Sports
Adesanya Eyes Return to the Octagon in 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is eager to make a return to the Octagon before the end of 2024. The Nigerian-born fighter recently fell out of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings for the first time in five years, following a submission loss to South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, where he attempted to reclaim the middleweight title. This defeat marked Adesanya’s second consecutive loss, coming after a surprising upset against Sean Strickland that cost him the belt.
Despite these challenges, Adesanya, known as ‘The Last Stylebender,’ remains optimistic about his future in mixed martial arts. In a recent interview, he shared his plans for a comeback, stating, “Right now, after I just fought him (Du Plessis), I don’t think it’s going to be immediately. I’d rather just fight—not really for the belt, just fight for fighting’s sake. I want to fight one more time before the end of this year or early next year.”
Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, has also hinted at a possible return in 2024, mentioning that Adesanya continues to train actively with fighters at City Kickboxing. Adesanya appears focused on regaining his form rather than immediately vying for a title shot. He expressed interest in observing how upcoming fights in the middleweight division unfold, particularly the anticipated clash between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, as well as the bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.
“I’m just training, building up where we left off. I’ll get the call at some point with a few options. I think Dana will hit me up at some point,” he said.
As Adesanya considers his next move, the middleweight division continues to evolve. Fighters like Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira now occupy the top spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, with Aljamain Sterling taking Adesanya’s place in the list. Adesanya’s determination to return to the Octagon demonstrates his commitment to overcoming recent setbacks and reclaiming his status in the sport.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially designated Morocco as the host for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League finals. The tournament will take place from November 9 to November 23, as announced on CAF’s official website.
Morocco previously hosted the last edition of this prestigious competition. Among the eight teams competing this year is Nigeria’s champions, Edo Queens. The current title holders are Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.
The tournament offers significant financial incentives, with winners receiving $400,000 and runners-up taking home $250,000.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 10 international hat-tricks after scoring three times in a dominant 6-0 victory against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
In addition to his goals, the 37-year-old forward also provided two assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities. With this win, Argentina solidifies its position in the South American qualifiers, currently leading the table three points ahead of second-placed Colombia and six points clear of their arch-rivals Brazil.
On the same evening, Ronaldo’s Portugal faced Scotland in the UEFA Nations League but was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw, leaving the superstar visibly upset post-match.
Fenerbahce manager, Jose Mourinho, is reportedly planning a January transfer move for Barcelona forward Ansu Fati. After spending last season on loan at Brighton in the Premier League, Fati, now 21, returned to Barcelona but has struggled for game time under new coach Hansi Flick.
Once considered a potential successor to Lionel Messi, Fati’s limited opportunities at Barça have fueled speculation about a possible departure. According to *AS*, Mourinho is keen to bring the Spain international to the Turkish league, offering him the chance for regular football at Fenerbahce.
Fenerbahce’s sporting director, Mario Branco, is expected to initiate discussions with Fati’s representatives soon, confident that the promise of consistent playing time will help secure the forward’s move.
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