THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 11

Kohli absence creates ‘void and opportunity’ say’s India legend Tendulkar Eldarov stacks division gunning for his title In Eldar Eldarov’s absence, the segment has thrived with several worthy contenders in shape to challenge the Super Lightweight king

Eldarov will defend his• Super Lightweight title for the first time at BRAVE CF 46 KNOW WHAT Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (R) speaks with Mumbai TDT | Manama Indians team mentor Sachin Tendulkar before the start of an Indian Premier League (IPL) match (file photo) Luan Santiago is now RAVE Combat Federation’s AFP | Mumbai one of the options first show in Russia will be to fill up the number Bheadlined by the return of one contender place ricket legend Sachin Ten- Super Lightweight world cham- Cdulkar said captain Virat When you lose an pion Eldar Eldarov - he will be against Eldar since he Kohli’s departure will leave a experienced player making the first defense of his has the championship “void” for India in their Test like this there title in the main event with a pedigree and BRAVE tour of Australia, but added yet-to-be-named opponent. CF experience needed that it will hand a golden op- is without any BRAVE CF is the first and only doubt a void. Some to fill a big spot - a portunity to a younger player. global organization to open and headlining fight in the In an interview with AFP, youngster is going to empower an intermediate divi- the record-setting batsmen get a chance to play sion between Lightweight and organization’s first-ev- said India’s bench strength in his spot and that’s Welterweight, giving plenty of er trip to Russia would help as they bid to win an opportunity for opportunities to fighters who a second straight Test series in have previously been stuck in a the other half of BRAVE CF 46’s Australia. someone else limbo - too big for Lightweight, main event. Kohli will only lead the side SACHIN TENDULKAR but too small for Welterweight. Last but not least, Issa Isakov in the first of the four Tests And in Eldarov’s absence, the contender place against Eldar Eldarov. has also been in contention at -- starting in Adelaide on De- enced player like this there is division has thrived with sever- since he has the championship Brazilian striker Leonardo Super Lightweight. After begin- cember 17 -- before returning without any doubt a void,” the al worthy contenders in shape pedigree and BRAVE CF experi- Mafra is also in the conver - ning his BRAVE CF career with a home for the birth of his first former India captain said. to challenge the Super Light- ence needed to fill a big spot - a sation, having won his Super momentous win against Rami child. “Some youngster is going to weight king, showing that the headlining fight in the organi- Lightweight debut back in Au- Hamed, beating the top Leba- There have also been calls get a chance to play in his spot weight-class is a hit. zation’s first-ever trip to Russia. gust of last year, when he dom- nese fighter by armbar submis- from some veterans for India’s and that’s an opportunity for After struggling to make the Another athlete that has been inated Djamil Chan en route to sion, Isakov has gone right back skipper in all three formats to someone else.” Lightweight limit in his last few hailed since making the move to a unanimous decision at BRAVE to work with a dominant victo- hand over some of his captain- India could have other bat- outings, Luan ‘’Miau’’ Santiago, Super Lightweight is young Be- CF 25, in his homeland of Brazil. ry over Djamil Chan. Isakov is cy duties permanently. ting problems as senior bats- the former world champion at noit St. Denis. Only seven fights An MMA veteran, he has slated to get back to action very Tendulkar would not, how- man Rohit Sharma is racing 70kg, got his first taste of Super deep into his MMA career, the hailed BRAVE CF for taking the soon and could be on his way to ever, join that debate, saying to recover from a hamstring Lightweight action at BRAVE CF former French Special Forces step to solidify an intermediate a title shot. instead: “Let’s understand, injury in time to join the Test 29, in November of last year. His member has had a meteoric rise, weight-class, which is perfect BRAVE CF 46 takes place in this is not about individuals. team. flawless performance against which was clear to see in 2020. for him, as ‘’Macarrao’’ has al- beautiful Sochi, Russia, on Jan- It is about our team and the He is to undergo a fitness Gadzhimusa Gaziev encouraged St. Denis started the year with ways felt too big for Lightweight uary 16th, in partnership with best part about Indian crick- test on Friday, and Tendulkar him to move up permanently, his first BRAVE CF win, twist- but too small to succeed at Wel- Krepost Selection. Aside from et right now is there is bench said the presence of such an which he did after a proposed ing Ivica Truscek’s legs for a terweight. He has already called Eldarov, other top Russian fight- strength.” influential player is crucial. rematch with Lucas ‘’Mineiro’’ kneebar submission win and out Eldarov directly on several ers have been confirmed for ac- Still, he admitted Kohli “If he meets all the parame- fell through due to Lucas’ injury. then knocked out experienced occasions and will be hoping tion, such as Roman Bogatov, would be missed. ters; if he is fit then he should Luan is now one of the op - Mario Saeed, making him one of his name comes up when the Konstantin Erokhin, and Ali “When you lose an experi- be there,” said Tendulkar. tions to fill up the number one the front-runners to challenge organization finally announces Bagautinov.

Man Utd stumble out of Champions League with loss in Leipzig Basaksehir and PSG walk off after AFP | London alleged racism by a match official

anchester United manag- Mer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer We didn’t front up until admitted his side struggled to they scored the second cope with conceding two ear- goal. We knew they ly goals as they crashed out of would come at us and the Champions League with a put crosses into the 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig who box, but we conceded reached the last 16. Leipzig were 3-0 up mid-way two early goals and through the second half thanks never got going to goals by Manchester City loa- OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER nee Angelino, and at the Red the is “unhappy” Bull Arena. at Old Trafford, started on the United pulled back goals in bench, but his late header gave the final ten minutes as Bruno United hope in Germany. Referee Ovidiu Hategan with Istanbul Basaksehir’s Demba Ba as the match is Fernandes converted a penalty The hosts took the lead with interrupted and replacement Paul Pogba of RB Leipzig (centre) is challenged for the ball by Alex Telles (L) just two minutes gone as Marcel Reuters | Paris The players from both teams scored with a deflected header, and Luke Shaw (R) both of Manchester United Sabitzer’s cross-field pass was left the field after about 10 but Leipzig held on. Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar lino’s stunning opener. met by left-back Angelino and stanbul Basaksehir’s play- minutes of discussions with “We didn’t front up until they Solskjaer. “It feels very good. We made his left-foot strike flew past Da- Iers, closely followed by their Romanian referee Ovidiu scored the second goal,” said “We knew they would come at it difficult until the last min - vid de Gea. opponents Paris St Germain, Hategan. us and put crosses into the box, ute, but at the end of the day The United goalkeeper was walked off the pitch during “A complaint from the Ba- but we conceded two early goals we stayed strong,” the Spanish beaten again on 13 minutes a Champions League soccer saksehir bench after racist and never got going.” fullback said. when Haidara finished a move game on Tuesday after the remarks by the fourth offi - The German club’s victory “I’m so happy that we got the he started by volleying home. Turkish club accused a match cial were followed by a com- avenged their 5-0 drubbing by win.” It could have been 3-0 mo - official of racism. ing-together of all 22 play - United at Old Trafford in Oc- Solskjaer made five changes ments later when Basaksehir’s assistant coach ers pitch-side,” PSG said in a 150 tober. from the side which won 3-1 at ahot wide from close range with Pierre Webo was shown a red statement. appearances have been “The boys fought hard, they West Ham at the weekend, in- the goal at his mercy. card for protesting against a The game, which was sus- made by Luke Shaw for are machines,” said delighted cluding Luke Shaw at left-back A speculative Mason Green- refereeing decision and the pended in the 13th minute, did Man United Leipzig coach Julian Nagels- for his 150th appearance after wood header and a half-chance Turkish side then alleged that not resume and UEFA said the mann. recovering from a hamstring by Marcus Rushford were all the fourth official Sebastian rest of the match at the Parc Leipzig needed just two min- injury. United produced in the opening Coltescu used a racist term des Princes would be played utes to take the lead after Ange- Pogba, whose agent has said half hour. towards the Cameroonian. on Wednesday.