With an aim to cement his legacy, which took a major hit when Dustin Poirier inflicted back-to-back losses, McGregor returned after a five-year absence, only to get himself injured in the headlining bout at UFC 329. With one final fight left in the UFC, the Irish super star now finds himself at a crossroads.

“He’s chasing the high versus is he chasing the dream. So like when he knocked out Jose Aldo, he was chasing the dream,” Rogan said, speaking with Sean Sharaf in JRE’s latest episode. “He was a juggernaut. He was storming through the division. He was knocking everybody out.

“He looked like this guy that had this phenomenal talent and this special charisma, and he looked like a guy who is chasing this, this dream, this dream of becoming a world champion.”

Rogan’s comments came as he was offering career advice to Sean Sharaf. Though an experienced mixed martial arts fighter, the former U.S. Marine is relatively new to the UFC. After two back-to-back losses, Sharaf found himself in the spotlight after he stopped the much-touted Gable Stevenson in the first round of the main card bout in UFC 331.

Speaking with Rogan, he revealed how his journey had been filled with obstacles.

Outlining the choices that he needs to make—whether he wants to move his career forward or simply walk away—Rogan highlighted that one of the worst things a fighter could do to himself is simply chasing glory.

To make his case, Rogan cited Justin Gaethje’s example. After stopping Ilia Topuria in the Freedom 250 headliner, Rogan, like many, believes Gaethje has little to prove. He can walk from the sport, and no one will question it.

From that perspective, however, the situation is different for Conor McGregor.

According to Rogan, the Irish superstar returned to face Max Holloway, likely to showcase that “he could still do it.” By defeating a fighter of Holloway’s stature once again, McGregor perhaps wanted to establish himself as the best MMA fighter.

But the thought process, Rogan speculated, only led to a setback that can be traced back to 2017, when McGregor stepped out of the cage to face Mayweather.

Challenging the boxing icon and seeking a $100 million payday, McGregor aggressively pursued a showdown. However, the proposed crossover drew sharp criticism, with some skeptics pointing to McGregor’s complete lack of professional boxing experience against Mayweather’s unbeaten 49-0 record.

“So then you achieve it, and then I think the big derailment was the Floyd Mayweather fight, right? He leaves MMA, trains boxing for a while, has a great performance against Floyd Mayweather, one of the greatest boxers of all time, and does 10 rounds with him, which is f**king insane,” Rogan added.

A year later, when he returned to the UFC, McGregor’s trajectory began to decline, and he could never really recover.

When “The Notorious” run lost its notoriety

After the memorable loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, McGregor briefly recovered when he stopped Donald Cerrone in his welterweight debut two years later.

However, the setbacks continued when Dustin Poirier stopped him twice in back-to-back fights in 2021, which also triggered his five-year layoff. As the Holloway fight showed, McGregor did not really recover his old form.

He underwent surgery after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus during the Holloway fight. With McGregor still having one more fight left in his UFC contract, which he apparently wants to fight out, Dana White suggested that the former champion is not expected to return until July 2027.

Considering McGregor’s age and the severity of his injury, many observers and fighters openly doubt whether the Irish icon will ever fight again.

Whether the predicament McGregor finds himself in now was sparked years ago by a fight against a boxing legend, as Rogan and perhaps many others believe, needs a closer examination.

McGregor is not the only one to have experimented with boxing briefly before making a return to MMA. His former opponent, Jose Aldo, after retiring in 2022, compiled a 2-0-1 boxing record before resuming his UFC career in 2024 and later retiring again.

Similarly, Francis Ngannou left the UFC as a heavyweight champion in 2023, faced Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing, and returned to MMA with the PFL before capturing its heavyweight Super Fights title in 2024.

Taken together, to say that stepping away from the sport, even briefly, could be a fighter’s biggest undoing would be an overstatement. Perhaps, McGregor, by comparison, remains an aberration.

With championship wins across two weight classes, he remains part of a select group whose achievement is difficult to match in the UFC, even by today’s standards. Given his expanding business interests, including his stake in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC), he might as well have stepped away, leaving his legacy intact as one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever.

The post Joe Rogan Points to Floyd Mayweather Fight as “Big Derailment” Behind Conor McGregor’s Career appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“Turki is trying to sell the Ring magazine two years after he bought it for me,” De La Hoya said. “It’s a dead asset. They stripped it of its credibility and made it purely biased propaganda, with Max Kellerman sucking it off every chance he got.

“But it signals to the boxing world that Turki’s finished with boxing. And he even said it himself that he would be stepping back after the Fury-Joshua fight.

“I mean, thank God, because boxing is more f**ked up than ever,” he added. “It’s harder to make fights. The big names are idle. They don’t want to fight each other. Not because they’re scared, but because they’re waiting for that big payday. Anyhow, I hope whoever purchases The Ring magazine next restores its integrity, the rules, the rankings, the honor, and its history that it used to stand for.”

De La Hoya’s comments stem from reports, first revealed by well-known boxing journalist and author Tris Dixon’s Total Boxing, suggesting that DAZN has decided to obtain a controlling stake in the Ring Magazine and its titles.

What adds another layer to the development is Turki Alalshikh’s comments at the AJ-Fury press conference, where the Riyadh Season head suggested that he may not stick around boxing for long.

“I will not be here long,” Alalshikh said. “I don’t know if I’ll remember this in two years. My health in the last four months is not good … I want to deliver this (Joshua-Fury) fight.”

Back in June, the Saudi power broker dropped hints about his failing health. As the ongoing promotional dispute over the AJ-Fury fight between Dana White and Eddie Hearn heated up, Alalshikh expressed hopes of bringing the two opposing sides to an understanding that benefits everyone, especially the fans.

“I want to do it before losing my memory,” Alalshikh said. “I’m afraid in 2028 or 2029 I’ll forget my name.”

While details have been limited, reports about his illness have been circulating on social media. In April 2025, a report from The Athletic suggested that Alalshikh had been suffering from cancer, including a tumor inside his brain, since 2015.

Following treatments in New York in 2018-19, he appears to have undergone surgery in 2020 to remove the tumor. However, during an interview in 2024, Alalshikh revealed that one of the surgeries resulted in him bleeding for fifty days while also suffering from inflammation.

Yet, despite the lingering issue, Alalshikh stepped up on his role as boxing’s most powerful voice. His presence resulted in some of the biggest fights of the era, including the two Fury-Usyk bouts and the Terence Crawford-Canelo showdown.

One of the most defining moves he made, which seemingly cemented his place as the sport’s most influential figure, came in November 2024 when he finally acquired the Ring Magazine from De La Hoya for $10 million.

The Ring’s journey from Oscar De La Hoya to Turki Alalshikh

Over its century-long history, The Ring has changed hands several times. In 1979, a group led by former NBA star Dave DeBusschere acquired the magazine, with Burt Sugar becoming editor. Then, in 1989, Stanley Weston bought it through G.C. London Publishing before Kappa later acquired the company.

Initially, Alalshikh’s move raised hopes. The publication had pivoted to a digital-only format in 2022. After Alalshikh’s purchase, the magazine brought back its regular monthly print issues.

But the transition also raised several questions when incidents triggered doubts over editorial independence.

One notable example emerged back in February when Ring Magazine, through a tweet, overtly questioned Queensberry Promotions’ financial health and other related issues after its head, Frank Warren, filed a $1 billion lawsuit against TKO (owner of UFC and WWE), Alalshikh, and Saudi entertainment company SELA over an alleged breach of contract.

The move drew criticism, with many highlighting the magazine’s apparent sacrifice of journalistic integrity.

A month later, while speaking with Ariel Helwani, De La Hoya expressed his regret for selling the Ring to Alalshikh as the controversy over IBF stripping Jai Opetaia after he joined Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing gained attention.

“The way things are going, I actually do (regret selling),” he said, before adding, “I never regret anything. When I had the Ring Magazine, I kept its integrity… Turki came along, and I thought I was selling it to a person who really cared for the sport and was going to uphold its integrity, but I guess I was wrong.”

Beyond that history, DAZN has meanwhile decided to keep rumors at arm’s length. “As company policy, we do not confirm, deny, or comment on market rumors or speculation regarding mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, or rights deals,” their representative told BoxingScene.

DAZN’s interest in The Ring follows its history of investing in sports media. Its former parent, Perform Group, previously owned The Sporting News before DAZN sold the publication in 2020. This time, however, the target is a century-old boxing brand with a far deeper connection to the sport.

What adds another layer to the situation is how the new acquisition, if true and finalized, could affect the fighters.

DAZN has a deal with all the major promotional players in boxing, including De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, and more recently Bob Arum’s Top Rank.

Among prominent names, besides Usyk, in the heavyweight, Ring Magazine’s championship roster includes Opetaia (cruiserweight), Dmitry Bivol (light heavyweight), Canelo (super middleweight), and Shakur Stevenson (light welterweight), among others.

Barring a few like Bivol, most are directly or indirectly involved with Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

So, with the magazine once again shifting towards the old guard, the question now is how its championship will shape up between reigning title holders and those who will hold the belts in the future.

The post Oscar De La Hoya Accuses Turki Alalshikh of Stripping the Ring of Its Credibility Amid Selling Reports appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“Zuffa was not on the paperwork for the contest, nor had it applied to be involved. As things stand, only Matchroom, Queensberry, and Sela will promote the event,” read the report from BoxingScene, based on the inputs received from BBBofC’s representative Robert Smith.

“Under BBBofC rules, however, a British license holder must be in place in order to promote a bout under its auspices. Smith confirmed that Sela, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, was yet to have that British license holder in place but said, “Discussions have been ongoing” regarding who that individual will be.”

But White appears either adamant that he will be a promoter at the event or, sitting in the United States, totally oblivious to the developments that have taken place in the UK.

At the media day for UFC 332, which is scheduled for tomorrow night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, a reporter brought up Hearn’s comments about White’s absence at the AJ-Fury press conference.

Speaking with media, the Matchroom chief had described White’s non-appearance as “one of the greatest PR disasters in boxing.”

So, the UFC CEO responded, “Not only am I promoting the fight, but we’re producing the fight too. UFC is going to produce the show. I don’t know how that’s a PR disaster. I’m right.”

To be fair, White had already explained his absence from the AJ-Fury press conference.

However, his confrontational approach seemingly continued. Speaking with a reporter from Full Send MMA, White reiterated that he would be promoting and producing the AJ-Fury fight, then turned his attention to Eddie Hearn. Describing the Matchroom chief as someone who “likes to see himself on interviews,” White issued what amounted to a mild threat.

According to White, Hearn may have won this battle, but the tide will eventually turn in his favor. “Let’s see how this whole thing looks in a couple of years. The writing is on the wall. Whatever f**king little p***y game he thinks he won, he’s out of his mind. He’s incredibly delusional. He knows what’s going on. They all know what’s going on,” White said.

Beyond White’s comments, the roots of the dispute stem from what was initially stated in the contract signed by Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn: the boxing soap opera likely to continue

According to the contract, the fight will take place in the United Kingdom, with no role for either Dana White or his Zuffa Boxing. As a result, a conflict brewed, with both Hearn and White standing by their positions.

The first sign of thaw emerged when it became clear that the fight would indeed take place in the UK. However, instead of the previously suggested Wembley Stadium, it has now been scheduled at the Principality Stadium. The shift was likely made to accommodate the timing for U.S. viewers.

But the dispute about White’s role as a promoter continued to make the fight’s future uncertain. The situation became more complicated after Fury reportedly suggested that his contract have been amended to allow Dana White and Zuffa’s involvement in the bout.

In that context, the comments made by the BBBofC representative effectively ended that possibility.

The governing body has taken a similar stance previously when an outside regulatory body attempted to oversee a British boxing event.

In 2012, the Board objected to David Haye vs. Derek Chisora being staged in London under the Luxembourg Boxing Federation and threatened sanctions against its licensed members who participated in the event. While the precedent is relevant, the current Zuffa situation is different.

The BBBofC’s position appears to concern the requirement for a British-licensed promoter rather than an outright ban on Zuffa’s involvement.

Even so, it will be naive for anyone to take White’s comments lightly.

White’s assessment of the future is intriguingly based on the past. He may be new to boxing. But as far as mixed martial arts are concerned, he’s faced competition before. And more often than not, he won.

Alongside the Fertitta brothers, he played a pivotal role in transforming the UFC from a financially struggling, controversial fighting organization into a globally recognized sports business. Its expansion involved acquiring WEC, Pride FC, and Strikeforce, subsequently integrating or discontinuing these promotions.

At the same time, these practices prompted antitrust scrutiny and debate over competition.

Even within boxing, White has laid out an ambitious plan by staging monthly events. To make Zuffa the leading promotion, he typically eroded the rival’s standing by poaching their star fighters.

The recent developments surrounding the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which is backed by parent company TKO Group Holdings, may boost his position, at least in the U.S. market. Backed by influence and money, White perhaps anticipates that, in the promotional battle with boxing’s old guard, he will eventually come out on top.

There are two critical things for fans to observe now. BBBofC has settled who is going to promote the AJ-Fury fight. Still, over two months remain before the two former champions meet. In that period, will White return to the issue and make his case again?

If not, once the AJ-Fury fight is over, will White and the team make a counter move, given that Eddie Hearn and Matchroom have considerable presence in the United States as well?

The post Dana White Appears Oblivious After BBBofC Officially Denies Him as Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury Promoter appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The former world No. 4 lost to France’s Kyrian Jacquet in straight sets, thus concluding his stint at the Kinoshita Group Arena in Tokyo. Instead of avoiding responsibility or citing physical difficulties, the Dane took full responsibility.

“First ATP tournament back after a long time away. Today I simply froze there,” he posted on his Instagram story. “I’m sorry to everyone who came to support me and everyone watching from home. Thank you for being with me and well played @kyrianjacquet.”

The contest was highly anticipated as a test of Rune’s physical condition after he had been away from the tour for an extended period due to injury. Yet Jacquet quickly took control during the very first exchange of the game. He ended with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 win in just 54 minutes. Rune failed to establish any rhythm on the court. His usual aggressive pace was completely suppressed, leading to four break points given away and no break-point opportunities created.

The form Rune showed at the Japan Open was the opposite of the brilliant competitive return he made at the Davis Cup. After being away for eleven months because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Dane returned in Hillerød where Denmark played Bulgaria in their World Group I match. Rather than showing a slow start usually expected after such a long recovery, he immediately asserted himself before a delighted home crowd.

An Unexpected Comeback on Home Soil

In his first match back, Holger Rune triumphed in a straight-sets win over Bulgaria’s Iliyan Radulov with 6-3, 6-3 scores. “It was a good game in a crazy atmosphere with a great team behind me,” the Denmark star stated after his first win. “It was fantastic to stand there again, a completely unique feeling. I’ve fought so hard for so long, so it was a mixture of pride and relief that now the first game was over well. The body feels good, and the game worked.”

This momentum was then carried over into the high-pressure second singles match against top-level opposition, Grigor Dimitrov. Here also, Rune stunned everyone with a dominant victory. The match was a hard-fought one and went to a tense third-set tiebreak, yet he maintained unmatched composure. In the third and deciding set, Rune won 7-6 against Dimitrov.

He won both the singles matches with great composure. This earned him widespread acclaim throughout the tennis world, as many described it as a world-class physical and mental revival. Thus, also heightened expectations for his upcoming ATP tour in Japan. Since such strong control and ability to make key shots had been demonstrated in those Davis Cup wins, the subsequent collapse in Tokyo came as a surprise. 

The clear difference between playing as a team in front of a supportive home crowd and facing the lone pressure of individual tournament play became painfully obvious. Tennis can be harsh sometimes, and match consistency cannot be fully regained overnight.

Although the loss represents a painful beginning to his return campaign, he has taken full responsibility for it. Rune has set a clear benchmark for everyone on the tennis circuit. While fans are currently upset with his recent performance, Rune does not seem to be far from returning to his top and consistent form in the upcoming tournaments.

The post “I Simply Froze”- Holger Rune Issues Public Apology After Losing First ATP Match Since Injury appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I will be honest today,” Alalshikh said. “I know that London wouldn’t give me the stadium until 2am, and I know that Dua Lipa will not perform in the stadium because she doesn’t like boxing, and maybe she doesn’t like me…”

When someone from the crowd interrupted, Alalshikh promptly added, “No, I think she has something with the Arab. And, you know, it is my blood. I cannot change it.”

Alalshikh’s comments suggest that Lipa was approached about performing at the event widely touted as the biggest fight in British boxing history. What could be inferred from his comments, though, is that the Riyadh Season head was disappointed.

Before Fury and AJ sat down for the press conference, the narrative largely centered on the bitter differences with Eddie Hearn over the venue and Dana White’s role in promoting the fight. Taking the opportunity to address the issues that had dominated headlines for weeks, Alalshikh explained that, deep in his heart, he has always loved the people of Britain, which he treats as his second home.

However, staging the fight in Great Britain now poses a risk of losing up to $70 million, he stated. As a compromise, likely to accommodate the timing for viewers in America, they had to settle for the venue in Wales, instead of Wembley Stadium, which had been discussed previously.

Alongside his frustration over not getting the fight staged in London, Alalshikh may have also taken a swipe at Lipa for her alleged refusal.

It appears some outlets, including the Daily Mail, reached out to the singer, who is yet to respond.

Alalshikh had expressed his desire for Lipa to perform at AJ vs. Fury months ago.

Riyadh Season has hosted music stars, while Dua Lipa has graced sporting events

“NO DUA LIPA, NO FURY VS AJ IN LONDON ,” read a post from iFL TV published in April. “Yes, you read that correctly. Turki Alalshikh has reportedly told Netflix that Fury vs. Joshua will ONLY take place in London if singer Dua Lipa performs at the fight Who knew that Turki Alalshikh was a big Dua Lipa fan, ey!”

Given that AJ versus Fury is a once-in-a-lifetime fight, especially one materializing after a decade-long history of failed discussions, Alalshikh and Riyadh Season likely want a singer of Dua Lipa’s stature to perform at the event.

Moreover, this aligns with how the team has previously staged their events, bringing in high-profile performers to showcase their talents and adding in the entertaining value.

One notable example is last year’s fight between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, which took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and featured rock band Tool’s guitarist Adam Jones and drummer Danny Carey performing. The year before, in August 2024, when Crawford made his light middleweight debut against Israil Madrimov on the Matchroom-Riyadh Season card in Los Angeles, rap icon Eminem performed two of his popular numbers.

Meanwhile, Lipa is no stranger to performing at sporting events.

Back in 2018, the singer, who is widely known across the globe for hits including “Levitating” and “Break My Heart,” performed at a soccer match between Real Madrid and Liverpool. The same year, she went to Singapore and brought the house down at F1 Grand Prix’s weekend entertainment event.

Beyond Alalshikh’s speculations and Lipa’s alleged stance, perhaps what matters most to the fans is that the fight is finally taking shape.

The fight may already be coming too late in their careers. Both AJ and Fury are past their prime. Win or lose, both former world champions are likely to be entering the final stretch of their careers, with perhaps only one or two fights left.

From that perspective, most fans would rather focus on the fight and the card than on secondary distractions, such as who would be entertaining them on the night.

The post Billionaire Turki Alalshikh Suggests Dua Lipa May Have Issue With Arabs After She Declined His Offer appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Yet while sports science and recovery techniques have advanced, players are retiring five to ten years earlier than their predecessors. The present form of tennis is requiring more and more from the body while offering ever less in the way of recovery, forcing even young stars to reconsider their long-term futures.

The primary crisis breaking across professional tennis is a grinding calendar that now forces an endless cycle of physical damage. Today’s players cannot sustain careers into their late thirties as Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic once did because the tour leaves virtually zero time to heal. With the season spanning 11 months and mandatory events stacking up, players face constant muscle tears, joint injuries, and stress fractures that accumulate until the body eventually breaks.

The Tiring Calendar and Rushed Recovery

The tennis season now lasts for eleven months, running from early January until late November. The ATP and WTA now run two-week tournaments with 96-player draws, keeping players on site longer, disrupting training, and accumulating fatigue.

The constant travel across continents and time zones has a negative effect on their readiness. Carlos Alcaraz stated this clearly when he said that the schedule is “going to kill us”. He added that including mandatory events on a calendar that is already full only serves to increase injuries.

This relentless schedule creates an endless cycle of damage. The players suffer repeated injuries, including muscle tears, joint injuries, and stress fractures. If the athletes do not have a break lasting more than three or four weeks, the minor injuries won’t heal; they accumulate until the body eventually breaks.

The Brutal Hard Court Monopoly

Hard courts dominate both ATP and WTA tours today. They are harsh on the body unlike clay, which enables sliding and reduces impact, or grass, which exerts less force.

Because hard courts are cheaper to maintain, they dominate the tour schedule, despite their severe injury toll. Hard courts are both rigid and have a high coefficient of friction. Because players have to slide on them, this results in sudden stops that damage cartilage and place strain on ligaments. Studies in biomechanics have found that these surfaces raise the risk of injury to the knee, hip, ankle, and back.

The sliding motion, which was made popular by baseliners, results in violent stops. Such stops cause damage to the joints and to the connective tissue. Since the tour does not alter the surface composition, the athletes will continue to damage their bodies just in order to play.

The Pressure of Mandates and Financial Profit

Players don’t choose to play injured, but the rules force them to. Both the ATP and the WTA mandate that players take part in various events, including the Grand Slams, the Masters 1000s, and top-level tournaments.

If a player fails to take part in these events, then they receive no prize money. Moreover, they earn no ranking points, which in turn lowers their standing. Top players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have already been victims of these rigid rules.

Lower-ranked players suffer even greater pressure. A player who is not in the top 50 cannot afford to miss any matches. In tennis, players are independent contractors, meaning no week of play brings in guaranteed income. Therefore, when injured, they play through the pain. The desire to keep their points and maintain their rankings takes precedence over safety. As a result, players are driven into routines that are harmful to their bodies.

Early Burnout and Accelerated Attrition

Currently, young players are at risk of injury earlier than in the past. The use of modern rackets, polyester strings, and the need for powerful play results in fast shots and strong rotational forces. Teenagers entering the game have to cope with the same level of physical demand as adults.

Consequently, young athletes end their careers due to injuries that occur before their bodies have fully matured, retiring earlier than previous generations. Ashleigh Barty retired at twenty-five due to the overwhelming travel and emotional pressure, while Garbiñe Muguruza retired early due to chronic pain and burnout. Former world number one Andy Roddick claimed that the current power game and the heavy use of hard courts make it impossible to have a prime period lasting fifteen years. Long careers are now rare rather than the norm.

Schedule Adaptation and Early Season Ends

The top players are now taking steps to look after their bodies. A number of them are ending their seasons prematurely. Those who play into November take time off to recover, omitting late-season tournaments and giving up ranking points in return for health.

Alcaraz has stated that players should take breaks and miss out on tournaments since it is not feasible to compete continuously throughout the year. Djokovic has proven this approach works by concentrating mainly on the Grand Slams and avoiding other events, enabling him to remain competitive longer than other players. However, this strategy can only be adopted by those with financial security. Players with lower rankings cannot afford to skip tournaments without risking their spots at Grand Slams.

Rebuilding a Future for Professional Tennis

The authorities have to acknowledge that the present system is causing athletes to suffer. If athletic careers are to be maintained for ten to fifteen years, then real reform is necessary, not just minor adjustments.

The ATP, WTA, and Grand Slam authorities have to agree on a season break that lasts at least eight weeks. Two-week Masters tournaments should be shortened, and players should be given greater control over their own schedules. The tours must cease penalising players who take a rest; zero-point rules penalise recovery and are inherently unfair.

Failing to adjust the calendar and the rules, tennis will continue to shorten the careers of its top players. While tournaments make a profit, they do so by exhausting their athletes. If the tours do not take steps to protect player health, early retirements and shorter seasons will become the norm, making the sport less sustainable for everybody.

The post The Longevity Problem in Modern Tennis appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Saunders attended the recent hearing at Warwick Crown Court in England alongside five other defendants, where Judge Thomas Rochford suspended his sentence for 18 months. 

‘You were a boxer of some skill and repute at the Olympics and as a professional,” the Judge said as per the Daily Mail. “You were involved in this (brawl) at a more serious level than three of those with you today (in the dock), as you used a bottle and were considerably involved in this offence, but I bear in mind you did not dive in at the outset; you got involved a little later.’   

The judge acknowledged that Saunders was heavily involved in the brawl. However, the court also recognized that the former boxer did not join when the fight first broke out. He only entered once the melee flared up again, which mattered to the judge in deciding the verdict.

Plus, Saunders, alongside the other defendants, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, which typically allows the court to reduce the severity of a sentence for maintaining cooperation. Still, the former boxer’s 18-month suspended sentence means Saunders escaped prison time for now.

In addition to the 18-month suspension of his sentence, the court fined Saunders £1,000 (roughly $1,300) plus £1,000 in court costs. Plus, the court ordered Saunders to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work to remain free. Any violation of these legal instructions could definitely jeopardize the leniency he has received.   

According to reports, Billy Joe Saunders embroiled himself in the infamous melee at Poppy’s Club in Bulkington, Warwickshire, on November 27, 2021, while attending the baby shower of close friend Audie Knowles’ wife. Interestingly, the other eight people involved in the brawl had also been invited to the celebration party. 

However, they reportedly engaged in a prior altercation earlier in the evening before the brawl erupted at midnight, in which the boxer also participated. 

The prosecution stated during the court appearance that Saunders emptied a beer bottle and tried to attack people who were already engaged in the brawl. In fact, the CCTV footage presented at the hearing reportedly showed the former champion wrestling with a man and attempting to strike him with the broken beer bottle. Saunders was drunk and also hurled slurs at Irish people. 

Despite Billy Joe Saunders grabbing headlines because of the 2021 brawl, he has a history of controversy, most notably his derogatory remarks about women. Also, in 2020, the BBBoFC charged him after an explicit social media post.

The ongoing reports also implied that his barrister pointed out that Saunders’ first professional loss had a damaging influence on him, which resulted in the brawl.  

Billy Joe Saunders’ barrister cites Canelo Alvarez loss for his involvement in 2021 brawl

The British boxing star’s barrister, Sebastian Gardiner, presented the circumstances that led to his involvement in the brawl. According to Gardiner, Saunders’ first professional loss, an eighth-round TKO defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2021, pushed him toward poor decisions, including engaging in a brawl.

“He got to a very high level with lots of attention and expectation on him,” Saunders’ legal representative said. “His world came tumbling down in May that year when he was defeated. It was a fight which led to a fractured eye socket and which, in effect, ended his career. He’s a finely tuned athlete; his whole world revolved around being a boxer.

“He had put on a huge amount of weight between May and November as he was drinking a lot and had come off the rails. He was devastated to see himself behave like that. It acted as a catalyst for him to recognise that he had behaved inappropriately and that he was mismanaging his life.”

For a renowned boxer like Saunders, his first career loss against Alvarez five years ago shattered him mentally. He proceeded to retire from the sport after that defeat, which shows he was devastated.

Regardless, with the court showing some leniency, Billy Joe Saunders could hopefully turn his life around positively and find some solace amid these difficult times. 

The post Billy Joe Saunders Avoids Jail Time as Judge Orders 18-Month Suspension for Infamous Baby Shower Brawl appeared first on EssentiallySports.

That absence is a little more interesting than it sounds. Dana White has been caught in an increasingly public back-and-forth over his involvement in the fight, with Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn previously making it pretty clear that he didn’t want the UFC CEO involved in promoting Joshua’s matchup.

Now, White has explained why he won’t be at the launch press conference in London. And apparently, it’s not because of Hearn.

“I would have been there if I didn’t have The Contender series,” he said at the Contender Series press conference.

Dana White’s explanation comes after days of uncertainty over just how much of a role he’d actually have in the Joshua-Fury blockbuster.

Eddie Hearn had even threatened to skip the press conference if the situation surrounding the UFC boss wasn’t sorted out. Then Netflix dropped its announcement and made things even more interesting by including White alongside the Ring.

At the heart of all this is Dana White’s involvement with Zuffa Boxing, the project he’s working on with Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh.

There has been some debate over whether White is actually serving as a promoter of the Joshua-Fury fight or simply helping Alalshikh behind the scenes. On Zuffa Boxing’s recent show, commentator Max Kellerman suggested the latter.

“He’s purely assisting Turki Alalshikh, who has been the engine behind about every big fight in boxing over the last handful of years,” he said.

Kellerman suggested White was merely assisting Alalshikh, but the UFC boss has repeatedly insisted that he is a promoter and has continued to stand by that position throughout the saga.

Meanwhile, Hearn has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t want one of Joshua’s biggest promotional rivals anywhere near the fight.

“I’ve said to Netflix, and we’ve got a lot of stuff to still sort around the fight, the preferences of who gets what,” Hearn said during an interview with iFL TV. “We’re supposed to do a press conference next week.

“I’m not sure whether that’ll happen or not, to be honest with you, because there are a few things that need ironing out. And (White’s involvement) is still one of them.”

And when the Netflix announcement dropped with Dana White’s name included, Hearn clearly wasn’t thrilled. He joked that the Zuffa boss had basically forced his way into the announcement after trying to bring the fight to the United States.

“When I saw the press release, I couldn’t stop p—— myself because it was like, ‘You really got them to include your name in the press release. You’ve lost, mate. You did everything you could to bring the fight to America to rob the British fans,'” he said.

Things got even spicier when Turki Alalshikh posted a photo of himself FaceTiming Dana White, while Netflix also tagged the UFC boss in its announcement. But after all that back-and-forth, the UFC boss isn’t acting like there’s any confusion whatsoever about his role in the fight.

Dana White hits back at confusion over his Fury-Joshua role

Dana White didn’t just explain why he’ll miss the press conference; he also pushed back hard on the idea that there’s any confusion about his role in the Joshua-Fury blockbuster. According to the UFC CEO, there isn’t even a debate.

“There’s no confusion whatsoever,” White said. The UFC boss has maintained that he is officially involved in promoting the fight, rejecting the suggestion that he is merely assisting Turki Alalshikh in a personal capacity.

“If you look at everything from the network to the guy who’s actually f—— paying for it, and to me saying what I’ve said,” he continued. “I mean, I’ve been saying it now, feels like for f—— years, but it’s probably been weeks, but I’ve been saying the same thing.”

“Everything that I’ve been saying is the truth,” he added. “And why would I say it and double down, and triple down, and f—— quadruple down if it wasn’t the case?

“This isn’t a hesitation; this is an ego thing; a total ego thing.”

Dana White then zoomed out from the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury drama and took a shot at the bigger picture. The UFC CEO argued that boxing simply isn’t as big in the United States as it was 20 years ago.

In his view, the sport has become increasingly tied to Britain, which he believes is a major reason his involvement has triggered so much backlash.

“Boxing has taken a hit in the United States,” White said. “It’s not as big as it was here 20 years ago. It has become a very British sport, and all the s—you’re hearing, and the crying, and the b—— is all coming from the UK.”

For now, though, Dana White won’t be anywhere near the stage when Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally kick off the last leg of their promotional run. Joshua is expected to be joined by Hearn, while ‘The Gypsy King’ will have Frank Warren and Spencer Brown by his side.

The fight is set for December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with around 75,000 fans expected to pack the venue for a matchup that has taken years of failed negotiations, delays, and false starts to finally become a reality.

And while Dana White might be missing the launch press conference because of his Contender Series commitments, that hasn’t stopped his role in the blockbuster from becoming one of the biggest storylines surrounding Joshua vs. Fury.

The post Dana White Reveals Why He Won’t Be at Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury Press Conference appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The demands of the modern tennis calendar are immense. Players are constantly weighing two choices: push through the physical aches and mental fatigue for a handful of extra ranking points, or step away, recover and start preparing for another long season. Increasingly, several top names are choosing the latter.

But what is really driving players to bring their 2026 seasons to an early end?

The Cases of Early Departure: Which Players Have Left and Why

Amanda Anisimova has decided to call time on her 2026 season following the US Open. The American has been dealing with a wrist injury that kept her sidelined during the spring swing. As a result, she has now withdrawn from the upcoming Asian swing, including tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan. In the message she wrote, “I will be wrapping up my season for the year. I sustained a wrist injury again, that I need to take care of. Time to get healthy, reset, and see you all in 2027”

Ajla Tomljanovic, the 33-year-old Croatian-Australian, also called her season off after Wimbledon. She had been suffering from several injuries, the last of which was a problem with her left foot during the European summer. She said, “It has been a tough year battling minor injuries, so I’ve decided to end my season earlier than planned to be healthy and ready for 2027.”

Moreover, the 24-year-old American Hailey Baptiste experienced one of the most painful finishes to a successful year. She achieved a career ranking of No. 25 after reaching the semifinals at the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid. However, during the second round of Roland Garros, she suffered a serious injury to her left knee and was forced to leave the court using a wheelchair. Taking to her Instagram, she confessed, “The most heartbreaking end to the best season of my life. Still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. In my head, all I can think is why, why, and why. Why me? Why now? And why like this? It’s hard to see any purpose in something like this right now, but in my heart, I truly believe everything happens for a reason.”

On the ATP side, Jack Draper has officially ended his 2026 season after suffering from multiple issues. “Don’t usually love lots of words on here but I wanted to update you that I am aiming to return to the tour at the start of 2027,” he wrote. These included issues with his arm and shoulder, as well as a bone bruise on the arm. After that, he was unable to participate in the US Open or the Asian Tour. 

“Tennis is my purpose and passion and so when I step back on court I want to make sure that there’s nothing holding me back from where I want to go and achieve the things I know I’m capable of. I really appreciate all the continued support from my sponsors, team and people who enjoy following my tennis and I look forward to being back on court to give it my all next year!” Draper stated.  

Unsolved Modern-Day Scheduling Issue

Professional tennis has one of the most demanding schedules of all sports. It lasts from January through November, with no actual break. That means 11 months of travel and matches, leaving little time for the body to recover. What begins as muscle damage can develop into serious injuries.

The damage to the body is even greater due to changes in the environment. The players travel from continent to continent and often play in extremely hot climates. They have to play on different types of surfaces: the bouncy hard courts in Australia, indoor courts, slippery red clay in Europe, fast grass at Wimbledon, and harsh concrete. Moreover, switching between court surfaces each week has caused an increase in injuries to the wrist, knees, and shoulders.

Besides, players have to take part in tournaments such as the two-week Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events. If they decide to skip them, they will suffer large ranking penalties. After the US Open in September, their bodies endure thousands of stops and sudden changes of direction. For many players, progressing to the swing and indoor European tournaments is simply too much.

A New Strategy for Next Season?

Previously, players were commended for enduring pain to keep every ranking point. However, this attitude has changed now. Athletes consider the damage and see their careers as things to be managed, not just as survival situations. Earning a few points by reaching a quarterfinal at a 500-level event in October might be possible, but if it involves tearing a tendon and means missing the Australian Open in January. Therefore, the risk outweighs the reward.

By withdrawing in September or early October, the players keep their ranking points and avoid injuries that could damage their next several years. They are not prepared to give up their prime years to earn a few weeks of late-season money.

Extending The Offseason

The off-season in tennis lasts only about three weeks in December and is a hurried period during which players have to rehabilitate, rebuild their fitness, correct their technique and travel in order to prepare for the following season. Those players who stop early enjoy a full four weeks’ complete rest, which allows micro-tears and nervous system fatigue to heal naturally without the need for cortisone injections.

They then have two months in which to build up their strength and correct the imbalances that had developed as a result of eight months of one-sided movements, and the coaches also have the opportunity to work on their serves, grips and returns without the pressure of having to play in a match.

The players who chose to shut down usually turn up at the Australian Open in stronger, faster and more prepared condition than those who had carried on with the indoor European tour.

Even Top Players Are Breaking Their Silence

The players aren’t remaining silent regarding the hard work. Several of the top players are making their opinions known. At the Laver Cup in Berlin, Carlos Alcaraz stated that the ATP schedule is “going to kill us”. He acknowledged that he had run out of energy following his exit at the US Open. Right now, a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that,” claimed Alcaraz. He highlighted that the constant timetable makes it difficult to even want to play.

Iga Swiatek also criticized the system at the Cincinnati Open. She described the tennis schedule as “probably the toughest in sports”, pointing out that in other sports athletes have four to six months off. Unfortunately, in tennis, players are required to take part in tournaments all year. “It’s just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule,” the former world number one revealed. “Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory.” Swiatek also revealed how the WTA’s strict rules drive players to exhaustion just to maintain their rankings.

The stars are reaching their limit. If players decide to retire early, even at the cost of losing hundreds of thousands in prize money and missing out on major tournaments, this indicates that the sport’s schedule is not in harmony with what the athletes can cope with. The fact that a season is ending in the summer or early fall is no longer a sign of weakness; it is a step taken in order to protect one’s career.

When players choose to stop playing, they are taking back the amount of recovery time that the calendar provides. This sends the message that if tennis doesn’t reduce its schedule, the athletes will continue to make their own decisions. The genuine off-season won’t begin until the tour allows players to rest.

The post The Tennis Season Isn’t Over — But Players Are Already Calling It a Year appeared first on EssentiallySports.

But the bout could be dealing with something more serious than a venue issue. The concerns surround the anti-doping testing. Against the backdrop of the WBC’s “Clean-Boxing Program,” new reports have raised questions about the status of testing for the Canelo-Mbilli fight, with one of the stakeholders, Saudi Entertainment company SELA, yet to fund the process.

“The Nevada-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association has not received payment to test either the four-division champion Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), or Canada’s Mbilli, 29-0-1 (24 KOs), before their planned October 31 bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” a detailed report from BoxingScene‘s Lance Pugmire revealed.

An official familiar with the matter seemingly provided the information.

When asked about the issue, Richard Schaefer, who advises Canelo, suggested there had been movement on the matter. “That’s a Sela question. Canelo’s ready, willing, and able to test … and my understanding is Sela’s in touch with [VADA],” he told BoxingScene.

The concerns largely stem from the fact that it’s a critical fight that could set the tone for Canelo’s future as he enters the final stretch of his career. It is equally important to his partnership with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season as they look forward to yet another mega-showdown with the Mexican star.

Beyond those personal stakes, the WBC’s own “Clean-Boxing Program,” lays out the requirements for fighters subject to the program.

“It is mandatory to enroll for the world champion and the first 15 male classified fighters of each division and for the champions and first 5 ranked fighters in women’s boxing; however, yet any boxer can voluntarily enroll in the program,” one of the provisions outlined in the WBC-VADA program reads.

Given that requirement, since Mbilli holds the WBC’s super middleweight championship and Canelo is the No. 1 ranked contender, it becomes important for both fighters to go through the stipulated testing requirement that aligns with the program well in time.

At a personal level, the issue could raise questions given Canelo’s past doping controversy.

Canelo Alvarez’s doping past adds another layer to the story

While Mbilli has yet to be involved in any doping-related issue, the Mexican star found himself embroiled in a controversy back in 2018 after reportedly testing positive for clenbuterol.

As a result, he faced suspension, and his rematch with Gennady Golovkin was delayed. Canelo later attributed the result to contaminated meat and has since participated regularly in VADA testing.

According to the BoxingScene report, an official familiar with the situation revealed Monday that VADA has “not been contacted for this bout as yet,” which conflicts with what Schaefer said.

The advisor, however, maintained, “Everybody is going to be drug-tested, Canelo is training hard, and the fight is going to happen. Everything is fine. It’s going to be an unbelievable fight.”

Schaefer also stated that Canelo has submitted his whereabouts information.

The concerns also stem from the fact that, as BoxingScene reported, specialists have previously indicated that comprehensive VADA programs ideally begin well ahead of the fight. Given the current situation with Canelo-Mbilli, that raises questions about how extensive testing can now be arranged.

In that context, the event could still proceed, potentially with testing handled partly by Saudi authorities.

The fight is already facing uncertainty over the venue. Schaefer dismissed reports of a possible relocation following drone attacks. Meanwhile, SELA and Turki Alalshikh have yet to officially unveil the full card.

A closer look reveals, besides the Canelo-Mbilli fight, the event could feature two additional title fights: Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov for the vacant IBF light welterweight title and between Rafael Espinoza and Lorenzo Parra for the Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title.

The uncertainty surrounding Canelo-Mbilli comes at a time when the boxing world is already dealing with the fallout from the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury situation, adding another potential controversy to the sport’s current landscape.

It’s been over 12 months since Crawford took away all four belts at 168 pounds from Canelo. In that regard, this could be among the final fights of the Mexican legend’s career, who turned 36 this past July.

At no stage would he want to find himself entangled in an unwarranted controversy as he puts the final touches on his legacy.

The post SELA Yet to Fund VADA Testing for Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli appeared first on EssentiallySports.