Dana White hails Abu Dhabi as ‘perfect host’ after Power Slap success

The match-up between Dumpling (right) and Da Crazy Hawaiian ended in draw at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)
The match-up between Dumpling (right) and Da Crazy Hawaiian ended in draw at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 October 2024
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Dana White hails Abu Dhabi as ‘perfect host’ after Power Slap success

Dana White hails Abu Dhabi as ‘perfect host’ after Power Slap success
  • Da Crazy Hawaiian retains title after Power Slap 9 main event ends in a draw; Isaih ‘Pretty Boy’ Quinones crowned new middleweight champion

ABU DHBAI: Power Slap’s first international event, “Power Slap 9: Da Crazy Hawaiian vs. Dumpling,” made history as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, which culminates with UFC 308 on Saturday.

The much-anticipated event at Space 42 Arena concluded with Da Crazy Hawaiian retaining his super heavyweight belt following a draw with Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii, while Isaih “Pretty Boy” Quinones secured the middleweight title with a third-round knockout over John “The Machine” Davis.

The Power Slap 9 main event between Da Crazy Hawaiian and Dumpling saw both fighters demonstrate their resilience, resulting in a split scorecard. While the draw left fans calling for one more round, Da Crazy Hawaiian expressed gratitude for the opportunity and vowed to come back stronger in the future.

In the co-main event, Quinones’ third-round knockout of Davis solidified his position as the new middleweight champion.

Dana White, CEO of UFC, reflected on the historic event and the electric atmosphere in Abu Dhabi. “This is the first time we’ve been out of Vegas, and the energy has been amazing,” he said. “I’m excited for what’s next. Abu Dhabi has been a perfect host, as always. The fact the fans were chanting ‘one more round’ shows how invested they are.”

Commenting on his performance and the Abu Dhabi experience, Da Crazy Hawaiian said: “I’m happy with the outcome, and now we’ve got to go for a rematch because it’s well-deserved. Abu Dhabi is amazing — there’s no place like it. The respect and cleanliness here are unmatched; you have to be here to understand why.”

Quinones shared his happiness over his title win. “I came here knowing I’m a force to be reckoned with among the middleweights,” he said. “Winning the championship in Abu Dhabi feels surreal — the hospitality here is amazing. I plan to hold on to this title until I eventually retire with it.”

Power Slap 9 marks a significant milestone in the sport’s journey, with Abu Dhabi proving a pivotal and welcoming location for international growth. It is also an example of how the emirate is positioning itself as the combat sports capital of the world.


Manchester City reports record revenues, but profits are down

Manchester City reports record revenues, but profits are down
Updated 7 sec ago
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Manchester City reports record revenues, but profits are down

Manchester City reports record revenues, but profits are down
  • City won a record fourth straight Premier League title last year and has been crowned English champion in six of the last seven years
MANCHESTER, England: Manchester City on Friday reported record revenues of $903 million (£715m) for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Revenues were up by $2.78m (£2.2m) on the previous year, but profits were down slightly — $93.2m (£73.8m pounds) compared to $101.5m (£80.4m).
“The club’s three primary income sources — commercial, broadcast and matchday — all remained strong, reflecting the continued differentiation and impact of the club’s multi-decade strategic approach,” City said in a statement.
City was taken over by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in 2008 and has gone on to dominate English football after spending billions of pounds on some of the world’s best players and hiring Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016.
City won a record fourth straight Premier League title last year and has been crowned English champion in six of the last seven years.
But it is currently struggling on the pitch both domestically and in the Champions League, and City’s financial report comes against the backdrop of a hearing on alleged financial breaches. The four-time defending champion is facing more than 100 charges by the Premier League ranging over a nine-year period when it was trying to establish itself as the biggest force in English football.
City was accused by the league of providing misleading information about its finances from 2009-18. A hearing by an independent commission began in September and a verdict is not expected until next year.
City denies the charges.

Harry Kane set to return for Bayern Munich next week after injury

Harry Kane set to return for Bayern Munich next week after injury
Updated 37 min 53 sec ago
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Harry Kane set to return for Bayern Munich next week after injury

Harry Kane set to return for Bayern Munich next week after injury
  • Kane’s missed three games since then and Kompany says Kane won’t be available for Saturday’s Bundesliga game at Mainz

MUNICH: Harry Kane is set to make his return for Bayern Munich next week following a muscle injury, coach Vincent Kompany said Friday.
The England captain hasn’t played since he went off in Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 30 after receiving treatment on his right thigh.
Kane’s missed three games since then and Kompany said Kane wouldn’t be available for Saturday’s Bundesliga game at Mainz, either, but could return next week ahead of playing Leipzig on Dec. 20.
“It’s actually gone really quickly and well for Harry. It was tight for this game, but it looks good for Leipzig,” Kompany said.
“I’m obviously only focused on Mainz now but regarding Harry, it’s great. It’s not the case that we’ve had a setback or something. It looks good.”
Kane has scored 20 goals in 19 games for Bayern in all competitions this season.


Historic FIFAe Finals 2024 conclude with two more champions crowned

Historic FIFAe Finals 2024 conclude with two more champions crowned
Updated 13 December 2024
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Historic FIFAe Finals 2024 conclude with two more champions crowned

Historic FIFAe Finals 2024 conclude with two more champions crowned
  • Indonesia secure console competition of ‘FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball’, while Minbappe from Malaysia win mobile edition

RIYADH: Minbappe, from Malaysia, and Indonesia on Thursday secured their places in FIFAe history as history’s first champions of this new e-sports title in the growing FIFAe ecosystem.

After two weeks of football e-sports action at the SEF Arena in BLVD City in Riyadh, the FIFAe Finals 2024 concluded with the crowning of the console and mobile champions at the “FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball” evnt.

There were 18 countries competing in the console division in a 2v2 tournament, while 16 countries contested 1v1 mobile edition of the event. 

Minbappe from Malaysia won the mobile division after outplaying AN10_Tienes from Morocco in a thrilling final on Thursday.

On console, Indonesia claimed the coveted title ahead of a stacked field, including a win over Brazil in the final.

Saudi Arabia secured the inaugural “FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League” last week.

Hosted in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation, the second edition of the FIFAe Finals produced three world champions, with total prize money of $450,000 distributed to the participants.

 


Juan Soto looking at baseball ‘dynasty’ after blockbuster Mets deal

Juan Soto looking at baseball ‘dynasty’ after blockbuster Mets deal
Updated 13 December 2024
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Juan Soto looking at baseball ‘dynasty’ after blockbuster Mets deal

Juan Soto looking at baseball ‘dynasty’ after blockbuster Mets deal
  • Soto said at his formal unveiling on Thursday that he opted for the Mets after being impressed by the team’s long-term vision and determination to challenge for championships
  • The Mets’ billionaire owner Steve Cohen, meanwhile, said Soto’s signing was a statement of intent as the team attempts to improve on last season’s surprise run to the National League Championship Series

NEW YORK: Juan Soto said Thursday the prospect of being part of a “dynasty” with the success-starved New York Mets had prompted his record-breaking $765 million move to the club.

Free agent Soto stunned the baseball world earlier this week after agreeing to a 15-year deal with the Mets in what is the richest contract in the history of North American sport.

The New York Yankees had hoped to re-sign the 26-year-old Dominican, who helped the Bronx Bombers reach last season’s World Series, while the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers had also been in pursuit of the star outfielder.

But in the end Soto opted to join the Yankees’ cross-town rival Mets, whose last Major League Baseball championship victory came in 1986.

Soto said at his formal unveiling on Thursday that he opted for the Mets after being impressed by the team’s long-term vision and determination to challenge for championships.

“The Mets are a great organization, and what they have done in the past couple of years — showing all the ability to keep winning, to keep growing a team, to try to grow a dynasty — is one of the most important things,” Soto said.

“The future that this team has, it had a lot to do with my decision. What they showed me, and how the organization runs things, and how they’re gonna manage things, and how they look at their future — that was one of the things that opened my eyes a little bit more.

“How hungry they are to win a championship, to want to make a dynasty with the New York Mets.”

Soto batted .288 last season for the Yankees with 41 home runs, 109 runs batted in and 129 walks.

The Mets’ billionaire owner Steve Cohen, meanwhile, said Soto’s signing was a statement of intent as the team attempts to improve on last season’s surprise run to the National League Championship Series.

“It’s obviously a huge move,” Cohen said. “It just puts an accent on what we’re trying to do. It accelerates our goal of winning championships.

“But more importantly, my goal was to change how the Mets were viewed. And I think we’re really on the path of changing that.

“We’re never gonna stop. We’re always in a constant state of improvement. But that’s my goal.”


China jails former Premier League star Li Tie 20 years for corruption

China jails former Premier League star Li Tie 20 years for corruption
Updated 13 December 2024
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China jails former Premier League star Li Tie 20 years for corruption

China jails former Premier League star Li Tie 20 years for corruption
  • A court in central Hubei province said Friday that Li had been sentenced to “fixed-term imprisonment of 20 years” after being found guilty of a string of offenses relating to giving and receiving bribes
  • The 47-year-old is one of China’s biggest football names, serving as national team coach from January 2020 to December 2021, after racking up nearly 100 international caps and playing as a midfielder for English Premier League side Everton

BEIJING: China on Friday jailed former Premier League star and men’s national coach Li Tie for 20 years for bribery, snaring one of the country’s greatest football figures in a sweeping government crackdown on corruption in sport.

President Xi Jinping has waged an unrelenting campaign against deep-seated official corruption since coming to power over a decade ago.

Anti-graft authorities took aim at the sport industry in 2022 and have announced a string of convictions for former football administrators this week.

In the highest-profile case to date, a court in central Hubei province said Friday that Li had been sentenced to “fixed-term imprisonment of 20 years” after being found guilty of a string of offenses relating to giving and receiving bribes.

The 47-year-old is one of China’s biggest football names, serving as national team coach from January 2020 to December 2021, after racking up nearly 100 international caps and playing as a midfielder for English Premier League side Everton.

But state broadcaster CCTV said he used his status as China coach to extract nearly 51 million yuan ($7 million) in bribes in return for selecting players for the national team or helping them sign for clubs.

Li also “asked others to help him” become the national coach in 2019 and handed the unnamed people one million yuan the following year, according to CCTV.

During his tenure at now-defunct Chinese Super League (CSL) side Wuhan Zall, Li also colluded with club chiefs to hand out bribes in an effort to secure the national team job, the broadcaster said.

It also listed other accusations that Li and his previous clubs had paid the equivalent of millions of dollars in bribes to seal player transfers and fix match results stretching back to 2015.

A photograph of Li published by CCTV showed the disgraced sportsman in the court dock, wearing a black hooded sweater and flanked by two police officers.

China’s legal system is tightly controlled by the ruling Communist Party and courts have a near-100 percent conviction rate in criminal cases.

Li’s conviction seemed certain after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to accepting over $10 million in bribes.

He also featured in a documentary aired by CCTV in January about widespread corruption in Chinese football.

CCTV occasionally airs confessions by criminal suspects before they have appeared in court, a practice widely condemned by rights groups.

In the program, Li said he had arranged nearly $421,000 in bribes to secure the head coach position and helped fix CSL matches.

“I’m very sorry. I should have kept my head to the ground and followed the right path,” said Li during the show.

“There were certain things that at the time were common practices in football.”

Chinese authorities have announced a spate of corruption convictions this week, and state media said the sentencing of the former vice-chief of the national sport administration was also expected on Friday.

On Wednesday, Liu Yi, who was secretary general of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), was handed an 11-year sentence and fined 3.6 million yuan ($495,000) for taking bribes.

The same day, the former head of the CFA’s referees management office Tan Hai was given six and a half years and a 200,000-yuan fine for the same crime.

And on Tuesday, Qi Jun, the CFA’s ex-chief of strategic planning, was sentenced to seven years and slapped with a 600,000-yuan penalty.

Former CFA chief Chen Xuyuan was jailed for life in March for accepting bribes.

Proponents of Xi’s corruption crackdown say the policy promotes clean governance, but others say it also serves as a means for him to purge political rivals.

Xi is a self-proclaimed football fan who wants China to host and win the World Cup one day, but the men’s national team has long failed to impress.

FIFA currently ranks China 90th in the world, one place above the tiny Caribbean island of Curacao.