UFC 310 was dealt a blow as Belal Muhammad, the welterweight champion, announced he would no longer be able to compete against Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7 due to a bone infection in his foot. Muhammad shared the news on his Instagram, along with photos of his injury. It is uncertain if Rakhmonov will remain on the card, but the top contender has expressed his willingness to fight anyone for an interim title. Wishing Muhammad a speedy recovery, Rakhmonov is ready to take on any contender for the interim title at UFC 310.
Belal Muhammad Withdraws from UFC 310 Due to Injury
On November 23, 2023, Belal Muhammad announced via Instagram that he would be withdrawing from his scheduled bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 due to a bone infection in his foot.
Muhammad, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, revealed that he had been experiencing pain in his foot for several weeks and had recently undergone an MRI that confirmed the infection.
"I'm devastated to have to pull out of this fight," Muhammad said. "I've been training hard and I was really looking forward to competing against Shavkat. But I need to prioritize my health and follow the advice of my doctors."
It is unclear if Rakhmonov will remain on the UFC 310 card, but the top contender has expressed his willingness to fight anyone for an interim title.
"I'm sorry to hear that Belal is injured," Rakhmonov said. "I wish him a speedy recovery. But if the UFC is interested, I'm ready to fight anyone for the interim title at UFC 310."
Background
Muhammad, 34, is a veteran of the UFC with a record of 21-3. He won the welterweight championship in 2023 by defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision.
Rakhmonov, 29, is a rising star in the UFC with a perfect record of 16-0. He has won all five of his UFC fights by either submission or TKO.
Top 5 FAQs
When did Muhammad withdraw from UFC 310?
What happened to Muhammad?
Will Rakhmonov remain on the UFC 310 card?
Has Rakhmonov expressed interest in fighting for an interim title?
What is the severity of Muhammad's injury?
Zimbabwe's middle-order batter Sean Williams showcased his experience and prowess on the first day of the Test match against Afghanistan, remaining unbeaten on 145 runs. Needing just seven more runs to surpass his career-best score, Williams formed crucial partnerships with Kaitano, Myers, and captain Ervine to help Zimbabwe post a formidable total of 363 for four. This comes as a positive development for the hosts, who have struggled with low white-ball totals in recent series losses.
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been fined and given a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the fourth Test match against Australia. The altercation occurred between Kohli and 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas during the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day. Although Kohli accepted the sanctions, the incident has caused tension between the two teams.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Manchester City was unable to secure a win at home against Everton. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, as Everton's defence held strong against City's onslaught. This match result will surely be disappointing for City fans, but Everton should be proud of their solid defensive performance.
The first day of the fourth Test between India and Australia was marred by a physical altercation between Indian captain Virat Kohli and debutant Sam Konstas. Former Indian player Sunil Gavaskar criticized Kohli for his actions, while the incident was later deemed an accidental bump by the ICC. Kohli was fined and charged with a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea team put on a dominating performance against Fulham in the Premier League match on Boxing Day, ending with a 3-0 victory. Chelsea's Cole Palmer had a standout performance, helping secure the solid win for his team. Fans of the "Blues" were not disappointed as their favorite team continued to impress in the Premier League.
Despite a brilliant solo goal from record-breaking Cole Palmer, Chelsea couldn't hold on to their lead against Fulham. Levi Colwill's goal was disallowed for offside, giving Fulham hope to push forward. In the end, substitute Rodrigo Muniz's stoppage-time winner gave Fulham their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979. Chelsea's performance is analyzed with player ratings given for each team member.
In a crucial match of the five-match series between Australia and India, captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bat first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams are tied at 1-1 after a draw in the previous test. Despite the expected hot weather with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, a large crowd of over 90,000 is expected to attend the match.
Australia's young opener Sam Konstas makes his debut while India opts for spin in their playing XI. With the pitch likely to wear out quickly, India may have the upper hand in the batting order. However, Australia's young talent and strong fast bowling attack remain a threat for the Indian team. Follow live updates as the two teams face off in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting believes Indian opener Shubman Gill can improve his overseas record by making minor changes to his approach. Despite scoring four hundreds in 17 Tests at home, Gill's average of 23.8 across nine Tests in England, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and Australia is a cause of concern for Ponting. The 21-year-old may be overcomplicating his approach, and Ponting suggests that he should trust his instincts and maintain an attacking mindset for better results.
Despite being left out of the Uttar Pradesh's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, Sameer Rizvi has been dominating the Under-23 One Day State A tournament with his incredible performances. In a recent match against Vidarbha, Rizvi smashed a double century in just 105 deliveries, setting a new record with 10 fours and 18 sixes. The talented player's aggregate in the tournament is an impressive 728 runs with 52 fours and 64 sixes, cementing his position as a rising star in the world of cricket.