分类： sports

Dubai’s Global Village is poised to become an unexpected hub for combat sports enthusiasts as it prepares to host an exclusive Professional Fighters League (PFL) open workout event on February 4, 2026. This landmark occasion marks the first time the renowned family destination will showcase world-class mixed martial artists in preparation for the upcoming PFL Championship at Coca-Cola Arena on February 7.

The event will feature elite fighters including undefeated phenom Usman Nurmagomedov, British standout Alfie Davis, and rising stars Ramazan Kuramagomedov and Shamil Musaev. Attendees will witness live training demonstrations featuring light grappling sessions and pad work under the guidance of veteran commentator Dan Hardy, who will host the MC-led program on the main stage commencing at 6:15 PM.

This innovative crossover event bridges the gap between elite athletic competition and public accessibility, offering fans unprecedented proximity to combat sports superstars. Global Village continues its 30th season offering with 30 international pavilions representing over 90 cultures, complemented by 3,500 retail outlets and 250 dining establishments alongside 200 amusement rides at Carnaval.

Admission remains affordable with weekday tickets priced at Dh25 (Sunday-Thursday, excluding holidays) and general admission at Dh30. The venue maintains its policy of complimentary entry for children under three, seniors above 65, and people of determination.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has broken his silence following the tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close members of his team. The 36-year-old British boxer released a deeply personal six-minute video titled ‘My Brothers Keeper For Life’ on his social media channels, addressing the December 29th incident that resulted in the deaths of his strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

The collision occurred near Lagos when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his companions struck a stationary truck on a major roadway. While Joshua sustained only minor injuries and was photographed being assisted from the wreckage, both Ghami and Ayodele were pronounced dead at the scene.

In his emotional address, Joshua expressed profound gratitude to supporters worldwide who had shown ‘so much love, support through that tragic, traumatic time.’ He described the unique bond shared with his departed friends, revealing they had become business partners, hustlers, and essentially family. ‘We became lieutenants. We became generals. We became everything,’ Joshua reflected, emphasizing how the trio had been living together and building their lives collectively.

The legal proceedings have advanced with 46-year-old chauffeur Adeniyi Kayode appearing in Nigerian court facing four charges, including causing death by dangerous driving.

Joshua acknowledged the devastating impact on the families and communities of both men, stating ‘Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about.’ He made a solemn commitment to support Ghami and Ayodele’s families in achieving their goals and fulfilling their dreams, expressing certainty that their parents would be ‘100% proud of them.’

While Joshua’s boxing future remains uncertain, he has returned to training, recently posting Snapchat footage of himself working out with the caption ‘mental strength therapy.’ Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated confidence that Joshua will return to the ring ‘when the time is right,’ though the fighter himself has not confirmed any plans regarding his professional comeback.

In a tense Johannesburg showdown on January 29, 2026, England’s Netball Roses suffered a narrow 52-48 defeat against South Africa in the opening match of their three-game international series. The contest served as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The match began promisingly for England as they established an early 6-3 advantage. However, South Africa demonstrated remarkable resilience, steadily overturning the deficit to claim a 16-12 lead. The host nation continued to build momentum, entering halftime with a 29-25 advantage.

England displayed significant determination after the break, mounting an impressive comeback that saw them briefly take a 39-38 lead during the final quarter. Despite this resurgence, South Africa capitalized on critical unforced errors from the Roses, ultimately securing their victory before a jubilant home crowd.

Team captain Fran Williams acknowledged England’s performance shortcomings, stating: ‘Our start lacked intensity, particularly in offensive execution and ball reception. The South African defense consistently punished these technical deficiencies.’ Williams nevertheless praised her team’s second-half tenacity, emphasizing her pride in their persistent fighting spirit and calling for a strong response in the upcoming weekend double-header.

With both nations ranked closely internationally—England fourth and South Africa fifth worldwide—the series represents vital competitive preparation. The teams share a Commonwealth Games pool alongside four other nations, adding strategic importance to these encounters.

The squads will reconvene for their second match on Saturday at 15:00 GMT, followed by the series finale on Sunday at 14:00, providing both coaches valuable opportunities to refine tactics and roster selections ahead of the Glasgow competition.

In a stunning conclusion to the Champions League group stage, Real Madrid’s campaign unraveled dramatically with a 4-2 defeat against Benfica in Lisbon, denying them automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. Despite taking an early lead through Kylian Mbappé, the Spanish giants collapsed in the closing moments as José Mourinho’s Benfica staged a remarkable comeback.

The match reached its climax in the 98th minute when Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an unprecedented header, securing his team’s fourth goal and propelling the Portuguese side into the playoffs on goal difference. Real’s disastrous evening was compounded by two stoppage-time red cards shown to Raul Asencio and Rodrygo.

Meanwhile, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain also dropped out of the top eight after being held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United at home. Both teams now face the uncertainty of the playoff round despite beginning the final matchday in automatic qualification positions.

Liverpool concluded their group campaign emphatically with a 6-0 demolition of Qarabag, featuring braces from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah. Barcelona orchestrated a impressive recovery from ninth position, overcoming Copenhagen 4-1 with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford.

Manchester City secured their progression with a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray, climbing from eleventh to eighth position. Arsenal achieved historic distinction by becoming the first club to complete the new 36-team group format with a perfect record, defeating Kairat Almaty 3-2.

The expanded Champions League format maintained suspense until the final seconds of the eighth round, with only four clubs definitively eliminated before the last matchday. The playoffs will feature prominent clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus, and Inter Milan, who must navigate two-legged ties to reach the last sixteen.