‘It’s not right’… UFC Champion speaks out to Jon Jones about Tom Aspinall situation

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 17, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

The voices calling for Jon Jones to give up the UFC heavyweight title are getting louder and harder to ignore.

Ever since Jones beat Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 to make his first defence of the belt, the division has been stuck in a holding pattern.

While many believe the path forward is obvious, Jones has continued to brush off a fight with Tom Aspinall, even as the Briton holds the interim title.

The backlash has been growing, including a petition to strip Jones of the belt that has picked up thousands of signatures. And it isn’t just fans growing restless.

Alexandre Pantoja says Tom Aspinall ‘deserves’ more

Plenty of fighters, past and present, have spoken out against how Jones is handling the situation: flirting with retirement but remaining in control of the belt.

The latest to weigh in is UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, who called the whole thing “sad” in a recent interview.

“Jon Jones is a very special fighter, everybody loves him, but what is happening now is sad,” Pantoja said.

“Maybe it’s time to say bye. Tom Aspinall deserves this fight, we deserve to see this fight. It’s not right that Aspinall is standing by.

“Nobody is going to judge Jon Jones, he doesn’t need to fight Aspinall, but if he doesn’t want to fight and he wants to retire, then I think he has to say bye,” Pantoja added. “I hope Aspinall is still training and in the gym and he doesn’t waste his time.”

Pantoja’s run as champion has looked very different from Jones’ recent stretch. ‘The Cannibal’ has already defended his title three times since winning it less than two years ago, with a fourth coming up against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 on June 28.

• READ MORE: UFC 317 names a backup fighter to avoid repeating the Makhachev-Moicano incident

Alexander Volkanovski echoes Pantoja’s thoughts on Jon Jones

Pantoja isn’t alone among champions in his view. UFC featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski made a similar point recently on the Overdogs Podcast, saying Jones needs to either unify the belts or step aside.

“If you’re the champ, you defend your belt. It’s a responsibility,” Volkanovski said. “You can’t just sit out. You need to be reasonably active. You need to fight whoever’s there. If you’ve got an interim champ, that’s a no-brainer.”

“Don’t hold up the division. I know your résumé is incredible. You’re considered the greatest of all time,” Volkanovski added. “So if you don’t want to fight, just retire, you’re done.”

UFC president Dana White has insisted recently that the fight between Jones and Aspinall is still being worked on – even claiming that Jones agreed to it at one stage. But as things stand, the frustration is only growing, both inside and outside the cage.

What happened when a one-handicap amateur played Oakmont the day after the US Open

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 17, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Oakmont pushed the world’s best golfers to their limits during the US Open and, for some, it was downright unplayable.

J.J. Spaun captured his first major title with rounds of 66, 72, 69, and 72, finishing as the only player under par for the week.

That kind of brutality is expected at the US Open, but several players felt Oakmont crossed the line at times, especially after heavy rain made conditions even more punishing during the final round.

Justin Thomas pointed to the fairway slopes on holes 11, 12, and 15 as being over the top, calling them too severe and overly penal.

So how would a skilled amateur fare under those same Sunday conditions?

What a one-handicap golfer shot around Oakmont the day after the US Open

Braden Newcomer of Golf Channel, a 0.6 handicap, got his chance to find out.

On Monday, with the course still set up exactly as it had been for the final round, Newcomer played Oakmont from the back tees and walked off with a 23-over-par 93.

That number might raise eyebrows, but in the context of what Oakmont was dishing out, it’s more impressive than it looks on paper. Every small miss was magnified. Every mistake cost double the usual penalty.

How many shots a 10-handicap golfer would receive at Oakmont?

For context, even a 10-handicap golfer would be given 21 shots at Oakmont, according to the USGA’s course handicap calculator. That number gives a sense of just how daunting the setup really is.

You can check how many strokes you’d get yourself using the USGA’s course handicap calculator.

Newcomer’s experience proves what every pro learned the hard way: at Oakmont, nothing comes easy. And even for a scratch golfer, survival often feels like an accomplishment.

Iga Swiatek and Qinwen Zheng face opposite fates as WTA rankings are updated ahead of Wimbledon

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 16, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

With Wimbledon just around the corner, players on the WTA Tour are looking for any final tune-up opportunities they can find, and the updated world rankings have arrived just in time to shape the draw.

French Open champion Coco Gauff remains in top form after her win over Aryna Sabalenka in the Roland-Garros final, and the latest rankings reflect that momentum leading into the grass season.

This morning, players are receiving news of the latest update on the world rankings, with the top four positions are the ones to be had ahead of Wimbledon

Players will want to avoid other members of the top four before the semi-final stage and with that in mind, there is positive news for Qinwen Zheng.

However, Iga Swiatek won’t like what she’s seeing this Monday.

New WTA Rankings announced ahead of Wimbledon

Qinwen Zheng has climbed into the top four just in time for Wimbledon, a timely boost after a strong stretch of results on both clay and grass.

Zheng fell at Queen’s semifinal last week, losing to Amanda Anisimova. However, before that, she had defeated Emma Raducanu in straight sets.

The 22-year-old also managed to reach the last eight at the French Open before losing to Sabalenka and it does feel as though she’s close to a maiden Grand Slam.

With her power and movement, several analysts have tipped Zheng as a dark horse at Wimbledon, despite never having advanced past the first week at SW19.

Zheng’s form of late appears to have handed her a huge boost ahead of Wimbledon, with the player now edging into the top four.

The talented player reached the final of the Australian Open and the WTA Tour Finals last year but has never reached the second week at Wimbledon.

• READ MORE: Emma Raducanu outlines new priorities ahead of Wimbledon and seeding isn’t one of them

Iga Swiatek discovers new WTA world ranking

Iga Swiatek slides down the WTA rankings after missing out on her sixth Roland-Garros title – but she remains a threat on any given day.

Swiatek’s semi-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka in Paris ended her remarkable title streak at the French Open, and her results so far in 2025 have pushed her down to eighth in the latest rankings.

That recent ranking update sets up a more difficult path for the Polish player at Wimbledon. She will have to deal with tougher opponents earlier in the tournament, but she has already proved she can challenge anyone.

Swiatek may prefer to avoid the spotlight for now, hoping her seeding lets her play with less pressure and potentially cause a shock or two among the current favourites.

Ruben Amorim’s former rivals now eye £100m target dropped by Manchester United for Bryan Mbeumo

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 16, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Every time Manchester United close in on a signing, there’s a list of names left behind and one £100m target could be heading to Ruben Amorim’s former rivals after falling down the pecking order for Bryan Mbeumo.

Manchester United wasted no time focusing on Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap, and Bryan Mbeumo as their three main targets early in the window.

If all goes well, landing two out of three in a chaotic market would be a strong return.

But for that to happen, Mbeumo still needs to be signed and as that pursuit drags on, one of United’s earlier targets is now catching the eye of FC Porto.

FC Porto exploring a deal for Tyler Dibling

Man Utd were linked to Tyler Dibling early in the season and his signing fit the template of what Ineos were going for.

Dibling, who fit the young-and-talented mold Ineos prefers, had shown flashes of real quality with Southampton even during a tough season that ended in relegation.

Jason Wilcox’s connections at Southampton might have given United an edge, but hope quickly faded.

Southampton’s £100m demand was always a non-starter, and with Mbeumo available for roughly half that fee, United’s decision became clear.

So United moved on, but Dibling remains a name of interest elsewhere.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, FC Porto are now looking into a possible move for Dibling. Given United were priced out, it’s hard to see Porto making a permanent deal work either.

Instead, the report suggests Porto are considering either a loan or a swap deal, which could benefit both sides in the long run.

Loaning Dibling would allow Southampton to protect his market value. It could also be a smart move for the player himself, who would gain experience playing in a better league than the Championship.

So, whisper it quietly, but a loan deal for the young Englishman could also benefit United.

• READ MORE: Delap’s Chelsea move explained: Maresca reveals how he persuaded striker to turn down Man United

Dibling’s loan to Porto will help Man Utd

With United having already committed heavy funds to Cunha and possibly Mbeumo, another big outlay for Dibling this window was out of the question. But his situation this summer might actually play in their favour down the line.

If United get themselves back into European competition next season and their finances improve, Dibling could become an option again in 2026.

By then, United will have a full season of data on Dibling’s progress at Porto, a better gauge of whether he’s ready for the step up. Plus, with another year off his contract, Southampton may be under more pressure to sell if they remain outside the Premier League.

In a roundabout way, Amorim’s old rivals in Portugal could end up doing United a favour, providing the perfect stage for Dibling to develop before the club circles back to one of English football’s brightest prospects.

Delap’s Chelsea move explained: Maresca reveals how he persuaded striker to turn down Man United

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 16, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Liam Delap’s decision to choose Chelsea over Manchester United is starting to come into focus and manager Enzo Maresca has now explained exactly what convinced the young forward to make the move.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both ended up at Old Trafford this summer, but Delap, one of United’s three main striker targets, turned down the chance to lead the line under Ruben Amorim.

Instead, he chose Chelsea, reuniting with Maresca, who coached him in Manchester City’s academy. Their past success together ended up tipping the scales.

Maresca, now settling into the Chelsea job, spoke openly about the conversations that helped sway Delap’s decision.

What Maresca said to Delap

United’s selling point was clear: immediate first-team football, with Delap likely to get more minutes than anywhere else. But it wasn’t enough to sway him.

Even at Chelsea, where he faces competition from Nicolas Jackson and others, as the club may still look to add another striker, Delap chose familiarity over guarantees.

Speaking ahead of the Club World Cup, Maresca explained:

“I never tell a player that he’s going to be the first-choice. You arrive, you work hard, you work more than the other number nine, and you’re gonna be the first choice.

“The conversation with [Delap] was quite clear. He was keen to join us because he knows the way we play. The season we were together [for Manchester City U23s], he scored 24-25 goals.

“So he knows exactly what we can give him and I know what he can give us. It’s a win-win. The conversation was quite easy. We like [Delap], he likes us.”

• READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand suggests Man United were right to fight for a player who ‘tore them up’ this season

Maresca’s history was always going to matter

In the end, Delap’s choice wasn’t about guaranteed minutes or short-term playing time. It was about returning to a coach who had already unlocked his best form, and trusting that lightning might strike again.

While United could offer a clear path to the starting XI, they couldn’t match the track record Delap had with Maresca. And with Champions League football on offer at Chelsea, the decision became clearer.

The risk, of course, is that club dynamics change quickly. Chelsea’s approach to strikers has been unpredictable, and Maresca himself will be under pressure to deliver results quickly.

Still, from Delap’s perspective, betting on a familiar system – even in a crowded squad – felt safer than walking into the unknown at United. For now, his trust in Maresca has tipped one of the summer’s most interesting transfer calls.

Qinwen Zheng gets criticised for ‘tactical’ move at Queen’s which could hurt her reputation

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 15, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Qinwen Zheng started her grass season off well this week, reaching the semi-finals at the Queen’s Club Championship.

On her way there, she came through a tough opener against McCartney Kessler, then overcame Emma Raducanu, who was not moving freely.

But Zheng’s run in London hasn’t come without controversy. In her match against Raducanu, the Queen’s crowd grew frustrated as Zheng paused play several times to address issues with her shoes.

She did the same thing again in the next round against Amanda Anisimova – but this time, it didn’t help her as much.

While players are allowed to stop and change shoes if needed, some felt the timing of Zheng’s pauses – often on her opponent’s serve – crossed a line.

Qinwen Zheng called out for changing shoes again at Queen’s

Speaking on The Tennis Podcast, journalist Matt Roberts said he believes Zheng’s stoppages looked tactical rather than necessary.

“I gave her the benefit of the doubt yesterday because it was the first time we’d seen it, and it was early in the match,” he said. “But for it to happen two matches in a row, both on the opponent’s serve, makes it hard to ignore.”

Roberts continued: “I don’t believe the shoes went from playable to unplayable in two points. Unless something major happened in those points – which I don’t think it did – it feels off.”

“I get that she isn’t confident on grass right now, and maybe she’s genuinely slipping. But if you need to reset, do it at a changeover, or at least on your own serve. Otherwise, it starts to look like gamesmanship.”

He added that this kind of thing can quickly give a player a bad reputation: “I don’t think she wants to be seen as someone who uses tactics to disrupt play. It’s not a huge deal in isolation, but it adds up. I think she’d be wise to stop.”

Roberts said both Raducanu and Anisimova handled the situation well. “Raducanu was clearly annoyed but stayed professional. Anisimova just got on with it and held serve anyway.”

• READ MORE: Djokovic nears history at Wimbledon in what could be a final chance to set major record

Zheng isn’t bothered by what people think

Questions about Zheng’s approach aren’t new. After their Queen’s match, Raducanu was asked if the two had become friends through their shared Chinese heritage. The answer suggested that while there’s respect between them, Zheng isn’t overly concerned with being liked on tour.

Despite the criticism, the attitude on court doesn’t seem to be a problem for her. At 22, she has already won an Olympic gold medal, reached a Slam final and sits at a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world.

Still, not everyone appreciates her approach. Emma Navarro is one player who has voiced frustration with Zheng in the past.

After a tense match last summer, Navarro said: “Without getting into details, I just felt a bit disrespected by her – both on court and during practice. I didn’t think she showed much respect for me or the game.”

But for Zheng, the results speak for themselves – and it doesn’t look like she’s going to change anything soon.

The post Qinwen Zheng gets criticised for ‘tactical’ move at Queen’s which could hurt her reputation appeared first on HITC.

‘Deserves a full page’… US Open golfer suffers injury at Oakmont but impresses playing in pain

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 15, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Oakmont has proven to be a tough test for the field this week at the US Open.

Through 54 holes, just four players sit under par, with Oakmont showing once again why it has a reputation as one of golf’s most demanding venues.

That said, it’s been a fair challenge overall. Early in the week, there was talk that an over-par score might win, but Saturday’s play suggests otherwise.

Still, at nearly 7,400 yards with thick rough and firm greens, Oakmont has been anything but forgiving.

Even Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, has shown signs of frustration – highlighting just how tough the course is playing.

There has also been some criticism about slow play this year, with rounds stretching close to six hours.

Despite the pace, there has been plenty of drama and a few standout performances – though not all have come without setbacks.

One of the most notable moments on Saturday came when a player suffered an injury that nearly forced him to withdraw.

Michael Kim praises playing partner on US Open day three

Michael Kim had plenty of praise for Corey Conners after their third round at Oakmont.

Kim, who made the cut on the number with rounds of 75 and 71, struggled to a 76 on Saturday but was more interested in talking about his playing partner, Corey Conners, than his own score.

The 31-year-old was left seriously impressed by what he saw the Canadian do during that round.

According to Kim, Conners was striping it early but ran into trouble on the back nine after plugging a bunker shot and injuring his wrist.

Conners ended up shooting a two-over 72, but it could have been much better if not for the injury and some bad luck on the back nine.

• READ MORE: Sam Burns shares thoughts on Scottie Scheffler after third round at US Open

After the round, Kim had high praise for the Canadian:

“Corey Conners deserves a full page on his own today. The dude STRIPES it. Little draw, didn’t miss a shot on the front nine and he missed a short one on 3 so could have been even lower. Pretty easy 3 under.”

“But then he plugged his bunker shot and while trying to hit out of it, hurt his wrist. He was obviously in some pain as soon as he hit it and I didn’t think he’d play more honestly. It took like 20 minutes for his physio to get to the green (don’t get me started on that terrible process).”

“He gutted it out but was def out of rhythm coming in. Lots of wrists getting worked on this week after multiple shots of trying to get through this thick rough.”

Do Conners’ stats back up Kim’s comments at the US Open?

At 33, Conners has certainly carved out a tidy reputation as one of the most consistent ball-strikers on the PGA Tour. His stats from the past three seasons really highlight just how steady his performance has been:

The numbers underscore Conners’ remarkable consistency, though there’s been a bit of a dip in his iron play this season, which is a shame.

However, his status as an elite ball-striker remains unquestionable. Given that, he’ll no doubt be deeply disappointed not to find himself in contention for the US Open as Sunday’s final round approaches. That is properly frustrating.

The post ‘Deserves a full page’… US Open golfer suffers injury at Oakmont but impresses playing in pain appeared first on HITC.