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Javier Mendez on McGregor Injury, Makhachev vs Garry at UFC 330

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Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has admitted that he felt sorry for Conor McGregor after he suffered a serious knee injury in his return at UFC 329, while speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT.

The legendary Irishman returned from a five-year layoff to take on Max Holloway earlier this month but tore his ACL and meniscus with the first kick he threw and struggled to stand, before the fight was called off after just over a minute of the first round.

McGregor has since vowed to return after undergoing surgery, and is pushing to be back in contention for a fight in the summer of 2027. But at that point, the former two-weight simultaneous world champion will be nearing his 39th birthday, and Mendez told GMS that any return will be much harder now.

“There’s no secret that I’m not a big fan of his, but I’m a big fan of any fighter that trains hard and is able to go out there and showcase what they trained hard doing,” he said.

“I don’t like what I saw. I didn’t like it. I felt bad for the guy because he deserved to go out on a win or die with his best effort out there, not like this.

“My heart will go out to any fighter that trains hard and then goes out like that. He deserved better, in my opinion.

“Whether he comes back or not will be on him. It’s going to be harder now, because now he’s got so many more demons he has to deal with, so it will be up to him to see what he wants. He didn’t have to come back for this fight, and he did, after a five-year layoff.

“He was rusty, had broken shins, and was accustomed to the rich lifestyle that he was living. And to go back down to training, like in the movie Rocky, right? When he got fat, and he was in a rich lifestyle, he went down below to go back to the grunt, and he was successful.

“But in this case. It was the same scenario, but he wasn’t successful because his body failed him.”

Mendez: Makhachev May Strike with Machado Garry

Islam Makhachev

Mendez is the founder of Team AKA (American Kickboxing Academy), and has been the head coach for a number of UFC superstars including Daniel Cormier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now Makhachev – who is the reigning welterweight champion of the world.

The Dagestani fighter will defend his championship for the first time on August 15th, when he takes on Irishman Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in the main event, with many people speculating that it will be a classic ‘grappler vs striker’ battle.

But when asked by GIVEMESPORT what the biggest advantage the challenger has over the champion, Mendez revealed that there is currently no game plan in place, as they need to wait to see how things play out in the octagon first.

“Ian Garry’s biggest advantage is his range,” Mendez said. “His ability to use his range well with his kicks – as well as his scrambling and takedown defences. We’re going to have to see what we can do once we are in the octagon.

“Islam is well-rounded, so he is able to adapt to anything. It’s hard to say right now but come fight night we will be able to dictate what openings we can find and go from there. I would love to say, ‘we are going to take him down.’

“Until we see Ian Garry’s timings we won’t know. We might not even have to take him down, we could just strike with him.

“Ian Garry is no slouch in the stand-up, but neither is Islam. Garry can’t think he can go in there and do whatever he wants in the kickboxing arena. He has to be careful otherwise Islam will take him out.”

Mendez: Prates The Biggest Threat to Makhachev

Carlos Prates

© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Alongside Machado Garry, the welterweight division is considered to be one of the most stacked in the organisation at the moment, with a host of top stars vying for a title shot.

Michael Morales and Carlos Prates are among the two with the biggest claim to being next in line, and when asked who in the division poses the biggest threat to Makhachev’s crown should he be able to get past Machado Garry at UFC 330, Mendez answered with no hesitation.

“The next one I’m gonna have to say is probably Carlos Prates,” he said.

“He is the more skillful of the two [Morales and Prates]. Morales is stronger and probably hungrier, but he’s more reckless, so we just have to watch out for the haymakers with him. But Prates would be the next more dangerous guy.

“I feel he is more polished with his striking ability and using his height right. He may not have the striking edge or the grappling edge, but he is strong. He’s very strong.

“So, that’s where you have to be careful with a young lion like him. These guys are formidable, very formidable. But we have to get through them, and I believe Islam will get through all those guys, and I think he looks forward to showing who’s the king, and he’s going to maintain that.”

GIVEMESPORT spoke to Javier Mendez via NewBettingSites.co.uk

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Man Utd Enter Race to Sign Nicolo Tresoldi as £30m Bid Tabled

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Manchester United are eyeing reinforcements for their forward line for the upcoming season, and that has led them to begin looking at young targets.

The Reds have added Tynan Thompson to the squad from Tottenham on the wing, while Marcus Rashford has returned from his loan at Barcelona and is expected to be reintegrated into Michael Carrick’s side. Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Karl Darlow have also joined so far in the summer window.

But United are still keen for more additions, with the attack being looked at ahead of a Champions League campaign, and a new target has now emerged as an option.

Man Utd Eyeing Tresoldi Deal

Nicolo Tresoldi

According to a report by HLN, Man Utd have emerged as a concrete option for Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi.

Tresoldi, who has been described as ‘outstanding’, enjoyed a fine season with the Belgian side as he scored 19 goals to help the team lift the title, and he is now being targeted by a number of top clubs across Europe as a result.

The 21-year-old was the subject of a £30m bid from AS Roma earlier in the window, which was immediately rejected by Brugge, after they made the decision prior to the window opening that the player wouldn’t be sold under any circumstances.

However, it’s reported that should Roma return with a big offer, or Man Utd decide to firm up their interest with a bid too, then that stance could be forced to change.

Tresoldi has agreed to stay at the club for another year so far, but should United enter the race that stance could also be tested. It’s reported that the Italian-German striker would be keen on the move, having already found success in Belgium. United are keeping a close eye on the situation.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Tresoldi a Market Opportunity

Christopher Vivell.

Man Utd have been alert to market opportunities in recent transfer windows, and it seems as though Christopher Vivell is going to be pulling the strings behind the scenes once again here.

Tresoldi is one of the top attacking talents in Europe at the moment, and at his age there is plenty of room for growth and development too. Man Utd already have Benjamin Sesko as a young forward with great potential, but there is plenty of game time to go around and they can push each other well to develop and help the team.

A deal is likely to cost more than £35m to get done, but for Man Utd that isn’t a big outlay. It would solve a problem position by offering depth and quality, and also offer the chance to make money in the future if things don’t quite work out. This is definitely one to watch.

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Winners And Losers Of Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior

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Arsenal are exploring a sensational move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, as Mikel Arteta’s summer transfer plans finally start to kick into gear.

The Gunners have had a slow start to the window, with their only pieces of confirmed business being the signings of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds. While there is some excitement over Tzolis, these deals are hardly ones to get the pulses racing in North London.

A formal offer for Vinicius certainly would, though. Reputable journalist David Ornstein revealed on Saturday that a deal for the Real Madrid star is plausible, with the 26-year-old entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu.

If developments aren’t made in negotiations over a fresh deal in the next week or so, then Arsenal are on hand to pounce.

With that said, we take a look at the winners and losers of Vinicius’ prospective move to the Emirates.

Vinicius Junior’s 2025/26 Statistics per 90 (La Liga Only)

Stat

Value

Percentile Rank

Goals

0.51

74th

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.31

38th

Shots

3.22

82nd

Expected Assists

0.18

93rd

Successful Passes

29.9

94th

Successful Dribbles

2.77

97th

Winners From Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka

For too long, Bukayo Saka has carried the burden of being Arsenal’s standout attacking threat. Opponents have increasingly built their defensive plans around stopping him, safe in the knowledge that few other players consistently punish the extra attention he receives.

Vinicius would make that approach far riskier. His ability to burst down the left and threaten the goal himself means teams couldn’t simply overload Saka’s side without leaving dangerous spaces elsewhere.

Whether defenders shift across to contain Saka or stay on the left to deal with Vinicius, Arsenal would finally have two genuine ball-carrying, goal-threatening outlets capable of exploiting the gaps. It’s exactly the kind of variety Arteta’s attack has been lacking.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard reacts
Premier League – Everton v Arsenal – Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain – December 20, 2025 Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard reacts Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Martin Odegaard orchestrates the bulk of Arsenal’s attacks. The Norwegian sits in the right half-space and dictates the tempo of the Gunners’ football, distributing the ball to the two wide men, who are then obliged to make something happen in the final third.

In his five-and-a-half years in N5, Odegaard has been heavily reliant on Saka’s output on the right. He has fed Saka in dangerous spaces consistently, without being able to trust the man on the opposite flank.

With Vinicius, the Arsenal captain will finally have someone he can regularly feed on the left, who can actually start producing on this side. This could have a hugely positive effect on Odegaard’s assist numbers, improving the public perception of his work.

Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie in action for Arsenal against Wolves in the Premier League

Arsenal undoubtedly view Vinicius as a potential saviour to their left wing woes. These reports are validated by the suggestion that Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is seen as an alternative, clearly demonstrating their vision for the Brazilian.

If Vinicius does indeed arrive in North London, he may not play as an archetypal winger. It’s possible he’ll be deployed in more of a narrow role, which would allow him to pick the ball up in the pockets and in the half-spaces.

This should, in theory, benefit Piero Hincapie, who looked much better when he had Leandro Trossard or Eberechi Eze operating in this narrow role ahead of him on the left. Hincapie is much more comfortable playing on the outside and overlapping his winger, rather than playing inside and inverting into midfield as Riccardo Calafiori does.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Losers From Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior

Gabriel Martinelli

martinelli arsenal

Vinicius’ arrival as a potential left-winger at Arsenal would essentially put an end to Gabriel Martinelli’s career at the Emirates Stadium. If the Gunners are willing to fork out in excess of £100 million on the 26-year-old to predominantly play on this flank, it means they don’t believe in their existing Brazilian left-winger to produce what is required.

Arsenal have already sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for £17 million this summer, and Martinellli could soon follow.

Even if he stays in North London, Vinicius’ signing could be the final nail in the coffin for the former Ituano man’s prospects of being Arsenal’s star left-winger. He may not stay, however, with Bayern Munich understood to be interested in the 25-year-old.

Christos Tzolis

Christos Tzolis via Reuters

Christos Tzolis likely knew that he was signing up for something of a squad role when agreeing to join Arsenal from Club Brugge. Rarely does a player jump from the Belgian league to a top-six Premier League club, for just £34 million, and immediately assume a starring role.

The Greek was probably aware that he’d have to bide his time in Islington and wait for an opportunity to stake a claim to be the first-choice option on the left flank under Arteta. He likely expected a Barcola or a Nico Williams to arrive to compete with him — excellent players but not indispensable figures.

Just days after his move to the Emirates became public, reports linking Arsenal to the best left forward in world football have emerged. Tzolis may now be ruing his decision to swap Brugge for the British capital, not because he doesn’t back himself to succeed, but because he may be competing for minutes with a bona fide superstar.

If Vinicius signs for the Gunners, he’ll expect to play almost every available minute in the league and the Champions League. He can’t just be a regular starter, but he’ll need to be the key pillar that Arteta builds the team around if he agrees to join the North London club.

That leaves Tzolis in a difficult position, desperately fighting for the odd cameo or appearance in cup competitions. While his switch to Arsenal could still work wonders for his status in European football, he may not be called upon anywhere near as regularly as he might’ve expected when first hearing of the Gunners’ interest in him.

All Statistics via FotMob — correct as of 25/07/2026

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‘I Sense’ – Ben Jacobs Gives Update on Tottenham Talks With Man City For Savinho

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Ben Jacobs has given an update on Tottenham Hotspur‘s transfer business and particularly their interest in Manchester City winger Savinho.

Spurs have been putting last season’s disappointment behind them with a major rebuild of Roberto De Zerbi’s squad. Six signings have been made thus far, including the club record £100 million arrival of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

A new attacker could be next on the cards for De Zerbi and the Lilywhites, who are exploring several options. They have made progress on a potential deal for a long-term target.

Jacobs: Savinho Fee No Issue For Tottenham

Manchester City's Savinho
Premier League – Aston Villa v Manchester City – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – October 26, 2025 Manchester City’s Savinho reacts REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
via Reuters

Jacobs delved into Spurs’ pursuit of Manchester City winger Savinho and suggested that the Brazilian is edging closer to a move to North London. He said on the latest episode of GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness:

“Savinho, top choice, and talks are ongoing with Man City. I sense here finances won’t be a problem, and if Man City find a replacement, the door becomes open for Savinho to depart, and that’s why Tottenham are prepared to be patient.”

Spurs’ interest in Savinho extends back to last summer and they tried signing him during the final weeks of the transfer window. Pep Guardiola, who called him ‘top class ‘, opted to keep the player, but a lack of game time has led to speculation over an exit this time around.

Another name on the Lilywhites’ radar is Junior Kroupi, but Jacobs revealed several obstacles standing in their way:

“They like Junior Kroupi. Bournemouth want to keep hold of him. Arsenal have looked at Junior Kroupi as well. So let’s see how that develops. But I don’t think that’s a today tomorrow type transfer saga.”

Kroupi caught the eye throughout last season at Bournemouth and is one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards. But with Arsenal also admirers of the French youngster it feels a difficult deal for Spurs to do.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Savinho Could Thrive Under De Zerbi

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Savinho could be an excellent addition to De Zerbi’s squad, possessing pace, agility and creativity. He’s not really been given enough opportunities at City, and a move does feel increasingly likely.

At just 22, he can further develop at Spurs and potentially take the left-wing starting berth for years to come. His end product needs some work, and last season he registered just one goal and two assists in 24 league games.

The fee will be important as the North Londoners will want to ensure they don’t overpay given his status in City’s squad. Interest in Kroupi is understandable following a breakout season but he will likely be extremely expensive and could be one to pursue next year.

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