Check out the photos from the UFC 308 official weigh-ins at the UFC host hotel in Salt Lake City (Images by Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie)
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Rugby star facing ‘numb face for rest of his life’ after sickening injury left him with 11 fractures in his face
STEFAN Ratchford is ready to help Warrington towards Grand Final glory, even though he may never get over the freak collision that saw him end up with 11 facial fractures.
The Wolves’ club captain was unable to eat solid food for four weeks after accidentally finding the elbow of St Helens’ James Bell in a Super League match on July 19.
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Now he has revealed to SunSport he has suffered nerve damage in his face, which may either take up to two years to heal or never return to what it was.
Despite that, he is fully fit and ready to go as Warrington head to Hull KR for Friday’s Super League Semi-Final.
“I may have a numb face for the rest of my life,” said Ratchford.
“It was 11 fractures. We thought it was 10, it was on the original scan, then when we went in for surgery, they found a fracture of my palate.
“My full eye socket had gone, upper jaw, lower jaw, my cheekbone was depressed and there were maybe two or three fractures in there.
“There was one in the area from my cheek to the bottom of my nose, then from my nose down into my gum and teeth.
“And when they went in, they found not only had it fractured from my nose to my teeth, it had also fractured back down my palate.
“There’s some nerve damage in my face too, underneath my eye, down my cheek and into my teeth and gums.
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“I don’t have much feeling down the right side of my face. It’s a lot better than it was, for the first four or five weeks, it felt fully like I’d had anaesthetic at the dentist.
“They’re not sure whether that feeling will come back or not. Some said it could be anything from a couple of months to two years, a couple said there was that much damage it’s not likely too.
England Rugby World Cup winner, 48, looks unrecognisable as a bodybuilder as he competes in tournament
“I just took an elbow, it was one of those freak accidents. James has tried to spin out of a tackle as I tried to come into it and he just caught me flush.
“But you know what, I can’t actually remember it hurting. I knew there was something wrong with the way may face felt and an hour later, it was pretty painful.
“It’s quite unfortunate with the damage that was done. Consultants were saying, ‘You may get one or two, a jaw or a cheekbone, but that’s normally the maximum.’
“When we found out there were a few more, it was a surprise for everyone. I knew there was something wrong but we didn’t quite expect it to be what it was.
“I think the face is probably going to stay as it is now. That’s as good as it’s going to get – it doesn’t look too bad on the outside to be honest!”
Bell checked in with Ratchford the following morning to make sure he was all right.
And despite the fears over nerve damage, the 36-year-old has undergone some contact training sessions and in terms of being physically fit, he is fine.
But having a liquid diet has clearly taken its toll, although he is getting back to something like his old self.
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Ratchford added: “I didn’t have a meal for four, four-and-a-half weeks.
“I had these bars and wires on my teeth, along with bands that realigned my jaw, so they were on 23 hours of the day – I literally took them off to brush my teeth.
“It was soups, smoothies, yogurts, protein shakes, that was as good as it got for me. It was pretty tortuous but I’m back eating solids.
“And my clothes are fitting me semi-normally now. I lost more than a stone – the majority of which came off in the first two-and-a-half weeks. I wasn’t getting any calories into me whatsoever.
“It wasn’t ideal for someone who has to eat a lot and lift a lot to maintain what they have but I know I’ve put some weight back on.
“Obviously I’ll have a bit of scarring and there’s a but going on inside but that’s what I’ll have to deal with going forward.
“I’m all right actually. I’m feeling as good as I can be and I’m back running and doing team stuff. I’ve done a bit of contact too – technically and cleared and free to play.
“And I’m more than happy too, if needed. I’m ready and available.”
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Sport
Shock moment Argentina legend steps in to stop chaos in Boca Juniors clash after riot police deployed tear gas
ARGENTINIAN legend Juan Roman Riquelme has intervened to stop warring football fans during a wild stadium brawl.
The Boca Juniors president stepped in as chaos broke out during his team’s Copa Argentina quarter-final against Gimnasia.
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Riquelme spent the majority of his playing career with Boca, who are based in a district of Buenos Aires.
The 46-year-old won 51 caps for Argentina and became president of the club last year.
Gimnasia and Boca fans have a history of violence, with one spectator dying following an altercation in 2022.
On Wednesday night, with Boca leading 1-0, fans began to clash in the stands at Rosario’s Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
Seats were thrown from the Boca end into the Gimnasia fans before skirmishes broke out among rival supporters.
The game was halted as fans attempted to break down barriers, with police firing tear gas into the crowds.
Riquelme, along with board members Chicho Serna, Raul Cascini, and Marcelo Delgado, dashed from their private box to intervene.
The former midfield maestro was caught on camera begging with Bocas ultras to stop, with one hugging their hero.
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Riquelme’s pleas were eventually heeded by Boca fans who retreated away from the barriers, preventing further trouble.
One fan gasped on X in response to the footage: “Never seen a club president do this, at least not for a big club. His actions probably prevented things from escalating.”
Watch mass brawl break out and punches thrown during fiery Argentine league clash between Rosario and Boca
Another said: “Boca’s situation is already unsustainable.”
While a third added: “This is actually crazy.”
On the field, Boca had taken an early lead in the tie thanks to Aaron Anselmino.
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But they were pegged back in the second period as
Pablo De Blasis levelled up for Gimnasia.
The tie eventually went to penalties, with Boca winning 2-1 after a host of misses from the visitors.
Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins appeared to rule out Warner reversing his Test retirement to fill the side’s vacant opener position against India in the upcoming series.
Warner has offered to come out of retirement for the series, with Australia needing an opener after Steve Smith’s move back to the middle order.
But, speaking to The Grade Cricketer podcast, external, Cummins said: “I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago and he said. ‘What do you think?’
“I’m like, ‘Good luck with the Thunder this year.’”
Warner was given an emotional send-off in January this year after announcing the New Year’s Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground would be his last.
It ended his 112-match Test career, in which he scored 8,786 runs and 26 centuries.
Barcelona need to beat Real Madrid on Saturday to keep their outright crown.
The La Liga leaders’ record run started with a 3-2 win against Real Sociedad in April 2017 and ended when they lost 5-4 to Levante in May 2018, two games shy of going unbeaten for a full season.
When you compare the two runs, offensively Barcelona’s side of six years ago has the edge.
Barca forward Lionel Messi was in sublime form during the 43-game streak, managing 58 goal involvements. For comparison, Vinicius and Bellingham have so far combined for 48.
Barcelona also recorded more wins (34 to Real’s 31) and took more points (111 to 104); although Real have played that one game fewer.
In defence, Real Madrid boast more clean sheets, with 23 compared to Barcelona’s 19, and fewer goals conceded (27 for Real and 33 for Barca).
Plus, Real have continuity on their side with Ancelotti having overseen all of their run, whereas Ernesto Valverde replaced Luis Enrique as Barcelona manager at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Sport
Arsenal boost as Newcastle NOT in contract talks with star striker Alexander Isak amid fears he could quit
ALEXANDER ISAK is not in talks with Newcastle over an extended contract as Arsenal continue to lurk and potentially pounce.
The Swede, 25, became the first Toon star since Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals.
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He has now scored 32 in his 58 top-flight appearances since arriving in a club-record £63m deal from Real Sociedad in 2022.
That form caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Arsenal believed to be keen.
Isak remains under contract until 2028 and preliminary discussions between the Magpies and the star over a new package were held before the summer.
SunSport understands that more talks are NOT currently taking place and there are none pencilled in due to him still having three years left.
Neither party believes that a new contract is a top priority currently, while it is also understood the forward’s camp want to see how this season pans out.
Isak, who has only scored once for Newcastle so far this term, has ambitions to keep playing in the Champions League after having a taste at Toon a year ago.
But if Eddie Howe’s side miss out on a top four finish then he could potentially look to leave, with a lack of an extended deal increasing that possibility.
And despite his poor form in front of goal, Arsenal remain keen and Toon would still easily be able to demand £100m plus for the hitman.
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Newcastle are set to be in action this Sunday in the Premier League.
Isak and Co travel south to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal fans in meltdown as transfer target Alexander Isak ‘spotted in London with ex-Man Utd star Adnan Januzaj’
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ABU DHABI – One of the most anticipated title fights of the year is now official after Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway made weight for the UFC 308 headliner.
Reigning featherweight titleholder Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and former champion Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) had no issues on the scale on Friday at the UFC host hotel, locking in Saturday’s main event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).
Topuria registered at 145 pounds during his weigh-in, while Holloway was also 145 pounds.
Check out the video above to see Topuria and Holloway make weight for their UFC 308 title fight.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
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