Sports
First Photo of Ilia Topuria’s Face After UFC Freedom 250
‘El Matador’ seems to be on the mend following his merciless loss to Justin Gaethje on the South Lawn over two weeks ago.
It has been 16 days since former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria lost via TKO in extremely brutal fashion to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. The fight was a battle from start to finish and, as his condition worsened, round by round, Topuria’s team were left with little choice and declared the fight to be over, saving their fighter from any more damage.
Topuria left the Octagon mangled and was immediately transported to the hospital in the aftermath of the punishing battle.
Post-fight, fans were fearing the worst. One look at his face would tell you that Topuria was in serious trouble. The Georgian star suffered serious facial injuries which could keep him out of action for up to a year.
Ilia Topuria’s First Public Appearance
The first photo of Topuria has emerged since the bout on the grounds of the White House, where he can be seen having a meal while wearing sunglasses. This caused some speculation online as to why he was wearing sunglasses in the image, with comments like: “I thought his manager said he looked like he never fought. If so, why the glasses?”
It might be to hide the true extent of his facial injuries, which he is unlikely to have fully recovered from in just over two weeks.
Topuria appears to be healing well, all things considered, which checks out when compared to what his trainer said recently about his recovery.
According to Topuria’s team, the former champion could return as soon as December, but will need six-to-eight weeks for his injuries to heal properly, especially since the orbital bone was not displaced. Failing this time frame, he will be expected to be back at some point in 2027.
Ilia Topuria’s Official Medical Suspension Revealed After Battering at UFC Freedom 250
Topuria won’t be stepping foot inside the Octagon for a long, long time.
At UFC Freedom 250, Topuria had his undefeated record wiped clean by Gaethje and lost his championship at the same time. While he did praise the American for his victory, he has not spoken publicly since the fight.
This may be expected to change in the next few weeks, however, after the emergence of these photos on social media, and fans will be eager to hear when they can expect to see the former champion in action again.
Sports
Newcastle United Submit Official Offer for Tottenham Midfielder Archie Gray
Newcastle United have submitted an official offer to sign a Tottenham star in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
We could see a host of Tottenham players leave the club this summer, considering they are looking to bring in so many reinforcements, and Newcastle are one of the sides looking to take advantage.
The Magpies need plenty of additions themselves after such a disappointing season in the Premier League, which saw them finish in the bottom half and fail to qualify for Europe.
Tottenham are pushing to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, meaning the Magpies may need to find themselves a midfielder.
It will be interesting to discover whether Newcastle and Tottenham can figure out some kind of swap deal, but Spurs have rejected their initial bid.
Sky Sports: Newcastle Want World Cup ‘Wonderkid’ to Replace Tonali
The Magpies might have found their Tonali replacement.
Newcastle Make Offer for Tottenham Star
According to Romano, Newcastle have submitted an offer to sign Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray, and Spurs have already made their position clear.
No agreement has been reached with Tottenham, rejecting the bid, but the Magpies remain interested in securing his signature.
Gray, described as a future £100m player by Como scout Ben Mattinson, could find himself falling down the pecking order with Tottenham targeting midfielders this summer.
If Newcastle were willing to sanction a deal for Tonali to join Tottenham, it’ll be interesting to see if their failed attempt to sign Gray impacts their stance.
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Gray Has Decision to Make This Summer
Gray has a big decision to make when it comes to his future in the summer transfer window, with Spurs pushing to sign multiple midfielders.
As previously mentioned, Tonali is a target for Tottenham, while they have also agreed a deal to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Gray has already found it difficult to nail down a starting role at Tottenham, and it is going to be even trickier when their new potential arrivals join the club.
As it stands, Tottenham don’t appear to be too keen on allowing Gray to leave, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was considering a departure in the near future.
Sports
Roger Federer Named His Greatest Tennis Player of All Time
When discussing the greatest tennis player of all time, Roger Federer is almost always mentioned among the leading contenders. The Swiss legend ruled the sport throughout much of the 2000s and 2010s, building unforgettable rivalries with stars such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and several other elite competitors.
One of the defining moments of Federer’s career came in the 2008 Wimbledon final against Nadal, a match lasting four hours and 48 minutes that is still widely regarded as one of the finest Grand Slam finals ever played.
Although Federer narrowly lost the epic five-set contest, he continued collecting major titles in the years that followed. By the time he retired, he had secured 20 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record eight Wimbledon crowns, highlighted by five consecutive victories at the All England Club.
With achievements spanning nearly every milestone in the sport, Federer is well qualified to weigh in on the tennis GOAT debate. During a discussion about the athletes who influenced and impressed him throughout his career, he singled out one player above everyone else, describing them as the greatest tennis player in history.
Roger Federer’s Pick For Tennis GOAT
Since stepping away from professional tennis, Federer has remained relatively reserved in public appearances. Throughout his playing career, he was equally respected for his sportsmanship, graceful attitude in defeat, and composed personality, qualities that distinguished him from many of his biggest rivals.
Despite sharing the court with champions such as Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray, Federer did not select any of them as his all-time greatest player. Nor did he place himself at the top of the list despite his remarkable resume.
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Instead, he gave that distinction to Serena Williams, one of the most accomplished athletes the sport has ever produced.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Federer explained: “It’s been fascinating to watch. She had a totally different upbringing—I came up through Switzerland with the federation. She did it with her dad and her sister. It’s an amazing story unto itself—and then she became one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tennis player of all time.”
Federer later clarified that he was referring to Williams as one of the greatest players in tennis history overall, not simply among women. At the same time, he acknowledged that comparing players from different eras is never straightforward.
“It’s not fair to compare, actually. But we know [Serena] is all the way up there. I’m probably up there with somebody, somehow. Maybe there’s a group, a best of five—and if you’re in that group, you should be pleased and happy. Tennis is a funky sport when it comes to that stuff.”
Serena Williams’ Glittering Tennis Career
Serena Williams is widely recognised as one of the finest players ever to compete in tennis.
Williams captured her first Grand Slam title at just 18 years old by winning the 1999 US Open. A few years later, she produced one of the sport’s most dominant stretches, claiming four consecutive major championships from the 2002 French Open through the 2003 Australian Open. During that extraordinary run, she defeated her sister Venus Williams in each Grand Slam final.
Although injuries and fluctuating form interrupted her dominance for a period, Williams re-established herself at the top of the game beginning with her Wimbledon victory in 2012. That season also included Olympic gold before she embarked on another remarkable spell, winning eight of the following 13 Grand Slam tournaments. Her final major triumph came at the 2017 Australian Open, where she secured her 23rd Grand Slam singles title and surpassed Steffi Graf’s Open Era record.
Novak Djokovic Named His 5 Greatest Tennis Players of All Time
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both make Nole’s legendary list.
One of Williams’ defining qualities was her exceptional longevity, with an 18-year span separating her first and final Grand Slam victories. Competing successfully across multiple generations of players further strengthened her legacy, something Federer also highlighted when reflecting on both of their careers.
“I think we are definitely the bridge, you know, for a very long time, from the older generation to the new generation, which I think has been a privilege for me, to play across generations like this. Same for her. She brought the power game in like no other, and she’s obviously been so instrumental in that.”
Sports
Conor McGregor Stars in Truly Bizarre Advert Just Days Before Return
Two-time UFC champion Conor McGregor has reminded his followers and the MMA world that he will be back in the Octagon next weekend after posting a peculiar video on his social media accounts.
The Irishman will end his five-year hiatus from professional fighting on the 11th of July when he takes on Max Holloway for a second time at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
McGregor’s last appearance in the Octagon saw him stopped for a second consecutive time against Dustin Poirier, leaving him at 1-2 in his trilogy with the American.
Following this opening round stoppage defeat, McGregor spent time on the sidelines with a broken lower tibia and was only scheduled to return to the Octagon in the summer of 2023 against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
However, the proposed fight with Chandler fell through a fortnight prior to the event due to the Irish star suffering a toe injury.
Conor McGregor Shows Off His Current Physique Just Two Weeks Away From Return at UFC 329
Notorious is set to return to the Octagon in July to fight Max Holloway for a second time.
The former featherweight and lightweight champion’s comeback was delayed further in 2025 after he failed to mention his whereabouts for biological sample collections on three occasions in the year prior. The 18-month ban he was handed for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy ended in April this year.
His second meeting with Holloway next weekend will be held at welterweight, with the first encounter from 13 years ago having been a featherweight encounter. The 2013 bout saw McGregor take care of business against the American by securing a unanimous decision victory.
Conor McGregor’s Advert Before UFC 329
In an attempt to generate hype ahead of his imminent return to the Octagon, the 37-year-old has put up an interesting post on his official social accounts ahead of fight week.
The black and white video, captioned: ‘Against All Odds. July 11th’ depicts the two-time UFC champion excessively washing his face with water over a sink before looking directly into a mirror and stating, “You talking to me? We’re together, me and you,” before washing his face more.
‘I Have Fought Both Conor McGregor and Max Holloway – Here’s Who Wins UFC 329 Rematch’
Dustin Poirier has actually fought both of them THREE times, and he’s given his prediction for the rematch.
The bizarre video then continues as McGregor keeps his eyes locked on the mirror as he shouts: “You’re talking to me. You doubt me. After all we’ve been through!”
The post, made in partnership with Polymarket, then abruptly ends as the video’s tagline of ‘Against All Odds’ is displayed across the screen.
Evidently, McGregor is keen to silence those who remain sceptical about his return to MMA action and doubt whether he is still a big draw in the Octagon after half a decade away.
While next Saturday night’s showdown at T-Mobila Arena is going to be a major moment for McGregor, it will also be an important outing for Holloway. The American is hoping to return to winning ways after being defeated by Brazil’s Charles Oliveira in a lightweight contest earlier this year, which meant he lost his “BMF” belt.
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