Injuries news — SportsCatch

McGregor's UFC 329 knee injury may be less severe than first feared, doctor says

Sports medicine physician Brian Sutterer has offered cautious optimism over Conor McGregor's knee injury sustained at UFC 329, noting the absence of a brace and his range of motion suggest it may not be a high-grade ligament tear.

MMA Jul 16

McGregor demands no contest after knee injury ends UFC 329 return in 69 seconds

Conor McGregor is pushing to have his stoppage loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329 overturned to a no contest, claiming a knee injury sustained on his first kick rendered the fight invalid. The former double champion also wants all bets on the bout refunded.

MMA Jul 16

Waddle questions Van Dijk's place in Liverpool's starting XI under Iraola

Chris Waddle has urged Liverpool to address what he calls the "real issue" at the heart of their defence, questioning whether captain Virgil van Dijk will feature regularly under new head coach Andoni Iraola after the Reds conceded 53 Premier League goals last season.

Football Jul 16

Guskov reveals Blachowicz and Costa turned down Ankalaev before he stepped up in 30 seconds

Bogdan Guskov accepted a short-notice main event against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi within 30 seconds, after both Jan Blachowicz and Paulo Costa declined the fight on 14 days' notice.

MMA Jul 16

Kuruvoli handed four-game ban for kicking Genge in Fiji's 73-8 rout by England

Fijian halfback Simione Kuruvoli has been suspended for four games after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of physical abuse for kicking Ellis Genge during Fiji's 73-8 defeat to England, with his eight-game entry-point ban halved after he accepted guilt and showed remorse.

Rugby Jul 16

Reece James limps off as Argentina end England's World Cup hopes in semi-final

England's World Cup campaign is over after Argentina came from behind to win 2-1 in the semi-final, with Anthony Gordon's opener cancelled out by Enzo Fernandez and a late Lautaro Martinez winner. Reece James added to England's misery by going off injured in the 80th minute.

Football Jul 15

Quansah suspended for Argentina semi-final as England's other yellow-card risks escape caution

Jarell Quansah remains the only England player banned for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina after Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly all avoided bookings against Norway. Yellow card tallies were reset after the quarter-finals, meaning only a red card in the semi-final can trigger a final suspension.

Football Jul 15

Djed Spence plays through broken jaw at World Cup with custom carbon-fibre mask

Tottenham full-back Djed Spence has been wearing a custom-fitted carbon-fibre mask throughout England's World Cup campaign while recovering from a jaw fracture sustained in May. The 25-year-old is expected to feature in Wednesday's semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.

Football Jul 15

Record-breaking referee Barrett-Theron steps away from rugby after breast cancer diagnosis

Aimee Barrett-Theron, the most-capped female Test referee in rugby history with 52 internationals, has stepped away from officiating with immediate effect after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The 39-year-old South African says her condition is treatable and she aims to return to the field within months.

Rugby Jul 15

Coroner rules repeated heading caused Nobby Stiles' fatal brain condition

A coroner has ruled that repeatedly heading a football contributed to the death of 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, after expert testimony confirmed the England and Manchester United midfielder developed CTE from an estimated 140,000 headers during his career.

Football Jul 15

Gary Mabbutt hospitalised in South Africa with serious blood clot after accident

Former England and Tottenham defender Gary Mabbutt has been hospitalised in South Africa following a serious accident, with a blood clot in his calf leaving him unable to fly home until at least 24th, according to ex-teammate Micky Hazard.

Football Jul 15

Ben Askren returns to wrestling just one year after life-saving double-lung transplant

Ben Askren will compete in a wrestling match at RAF 11 against Belal Muhammad, barely a year after a near-death experience left him comatose and requiring a double-lung transplant. The former UFC fighter and Olympian says the ordeal now feels like 'a bad dream'.

MMA Jul 15

McGregor injures knee at UFC 329 as Chandler emerges as favourite for his next fight

Conor McGregor's long-awaited UFC comeback ended on the first kick of his rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329, when a knee injury forced a stoppage and handed Holloway the win. Michael Chandler is now the 2/1 betting favourite to face McGregor in what would be the final bout of his current UFC contract.

MMA Jul 15

Injury-free Maya Stewart headlines Waratahs side for Super Rugby Women's semi-final

Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart returns from an ankle injury to start for the NSW Waratahs against the Western Force in Saturday's Super Rugby Women's semi-final at Perth's HBF Park, joined by Australia Sevens playmaker Tia Hinds on debut at scrum-half.

Rugby Jul 15

Rice fit to start as England face Argentina in Atlanta semi-final amid storm fears

Declan Rice has been cleared to start England's World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium after recovering from illness. Storm warnings, fan-clash concerns, and a FIFA rule breach over the final's half-time show are among the key storylines surrounding the tournament.

Football Jul 15

Ibrahimović hails Rodri's World Cup comeback after ACL nightmare: 'He puts out fires'

Zlatan Ibrahimović has praised Spain midfielder Rodri for his remarkable return from a serious ACL injury, calling him an underappreciated force who won the Ballon d'Or from a position that rarely earns such recognition.

Football Jul 15

Saliba faces race to recover as Rice and James nurse World Cup injury concerns

France defender William Saliba was forced off injured in the semi-final defeat to Spain, while England continue to manage Declan Rice's illness and Reece James's return from a hamstring problem at the 2026 World Cup.

Football Jul 14

Tuchel confirms Rice ready to start England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina after illness

Declan Rice trained with England on Tuesday and Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the Arsenal midfielder is fit to start Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta, having spent three days bedbound before the quarter-final win over Norway.

Football Jul 14

McGregor to host BKFC's World's Baddest Man bare-knuckle tournament series in 2027

Conor McGregor, sidelined by knee surgery, will host World's Baddest Man — a new BKFC documentary competition series featuring a global bracket-style bare-knuckle tournament — set to premiere in summer 2027.

MMA Jul 14

Donaldson nears Italy return as Wallabies seek to end six-game losing streak

Ben Donaldson resumed training on Monday and is hopeful of starting at HBF Park on Saturday against Italy — Joe Schmidt's final match in charge of Australia.

Rugby Jul 14