As Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid on Saturday, there was a Spaniard in Abu Dhabi making sure football’s El Clasico wouldn’t dominate every headline in Spain the following morning.

Not only did Ilia Topuria beat Max Holloway to retain his featherweight title at UFC 308, he inflicted the first knockout defeat of the American’s glittering career.

The 27-year-old’s devastating performance and first defence of his belt means he will be celebrated in Spain, and not for the first time.

After dethroning Alexander Volkanovski in February to become Spain’s first UFC champion, Topuria appeared on the front page of Spanish publication Marca – a rare feat for an MMA fighter in a country where football dominates the sporting agenda.

Topuria, who also represents Georgia after being born to Georgian parents, then met Spain’s president Pedro Sanchez, who granted him Spanish citizenship, external for his achievements.

And later, Topuria, a big Real Madrid fan, was paraded at the club’s Bernabeu stadium before a game in front of 75,000 fans.

When Real spend mega money on world-class footballers they are dubbed as ‘Galacticos’.

Does the UFC have a Galactico of their own in Topuria?

“Topuria did something nobody has ever done before. He’s legit. If you questioned the guy after Volk, you can’t question him now,” said UFC president Dana White.

“When you keep clipping legends you become a legend, he’s on the right path.”

RJ Young

FOX Sports National College Football Analyst

In a season that feels fit for teams who have proven to be good in the College Football Playoff era, but not quite good enough to be one of the teams invited into what was a four-team tournament, it’s not perennial powers like Ole Miss, Wisconsin, USC and Florida who are taking advantage of the expanded field.

Instead, it’s the Indiana Hoosiers.

With respect to BYU and Iowa State, this Indiana program would be the most surprising entrant into the 12-team CFP field this season.

Indiana is 8-0. Indiana has won nine games just twice in program history (1945, 1967). Indiana is two wins away from winning 10 games for the first time ever. And yes, Indiana has four games left to do it.

With Oregon looking like not only the top team in the Big Ten, but in the entire country, it’s Indiana who has shown to be the biggest challenge to the Ducks, along with Ohio State and Penn State. 

With that, here’s a look at my top 25 rankings following Week 9 of the college football season:

1. Oregon (8-0)

Week 9 result: Defeated Illinois, 38-9

Since defeating Ohio State, 32-31, back in Week 7, the Ducks have outscored opponents 73-9. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score in the Ducks’ win.

2. Georgia (6-1)

Week 9 result: Idle

3. Ohio State (6-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated Nebraska, 21-17

The Buckeyes needed to mount a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Huskers and stay alive in the chase for a Big Ten title. Wideout Jeremiah Smith tied Cris Carter’s freshman record for touchdowns with eight, hauling in a 60-yard TD in the victory.

Will Howard links up with Jeremiah Smith for a 60-yard TD, extending Ohio State’s lead over Nebraska

4. Penn State (7-0)

Week 9 result: Defeated Wisconsin, 28-13

The Nittany Lions trailed Wisconsin 10-7 at halftime. Following a 90-yard TD-scoring drive, PSU managed just 45 yards on its next 14 offensive plays. Drew Allar was forced to leave the game in the first half due to injury and did not return in the second half. 

That didn’t stop Penn State’s defense from imposing its will. The Nittany Lions retook the lead on a pick-six and backup QB Beau Pribula saw the Lions through to the end.

5. Texas (7-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated Vanderbilt, 27-24

Quinn Ewers completed 27 of 37 passes for 288 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the win. The Longhorns staved off a second-half comeback attempt by the Commodores, who have yet to play a game against a Power 4 opponent that did not end as a one-score game.

6. Miami (Fla.) (8-0)

Week 9 result: Defeated Florida State, 36-14

Despite the first ho-hum game of the season from Heisman contender Cam Ward — 22-of-35 for 208 yards with zero passing touchdowns — the Miami Hurricanes cruised to a win against rival FSU. Running back Damien Martinez needed just 15 carries to rush for 148 yards with two touchdowns.

7. Clemson (6-1)

Week 9 result: Idle

8. Iowa State (7-0)

Week 9 result: Idle

9. BYU (8-0)

Week 9 result: Defeated UCF, 37-24

The Cougars never trailed the Knights in this one. BYU running back LJ Martin rushed for 101 yards in the win. Martin has rushed for 100-plus yards in consecutive games for the first time this year. This season marks just the second time since 1990 that BYU has begun its season 8-0.

10.  Texas A&M (7-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated LSU, 38-23

Trailing 17-7 in the third quarter, Mike Elko felt like he needed a change. He called on Marcel Reed, hoping the dual-threat signal-caller could provide a spark to the offense, and that’s exactly what he did. Reed came off the bench to run for three second-half touchdowns and lead the Aggies to an impressive win and keep their undefeated record in SEC play intact.

11. Tennessee (6-1)

Week 9 result: Idle

12. Indiana (8-0)

Week 9 result: Defeated Washington, 31-17

Indiana is 8-0.

Indiana could win nine games for just the third time in its history, and 10 games for the first time ever.

And Indiana has four games to do it.

13. Notre Dame (7-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated Navy, 51-14

The Fighting Irish put together a definitive statement win against a previously-undefeated opponent. Jeremiyah Love rushed for 102 yards with two touchdowns on just 12 carries.

14. Alabama (6-2)

Week 9 result: Defeated Missouri, 34-0

The Tide bounced back from their loss to Tennessee to reclaim their defensive swagger with a shutout victory. In doing so, they dashed Mizzou’s hopes of earning a spot in the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff. Jamarion Miller rushed for two touchdowns in the win.

15. LSU (6-2)

Week 9 result: Lost to Texas A&M, 38-23

Garrett Nussmeier threw three picks after halftime and the Tigers‘ defense couldn’t stop A&M QB Marcel Reed on the ground. Nussmeier finished the game with 405 yards and two touchdowns with a career-high three interceptions.

16. Boise State (6-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated UNLV, 29-24

Though Ashton Jeanty was held to just 128 rushing yards rushing on 33 carries, the Broncos wore down the Rebels. The Broncos’ defense sacked Hajj-Malik Williams six times and recorded an interception in the win.

17. Kansas State (7-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated Kansas, 29-27

Avery Johnson threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 67 yards and a score on the ground. The Wildcats’ defense came up big in the end, stopping Kansas on fourth down to keep their CFP chances alive and secure their 16th straight win over their biggest rival.

18. Pitt (7-0)

Week 9 result: Defeated Syracuse, 41-13

The Panthers picked off Syracuse QB Kyle McCord five times, including three pick-sixes in the first half. Pat Narduzzi has this team playing elite-level defense as they improved to 7-0 on the season.

19. Missouri (6-2)

Week 9 result: Lost to Alabama, 34-0

After losing quarterback Brady Cook with just a few minutes left to play in the first half, backup Drew Pyne struggled against the Alabama defense. He completed just 6 of 12 passes for 42 yards with three interceptions.

20. Ole Miss (6-2)

Week 9 result: Defeated Oklahoma, 26-14

Without Tre Harris, the Rebels struggled to find an offensive catalyst, but their defense managed nine sacks and two turnovers against the Sooners.

21. SMU (7-1)

Week 9 result: Defeated Duke, 28-27

Another week, another win for the Mustangs. They have now won five in a row, with this win coming against a good Duke team in overtime. Brashard Smith led the way on the ground with 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

22. Army (7-0)

Week 9 result: Idle

23. Illinois (6-2)

Week 9 result: Lost to Oregon, 38-9

The Illini struggled offensively in this game. Despite earning their way to the Oregon 2-yard line to open the second half, the Illini turned the ball over on downs.

24. Colorado (6-2)

Week 9 result: Defeated Cincinnati, 34-23

Just like it has been so many times this season, it was the Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter show on Saturday night in Boulder. Sanders completed 25 of 30 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Hunter, who finished with a game-high nine catches for 153 yards. With the victory, Coach Prime’s Buffs became bowl eligible.

25. Navy (6-1)

Week 9 result: Lost to Notre Dame, 51-14

Navy turned it over six times on Saturday in its loss to Notre Dame. This is the type of game where you throw out the tape and move on. This team is still undefeated in conference play.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him at @RJ_Young.

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We don’t know yet how this Liverpool side will react to adversity under Slot, but I have been impressed by what I have seen so far.

Just because they have not been behind for very long in any of their games, does not mean they have not reacted and changed things during them, either.

As well as watching them against Chelsea for MOTD2 last weekend, I was at San Siro as a Uefa technical observer to see their Champions League win over AC Milan in September. Both times, they were very competitive.

They have been playing with great intensity all these years under Jurgen Klopp and it is very difficult to alter that straight away. Also, as Slot has said himself, it would be crazy to change it immediately.

So, he is keeping the good things Klopp had and, at the same time, he is giving them a little bit of defensive balance and organisation, which allows him to change their approach when he needs to.

Against Chelsea they were dropping off a little bit more, but they can still press high. Similarly, they can play penetrating passes forward, or they can use the wide areas and attack with the wingers overlapping.

Slot is giving the team more tools, to be sure they can react and adjust depending on the opponent – or so they can impose their own way to play, because if they are much better than the other team they can control possession in the opposition half, and try to find ways to create chances.

Overall, I think they have more balance and if they can continue to carry a threat in attack then we have already seen that they don’t concede too many goals. Put that together, and it is the key to being successful.

They are definitely on the right path, and in a good place to go to the Emirates on Sunday. Beating Arsenal will be a good challenge and a difficult test, but I think they have the belief that they can do it, and that is the main thing.

DAZN were forced to apologise for boxer Reece Bellotti’s furious expletive-laden rant live on TV.

And even Eddie Hearn was left squirming as the swear words kept coming.

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Bellotti was due to fight Michael Gomez Jr on the Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis undercard at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.

However, little more than an hour before the first bell with the British and Commonwealth super featherweight belts on the line, the fight was suddenly called off.

According to a Matchroom Boxing statement, Gomez Jr had been checked over by a doctor and ruled out of the contest at the 11th hour.

But 19-5 boxer Bellotti was not buying the explanation – and launched into a blistering tirade at his opponent for ducking the bout.

Speaking to DAZN alongside boxing promotor Hearn and Tony Bellew, he raged: “He swallowed it. You f***ing know he swallowed it.

“He has one million per cent swallowed it.

“Bell [Tony Bellew] you can back what I’m saying here – if you’re in that changing room there is nothing out there that will f***ing stop you from fighting. Fact.

“He has gone behind his team and swallowed the fight. 100 per cent fact.

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“In my last fight against Levi Giles, my hand was mashed up.

“I got told by my physio, ‘Don’t take the fight, your hand is mashed.’

“I said, ‘I signed the fight, I’m fighting him, I’ll do him with one f***ing hand. I don’t give a s***.’

“The boys could have gone behind my back, the doctor would have bowled in and I would have said, ‘Nah I’m sweet doctor, don’t worry about it.’

“I am not swallowing a fight in a changing room ever.

“He has swallowed the fight.

“He sold 1,000-plus tickets now he’s got to tell all his mates, ‘Oh sorry my team pulled me out.’

“You sound like a p***y. You melted. Fact.”

Hilariously, midway through the stinging monologue, Hearn tried to warn Bellotti.

The promotor put out a hand and simply said: “Language.”

But that did not stop the Watford warrior from continuing his X-rated tirade.

And that forced the producers at DAZN to add a message on the screen to say sorry to viewers.

‘VERBAL BOMBS’

The note said: “We apologise for any offensive language.”

But most fans were fully supportive of Bellotti’s explosive rant, insisting it was totally justified.

One said: “Up The Bomber!”

Another wrote: “Such a great interview!! Love Bellotti even more now! Letting it all out!”

A third added: “Love it and fair play to him. Pay the man Eddie he’s done his bit.”

A fourth typed: “Bellotti losing his s*** on DAZN was fun, though not a substitute for the fight.”

A fifth commented: “Reece Bellotti throwing verbal bombs on DAZN. Fair to say, he’s p***ed off.”

A sixth joked: “I appreciate the frustration from Belotti but someone needs to save him from himself on this mic.”

And a final user replied: “Reece is on fire in this interview. P***take for him after a long camp.”

Bellotti vs Gomez Jr was supposed to be the main supporting act of the night – and tipped by many to be the best contest on the card.

Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell is also a warm-up act before Catterall and Prograis take centre stage at around 11pm.

The super lightweight contenders were originally scheduled to meet in August, but the fight was delayed due to Catterall suffering an injury.

Brit Catterall will be desperate to secure a world-title shot in 2025 with a win over former world champ Prograis.

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