‘I don’t care about rankings,’ says Sandhagen as he eyes title shot with win in Abu Dhabi

‘I don’t care about rankings,’ says Sandhagen as he eyes title shot with win in Abu Dhabi
Cory Sandhagen (right) fought Petr Yan at UFC 267 on his last visit to Abu Dhabi in 2021. (UFC)
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Updated 29 July 2024
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‘I don’t care about rankings,’ says Sandhagen as he eyes title shot with win in Abu Dhabi

‘I don’t care about rankings,’ says Sandhagen as he eyes title shot with win in Abu Dhabi
  • The 32-year-old American is on a three-fight winning streak as he takes on Umar Nurmagomedov at Etihad Arena on Aug. 3

DUBAI: When Cory Sandhagen steps into the Octagon at Etihad Arena for UFC Night on Aug. 3, it will be with an increasing sense of familiarity.

The 32-year-old American is set to face Umar Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight bout next week, marking the third time he has been to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

With one win and one loss in Abu Dhabi, Sandhagen has been preparing for all eventualities against the rising star from Dagestan in the UAE capital.

“I’m just preparing my best for everything that’s going to come in the fight,” Sandhagen told Arab News.

“Just learning and understanding all of the ways that he fights, the ways that he grapples, the way that he strikes,” he added. “Making sure that I’m not going to be caught off guard by anything because I do know with guys that have very unique styles like that, it’s really easy for people to go in and think that it’s going to be one thing and have it definitely not be that thing.”

Sandhagen (17-4-0) is on a three-fight winning streak, and another victory in Abu Dhabi should give him a shot at the title belt.

“I definitely think so. I don’t think that there’s anyone else really in the division that is beating (these opponents),” said Sandhagen. “(Yadong) Song is a top 10 guy, Chito (Marlon Vera) is a top 10 guy, and (Rob) Font, when I fought him, was a top 10 guy.

“A lot of those wins were really impressive,” he added. “A stop against Song, winning every round against Chito, and then winning every round against Font — I think that I definitely am having the most impressive performances against some of the best guys. I think that a fight against a big up-and-comer who’s known as one of the better prospects in the division, a win against him, I think will definitely solidify that (title shot) for me.”

Sandhagen dismisses any suggestion that, as the second-ranked bantamweight fighter, he has more to lose in Abu Dhabi than his 10th-ranked opponent, who has a record of 17-0-0.

“I don’t care about the rankings. If people are better than me, I want them to have the belt over me,” he said. “If Umar is better than me (and beats me), I want him to go on because that means that he earned it and deserves it more than I do. I don’t care about the rankings. I don’t care about having things to lose.

“I want the best guy to be the champion, and if I think that I’m the best guy, I’ll have to go out and prove that regardless of who (my opponent) is, regardless of ranking, regardless of how many fights they’ve had in UFC,” the Colorado native said. “If Umar is better than me, I want him to beat me, that means that he earned it. If I beat Umar, it means that I’m better than him and I earned the title shot. That’s the way that I approach talking fights. We’ll see if he’s better than me.”

Sandghagen has already performed in Abu Dhabi twice, first beating Marlon Moraes at Flash Forum in October 2021 before losing to Petr Yan a year later at Etihad Arena. He looks back fondly on both experiences.

“It was great, I honestly love that part of the world,” he said. “My first time there was when I went out and fought Marlon. I love that part of the world, I thought that the hospitality was insane, very kind. The hotels were really awesome.”

He also had special praise for the local fans.

“I really don’t recall hearing a ton of boos out there. I think that demographic of fans is very different than the American one, in that they’re not really big booers. They still root for their guy, but I do think that part of the world just has a deeper, richer history in martial arts. And I think what they care most about is watching good fights and watching high-level performers.

“The Middle East has some of the best fighters in the world. A lot of those areas around the Middle East have some of the best fighters in the world, and a deep, rich culture in martial arts. I love the fans in Abu Dhabi. I think they are very kind and fair.”

Abu Dhabi has for several years been a UFC hub, and on June 22, Saudi Arabia held its first-ever UFC Fight Night at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Sandhagen believes that hosting events in this region has boosted UFC and its roster of fighters.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “The more globalized that UFC gets, the more opportunities that we have. More than anything, man, I think that it’s really cool that fighting is bringing all parts of the world together.

“Right now, the Dagestani guys are really hot, and people here (are) really liking it, really enjoying it,” he added. “It put Dagestan on the map. I didn’t know where it was before, and I think (that) is a very cool aspect of what the UFC is doing. It’s making us all a little bit closer.”

Sandhagen hopes that the spread of UFC in the region will in the coming years also produce more local fighters, something he is happy to play a role in.

“One of my favorite things about going to UFC fights is that I typically leave very inspired,” he said. “Inspired to be better at fighting, but I also just feel very inspired by the people, some of the fighters and the way that they can go out and perform. I think that if you can just add a touch of inspiration to someone’s life, it can make a giant difference.”


Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla
Updated 38 sec ago
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Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla
  • Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4
  • Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley

ALULA: Ikmah and Richard Mille have qualified to the final of the Richard Mille Desert Polo Championship 2025, and will face off in the final showdown that AlUla’s Al Fursan Village hosts on Saturday.
The fourth edition of the prestigious competition’s finale takes place at 4 p.m. Saudi time.
Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4.
Meanwhile, Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley.
The tournament’s Friday matches saw intense competition in the presence of distinguished figures, including Piero Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, Amr Zidan, president of the Saudi Polo Federation, and Ziyad Al-Suhaibani, head of sports at the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Meanwhile, AlUla battles against Bentley for third place, and Dadan faces Budget to determine the fifth and sixth positions before the final.
Speaking about the event’s significance, Faisal bin Duwies, the Saudi Polo Federation’s CEO,” expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports arena.
“We take pride in seeing the Kingdom lead the global sports scene through prestigious championships.”
He emphasized the tournament’s role in fostering talent, highlighting the participation of polo legends from around the world, which enriches the experience for all competing players.
As anticipation builds, the final promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier destination for world-class polo.
The championship is being organized in coordination with the Royal Commission for AlUla.


Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20

Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20
Updated 30 min 25 sec ago
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Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20

Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20
  • He smashes the fastest 50 in tournament history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls on his way to a total of 81 from 27 balls
  • Dubai Capitals set a daunting target of 202, led by Shai Hope’s 83 off 49 balls, but the Warriorz bats let loose to reach it in only 18.1 overs

DUBAI: Avishka Fernando produced a stunning display of power-hitting to guide the Sharjah Warriorz to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Dubai Capitals in the DP World International League T20 on Friday.

Fernando smashed the fastest half-century in the tournament’s history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls, as the Warriorz chased a daunting target of 202 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. His explosive 81 off 27 balls, featuring eight sixes and six fours, anchored the chase, which was completed in 18.1 overs.

“I wanted to play my natural game and I thank God for how things turned out, he said. “The wicket was great to bat on, and when they scored 200 I knew I had to play positively. It came naturally, and I’m grateful for that.

“I didn’t realize I had broken the record for the fastest 50 but I’m happy with the performance.”

The Capitals had posted an imposing 201/5, led by Shai Hope’s 83 off 49 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza praised his team’s batting but acknowledged the challenge created by late-game conditions.

“I thought it was a very good total. You don’t usually see 202 in Sharjah, so I was pretty confident it was a strong score, and we should have been able to win the game.

“Shai has been a fantastic addition to the team and hopefully the other players around him step up as well. The wicket got better later and the dew made it tougher. The cutters weren’t holding in the wicket either. Our fielding could have been better and Avishka played brilliantly.”

Johnson Charles (37 runs off 19 balls) and Jason Roy (26 off 21) provided the Warriorz with a strong start, while Luke Wells helped complete the job with a composed 31 not out from 17 balls.

The Capitals’ bowlers struggled under the batting onslaught, with Gulbadin Naib conceding 27 runs in a single over, the most in the tournament’s history.

The victory highlighted the strength of the Warriorz, in particular their explosive batting lineup, with Fernando’s heroics setting the tone for what already promises to be an exciting season of cricket.


Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks

Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks
Updated 17 January 2025
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Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks

Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks
  • Marmoush has been heavily linked with a winter move to City after a stellar first half of the season.
  • The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals in 17 league games

BERLIN: Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday left forward Omar Marmoush out of their matchday squad for the home clash with Borussia Dortmund due to “transfer talks” with Manchester City.
Marmoush has been heavily linked with a winter move to City after a stellar first half of the season.
The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals in 17 league games, one fewer than leader Harry Kane, and laid on 10 assists.
“Eintracht Frankfurt is currently in talks with another club for the transfer of Omar Marmoush. The player is therefore not part of the team today,” the club wrote on social media just hours before the Dortmund clash.


Speaking with DAZN before the game, Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche confirmed Marmoush was set “to leave us in the direction of Manchester City.”
“It looks like Omar will be leaving us and that’s why he’s not in the squad.
“We’ve been in regular discussions with Manchester City for the past few days.”
The Egyptian arrived in Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023.
German and international media reported the struggling English champions, who sit 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, are set to pay up to 80 million euros ($82 million) for Marmoush.


Shakeel and Rizwan lead Pakistan recovery in fog-hit first Test against West Indies

Shakeel and Rizwan lead Pakistan recovery in fog-hit first Test against West Indies
Updated 17 January 2025
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Shakeel and Rizwan lead Pakistan recovery in fog-hit first Test against West Indies

Shakeel and Rizwan lead Pakistan recovery in fog-hit first Test against West Indies
  • Bad light in Multan ended play with just 41.3 overs bowled, with the hosts on 143-4
  • Shakeel and Rizwan added 97 after coming together with Pakistan in trouble at 46-4

MULTAN: Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead a Pakistan fightback in the first Test against the West Indies on Friday as the hosts reached 143-4 at the close of a fog-hit opening day.
When bad light in Multan ended play with just 41.3 overs bowled, Shakeel was on 56 for his ninth half-century and Rizwan was 51 not out for his 11th.
The pair added 97 after coming together with Pakistan in real trouble at 46-4.
The left-right combination of Shakeel and Rizwan negotiated the three-spinner West Indies attack with aplomb after fast bowler Jayden Seales initially left the home team struggling.
“This pitch is tough to bat on,” said Rizwan.
“We batted with caution and just took advantage of loose balls. It’s tough to judge what should be a good total, but we will target 300 plus.”
Sensing the dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch will be tricky for batting on the last two days — and with spin set to play a major role — the home team opted to bat after winning the toss.
But play was delayed because of early morning fog compounded by poor air quality, resulting in limited visibility and wiping out the first session.
Shakeel has so far cracked four boundaries while Rizwan has seven hits to the fence.
Seales finished with 3-21 off 10 overs.
“My aim was to build pressure and get wickets,” he said. “I sense spin will play a major role on this pitch going forward.”
Both teams started with three spinners and just one frontline fast bowler, and the tourists opened the bowling with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie alongside Seales.
It was Seales who provided the breakthrough, forcing an edge off debutant Muhammad Hurraira to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach in the sixth over. Hurraira scored six.
Three overs later, Motie dismissed skipper Shan Masood off a faint edge to the wicketkeeper for 11, before Seales trapped Kamran Ghulam leg-before with a sharp incoming delivery for five.
It became 46-4 when Babar Azam edged Seales behind the wicket for eight, continuing a poor run of scores at home for Pakistan’s premier batter.
The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship. Pakistan currently rank eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.


Belgium sack national team coach Tedesco

Belgium sack national team coach Tedesco
Updated 17 January 2025
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Belgium sack national team coach Tedesco

Belgium sack national team coach Tedesco
  • Tedesco was appointed in February 2023 to replace Roberto Martinez and rebuild the squad as the country’s “golden generation” departed
  • Tedesco’s team qualified for Euro 2024 but were eliminated in the last 16 by France

BRUSSELS: Belgium’s football association on Friday announced the sacking of national team coach Domenico Tedesco after disappointing performances at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League.
“Unfortunately, the Red Devils did not perform as we hoped at Euro 2024, just as they did in the next Nations League campaign,” the football association (RBFA) said on their website.
Tedesco was appointed in February 2023 to replace Roberto Martinez and rebuild the squad as the country’s “golden generation” departed.
Tedesco’s team qualified for Euro 2024 but were eliminated in the last 16 by France, who then beat Belgium twice more in the Nations League as the Red Devils finished third in their group.
They face a relegation play-off against Ukraine in March.
“I was always proud to be the coach of the Red Devils, we achieved great things together,” Tedesco said.
“This team is still at the beginning of its development and will cause a sensation in the coming years. I wish the players, the great employees of the federation and the fans all the best from the bottom of my heart.”
Five members of Tedesco’s support staff and coaching team were also fired.
“Domenico made an excellent start as national coach and proved that there are still great things possible, even after the send-off of the previous generation,” said RBFA CEO Peter Willems.
“He has integrated a number of young players into the team, and his successor can build on this. We would like to thank him and his team for the pleasant cooperation, their hard work and dedication, and wish them all the best for the future.”
The RBFA did not announce a timetable for appointing a successor but Belgian media named Frenchmen Rudi Garcia and Thierry Henry as leading candidates.
Belgium kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to North Macedonia in June.