 at 8.15pm in what will be only Ruben Amorim‘s fourth game in charge of the club after being named new head coach.

Gary Neville has announced that The Overlap will be doing a Watchalong for Arsenal v Man Utd

1

Gary Neville has announced that The Overlap will be doing a Watchalong for Arsenal v Man UtdCredit: The Overlap

The Emirates clash will be part of a huge midweek package of games being broadcast by Amazon Prime Video, rather than Sky Sports.

Advertisement

However, Neville has revealed how a conversation with Ian Wright has sparked a brand new idea that will allow fans to see their reaction live as the action unfolds.

Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football Podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Neville, 49 said: “We were driving along a few weeks ago [and talking], Man Utd play Arsenal on a Wednesday night and Ian suggested a watchalong.

“So we’re going to do a Stick to Football watchalong Man Utd v Arsenal live in here on December 4.”

Watchalongs have become a popular way for fans to keep track of games when they are not on TV or at the ground.

Advertisement

Man Utd fan Mark Goldbridge is one of the most famous content creators to tap into this market.

For example, on the That’s Football channel Goldbridge sits in front of a camera and streams himself reacting to games.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

He streamed the 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Arsenal, and has had more than 192,000 viewers on YouTube, while the channel itself has nearly 1.3 million subscribers.

Advertisement

On the United Stand – another Goldbridge-made channel – the watchalong of Man Utd’s 3-0 win over Leicester has received more than 410,000 views.

‘He should get a job somewhere else,’ fumes Roy Keane as he blasts Man Utd star for gesture after goal

Fans of numerous other clubs have also tapped into this market, including rival Man Utd fan channels, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle to name but a few.

Even after they are done, viewers will often clip moments from the watchalong which then do the rounds on social media, often in the form of memes as a means to ridicule a rival fanbase, particularly after a defeat or after conceding in the game.

However, Jill Scott has revealed she won’t be able to attend because she is “going back to the jungle” to work on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!.

Advertisement

And she revealed this means she will be in Australia working for ITV as a guest for 10 days.

Jamie Carragher was also concerned about his former club, Liverpool’s own fixture against Newcastle which is taking place on the same night, albeit at the earlier kick-off of 7.30pm.

Roy Keane, ever the traditionalist, had some thoughts of his own on the idea.

He said: “So we’re just going to be watching the game like we would at home? So, swearing given up?”

Advertisement

Scott joked: “So he’s going to be in his boxer shorts,” which prompted a smirk from the 53-year-old.

He quipped: “That’s what your missing Jill, we’ll send you a picture.”

Whether this new idea becomes a more permanent feature or not may depend on how it is received.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Motorsports

F1 announces new Monaco GP deal to 2031

Published

on

The Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar until 2031, the series has announced.

One of the crown jewels of F1’s calendar, Monaco’s contract was up for renewal after the 2025 edition.

There had been doubts about Monaco’s long-term future of the race given its notorious struggles to provide an entertaining race on the narrow streets of the principality, but F1 and the Automobile Club of Monaco have struck a deal that will see the race remain on the calendar for six more years.

Monaco will change dates under its new deal, moving from its traditional end-of-May date to the first weekend of June from 2026 onwards. That means it will no longer clash with the Indianapolis 500.

Advertisement

“I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. “The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.

“I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Monaco is understood to have forked out a significantly higher sanctioning fee to remain on the calendar. But the race’s commercial prospects have been boosted by F1’s recently announced deal with luxury conglomerate LVMH.

Advertisement

As part of the deal TAG Heuer will take over from Rolex as F1’s official timekeeper next year. TAG has also been a long-standing partner of the Monaco race, which means its branding will no longer clash with F1’s, something which had been a point of discussion when Monaco’s previous contract extension had to be negotiated.

The Monaco Grand Prix featured on the first F1 world championship calendar in 1950, and has been a regular fixture since 1955.

It is understood that F1 has now accepted that due to the tight confines of the Monte Carlo harbour, Monaco’s 3.3km layout is not expected to change throughout the new deal.

Read Also:
Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sport

Moanco agrees extension to host Formula 1 until at least 2031

Published

on

Solheim Cup 2024: US beat Europe in Virginia for first win since 2017

Monaco will continue to host Formula 1 races until at least 2031 after a new six-year deal was agreed.

One of the sport’s most iconic and prestigious races, the Monaco Grand Prix first took place in 1950 and has been an ever-present in the calendar since 1955.

There have been doubts about its future, however, because of questions regarding the suitability of the principality’s narrow streets for racing modern F1 cars, plus concerns over finances and other issues.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Motorsports

Should Red Bull sign Colapinto for F1 2025? Our writers have their say

Published

on

As Franco Colapinto has impressed the Formula 1 paddock at Williams as a mid-season replacement for Logan Sargeant, there has been plenty of calls to keep him on the grid for 2025.

But with no room at the Grove-based squad, as Carlos Sainz comes in alongside Alex Albon, the team has been aiming to help the Argentinian find a spot elsewhere.

Over recent weeks speculation linking him to Red Bull has grown stronger, as pressure continues to mount on Sergio Perez while the team’s junior programme remains disjointed.

So, would Colapinto to Red Bull actually work? Our writers provide their takes.

Advertisement
Colapinto has attracted plenty of support in South America

Colapinto has attracted plenty of support in South America

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Why Colapinto partnering Verstappen isn’t as crazy as it sounds – Alex Kalinauckas

What a journey Franco Colapinto has been on in not even three months of Formula 1. From relative obscurity in Formula 2, to being a candidate to partnxer Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025. Such a bold move would be typical Red Bull driver crowbarring, but it’s not quite as out there as it might seem.

First off, there has been genuine consideration within the Red Bull camp for such a move. It is understood to be something team principal Christian Horner is pushing rather than coming from Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who understandably wants Liam Lawson promoted to benefit the Red Bull Junior Team.

But that previously well-oiled machine is now jammed to the extent it’s clearly broken. Adding Colapinto in at the top would allow time for it to be repaired, with Lawson still given a chance to shine in F1 anyway.

Advertisement

A bigger problem for Red Bull to overcome in any move for Colapinto – at either of its squads – is Williams’s asking price. Rumours have this at $20 million, with Red Bull uninterested in a loan deal for the Argentine.

But, if a deal can be struck, the upsides are considerable for Red Bull.

It is already facing a $20m hit to its prize money for 2024 – given it’s on-track to finish third in the constructors’ championship this year thanks to Sergio Perez failing to get anywhere near close enough to Verstappen, rather than winning as it did in 2022 and 2023. Colapinto also brings sponsors, as Williams is currently enjoying, and massive interest from Latin American.

At the Mexican GP, this writer saw reporters from media outlets in that market arranged several ranks deep every time Colapinto spoke. Plus, interested parties in his home country are already expressing interest in reviving the Argentine Grand Prix. So far, however, it is understood this hasn’t got as far as a formal enquiry being made to Formula One Management about a possible calendar slot…

Advertisement
Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46

Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

While neither Lawson or Colapinto have historical baggage with Verstappen that might risk upsetting the Dutchman and his camp at Red Bull, there is little to separate them on pure speed either. In terms of their gaps to their current team-mates, Albon is on average 0.179s quicker than Colapinto in qualifying (based on dry sessions only, capped at the point either driver exited) and Yuki Tsunoda is just 0.034s ahead of Lawson by the same metric.

And neither is a certain to be any upgrade on Perez. But this is where driver mental resilience comes into consideration. This is the reason Red Bull won’t promote Tsunoda from RB – it doesn’t think he’ll be able to handle the demands of being team-mate to a true F1 great.

In his six grand prix weekends so far, Colapinto has proved he can cut it with much less prep, even compared to Lawson. He’s gone from shaking slightly facing the media at Monza to a somewhat swaggering paddock presence, which isn’t meant negatively. Crashes such as those he had in Brazil – including an awkward one behind the safety car – can’t continue, however.

Advertisement

Yes, the pressure is off to a certain extent given technically all the seats for 2025 are already gone, but he’s still handling the F1 pressure cooker remarkably well.

This is key for Red Bull. All it needs is a team-mate to get closer to Verstappen – say, with such an average gap as Colapinto has to Albon – and be able to handle the burden of being pushed relentlessly hard from across the garage and, potentially, beaten all the time.

Based on what he’s shown so far, Colapinto could well be the answer to a problem Red Bull has struggled to solve ever since Daniel Ricciardo walked out back in 2018.

Colapinto has put in strong performances that have attracted the attention of Red Bull

Colapinto has put in strong performances that have attracted the attention of Red Bull

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Advertisement

Ignoring the hype, Colapinto isn’t ready for Red Bull… yet – Oleg Karpov

Hype is a funny thing. It’s great because it can open a lot of doors. But when it’s gone, they tend to close just as quickly.

There’s definitely a lot of hype around Franco Colapinto right now, and the very fact that Red Bull’s team boss is even considering the Argentinian for 2025 says a lot about the shock waves he’s sent through the paddock since his sudden and unexpected arrival on the F1 grid at Monza.

Because it’s not just Colapinto who’s arrived in F1, it’s the whole country with him in the form of stickers on Williams cars, an avalanche of Argentine fans invading Sao Paulo and Williams’ social media channels, and Argentine politicians suddenly talking about F1. Politicians wouldn’t be politicians if they didn’t try to jump on the hype bandwagon, would they?

This constant noise around Colapinto is great for everyone. Williams, F1 itself – and it can still do a lot of good for any team that signs him up for 2025.

Advertisement

But if Colapinto does join Red Bull, it will be him sharing the garage with Max Verstappen, not the fans and politicians (although stickers may follow), and there’s simply no evidence yet that he’s ready for one of the toughest jobs in F1. It’s not even that it’s too early for Colapinto to jump into one of the best cars on the grid, although that’s probably a valid argument too – there’s just not enough factual data to prove he’s up to the task.

From what we’ve seen of Colapinto so far, it’s safe to say that he’s a better match for Alex Albon than Logan Sargeant. It should also be taken into account that Williams also improved in the second half of the championship, but making it to Q3 and scoring his first points in Baku was impressive. Being ahead of Albon in qualifying also added to the overall excitement, but there’s also the hard fact that Albon didn’t actually get to do his final lap due to the team’s mistake.

Colapinto has shown flashes of speed but also suffered some setbacks

Colapinto has shown flashes of speed but also suffered some setbacks

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

The weekend in Singapore was also decent, and scoring points in Austin is definitely worth highlighting. But does that mean he’s ready for a top car? Of course not. It’s probably enough to say that he’s proven that he’s good enough to be in F1. But that’s about it. At least for now.

Advertisement

The circumstances of his debut, jumping into the car mid-season, make for a better overall impression although he’s not the first rookie in F1 to have done well when thrown into the sea to swim recently, and we should probably stop being so surprised at how the new generation of drivers cope with such challenges.

Nowadays, it’s usually time that tells you more. There was a lot of hype around Yuki Tsunoda after his first race in Bahrain, and Nyck de Vries’ spectacular performance at Monza in 2022 earned him praise for the next few months, before the hype train stopped and went into reverse after just a handful of races in 2023.

Colapinto still has a lot to prove. Qualifying margins against Albon in Italy and Mexico are less talked about now. So are crashes. But that’s the nature of today’s media landscape, where Sargeant would have been eaten alive for crashing under the safety car and yet for Colapinto, still in his honeymoon phase in F1, there are still excuses.

The fact that Horner is even considering hiring Colapinto probably says more about the extent of Red Bull’s driver problem than it does about Colapinto’s F1 debut. If it were for sporting reasons alone, Horner would probably be walking into the Williams hospitality to talk to James Vowles about some other driver, be it Carlos Sainz or even Albon. Because if those in the Verstappen camp really can’t abide the idea of a 2015 Toro Rosso reunion, it’s surely Albon who should be higher up on Horner’s list of drivers to buy from Williams. He’s been there before, he knows what it’s like to be next to Verstappen but he’s got a lot more experience now.

Advertisement

But F1 isn’t always about performance. There are probably other reasons why Colapinto is on Horner’s radar. And there’s a good chance he could help Red Bull keep its Latin American sponsors happy in the event of Perez’s release. But whether he can be an asset from a sporting point of view is a question that is impossible to answer at the moment.

Colapinto could be a future superstar. It’s just that there’s little evidence to back up that claim right now.

Will Colapinto say goodbye to F1 at the end of the year?

Will Colapinto say goodbye to F1 at the end of the year?

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sport

Man Utd legend Paul Scholes reveals the player who sent him into retirement after Sir Alex Ferguson ‘mistake’

Published

on

Man Utd legend Paul Scholes reveals the player who sent him into retirement after Sir Alex Ferguson 'mistake'

MAN UTD legend Paul Scholes realised he had to retire for the final time after Gareth Bale ran him ragged.

Scholes initially called time on his illustrious playing career at the end of the 2010-11 season after winning the title for the 10th time.

Paul Scholes says he ‘knew it was the end’ for his playing career after being exposed by former Tottenham star Gareth Bale

6

Paul Scholes says he ‘knew it was the end’ for his playing career after being exposed by former Tottenham star Gareth BaleCredit: YouTube/ The Overlap
Scholes has revealed that he felt exposed by Gareth Bale when he came out of retirement

6

Advertisement
Scholes has revealed that he felt exposed by Gareth Bale when he came out of retirementCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

But the Old Trafford ace was tempted out of retirement just seven months later to help Sir Alex Ferguson’s injury crisis at the time.

After returning in January 2012, Scholes went on to play for another 16 months before eventually hanging up his boots for the final time in May 2013 at the age of 38.

But Scholes revealed it was a “mistake” to agree to return and “knew” it was time for him to step aside after a particularly humbling afternoon against Spurs star Bale.

Bale had become one of the most devastating players in the Premier League and would soon join Real Madrid in a deal worth £85m.

Advertisement

Scholes told Football’s Greatest podcast: “I actually thought the first time I retired would be the end.

“I came back for six months originally and then the manager wanted me to stay for another season and I think that was a mistake.

“I think it was the first home game of my last season, against Tottenham. I remember I didn’t actually play that badly but I remember playing against Gareth Bale.

“Now this could have happened to me when I was 21 but he was just starting to burst and he was flying.

Advertisement
Bale scored in Tottenham's 3-2 win at Old Trafford in 2012

6

Bale scored in Tottenham’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford in 2012Credit: Action Images – Reuters
Scholes would go onto win his 11th Prem title in 2012-13

6

Scholes would go onto win his 11th Prem title in 2012-13Credit: Getty – Contributor

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

“I remember him going past me two or three times and I knew I couldn’t compete with that, I had absolutely no chance.

Advertisement

“I was in the ice bath later and I could’ve been in there for two days, I could barely move for three or four days.

‘He should get a job somewhere else,’ fumes Roy Keane as he blasts Man Utd star for gesture after goal

“That’s when I knew that was the end. It was a mistake to play that season.”

Bale scored in Tottenham’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford in 2012, a game which convinced Scholes he should retire for good.

Scholes would play in Ferguson’s final home game as manager of United – but he wasn’t all that keen.

Advertisement

He added: “It was a special moment (to come on for his final game) but I didn’t really want it, I wanted to go away quietly.

“I didn’t even want to play the last game and even that confirmed I was doing the right thing.”

Ranked by his peers as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, it’s not hard to imagine why Ferguson requested for one of his favourites to come out of retirement.

Scholes was part of United's iconic Class of 92

6

Advertisement
Scholes was part of United’s iconic Class of 92Credit: Getty

Scholes made his comeback in a 3-2 win over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup and also revealed how he had to go to the local sports shop to pick up a new pair of boots for the match.

Some players didn’t know he was coming back until they saw his shirt in the dressing room.

He made 17 appearances that season as United lost out to City for the league title on the final day of the season.

The 66-capped England star went onto win another Prem title with United the following season – his 11th of his career.

Advertisement

Since retiring, Scholes has become a well-respected football pundit, working on TNT Sports – and Premier League Productions.

Ferguson asked Scholes to come out of retirement in January 2012

6

Ferguson asked Scholes to come out of retirement in January 2012Credit: Mark Robinson – The Sun

What Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managers

Advertisement

David Moyes

“All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”

Louis van Gaal

“One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”

Advertisement

Jose Mourinho

“Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

 “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”

Advertisement

Erik ten Hag

“One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”

Ruben Amorim

 “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Football

Listen: Celtic reaction & Scotland U19 boss in appeal to clubs

Published

on

Listen: Celtic reaction & Scotland U19 boss in appeal to clubs



Martin Dowden and Craig Telfer chat about Celtic v Chelsea and the weekend’s Championship



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com