Sports
Ilia Topuria’s UFC Mount Rushmore Includes Conor McGregor
Choosing the best UFC fighters of all time is no easy feat, with a variety of names entering the equation. Leave someone out at your peril because these types of debates are always polarising, and some fans will feel that their favourite deserves a mention.
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian-Spanish fighter and the current UFC lightweight champion, knocking out the Brazilian former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, in just two minutes and 27 seconds.
Topuria also beat Alexander Volkanovski to become UFC featherweight champion in 2024, knocking the Australian out in the second round. He successfully defended his title against the former UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway, at UFC 308, stopping the American in the third round. His defeat of both Oliveira and Volkanovski made him the first two-division champion with an undefeated record and the first UFC champion from both Georgia and Spain.
He is currently second in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings and won his first six fights in the promotion following his debut in 2020, taking all the plaudits with a dominant decision win over Josh Emmett, a fateful win which gave him the title shot against Volkanovski.
Fighting out of Alicante, the 29-year-old is set to defend his title against Justin Gaethje, the interim UFC lightweight champion, but ahead of this, El Matador has named his Mount Rushmore for the top four UFC fighters of all time, including three men that clinched belts in multiple weight classes.
Ilia Topuria’s UFC Mount Rushmore
Jon Jones
The first name he dropped was Jon Jones, the former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion. Topuria is not the only one to hold this opinion; Jones is regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, and for good reason.
Aged just 23, Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history, defeating Mauricio Rua to start his reign as light heavyweight champion. He holds many records in this category, claiming the most title defences, most wins, longest win streak, and most finishes.
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Impressively, he was never stopped or outscored in his career. Bones’ only professional loss was the result of a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill, which was heavily disputed by Hamill and the UFC president Dana White.
Topuria admires him for his striking and fighting IQ, which Jones will certainly be pleased with.
Georges St-Pierre
The next fighter on his list was Georges St-Pierre, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. The Canadian was a two-division champion in the UFC as a welterweight and middleweight champion.
Rush won the welterweight title twice and took home the interim title once, retiring as the reigning welterweight champion in 2013 with the record for the most wins in title bouts and the second-longest combined title streak in UFC history at 2,204 days before his brief return in 2017.
Conor McGregor
A hugely recognisable name in Conor McGregor was next. The Irishman is a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion and became the first UFC fighter to hold championships in two weight classes simultaneously.
Notorious holds the fastest knockout in a title bout in UFC history, knocking out Jose Aldo 13 seconds into the first round. The Dubliner then defeated Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight championship, stopping the American by technical knockout in the second round. His victory over Alvarez is widely considered one of his best performances inside the Octagon.
Anderson Silva
The last name on Topuria’s list was Anderson Silva, hailed as middleweight’s most dominant champion. The Brazilian holds the record for the longest reign as champion in UFC history at 2,457 days, during which he achieved a UFC record of 16 consecutive wins.
The Spider has successfully defended his title 10 times, the most successful and most consecutive title defences in UFC middleweight division history. He holds the most finishes, knockouts, and knockdowns in UFC title fights with nine, seven, and 10 respectively. His middleweight championship win over Rich Franklin unified the UFC middleweight and Pride welterweight championships and catapulted him from a relatively unknown fighter into stardom.
Topuria clearly holds a lot of admiration for his fellow UFC fighters and will be eager to replicate the success they had in their careers. He has already proven himself to be an exceptional talent, but can he keep a firm grip on his title to extend his legacy, or will he watch Gaethje steal his belt?
With the fight rapidly approaching on the 14th of June, he won’t have long to wait, but perhaps he’ll be analysing his top four fighters more closely for some last-minute inspiration.
Sports
Tottenham Considering Matias Fernandez-Pardo Move Amid Savinho Wait
Tottenham are considering making a move for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to TEAMtalk.
The north London club have been incredibly active in the transfer market this summer but things have slowed down in terms of incomings since Sandro Tonali joined the club in early July.
Tottenham are in desperate need of adding to their attack over the coming weeks as Roberto De Zerbi looks to get his team challenging for the top four once again.
Goals were a real problem for Spurs last term and the addition of a new attacker who can either play centrally or out wide could prove huge come May when it comes to the club achieving their goals or not.
Fernandez-Pardo, who can play as a centre-forward or on either wing, is the latest name to be linked with a switch to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after wowing in Ligue 1 for Lille over the past two seasons.
Tottenham are also being linked with attackers too, including:
Tottenham certainly won’t have it all their own way if they do indeed move for Fernandez-Pardo.
According to TEAMtalk, Atletico Madrid have launched a £30m move for the versatile 21-year-old.
The Belgian is believed to be open to a move to the Spanish capital as Diego Simeone’s team look to boost their attacking options amid question marks over what happens with Julian Alvarez.
“He needs to realise just how talented he is because there aren’t many players like him.” – Thomas Meunier on Mathias Fernandez-Pardo
TEAMtalk report that Fernandez-Pardo is now an alternative attacking option for Tottenham, with Savinho’s potential move from Manchester City dragging on.
City themselves are interested in Fernandez-Pardo, who finished last season with eight goals and seven assists in 41 games for Lille in all competitions.
What Tottenham can expect from Fernandez-Pardo
Fernandez-Pardo looks destined to secure a big move away from Lille at some point in the not too distant future.
Right-back Thomas Meunier knows his fellow countryman very well after playing alongside him for Lille and Belgium over the past two years.
Speaking back in April, the 34-year-old, who joined Sunderland this summer, waxed lyrical about the youngster and outlined just how talented he is.
“Compared to the start of the season, when he’d sometimes play on the left, on the right, as a number 9, or even come off the bench, you can tell he’s taken his game to the next level,” said Meunier.
“Matias has an incredible array of skills: he can play in support, get behind defenders, dribble…he needs to realise just how talented he is because there aren’t many players like him. When you have a player with that kind of potential, you have to set even higher standards for him.”
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is the current fastest recorded player in Premier League, after reaching speeds of 37.38km/h, but it is nothing compared to Fernandez-Pardo, who is regarded as one of the fastest players in Europe.
His Belgian teammates have claimed the 21-year-old has reached speeds of 39km/h in sprint tests, although the player himself claimed it was more like 38.5km/h.
Sports
Diallo Sends Clear Message To Carrick Ahead of Season Opener
Michael Carrick will have some big decisions to make when it comes to naming his first starting XI of the new 2026/27 Premier League season.
Carrick was installed as the permanent manager at Old Trafford following an impressive spell as caretaker boss in the second half of last season when taking over from the sacked Ruben Amorim.
He guided United to third in the table and qualification for this season’s UEFA Champions League, with the Red Devils actually enjoying the best record of any team in the calendar year of 2026, outperforming champions Arsenal by one point.
Marcus Rashford could make things difficult for Amad Diallo
Heading into the 2026/27 campaign, expectations are high and Carrick will have a job of managing his players through domestic and European campaigns this time around.
Carrick may welcome Marcus Rashford back into the fold this season, having been frozen out by Amorim before him and being sent out on loan to Barcelona.
The Spanish giants failed to complete a permanent deal for the 28-year-old, however, and he is back in training with his United teammates now in pre-season, following England’s run to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
He’s our player, you know, and he’s come back great. He’s just like any other player. I’ve known Marcus a long time and, you know, he gives us something a little bit different. And he’s been in great spirits since he’s been back.
Carrick is keen to integrate Rashford back into the squad and give him just as much of a chance as anyone else, and that could impact Amad Diallo’s game time.
Diallo had to compete with Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a place in the frontline of Carrick’s side last season and throwing Rashford into the mix could make things even more difficult for the Ivorian.
Much was made of the front three of new signings Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko all reaching double figures for goals in their first season in the Premier League, something which had not been done since 2012/13.
Diallo has a big role to play under Michael Carrick
Diallo was well utilised by Carrick, however, playing 17 games under the Englishman, although he only managed one assist during that time, that coming on the final day of the season against Brighton. But Carrick has admitted he is a “big fan” saying the forward has “so much talent” and his “attitude is fantastic”.
The 24-year-old has also started each of United’s last three pre-season friendlies against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds United, showing he is trusted by Carrick.
Diallo’s stats under Carrick
|
Appearances |
17 |
|
Starts |
13 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Minutes played |
1,140 |
|
Positions played |
RW, LW, AM |
Against Leeds, the Manchester Evening News gave him a seven out of ten rating, saying: “Quicksilver feet on a couple of occasions and could have scored after good work from Zirkzee. Has made an impact since his return from the World Cup.”
He was also handed a seven in the Sun’s ratings, who said: “Has got better with each of his three starts. Nearly matched Bryan Mbeumo for directness as he gave Leeds youngster Rhys Chadwick a grilling. Seems well-placed to start the season.”
Joshua Zirkzee, who has been linked with an exit from the club, may have taken the plaudits for scoring the goal in the 1-1 draw with Leeds that United won 5-4 on penalties, but Diallo has quietly shown he should be challenging Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko, Fernandes and Rashford for a starting spot in the team.
Sports
Tottenham Would Finally Replace Harry Kane After Victor Osimhen Move
Tottenham Hotspur have lacked a prolific centre-forward since losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, but this painful wait for a serious replacement may finally be close to coming to an end.
The Lilywhites have gone big this summer in an attempt to resurrect their broken squad and provide Roberto De Zerbi with the tools to commence a full-scale rebuild. Sandro Tonali has arrived for £100 million as the marquee addition, and the Italian has been accompanied by Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi in a statement window.
That said, Spurs are yet to address their highly flawed attacking unit. They continue to be linked with Savinho and Cody Gakpo as wide options, but there is an acknowledgement that a striker is also needed to propel De Zerbi’s side towards the European places.
The void left by Kane is still keenly felt in N17, although the divisive Victor Osimhen could be on the verge of filling that void.
Tottenham Haven’t Adequately Replaced Harry Kane
Kane was the centrepiece of Spurs’ side for a decade, leading the North London club to punch above their weight. Netting 20 goals or more in nine consecutive seasons, the Englishman carried Tottenham through a golden era in which they were unfortunate to emerge with no silverware.
|
Harry Kane’s record for Spurs |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2013/14 |
4 |
2 |
|
2014/15 |
31 |
5 |
|
2015/16 |
28 |
2 |
|
2016/17 |
35 |
7 |
|
2017/18 |
41 |
4 |
|
2018/19 |
24 |
6 |
|
2019/20 |
24 |
2 |
|
2020/21 |
33 |
17 |
|
2021/22 |
27 |
10 |
|
2022/23 |
32 |
5 |
In 2023, Spurs allowed their greatest ever player to leave the club so that he could play at the highest level for a side competing for the Champions League. Bayern Munich swooped in, landing the then-30-year-old for around £82 million.
Since then, Tottenham have tried and failed to source a replacement. Richarlison was initially identified as the man to succeed Kane, but the Brazilian managed just 12 goals in the 2023/24 season — his first as the number nine in the England international’s absence.
Then, Dominic Solanke was acquired for £55 million in the summer of 2024. The former Bournemouth star enjoyed a relatively productive debut campaign for the Lilywhites, netting 16 goals and registering eight assists across all competitions, but an injury-plagued second season has seen his Spurs career slip by the wayside.
Tottenham are now seeking a new potential solution in this position.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Victor Osimhen Could Be the Answer For Tottenham
Spurs have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Osimhen this summer. The Nigerian has spent the last two years plying his trade in Istanbul for Galatasaray, but is reportedly eager to return to a top-five league this summer.
While his wage package might be astronomical, this is certainly a deal Spurs should be doing everything in their power to pull off. Like Kane, Osimhen has enjoyed fruitful season after fruitful season in front of goal, and would therefore finally provide the Lilywhites with a dependable frontman again.
|
Victor Osimhen’s goal-scoring record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Club |
Goals |
|
2018/19 |
Sporting Charleroi |
20 |
|
2019/20 |
Lille |
18 |
|
2020/21 |
Napoli |
10 |
|
2021/22 |
Napoli |
18 |
|
2022/23 |
Napoli |
31 |
|
2023/24 |
Napoli |
17 |
|
2024/25 |
Galatasaray |
37 |
|
2025/26 |
Galatasaray |
22 |
The 27-year-old may not be capable of replicating some of Kane’s playmaking skills. He’s not renowned for dropping into the midfield and spraying passes to on-rushing wide players, or being involved in neat combination play in and around the box.
However, he is extremely effective at getting on the end of moves inside the box. His physicality and intelligent movement allows him to create separation from defenders, meaning he doesn’t need elite service to still find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Spurs are never going to be able to truly replace Kane. The Leytonstone-born man is a generational talent – a unique profile who cannot simply be unearthed in a new player every ten years.
However, the Lilywhites can find a player who will score goals at a similar rate, who can operate in a slightly different way to Kane. Osimhen is the best option on the market for the North London club, and De Zerbi ought to be pushing his board to make the deal happen.
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