Press conference news — SportsCatch

Nicksick downplays Strickland-Kape social media feud as title fight looms for flyweight

Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick has dismissed the backstage incident with manager Ali Abdelaziz at UFC Vegas 119 as a minor disagreement, while acknowledging he needs to do more to smooth tensions between teammates Sean Strickland and Manel Kape.

MMA Jul 10

Konsa backs himself to silence Haaland as England face Norway in World Cup quarter-final

Ezri Konsa has expressed full confidence in his ability to contain Erling Haaland ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, noting Haaland has failed to score in his last four matches against Aston Villa.

Football Jul 10

Jorge Jesus warns Ronaldo: performance first, not name

Named Portugal manager after the team's Round of 16 elimination at the 2026 World Cup, Jorge Jesus made clear at his press conference that Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, will receive no special treatment. No status guarantees a place in the starting XI.

Football Jul 10

Vinicius breaks silence after Brazil's elimination by Norway in World Cup round of 16

Four days after Brazil's defeat to Norway in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Vinicius Junior posted a message on Instagram to express his frustration and apologize to Brazilian supporters.

Football Jul 10

Fernandes calls Portugal's World Cup exit a 'missed opportunity' after Spain's stoppage-time blow

Bruno Fernandes has broken his silence on Portugal's last-16 elimination by Spain, describing himself as 'sad, frustrated, and disappointed' and refusing to draw any positives from a campaign in which they won just two of their five games.

Football Jul 10

Jamie George backs 'Air Caluori' to lift England out of five-Test losing run on debut

England captain Jamie George has championed 19-year-old Saracens wing Noah Caluori ahead of his debut off the bench against Fiji on Saturday, calling him a generational talent unlike anything he has seen before.

Rugby Jul 10

Tuipulotu channels quiet confidence as Scotland face Springboks in Pretoria for first time in 12 years

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has urged his side to keep their confidence 'in the changing room' ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship Test against world champions South Africa in Pretoria — the Scots' first away fixture against the Boks in 12 years.

Rugby Jul 10

Fiji captain Ikanivere dismisses chairman's 'return on investment' demand ahead of England clash

Tevita Ikanivere has pushed back on Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday's public demand for a 'return on investment' after the team's 39-24 opening defeat to Wales, insisting his players are focused on upsetting England.

Rugby Jul 10

Du Plessis backs McGregor's 'sneaky power' to end Holloway in UFC comeback

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has tipped Conor McGregor's timing and power as the decisive factors when the Irishman faces Max Holloway at International Fight Week — his first octagon appearance in five years.

MMA Jul 10

Tandy insists Wales have moved on from record 52-28 thrashing as Argentina rematch looms

Steve Tandy says Wales have drawn the lessons from their record 52-28 defeat to Argentina in November and moved on, with back-to-back wins over Italy and Fiji building confidence ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship rematch in San Juan.

Rugby Jul 10

Courtois urges two-on-one coverage as Belgium's only realistic way to stop Yamal

Thibaut Courtois has outlined a clear defensive strategy ahead of Belgium's World Cup quarterfinal against Spain, admitting that numerical superiority is the most realistic way to contain Lamine Yamal — while conceding it still may not be enough.

Football Jul 10

Tuchel warned it would be 'foolish' to risk injured Declan Rice against Norway

Declan Rice is managing a hamstring problem and has missed two training days with illness ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway. Former England defender Stuart Pearce has urged Thomas Tuchel not to play Rice unless he is fully fit.

Football Jul 10

Farrell dismisses Jones' scrum-dominance prediction ahead of Ireland's clash with Japan

Andy Farrell has shrugged off Eddie Jones' claim that Japan will dominate Ireland's scrum in the second half of Saturday's Nations Championship fixture in Newcastle, Australia, calling it "a bit of banter" from his old Saracens colleague.

Rugby Jul 10

Tuchel's 'Grade E' referee Turpin appointed to take charge of England vs Norway

Clément Turpin, the French official Thomas Tuchel once rated one out of ten, will referee England's World Cup last-16 tie against Norway. The experienced Frenchman has already taken charge of England's 4-2 opening win over Croatia at the tournament.

Football Jul 10

McGregor forecasts Holloway's retirement after UFC 329 rival calls for trilogy

Conor McGregor has dismissed Max Holloway's talk of a post-UFC 329 trilogy, declaring he will end the Hawaiian's career on Saturday night. McGregor also labelled Holloway's boxing 'abysmal' and claimed he could finish him inside 10 seconds.

MMA Jul 10

McGregor serenades UFC 329 press conference crowd with Oasis' 'Wonderwall' ahead of five-year comeback

Conor McGregor entertained fans at the UFC 329 pre-fight press conference by singing his own rendition of Oasis' 'Wonderwall', prompted by a question comparing his return after five years away to the Gallagher brothers' reunion tour.

MMA Jul 10

McGregor throws Holloway's glasses to the ground in heated UFC 329 staredown

Conor McGregor grabbed and threw Max Holloway's sunglasses to the floor during their first staredown after the UFC 329 press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, with the pair going forehead to forehead before security separated them.

MMA Jul 10

USA coach Lawrence targets World Cup readiness over results as Eagles face Zimbabwe

Head coach Scott Lawrence says the USA Eagles are prioritising performance over victories during the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup, with fly-half Chris Hilsenbeck's last-gasp penalty having sealed a 30-29 win over Portugal on Independence Day.

Rugby Jul 10

Haaland calls Norway's World Cup chances 'really low' ahead of England quarterfinal

Erling Haaland has again downplayed Norway's prospects at the 2026 World Cup, describing their chances as 'really low' despite scoring seven goals in four games to lead his country into a quarterfinal against England on 11 July in Miami.

Football Jul 10

McGregor returns after five years as UFC 329 press conference sets up Holloway rematch

Conor McGregor and Max Holloway shared the stage in Las Vegas on Thursday ahead of their welterweight rematch at UFC 329 on Saturday — McGregor's first appearance in five years since a leg injury ended his UFC 264 bout against Dustin Poirier.

MMA Jul 10