Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov faced off for the first time in a fiery UFC 229 press conference in New York last night. After two years of inactivity, since becoming a two division champion, McGregor was asked what has brought him back to the UFC octagon: "I came back for the love of this, to come and shut this man up — a little rat, a little weasel, a little hard man in groups."
Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic got off to winning starts in their Europa League campaigns while Rangers grabbed an impressive draw at Villarreal. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as the Gunners beat Ukrainian side Vorskla 4-2 at Emirates Stadium. A solitary goal from Willian gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over PAOK Salonika. The Brazilian winger tucked in a pass from Ross Barkley after seven minutes but despite dominating, the Blues could not find the net again. Celtic left it late to beat Rosenborg at Parkhead, Leigh Griffiths nodding the winner in the 87th minute. Steven Gerrard's Rangers twice came from behind to draw 2-2 away at Villarreal.
Shane Lowry is one shot off Australian Lucas Herbert's lead in the Portugal Masters after a promising first round of 64 in Vilamoura, while Sergio Garcia warmed up for next week's Ryder Cup with an opening 66. In Atlanta, Tiger Woods shot a five-under 65 for a share of the lead on the opening day of the Tour Championship. Rory McIlroy's 67 included seven birdies, and he proved he is a serious threat if his errors are minimised.
With one year to go before the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Gavin Cummiskey has been looking at who's going to rise or fall in the east? "Right here, right now, Conor Murray is injured and while John Cooney's career has come alive in Ulster, Ireland will not capture the Webb Ellis trophy without the Munster scrumhalf."
Meanwhile Wada officially announced on Thursday afternoon after a meeting of its executive committee in the Seychelles, that Russia will be free to test its own athletes again and issue therapeutic use exemption certificates. This was despite pleas from the rest of the anti-doping community that such a decision would be unwise and premature. Sport Ireland chief executive John Treacy has said the decision calls "the credibility of Wada and all it stands for into question."
