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Pros react to UFC hosting events during coronavirus outbreak

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has decided to keep things rolling despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and it all starts with UFC Fight Night 170 later tonight (Sat., Mar. 14, 2020) live on ESPN+ from inside Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil.

As major sports organizations such as NBA, MLB, and NHL shut down in effort to limit the exposure its fans and players have to the coronavirus, UFC will close its doors to the public and allow its athletes to compete. The promotion’s decision to keep hosting events amidst the worldwide coronavirus panic does raise some eyebrows but it always gives sports fans something to enjoy during this difficult time.

For the most part, UFC fighters are supporting the promotion in its quest to keep hosting events and working with commissions to make sure all athletes are evaluated properly before stepping inside of the cage. At the end of the day, MMA fighters are not like other professional athletes and do need to compete in order to make money for their families.

Look below to see what UFC fighters are saying about the promotion’s decision to keep the business going:

“Maybe I’m not the right person to ask but I’m happy ufc is finding ways to keep the fights going. Fighters fight and we need a way to feed our family. As long as health is in concern and we are safe to compete I’m all in. Hope we scoop up sum new fans being the only show in town,” wrote former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

They closing all these professionals events for the safety of the the fans and the players who already have a set salary. But if the @ufc was to cancel there events the Athletes would NOT get paid a single dime. We only get paid to perform. Let them fight!” wrote light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson.

“I’m happy the @ufc is letting the show go on this is our passion and livelihood. This is already one of the most dangerous sports out there the fighters know the risk and we still fight . This is just one more risk added to the 100 other ones,Show must go on @danawhite,” wrote welterweight veteran Belal Muhammad.

“1000000% when we sign that contract we’re willing to die in there. Thank you @ufc @danawhite for finding a way to keep the business running despite the pandemic going on in this world. We are a different breed of athletes,” wrote rising featherweight prospect Dan Ige.

“BREAKING NEWS: Fighters like fighting! Also at the top of the hour pigs do not in fact fly,” wrote middleweight contender Gerald Meerschaert.

“Doesn’t matter where the fight is at, we’re still going to perform and put on the fun for the fans stuck at home. Happy that the @ufc found a way to make this happen at the UFC Apex. One of the most state of the art facilities in sports. Let’s go,” wrote former heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou.

“I’m good with fighting in an empty arena. Let’s not panic too crazy, let us fight, entertain the people stuck at home,” wrote lightweight veteran Kevin Lee, who fights this weekend at UFC Brasilia.

“Perform all canceled fight cards in the TUF cage with no audience. Won’t cost a penny and everyone will still watch on tv. Boom,” wrote women’s strawweight contender Angela Hill.

One fighter not interested in talking about fighting is current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who is spending his time thinking about ways to help families in the surrounding Albuquerque area:

UFC Brasilia will go down behind closed doors later tonight and be one of the only sports events taking place in the world this weekend. It will be headlined by a lightweight showdown between perennial contenders Kevin Lee and Charles Oliveira.

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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