Sports
How Sean O’Malley Really Feels About Fighting Outside
The UFC’s landmark card at the White House is now less than two weeks away. The event, known as UFC Freedom 250, will see the Octagon set up on the South Lawn of the property and will feature a stacked line-up of fights.
The card, which has been put together to celebrate both the 250th anniversary of the USA and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday will be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje meeting for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship.
In the co-main event, Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira will clash for the interim UFC heavyweight title and the right to face full champion Tom Aspinall.
As anticipation grows towards the event, UFC CEO Dana White has admitted that fighters on the card could face a “huge issue” when fighting outside.
Fighting Outside the White House Presents A Big Challenge For the UFC
Washington D.C. is known to have a variety of flying insects in the air during the summer months. Dana recently attended an outdoor dinner with President Trump and conceded that the “gnat situation” could present a problem at UFC Freedom 250.
Another man who is concerned about the pitfalls of fighing in a “non-controlled environment” is popular podcaster, and UFC commentator, Joe Rogan.
“I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all,” declared Rogan. “How are they going to f****** do anything about the bugs?”
UFC Freedom 250 Fighter Reveals His True Feelings Ahead of White House Card
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, one of the fighters on the card addressed the potential distractions posed by competing outdoors. Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will take on Canadian Aiemann Zahabi at the White House and revealed his brutally honest take on the matter.
“None of us signed the contract thinking it was inside. We all know it’s outside. We all knew what we were getting into,” the American stated.
“It’s at the White House, so you gotta deal with whatever you gotta deal with. That would suck to lose because of a reason outside of your skillset.
“May the best man win. If something plays a role because it’s outside and it affects the fight somehow, that would suck. It’s unfortunate.”
The current weather forecast for the event predicts light rain and winds, with highs of around 30C. However, O’Malley insists he will be ready for whatever the occasion throws at him.
“I’m not too worried about all these weather conditions, and we’re gonna have to adapt if it is messed up weather. If the weather’s not crazy, it’s gonna come down to who’s better, who’s more skilled, who’s more prepared.”
The fight will mark O’Malley’s 17th official UFC contest. A win, regardless of the conditions it is obtained in, could place him directly in line for another crack at UFC gold.
Sports
Concerning Footage Emerges of Bron Breakker
Footage has surfaced of a WWE Superstar dealing with an apparent injury, with the wrestler in question seen hobbling around a hotel lobby, using their luggage to help support them.
A video has done the rounds on social media after Monday’s edition of Raw, which took place in Italy following their Clash in Italy Premium Live Event this past weekend.
In what could be a disastrous stroke of bad luck, WWE may be forced to rethink their current storylines, as more and more talent get struck down through injury.
WWE’s Latest Injury Concern
Following his latest match against former Vision leader Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker appeared to be struggling with a legitimate injury as footage of him struggling up a small flight of stairs in a hotel reception emerged on social media.
Breakker has only just returned from a hernia injury, but after suffering defeat to Rollins on Monday, he was apparently left ‘banged up’ after a long match. The Dog only returned last month after a two-month absence, so another injury would be a huge blow to an exciting member of the roster.
Many fans are blaming The Vision for the injury, calling the faction cursed. This is due to the number of injuries suffered by members of the group since its inception in 2025. The first was Seth Rollins. He suffered a bad shoulder injury during his match with Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel, which meant he missed a number of months, including the Royal Rumble in January.
Bronson Reed then suffered a bicep tear which has kept him out for a number of months, while Logan Paul tore his triceps, meaning he too will be missing for several months. This, alongside Breakker’s initial hernia injury, has fans worried about the future of the group.
A number of fans took to X to comment on the injuries suffered, with one saying: “Okay, The Vision is definitely cursed. End the faction now lol,” while another said: “I mean he is in The Vision so…”
While many have suggested it is all part of the storyline, False Finish has reported: “Bron Breakker was indeed banged up after his match with Seth Rollins on #WWERAW, but nothing that will affect him or working in-ring moving forward.”
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Sports
Crystal Palace In Advanced Talks To Appoint New Manager
Crystal Palace are in advanced talks to appoint Pierre Sage as their new manager, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Palace have known for some time that they would need a new manager this summer, after Oliver Glasner made it clear he would not be signing a new contract and would leave the club.
And now an agreement is close for Palace to bring in highly-rated Sage to Selhurst Park to replace Glasner, after he made the decision to quit Ligue Un outfit Lens.
Palace replacing one trophy-winning manager with another
Glasner will go down as the Eagles’ most successful manager in history, winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League in the past two seasons.
And in making the move to appoint Sage, Palace are probably bringing in the second most successful manager in Lens’ history.
Sage left his role as Lyon boss at the end of last season, making the move to Lens, where he enjoyed a terrific first season in charge. Lens were in the mix to win the Ligue Un title until losing to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the penultimate game of the season.
They would go on to finish as runners-up for the sixth time in their history – they’ve won the title once – and lifted the Coupe de France trophy for the first time ever after a 3-1 win over Nice in the final.
Sage was one of the names on the shortlist for Liverpool, but their main priority was always to bring in Andoni Iraola, who had been linked with the vacant post at Selhurst Park until Arne Slot was sacked by the Reds.
Man City ace loves Pierre Sage
Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki played under Sage at Lyon and described him as a “genius”.
He said: “The coach brought back the serenity we needed so much. He knows how to talk to players, he understands how we feel. With him, there is no pretending. He gives us freedom while establishing a very clear framework. It’s exactly what we needed.”
“People forget just how much of a tactical genius he is. Every match is prepared down to the millimetre. We know exactly where the spaces are, what we have to do with the ball. He makes football simpler for us.”
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Sports
23 Clubs With Most Players at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, and the 48 nations that will be competing have now named their 26-man player squads.
Euro 2024 champions Spain have a plethora of world-class players in their ranks and are the favourites to lift the trophy in July. The likes of France, England, Portugal, Argentina and Brazil will also fancy their chances of going all the way.
In total, 1248 footballers will take part in this year’s tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 23 clubs that will have the most players at the 2026 World Cup have now been revealed by the Athletic.
9 Players
Six teams have nine players going to the World Cup. That includes Egyptian club, Al-Ahly. Eight of their players will be representing Egypt, while Youssef Belammari has been named in Morocco’s squad.
Saudi Arabian sides Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr both have nine players going to this summer’s tournament. Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast) and Edouard Mendy (Senegal) are Al-Ahli’s most notable representatives, while Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo will have his last opportunity to become a world champion with Portugal.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to inspire Argentina to World Cup glory once more, while Sunderland will have nine players at the tournament, including Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) and Robin Roefs (Netherlands).
Nine players from Flamengo will also take part, including former Premier League stars Lucas Paqueta and Danilo.
|
Clubs with 9 players going to the World Cup |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Total |
Nation |
Notable Players |
|
Al-Ahly |
9 |
Egypt |
Youssef Belammari, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Almed Zizo |
|
Al-Ahli |
9 |
Saudi Arabia |
Franck Kessié, Édouard Mendy, Roger Ibañez |
|
Al-Nassr |
9 |
Saudi Arabia |
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix |
|
Aston Villa |
9 |
England |
Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martinez |
|
Flamengo |
9 |
Braziil |
Lucas Paquetá, Alex Sandro, Danilo |
|
Sunderland |
9 |
England |
Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Brian Brobbey |
10 Players
Five sides have 10 players going to the World Cup, including Real Madrid. Remarkably, there are zero Los Blanco players in Spain’s World Cup squad. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Jr have been called up by England, Belgium and Brazil respectively.
Of Czechia’s 26-man squad, 10 players represent Slavia Prague at club level, including David Zima, Lukas Provod and Tomas Chory.
USA will be hoping that Christian Pulisic can work his magic in front of their own fans. Nine other AC Milan players will play at the tournament, including France goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Portuguese winger Rafael Leao.
Turkish giants Fenerbahce also have 10 players at the tournament, including N’Golo Kante and Ederson, as do Dutch champions PSV.
|
Clubs with 10 players going to the World Cup |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Total |
Nation |
Notable Players |
|
Fenerbahce |
10 |
Turkey |
N’Golo Kanté, Éderson, Nelson Semedo |
|
AC Milan |
10 |
Italy |
Christian Pulisic, Mike Maignan, Rafael Leao |
|
PSV |
10 |
Netherlands |
Ivan Perisic, Sergino Dest, Guus Til |
|
Real Madrid |
10 |
Spain |
Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, Vinícius Júnior |
|
Slavia Prague |
10 |
Czechia |
David Zima, Lukás Provod, Tomáš Chorý |
11-12 Players
Three teams have 11 players going to the World Cup: Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Liverpool.
Egypt’s hopes rest solely on Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the Reds this summer. Liverpool have 10 other players competing, including Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Alisson Becker (Brazil), Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) and Alexander Isak (Sweden). Not a single Liverpool player has been called up to England’s squad, though, with Curtis Jones missing out.
Manchester United have 12 players going to the World Cup, including Bruno Fernandes, as do Crystal Palace. The fact that the Eagles have so many players at the tournament highlights their impressive rise in recent years.
Atletico Madrid also have 12 players, with Marcos Llorente, Álex Baena and Marc Pubill featuring in the Spain squad.
|
Clubs with 11-12 players going to the World Cup |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Total |
Nation |
Notable Players |
|
Borussia Dortmund |
11 |
Germany |
Gregor Kobel, Marcel Sabitzer, Nico Schlotterbeck |
|
Galatasaray |
11 |
Turkey |
Leroy Sane, Noa Lang, Davinson Sánchez |
|
Liverpool |
11 |
England |
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker |
|
Al-Hilal |
12 |
Saudi Arabia |
Théo Hernandez, Ruben Neves, Darwin Nunez |
|
Atletico Madrid |
12 |
Spain |
Julián Alvarez, Marcos Llorente, Giuliano Simeone |
|
Crystal Palace |
12 |
England |
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daniel Munoz, Ismaila Sarr |
|
Manchester United |
12 |
England |
Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Kobbie Mainoo |
15+ Players
Spain have called up seven Barcelona players, including Ballon d’Or contender Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Gavi. Eight of their players will feature for other nations.
The 2026 Champions League finalists, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, both have 16 players at this summer’s tournaments. Arsenal quartet Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will turn out for England, while Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi are three of PSG’s representatives.
18 Bayern Munich players are going to the World Cup. Harry Kane is hoping to fire England to World Cup glory, Michael Olise has been named in the France squad and Manuel Neuer, now 40, will be the man between the sticks for Germany.
The club with the most players going to the World Cup is Manchester City. 19 of their players have been called up, including Erling Haaland (Norway), Rayan Cherki (France), Rodri (Spain), Jeremy Doku (Belgium) and Marc Guehi (England).
|
Clubs with 15+ players going to the World Cup |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Total |
Nation |
Notable Players |
|
Barcelona |
15 |
Spain |
Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi |
|
Arsenal |
16 |
England |
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel |
|
PSG |
16 |
France |
Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi |
|
Bayern Munich |
18 |
Germany |
Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Manuel Neuer |
|
Manchester City |
19 |
England |
Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Rodri |
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