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The UEFA Champions League is poised for an exhilarating Round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland.
This draw will determine the matchups between the top eight teams from the league phase and the eight victors from the recent knockout phase play-offs.
Knockout Phase Playoffs Recap:
The knockout phase play-offs delivered intense action as teams vied for a spot in the Round of 16.
Here’s a summary of the results:
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Brest:
PSG showcased their dominance with a commanding 10-0 aggregate victory, including a 3-0 away win in the first leg.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City:
In a high-stakes encounter, Real Madrid triumphed with a 6-3 aggregate score. Kylian Mbappé was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick in the 3-1 second-leg victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.
PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus:
PSV overturned a first-leg deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate. Defender Ryan Flamingo secured the decisive goal in extra time, leading to a 3-1 second-leg win that eliminated Juventus.
Feyenoord vs. AC Milan:
Feyenoord pulled off a surprising upset, advancing with a 2-1 aggregate score. After a 1-0 home victory, they managed a 1-1 draw at San Siro, sealing their progression.
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic:
Bayern faced a resilient Celtic side but advanced with a 3-2 aggregate win. Alphonso Davies was pivotal, scoring a late equalizer in the second leg to ensure Bayern’s place in the next round.
Club Brugge vs. Atalanta:
Club Brugge demonstrated their strength by winning both legs, culminating in a 5-2 aggregate victory over Atalanta.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP:
Dortmund secured their spot with a solid 3-0 aggregate win, highlighted by a 3-0 triumph in the second leg.
Benfica vs. AS Monaco:
In a thrilling contest, Benfica edged out Monaco with a 4-3 aggregate score, following a 3-3 draw in the second leg.
Teams Advancing to the Round of 16:
The following teams have progressed to the Round of 16:
The draw will pair each seeded team with an unseeded team, setting the stage for compelling matchups in the Round of 16.
Notably, teams from the same national association can face each other at this stage, opening the possibility for high-stakes domestic clashes on the European stage.
The first legs of the Round of 16 are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with the return legs on March 11 and 12, 2025.
Seeded Teams (Top 8 from League Phase):
Liverpool (England)
Barcelona (Spain)
Arsenal (England)
Inter Milan (Italy)
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Lille (France)
Aston Villa (England)
Unseeded Teams (Knockout Phase Play-off Winners):
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Real Madrid (Spain)
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
Feyenoord (Netherlands)
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Club Brugge (Belgium)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Benfica (Portugal)
The upcoming draw promises exciting matchups, as seeded teams will be paired with unseeded teams, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the quest for European supremacy.
As anticipation builds, fans worldwide eagerly await the draw to see which paths their teams will take on the road to the final, set to be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31, 2025.
[Punch]
Brazil football legend, Ronaldo De Lima, has picked former Real Madrid midfielder, Thomas Gravesen as his worst-ever teammate.
Ronaldo spent five seasons with the LaLiga giants and was a key figure in the club’s Galacticos era.
Gravesen signed for Madrid in a £2.5million move from Everton in January 2005 and went on to make 49 appearances.
The Denmark international played for two seasons alongside Ronaldo.
While Ronaldo has said Gravesen was a “cool guy”, he claimed the former defensive midfielder was “very bad” on the pitch.
In an interview with compatriot Romario, Ronaldo was asked to name the worst player he’d ever played alongside.
He replied: “There are a lot of them. There was one at Real Madrid who was a joke… Gravesen.
“He was a Danish midfielder. He was a really cool guy, good guy. A little while ago he won a $50million poker tournament or something.
“But in football he was very bad, he scored and he beat the hell out of people.”
[DailyPost]
Former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro is the new manager of the Egyptian Premier League club, Zamalek.
Jose Peseiro has signed an 18-month contract with the White Knights, a decision that showcases Zamalek’s intent to strengthen their coaching staff following a series of disappointing performances.
Peseiro steps in to replace Christian Gross, a former Tottenham Hotspur manager, who was dismissed after struggling to meet the expectations of the 14-time Egyptian champions.
Under Peseiro’s leadership, Zamalek are hoping to regain their competitive edge in both domestic and continental competitions.
As part of his agreement, Peseiro’s monthly salary will be $75,000 until the end of the current season, reflecting Zamalek’s ambition to attract a highly qualified coach.
If he remains with the club for the next season, his salary is set to increase to $85,000, indicating the club’s confidence in his potential to lead them to success.
Interestingly, Peseiro, who is 64 years old, has a notable history in Egyptian football, having previously managed Zamalek’s fierce rivals, Al Ahly.
In related news, the head coach of the Black Satellites, Ghana’s U-20 national football team, Desmond Ofei, expressed his relief at avoiding their perennial rivals, Nigeria, in the group stage of the upcoming 2025 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations.
The draw for this highly anticipated tournament was conducted on Thursday at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Egypt and has generated significant excitement among the teams involved.
Ghana has been placed in Group A alongside the hosts, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-determined team from the UNIFFAC region, setting the stage for a compelling series of matches.
In contrast, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles find themselves in a challenging Group B, facing off against formidable opponents such as Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.
Reflecting on Ghana’s draw, Ofei stated, “We’re happy that we’re not in Group B because that’s a very interesting group.”
He further emphasized his confidence in his team’s abilities, noting, “I feel like we’re in a position where we can control the narrative of this tournament from our perspective.”
Argentina star Giovani Lo Celso has reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent claims about being more complete than Lionel Messi.
According to Celso, Messi needs no further explanation as he is the best in the world.
The debate on who is the greatest player ever between Messi and Ronaldo is arguably the most popular in football history.
While a section of football lovers believe that Messi is the ‘GOAT’, greatest of all time, others see Ronaldo as the best football has ever known.
This debate has been going on for over 16 years now even after both players left Europe for Asia and America, respectively.
Ronaldo recently declared himself the most complete footballer of all time.
He said: “I’m the best player in football history. I am the greatest scorer in history. I am the most complete player who has ever existed….”
In a recent interview, as quoted by All About Argentina, Lo Celso was asked to share his thoughts on Ronaldo’s statement.
“No, the answer is clear who it is… There’s no need to explain it,” he replied.
Lo Celso and Messi have played together 41 times for Argentina and have combined to score five goals.
Lo Celso has played 61 games for the La Albiceleste, making 16 assists and scoring three goals.
[TheNation]
From the bustling streets of Lagos to the grand stage of the Super Bowl, Moro Ojomo has written his name in history after leading Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl triumph.
On February 9, 2025, before a roaring crowd, Ojomo and his Philadelphia Eagles soared to victory, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.
Though a hard-fought win, it secured the Eagles’ fifth NFL title but also served as sweet revenge for their Super Bowl LVII defeat at the hands of the same opponent.
Moro Ojomo’s journey to stardom
Ojomo’s story is one of astounding transition. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he crossed the Atlantic at the age of seven, as his family relocated to California in 2009. His father served as a pastor, while his mother worked in the information technology sector. During his seventh-grade year, the family moved again, settling in Houston, Texas.
Attending Katy High School, Moro Ojomo was two years younger than most of his classmates, having begun his education at the age of three in his home country. He did not participate in varsity football during his freshman or sophomore years and admitted that, at the time, he had yet to develop a proper workout routine. However, after his sophomore year, he became dedicated to weight training and running, eventually securing a spot on the varsity team as a junior. His efforts paid off, as he earned All-District honors as a defensive lineman by the end of the season.
After starting the fall as a third-stringer, he gained confidence with more time on the field. He worked his way into a starting role and ended the season earning all-district honors. Then, in his senior year, he became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the state.
“Nothing comes in life without hard work. I know that,” Ojomo said then as quoted by JokersMag.
“That’s why my story is a lot different than a lot of these kids who’ve been good all their years in high school. They’ve been ‘The Guy’ ever since junior high. I know what it’s like to compete for a starting spot. A lot of these kids don’t know that.”
During his five-year tenure with the Longhorns—a journey that spanned the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic—Moro Ojomo amassed 95 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks.
In January 2023, when he declared for the NFL Draft, he expressed his enthusiasm for the road ahead.
“I am incredibly excited about what the future holds,” he wrote.
However, as draft day unfolded, his initial optimism gave way to anxiety. By the time the seventh round was halfway through, his name had yet to be called.
“I thought it was over.”
Then, with only 11 picks remaining, his phone finally rang.
On the other end was Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman—someone well acquainted with the trials of overcoming adversity.
“We’re gonna take you here, man,” Roseman told him.
“We can’t believe you’re here in the seventh round. We know you’re gonna show the world what kind of player you are… and we’re excited to get you.”
In the background of the recorded call, his sister’s joyful shrieks echoed the moment’s significance.
Katy High School head coach Gary Joseph later reflected on the resilience that defined Moro’s journey.
“The kids who you’re really proud of are ones who are self-made football players,” Joseph said.
“They work with what they have, and he’s one of those kids. He worked. It wasn’t a fluke.”
As a rookie, Moro Ojomo played just 6% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps. But in 2024, he earned a more prominent role on the field.
And when the stakes were highest, he delivered—recording his first NFL sack in the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
His belief in himself had never wavered, not even years earlier.
“People used to laugh at me in sophomore year when I told ’em I was gonna start,” he had said back in 2018. “They’re gonna realize it when I do what I plan to do… They’re gonna be like, ‘Wow, we really missed on this one.’”
Playing in every regular season game and all four playoff contests, he racked up 20 tackles and etched his name into Eagles’ history with his first career sack during the NFC Divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams.
Remarkable Super Bowl Performance
In the Super Bowl itself, Ojomo was a force to be reckoned with. His two tackles and a crucial tackle for loss contributed to the Eagles’ defensive dominance, a performance that stifled the usually explosive Patrick Mahomes and kept the Chiefs scoreless for a remarkable stretch of nearly three quarters. He played an important role in the Eagles’ defensive strategy, helping to contain one of the most potent offenses in the league.
Ojomo joins the Hall of Fame
Ojomo’s victory is more than just a personal triumph; it’s a testament to the growing influence of Nigerian athletes in the NFL. He joins a distinguished group of players like C.J. Uzomah, Chukwuebuka Godrick, Chris Oladokun, and Charles Omenihu, all of Nigerian heritage, who are making their mark on the gridiron.
Ojomo’s Super Bowl ring goes beyond being a symbol of his individual achievement, but a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the globe.
A few days ago, Felix, a childhood friend that I had not seen or heard from since we both left secondary school in Jos (he went to St. John’s College whilst I was to St. Murumba College) called me up from the blue.
After all the usual felicitations he commended me for attaining national prominence the way I did despite the ‘ordinariness’ of our foundation coming out of Jos. Of course, I knew what he meant.
I have probably been the most hyped and most visible retired sports person in Nigerian sports. My time in professional sport and life since retiring, almost half a Century of both connected to the media in one form or the other, have kept me constantly in public eye.
Felix considered me a very successful business man in the field of sports. And he said so in a few words.
The situation is that even when I was playing football on a full- time basis as a Civil servant in Oyo State, I was so afraid of the uncertainty of life-after-sport that I veered early into business, buying and selling sports kits, beer, soft drinks, cement and nurtured a good name and even aspects of the media, none of which I was formally trained for.
From my personal observation, the life-after-sport of former fa- mous sports persons, were not good adverts. So, in my mind some form of business (I was not going to practice Mechanical engineering because I had no deep passion for it) was the answer to guaranteeing a successful life after the glitz and the glitter of a career in sports.
So, I understood what Felix was talking about. Optically, the image I conjure in public is of a very successful and probably very rich retired person. He even wondered how much I must be worth by now, in Dollars and Pounds.
He was right. By now, following decades of my restlessness in the business world, doing this and doing that, I should be swimming in the pool of international currencies. But I am not. Occasionally also, I would wonder why I am not in the material class of millionaires and billionaires even as I have carefully nurtured a good name and kept a clean reputation that should put me in that category. Yet, I still struggle to float above the waters of survival. My life is an optical illusion of material ‘success’ in the classic sense of it.
The reality now, however, is that despite my huge unquantifiable ‘success’, the past 4 days have revealed to me why I would be a great model for ‘how NOT to start and run business’. Put more succinctly, my business life, copied, would be a perfect model for ‘how to fail in business’. It has been a complete antithesis of good business model.
In the past 4 days, I have come to realize there were missing ingredients in my foundation, the things I did not do right at the start of my venture into that uncharted, dog-eat-dog world. I was without proper grounding, without any formal or informal training, and without guidance into what was characterized by uncertainty, constant changes, unending challenges, and dangerous minefields in business. It’s been like a life-time ago since I retired from an active sports career. It’s been over 4 decades of foraying into business.
But it is now, after 3 days of sit- ting in a classroom and listening to a young man called Adeola Badmus of Piston and Fusion Business Academy, that took several of us ‘students’ (manage- ment and Directors of StillEarth Holdings where I humbly serve as a Director) through a Master Class course in Business Strategy and Planning, that I have been humbled by learning that I could have been a very successful multi-billion Dollar busi- nessman today armed with the lessons and teachings from that 3-day course.
I wish I knew, eons ago when my talent in football was just sprout- ing, a little of what I have just learnt in 3 days.
I wish I had the sense then to have sat at the foot of a mentor or a teacher, and listened to tips on basic, tested principles that would have prepared me adequately, cushioned my chances of failure, and mitigated against certain risks attendant in every business.
I have been thinking about these things in the past 3 days as my eyes opened reality and to the traps that caught generations of gifted and once-famous sports persons. Knowing these essentials would have freed thou- sands of sports stars from the landscape littered with stories of hardship, neglect and penury in the evening of life.
I wish I had been better prepared for the future in my own youthful years as access to what I experienced these past four days will mitigate the risk in the adventurous route most superstar athletes take and fail.
I am on the board of a conglomerate – StillEarth Holdings. They offered me the opportunity to return to the classroom and to be reborn.
So, after 3 days of life-changing lessons I have set a new mission for my life.
My mission now is to replicate the model of going to the class- room to prepare young budding gifted boys and girls mainly in sports and entertainment, whose lives are clouded by the prospects of fame and fortune for nurturing in order to sustain for a life time.
I have found out late that the classroom is a strong and safe tower that all can run back to in order to reset the buttons of the principles of succeeding in business.
I shall start to do something about the last 4 days – a program in my secondary school, SOCA, for the young athletes about to graduate and go into the world in the chase of fame and fortune, and arm them with knowledge and information about the business world, the simple principles, the obvious pitfalls, the practices to be avoided, the regular training they need in order to ensure that their lives after sports lead to material successes counted in Dollars and Pounds. It was a fantastic experience going back to the classroom.
Portuguese international, Cristiano Ronaldo, received a unique birthday tribute in New York City on Thursday as fans gathered at the Times Square to perform his iconic “Siu” celebration.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner turned 40 on February 5, just days after scoring his 922nd and 923rd career goals in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Wasl.
Ronaldo’s famous celebration, first seen in 2013 with Real Madrid, remains a global fan favorite.
“I started to say ‘si,’ it’s like ‘yes,’ when I was in Real Madrid,” he explained via FourFourTwo.
“I just scored the goal and it just came out.”
Ronaldo’s birthday also followed a headline-making interview with El Chiringuito, in which he criticized misconceptions about the Saudi Pro League compared to MLS.
“People talk too much and give opinions without knowing,” he said, adding, “Because it’s Saudi Arabia, people look down on it… You have to give it the credit it deserves.”
Despite his comments, MLS is preparing for a major 2025 season, with stars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez entering their final contract years at Inter Miami.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports in the US.
Trump gazetted the order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” on Wednesday.
The US president claimed that the new order would put an end to “the war on women’s sports” in the country.
The signed order gives the US Department of Education the responsibility to ensure schools nationwide comply with the directive.
“If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding,” Trump said.
The directive would be stretched to prevent transgender athletes from competing against females in International Olympic Committee (IOC) competitions hosted in the US.
The decision may be consequential at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The order is the latest episode in what LGBT rights activists have considered Trump’s on the community in the US.
During his inauguration speech, Trump declared that there are only two sexes in the US: male and female. The announcement was considered discriminatory against transgender people in the country.
The participation of transgender women in female sports has been a contentious topic in recent years, with its reception mixed.
In 2023, World Athletics banned athletes who had gone through male puberty from the female competitions it organised.
A year before, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) also prohibited transgender women whose transition process began later than the age of 12 from competing in female competitions.
The World Boxing Council (WBC), International Chess Federation and Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have also taken measures to prohibit transgender women from female sports.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has more lenient directives on transgender athletes in female sports
English-born Nigerian footballer Jordan Chiedozie is currently in a coma after being hit by a car on the motorway.
The 30-year-old had played for non-league side Bashley FC against Tavistock at the weekend.
While on the way back from the away game, Chiedozie, alongside Bashley physio Reighan Taylor, suffered a flat tire on the motorway.
The player sustained “life-changing, and potentially life-threatening” injuries after being struck by another vehicle on the M27 when he stepped out to assess the flat tire situation.
Reacting to the incident, the club, in a statement, wrote: “Everyone connected with Bashley Football Club is devastated by the news of our player Jordan Chiedozie, currently in the hospital with life-changing, and potentially life-threatening injuries, after a serious car crash.
“Jordan was taken to Southampton Hospital with multiple broken bones and other physical injuries. At this time, he remains in a controlled coma.”
[DailyPost]
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has opened up about the harrowing experience of learning about his father’s kidnapping just two hours before Nigeria’s crucial FIFA World Cup match against Argentina.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast published on Monday, Mikel revealed that he received a call from his brother informing him that their father had been kidnapped in Nigeria. It was the second time such an incident had occurred.
“Kidnappers love my dad,” Mikel said, adding, “No, they love my money.”
The midfielder, who was set to captain Nigeria in a high-stakes knockout clash against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, had to make a difficult decision—whether to inform his teammates or keep the distressing news to himself.
“I didn’t want to let the team down. I was the captain. I thought about it in my room, and then I went out there and played the game,” he said.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Mikel took to the pitch, all while dealing with threats from the kidnappers, who demanded ransom.
“They called me, knowing I was going into the game. They thought it would push me to pay whatever they wanted. I spoke to them, and they said, ‘We’re going to shoot the [expletive] out of him if you don’t pay.’ My dad was on the phone saying, ‘Just give them the money, they are beating me up,’” Mikel recounted.
After the match, Mikel reached out to Chelsea officials, who informed then-club owner Roman Abramovich about the situation.
“Roman being Roman said, ‘Just give me 24 hours. Let me send my people down, and I’ll find your dad.’ I thought, how the [expletive] are you going to do that? Nigeria is a massive country. But he said, ‘Don’t worry about it, just give me 24 hours.’”
Despite Abramovich’s offer, Mikel eventually had to negotiate and pay a hefty ransom to secure his father’s release.
“I didn’t know, but I had to negotiate, and I had to pay a lot of money to get him out. But my dad was safe,” he said.
Mikel described the ordeal as a life-changing experience, adding that such challenges had made him mentally stronger.
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At some point this week, it felt as if Victor Boniface was destined to leave Bayer Leverkusen to Al Nassr.
The two clubs opened talks over a possible transfer, as the Saudi Pro League side sought to replace Anderson Talisca, who has since signed for Fenerbahçe.
The news came out of nowhere, as Boniface only signed a contract extension with the Bundesliga champions until 2026 last week.
The deal made the Super Eagles forward one of the top earners at Leverkusen.
Despite renewing his contract, the 24-year-old was, however, not considered unsellable by the Bundesliga champions.
Boniface even missed Tuesday’s training session and some reports claim his bags were packed to travel to the Middle East.
All that was left was for Al Nassr to proceed with the final processes of the deal, after agreeing a transfer fee of more than €60m.
The 24-year-old was set to earn an eye watering €15m net per season.
But the deal eventually collapsed.
Al Nassr were also in negotiations with Aston Villa for Jhon Duran and opted to splash €77million on the 21-year-old.
The Colombian striker was officially unveiled on Friday, as the Saudi transfer window slam shut.
“Transfer rumours are normal in football,” Boniface, who has since returned to Leverkusen training, told SportsBoom.
“It’s always flattering when big clubs show interest, but my focus right now is 100% on Bayer Leverkusen.
“A lot of calculations have also happened here and there, but I love playing here, and I want to give my best to the team.
“What happens in the future will happen, but for now, my mind is only on helping Leverkusen achieve our goals.”
The saga has triggered a lot of conversations on and off social media, as to if Boniface should have even considered the move.
“It’s understandable. As much as I don’t like it, the reality is that football is a job for many,” Deji Faremi, co-owner of Busy Buddies and a sports analyst, tells DAILY POST.
“Especially considering where a guy like Boniface is coming from, you can see how and why that sort of move would interest him.
“An opportunity to earn more than three times what you currently earn is very tempting.
“Unless you have great belief in yourself to maintain a certain level that would make you attractive (and in line to earn that much) for years, you have to think about it,” he added.
But why did Al Nassr pick Duran over Boniface.
“Hard to tell. Duran is a younger option,” Faremi explains.
“But maybe he was also more interested in joining them. Boniface is easily the better player though. They have missed out on an excellent player.”
There are insinuations that a move to the Middle East would have affected Boniface’s chances of playing for the Super Eagles.
In the absence of Victor Osimhen, Boniface has failed to impress for the national team. And leaving Europe might have seen his stocks drop further.
“I don’t think so,” Faremi responds sharply.
“The level in Saudi is quite good and we’ve seen many players like Ronaldo, Kante remain important members of their national teams despite playing in Saudi Arabia.
“That’s another reason why it would have made a lot of sense if he moved. There was nothing to lose, except maybe a chance to be the best player in the world.”
So what next for Boniface?
Faremi adds: “If he’s turned down the offer – and not the other way round – it could suggest he would rather play in Europe, hunt for bigger and more prestigious trophies, and make a name for himself at the highest level.
“He could still make all that money Saudi are offering if he can find the form he had at the start of last season, and make a big money move to England or even Italy.”
[DailyPost]
Chelsea midfielder, Cesare Casadei has left the Blues to become new Torino player on a permanent transfer deal.
This was disclosed by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a tweet via his X account in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Cesare Casadei has left Chelsea and becomes new Torino player on a permanent deal,” Romano tweeted.
“€15m package, 25% sell-on clause, saga over.”
Recall that Casadei was attracting strong interest from Serie A clubs Torino and Lazio.
Chelsea are said to want £12.6million for the Italian, who has made just six appearances this season for the Premier League west London club.
Casadei is down the pecking order of midfielders in manager Enzo Maresca’s squad at Stamford Bridge.
He is behind the likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.
[DailyPost]
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday night.
It was the Stylebender’s third consecutive defeat.
Adesanya was sent tumbling to the canvas by a huge right hand from Imavov.
Imavov finished off Adesanya with some heavy ground and pound midway through the second round.
Adesanya had overcome his demons by knocking out Alex Pereira in April 2023 at the fourth time of asking.
That win saw the Nigerian-New Zealander regain the UFC middleweight title before suffering back-to-back losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.
Heading into his fight with Imavov, Adesanya needed a win to remain at the middleweight top table.
But Imavov denied him that opportunity in devastating fashion.
Adesanya appeared to briefly protest the stoppage, but there was no denying things would have only got worse if the referee hadn’t waved it off.
Everyone in the AnB arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was stunned by the stoppage, including Adesanya, who banged the canvas in anger as the result sank in
Aston Villa have made an enquiry over the possibility of signing Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
Sky Sports News reports that Unai Emery’s side are considering a move for the England forward after selling Jhon Duran to Al Nassr.
The report added that Aston Villa are also interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s Marcos Asensio and Chelsea’s Joao Felix, as confirmed by the club’s president of football operations Monchi earlier this week.
Rashford’s preference is still to move to Spanish LaLiga giants Barcelona.
But the Catalan club have yet to make any formal arrangements to take him on loan.
Meanwhile, in another development, Manchester United on Friday confirmed that midfielder Dan Gore has joined League One club Rotherham United on loan for the remainder of the season.
It’s a second senior loan spell for the Giro, who played for Port Vale in the same division last season.
The 20-year-old made his Reds first-team debut in September 2023, when he appeared as a substitute against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
“Best of luck with the rest of the campaign, Dan!” Man United’s statement partly read.
[DailyPost]