MONDAY-APRIL 26, 2021 Sport 05 Usman tops Masvidal, UFC 261 Cricket South Africa facing being returns sports world to normal stripped of recognition by Sports tory. “He’s one of the best ever. Ministry in governance row He’s an absolute stud,” White said. “You’re an idiot if you think this guy is boring.” Usman (19-1) thanked Mas- vidal (35-15) for scaring him and pushing him, saying it’s been a long time since he felt nervous before a bout. This one was a rematch from their short-notice fight in July. The 33-year-old Usman beat Masvidal at Fight Island, winning a unani- mous decision at UFC 251. Mas- vidal stepped in on six days’ no- tice, flying halfway around the world to fill in for No. 1 title con- tender Gilbert Burns after Burns tested positive for COVID-19. Masvidal held his own and went five rounds against the champ, whose strategy including stomping on Masvidal’s feet ev- JACKSONVILLE: packed Dana White said. “You couldn’t was his third in his last four fights, ery time they were locked up. house. A raucous crowd. Celebri- have a better night. … It was amaz- further showcasing his impressive ty sightings. Stunning upsets. ing. The crowd was amazing. The versatility and an ability to adjust Some thought Masvidal would have a better chance with a full Spectacular finishes. Broken fights were amazing. … There’s tactics during bouts. The former South Africa is on the brink week. terial intervention in a sporting bones. Blood, sweat and tears. just a different energy you get NCAA Division II wrestler had training session. Not really. Still, Masvidal had the crowd of being banned by the Interna- CSA has received noticed body] and I hereby notify you UFC 261 returned a sense of when people are here. It was in- only one knockout victory in his tional Cricket Council (ICC) after from Mthethwa that the Govern- that I have done so…. by defund- normalcy to the sports world Sat- sane.” first 10 UFC fights before he behind him. They cheered wildly for the 36-year-old Miami native, the country's Sports Minister ment plans to "defund" and ing and derecognising CSA, and I urday night with one of its crazi- Kamaru Usman ended the stopped Colby Covington, Gilbert threatened to derecognise its na- "derecognise" it unless its Mem- will cause this to be published in est events in years. Billed as the event by winning his 18th straight Burns and Masvidal with punch- breaking into “Ole, Ole, Ole” and “Let’s go Jorge” chants, and booed tional governing body. bers' Council, the decision-mak- the Government Gazette in due first full-fledged sporting event bout and retaining his welter- es in the past 18 months. Sports Minister Nathi ing body, agrees to approve a new course at the earliest opportuni- Usman whenever possible. since the coronavirus pandemic weight belt. Usman knocked out Usman’s 18 consecutive Mthethwa has exercised the Gov- Constitution - including a majori- ty," Mthethwa wrote in a letter “He’s got my number, man,” altered the world more than a year Jorge Masvidal with a right punch MMA victories include 14 ernment's power to intervene in ty independent Board - for the to CSA. Masvidal said. ago, it delivered more than even to the jaw early in the second straight wins since joining the the troubled Cricket South Africa embattled governing body. The ICC prohibits Govern- It was the last of three title its staunchest promoter imagined. round, silencing a pro-Masvidal UFC in 2015. Only Anderson Sil- (CSA), which could be removed "In the circumstances, I have ment interference in its member bouts, but hardly the most sur- “I don’t think it gets any bet- crowd. va’s streak of 16 straight UFC wins as the organisation responsible for decided to invoke my powers un- associations but said it has not ter than tonight,” UFC President Usman’s knockout victory is longer in the promotion’s his- prising. the sport in the country by next der the Act [which allows minis- received any complaint from the CSA. CSA Interim Board chairman Stavros Nicolaou warned the Werner finally gets the girl! Chelsea's struggling striker ends goal drought with winner at West Ham threat from the Sports Ministry Timo Werner was philo- week. "They don't get a girl be- massive top-four showdown with Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for It's also worth noting that he was that he capped a dynamic dis- could have grave consequences for sophical about his 14-game goal cause they want it too much. West Ham, Werner's patience and next season's Champions League missed a gilt-edged opportunity play with a goal, much to Tho- South African cricket and plunge drought for club and country. "The next day, they go, stand hard work finally paid off. via the Premier League. to double his tally, and Chelsea's mas Tuchel's delight. it into its worst crisis since apart- "It's like when [guys] go to at the side and 100 girls come over In a massive top-four show- Werner had effectively start- advantage, shortly after half-time, The Chelsea boss has put a heid. the disco, they want to get a because they like them. It's the down with West Ham, the strug- ed the move, too. He held the ball when Lukasz Fabianski spilled lot of faith in his compatriot since "It is indeed a very sad day girl," the German reasoned on same in football." gling striker bagged a 43rd-minute up well before finding Christian Mason Mount's long-range effort replacing Frank Lampard at the for our country, for cricket, for Chelsea's official podcast this On Saturday evening, in a winner that significantly boosted Pulisic, who released Ben Chil- at his feet. helm in January, frustrating Tam- the millions of fans who love the well. At the very least, though, a my Abraham and Olivier Giroud game and the sponsors who have The full-back then picked out decisive contribution in such an in the process. committed to cricket and its grass- Werner with an accurate, low cross important fixture has immediate- However, Tuchel was always roots development," said Nico- and the former RB Leipzig hot- ly lifted his spirits. convinced that Werner would re- laou. shot slotted home his 11th goal of "The second chance I have to discover his goalscoring touch. "But it is a specifically sad the season in all competitions. score, but I have to come back Earlier this month, he revealed that day for the players, staff and oth- It could be a defining moment slowly. One goal is enough. Two he intervened when Werner tried ers whose livelihood are at stake." in Chelsea's season, and perhaps goals might be too much for the to do some extra work on his fin- Reform plans at the CSA, Werner's Stamford Bridge career. beginning!" he joked in his post- ishing in training. backed by the Government and It certainly couldn't have come match interview with Sky Sports. "I just sent him in [to the the Interim Board, have stalled at a better time for both, with the "I’m just very happy that we dressing room]," Tuchel said. "I because of a refusal from the Blues set to visit Real Madrid in won this game. It’s a big win for said to him: 'You don’t need that; Members Council to accept them. the semi-finals of the Champions us in the race for the top four and your body, your brain, they al- The Members' Council, com- League on Tuesday night. it’s the best feeling after winning ready know how to score. You prising the 14 Presidents of South Of course, it's impossible to a game to score a goal. It was real- have been doing it since you were Africa's provincial cricket unions, know at this stage whether Wern- ly important for me and for the six years old, so don’t worry, it rejected the changes in a vote last er will now go on a scoring streak. whole team. It’s great to be back will come.' week. Remember, his previous goal, on the scoresheet." "If a girl does not want to go The vote marked the latest against Newcastle in February, He earned his goal too. As he out with you to dinner, you can- development in the long-running ended a run of 1000 days without has done so often this season, he not force her to, you just step a crisis at CSA, with the latest epi- hitting the back of the net. The worked tirelessly, pressed relent- little bit back and maybe she will sode triggered by chief executive end of one drought only led to lessly and stretched the opposi- call you." Thabang Moroe and other senior another. tion backline with his blistering On Saturday, Werner finally officials being sacked for miscon- Premier League Table GFX pace. The big difference this time got the girl. Goal duct last year. Rafael Nadal through to face Stefanos Tyson Fury's meeting with Andy Ruiz Jr revealed: Faith, Tsitsipas in Barcelona Open final as Ashleigh life, family, their struggles and Anthony Joshua discussed Barty stays on course in Stuttgart Tyson Fury and Andy Ruiz They shared experiences, knowl- Nadal, the 11-time champion Jr were brought together last week- edge and love." on the Catalan clay eased past fel- end in Las Vegas by Jorge Capetil- Fury and Ruiz Jr are also low Spaniard Pablo Carreno Bus- lo, the trainer who shares a strong bonded by their faith - Fury post- ta 6-3 6-2 to improve to an 8-0 bond with both heavyweights.