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Jannik Sinner in shock career change as three-time Grand Slam winner, 23, releases single with Andrea Bocelli

JANNIK SINNER has swapped tennis swinging for tenor singing with his shock new music collaboration.

The world No1 tennis star, 23, has proven his ability with a racquet in hand.

Jannik Sinner and Andrea Bocelli talking.
Instagram
Jannik Sinner is releasing a song with Andrea Bocelli[/caption]
Illustration of two people silhouetted against a Tuscan landscape, text overlay: "In Our Lives"
Instagram
The promo video dropped on Thursday ahead of Friday’s launch[/caption]
Profile view of Jannik Sinner.
Instagram
The tennis star is hoping to hit the notes – not the nets[/caption]
Album art for Andrea Bocelli featuring Jannik Sinner's "Polvere e Gloria."
Instagram
Polvere e Gloria translates as Dust and Glory[/caption]

But now he will be hoping his shock new venture with Andrea Bocelli is anything but a racket.

That is because the top male singles player has dropped his very own… single.

The Australian Open and US Open champion – who served a controversial three-month doping ban earlier this year – has linked up with Italian compatriot and world-famous opera singer Bocelli, 66, to release their track.

The celebrity duo’s duet Polvere e Gloria – which translates as ‘Dust and Glory’ in English – will be released on Friday, with a teaser video featuring the pair launched on Thursday.

Sinner says in the short clip: “In our lives there will be many first times… all you need to do is be yourself.”

And the three-time major winner will be hoping he smashes it rather than double faults as he aims to hit the notes… not the nets.

Sinner follows in the footsteps of fellow tennis players Yannick Noah, Lorenzo Sonego, Denis Shapovalov and Corentin Moutet by releasing music – with the others having mixed levels of success.

Bocelli, meanwhile, memorably sang at Leicester City’s 5,000-1 Premier League title coronation for his friend Claudio Ranieri – and then made a surprise cameo on Match of the Day last month to bid Gary Lineker farewell.

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But tennis fans could barely believe the Sinner and Bocelli link-up was genuine.

One said: “I was confused for a moment, this is not AI I guess.”

Tennis stars’ new careers

PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.

But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…

  • I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
  • I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
  • I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
  • I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
  • I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
  • I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
  • I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist

Another wrote: “Wait this is real?! I need to sit with this for a bit.”

A third added: “Jannik you truly suprise us.”

And a final user replied: “Not on my 2025 bingo card.”

Sinner suffered heartache in the epic, five-hour-29-minute French Open final as he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in dramatic fashion.

The No1 seed took the opening two sets then had three match points in the fourth set before the Spaniard’s sensational comeback.

Sinner will be hoping to get revenge at Wimbledon where they could meet in another final – but Alcaraz is going for a hat-trick of grass-court crowns.

Jannik Sinner of Italy playing tennis.
EPA
Sinner will be hoping for success on the grass this summer[/caption]
Andrea Bocelli singing at a Leicester City football match, watched by Claudio Ranieri.
Carl Recine
Bocelli sang at Leicester’s title coronation in 2016[/caption]

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‘Cried like a baby didn’t ya?’ – Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up

FINLAY Bealham may not thank him for it, but Andy Farrell revealed he “cried like a baby” upon being called up to the Lions squad.

The Connacht prop was a late replacement after Scot Zander Fagerson sustained a calf injury while lining out for Glasgow Warriors.

Man in dark polo shirt congratulating Finlay.
@IRISHRUGBY
Bealham might not thank the Irish rugby social team either[/caption]
Rugby players in red jerseys sitting in a room.
@IRISHRUGBY
He was the butt of the joke as his Lions teammates laughed at his expense[/caption]
16 June 2025; Finlay Bealham during the British & Irish Lions rugby squad training at the UCD Bowl in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Bealham is an Australian native like fellow tourist Mack Hansen
18 June 2025; British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell during a British & Irish Lions media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Farrell went on sabbatical from his role with Ireland in November

Now, in an access all areas clip, fans have got to see Farrell congratulate Bealham in front of the whole squad – while simultaneously teasing him for getting so emotional.

In it the Wigan native says: “A huge congratulations to Finlay on being added to the squad full-time.”

He then somewhat unnecessarily adds: “Honestly, he’s cried like a baby too (upon hearing).”

The Ireland head coach then prods the 33-year-old by putting it to him: “Didn’t ya?!”

After a pause Bealham sheepishly replies “…yeah” which prompts laughter all around the room.

Farrell’s charges begin their 10-game slate against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow before heading Down Under. Yesterday saw him name his starting XV for the 8pm kick-off.

The headline item from it was that Tadhg Furlong looks set to be handed a chance to prove his fitness, albeit off the bench.

The prop has not played since Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton because of a calf injury.

He is joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, the only other Leinster player involved because they were involved in the URC final win over Bulls at the weekend, in which the hooker came off the bench.

There are still three Irish players in the starting XV with 2021 tourists Bundee Aki of Connacht and Munster’s Tadhg Beirne included, along with Bealham.

Aki and Bealham’s provincial teammate Mack Hansen is also included among the replacements.

Farrell has not included any Bath representatives with the side involved in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

Lions captain Maro Itoje will skipper the side for the first time and Farrell said: “It is a truly special moment and one that very few players ever get to experience.

“Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.

“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide – so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”

After their first outing on Irish soil, the Lions will travel to Australia ahead of the three-Test series against the Wallabies.

Lions: M Smith (England), Freeman (England), Tuipulotu (Scotland), Aki (Ireland), van der Merwe (Scotland), F Smith (England), Mitchell (England), Genge (England), Cowan-Dickie (England), Bealham (Ireland), Itoje (England), Beirne (Ireland), Curry (England), Morgan (Wales), Earl (England).

Replacements: Kelleher (Ireland), Schoeman (Scotland), Furlong (Ireland), Cummings (Scotland), Pollock (England), Williams (Wales), Daly (England), Hansen (Ireland).

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Dumped Love Islanders fuel romance rumours as they cuddle up on red carpet for fashion party

DUMPED Love Island stars who failed to find romance on the latest series were spotted enjoying a cuddle at a swanky fashion bash.

The ITV2 contestants packed on the PDA on the Red Carpet after being given the boot from the Mallorca compound.

Woman in black dress holding a cocktail at a rooftop party.
Click News and Media
Love Island’s Sophie Lee sparked romance rumours at BooHoo’s summer bash[/caption]
Couple posing at a Boohoo event.
Click News and Media
She cuddled up to fellow evicted star Blu Chegini at the east London event[/caption]
Sophie Lee and a man on Love Island Aftersun.
ITV
The duo both failed to find love in the 2025 series[/caption]

Construction worker Blu Chegini, 26, became this series’ first evicted lad last week following a savage villa twist.

The Londoner followed influencer Sophie Lee, 29, out of the door after she became the first dumped Islander of the 2025 instalment.

In her exit chat, the former fire breather and dancer, who was left scarred for life following a terrifying accident, teased “summer’s not over.”

And it appears her high spirits might have something to do with Blu, with the pair seen cosying up at fast fashion brand BooHoo’s Martini’s at Sundown event.

Sophie looked sensational at the London shindig in a black bandeau top and matching skirt.

She styled her dark locks in loose waves and accessorised with strappy sandals.

After posing on a balcony for a few solo snaps, she joined Blu in the venue.

He opted for a black and white striped top, cream trousers and trainers.

The TV star was then seen wrapping his arm around Sophie’s back as they posed for a joint snap.

The rooftop bash also saw Craig David lighting up the skyline with a live TS5 set and the martinis in full flow.

Pregnant Georgia Harrison led the way on the guest list, while Joey Essex and Princess Andre also made an appearance.

All the stars were decked out in the latest Boohoo clothes.

ISLE SAY

The PDA came just days after Blu appeared to make a move on Love Island All Stars winner Gabby Allen.

During an episode of spin off show Aftersun, host Maya Jama told him: “You guys still have the summer to find love – whether it’s with each other or someone else – we just won’t be able to watch it on telly.”

Love Island 2025 full lineup

  • Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare.
  • Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads.
  • Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish.
  • Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition.
  • Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart.
  • Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern.
  • Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves.
  • Megan Clarke: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins.
  • Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father’s footsteps.
  • Aaron Buckett: A towering 6’5” personal trainer.
  • Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro.
  • Antonia Laites: Love Island’s first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress.
  • Rose Selway: Beauty salon owner from Devon who runs 12 aesthetics clinics, boasting a famous clientele including former Love Islanders.
  • Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive.
  • Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell.
  • Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel.
  • Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side.
  • Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos.
  • Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell.

Departures:

  • Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing.
  • Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident.
  • Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa.

Gabby and Kaz Crossley were also on last night’s AfterSun, and Blu turned to look at them before waving and saying: “Hi Gabby.”

As the audience went wild, Kaz shouted back: “Yes! You’re her type, babe.”

Blu then added: “Can I pull for you for a chat?”

Laughing, Gabby pretended to walk over to Blu but didn’t appear to be shutting him down.

Gabby won the most recent series of All Stars with Casey O’Gorman, but last month confirmed they’d split.

Sophie Lee on the Love Island set.
Shutterstock Editorial
Sophie, 29, was the first to leave the villa[/caption]
Blu Chegini on Love Island.
Shutterstock Editorial
Blu was dumped after his housemates saved Shea[/caption]
Gabby Allen at the Melt Gala.
Getty
He flirted with All Stars alum Gabby Allen on Aftersun[/caption]

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Warning for Irish tourists in popular travel spot ahead of ‘life-threatening’ hurricane as Irish Govt issue advice

AN URGENT warning has been issued to Irish tourists in a popular travel destination ahead of a “life-threatening” Category 4 hurricane.

Holidaymakers heading to Mexico are being urged to take caution and closely monitor local and international weather updates.

Woman filming large waves crashing on a beach.
Reuters
Mexico is experiencing ‘potentially destructive’ tropical storm conditions[/caption]
Woman filming large waves crashing on a beach.
AFP
Tropical Storm Erick has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in only 24 hours[/caption]
Hurricane Erick wind speed probability map.
NHC
Coastal flooding can also happen due to storm surge and destructive waves[/caption]

Known for being a popular sunbreak destination, Mexico is experiencing tropical storm conditions that could disrupt the travel plans of many holidaymakers.

The US National Hurricane Center has confirmed that Tropical Storm Erick has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane as it bears down on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast.

Weather forecasters have said that the hurricane is now posing as a “potentially destructive” threat.

It has become the first major hurricane of the season.

A hurricane warning is currently in place from Acapulco to Puerto Angel in Mexico.

But hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings have also been issued for surrounding areas including Salina Cruz and Bahias de Huatulco.

The NHC has warned the hurricane could unleash up to 41cm of rain with winds up to 120km/h expected, raising fears of potential flooding and landslides.

It is understood that more than 500 shelters have been activated by Mexican authorities.

And over 18,000 responders have been deployed.

Erick’s projected path headed south yesterday night, closer to the tourist town of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca.

Strong winds will buffet the coast, generating large swells, big waves, overwash on the beaches and shoreline and dangerous rip currents in the surf zone.

Coastal flooding can also happen due to storm surge and destructive waves.

Waves were crashing onto the Puerto Escondido esplanade on Wednesday night, swamping the wooden fishing boats that had been pulled up for safety.

STRONGEST TROPICAL CYCLONE

AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said that Hurricane Erick has already become the strongest tropical cyclone in the Northern and Western Hemispheres so far this year.

He added: “Erick is expected track very close to Acapulco with the full impacts you would expect from a hurricane, ranging from powerful wind gusts and power outages to torrential rain and flash flooding, as well as storm surge flooding.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs has shared an update on their website to Irish holidaymakers heading to Mexico in the coming days.

In a statement, the Department said: The hurricane season in Mexico extends from June to the end of November and can severely disrupt transportation and utilities. Landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur.

“In the case of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.

“Visitors should also monitor local and international weather updates for the region and check the Weather Channel or the National Hurricane Centre in Miami.”

HURRICANE SEASON

They added: “If in Mexico during the hurricane season, you should leave a detailed copy of your travel plans with a family member or friend.

“Register with the Irish Embassy in Mexico City. In the event of an approaching hurricane, identify your local shelter.

“Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended and available flights may fill quickly so contact your airline for the latest flight information.”

Satellite image of Hurricane Erick approaching Mexico's Pacific coast.
AP
Holidaymakers heading to Mexico are being urged to take caution and closely monitor local and international weather updates[/caption]

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Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool ‘eye’ RECORD Isak deal, Wirtz announcement IMMINENT, Rashford to Newcastle EXCLUSIVE

THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are well underway with some huge deals in the pipeline.

Liverpool are preparing a record-breaking deal for Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak, according to reports.

And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the Reds could announce the sensational Florian Wirtz deal immienently.

Elsewhere, Newcastle want to rescue Marcus Rashford from his Manchester United limbo, SunSport can EXCLUSIVELY reveal.

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Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below…

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Two huge quiz shows pulled off air all week – as Loose Women is also given the boot by ITV

TWO huge quiz shows have been pulled from ITV’s schedules all week.

Fans hoping to get their daily teatime fix of quizzes have been left sorely disappointed and will continue to be, with no plans for either show to make a return this week.

Bradley Walsh, host of The Chase, on set.
ITV
The Chase has been pulled off screens[/caption]
Three contestants on Tipping Point.
ITV
So has Tipping Point – in a week of shake-ups[/caption]

Both Tipping Point and The Chase have been shelved from airing all week.

Fronted by Ben Shephard, Tipping Point usually screens for one hour at 4pm to see if anyone can win the jackpot prize.

ITV then continues its quizzing line-up with award-winning hit The Chase at 5pm.

Bradley Walsh hosts as a team of contestants take on one of the Chasers in hopes of taking home a huge sum of money if they can beat them in the final chase.

But neither show will air as a result of live coverage of Royal Ascot.

ITV has been forced to revamp their afternoon schedule entirely in order to accommodate broadcasting the horse racing event.

It has even seen daytime show Loose Women axed all week.

In order to air the racing, This Morning has been extended by 30 minutes each day until 1pm.

This is followed by a 30 minute edition of ITV News airing at the earlier timeslot as opposed to its usual 1:30pm posiiton.

Royal Ascot coverage then takes over right up until 6pm.

ITV News then airs its evening updates between 6pm and 7:30pm as usual followed by the day’s soaps.

It comes as Loose Women bosses are also reportedly axing a huge part of the show amid ITV budget cuts.

Producers have decided to drop the live studio audience next year as part of a series of cost-cutting changes to its daytime programming.

The show will return in 2026 with a reduced run of just 30 episodes – and without the 100-capacity crowd.

It follows broader budget reductions across the channel, which also include halving Lorraine’s airtime to 30 minutes and airing it only during school term times.

Producers’ decision to drop the audience is understood to be a cost-saving measure, as it is managed by an external company that provides security and a warm-up act.

ITV's daytime TV schedule changes in full

Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes to run from 6am to 9.30am daily.

Lorraine will run from 9.30am-10am, on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year.

During the weeks Lorraine is not on air, Good Morning Britain will run from 6am to 10am.

This Morning will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays throughout the year.

Loose Women will be in the 12.30-1.30pm slot, again on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year.

The changes will take effect from January 2026.

Five women sitting at a table on the set of the "Loose Women" TV show.
Shutterstock Editorial
Loose Women has also not aired all week[/caption]
The Chase contestants Shelley, Cliff, Coral, and Sandy with host Bradley Walsh.
ITV
Quiz favourites have been left disappointed[/caption]
Horses racing at Windsor Castle Stakes.
PA
The racing coverage will dominate[/caption]

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Blackmail horror for EastEnders teenager as sexual predator Joel targets another victim

EASTENDERS villain Joel Marshall has sunk to a new low – by blackmailing Tommy Moon over the sick sexual assault.

The teenage incel tricked his pal Tommy into filming a prank on the tube that was actually a pre-meditated sexual assault on a random woman.

Screenshot of a young man in a school uniform talking to someone.
BBC
Joel manipulated Tommy into handing over the video so he could blackmail him with it[/caption]
Screenshot of a boy in a school uniform.
BBC
Tommy found himself trapped in incel Joel’s web[/caption]

Joel was caught after the woman complained and Tommy fled, horrified at what had happened.

In today’s episode Tommy was cornered by Joel’s stepmother Vicky who threatened him into keeping quiet or she would ensure he suffered for Joel’s actions too.

Despite Vicki’s threats, Tommy spent most of the day trying to avoid Joel, determined to escape his grasp.

But when he found him in the cafe, he had no choice and tried to put distance between them.

However Joel wasn’t having any of it.

Instead, the incel creep decided to force Tommy to be his friend with a vile threat.

Tommy told him: “All I’m saying is… we might not be able to hang out as much.”

Joel replied: “Meh. Do what you like. I’m ain’t really that bothered. Just don’t forget who your real mates are. I ain’t told Vicki about you having that video. I easily could’ve done, I thought we were good.”

He then told Tommy that he could delete the video so he didn’t get in trouble – and just asked him to forward it to him first.

Tommy fell for it and then Joel told him: “You do know that you’re not completely off the hook though, right?

“Well now it’s on my phone and it’s obvious that you filmed it and you shared it with me.

“Don’t look so worried. We’re mates again so I’m not going to snitch on you just like you’re not going to snitch on me.”

Tommy looked trapped by Joel’s threats and things are only going to get worse for the troubled teenager.

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Viktor Gyokeres ‘tells family which club he expects to join in huge transfer decision for Man Utd and Arsenal’

VIKTOR GYOKERES has told his family where he expects to play next season, according to reports.

The Sporting Lisbon striker is being looked at by both Arsenal and Manchester United this summer.

Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon reacting during a football match.
AFP
Viktor Gyokeres has told those close to him who he will be signing for[/caption]

Gyokeres, 27, is certain to leave the Portuguese giants although they are “playing hardball” by demanding an £80m fee.

talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook said: “I had a message 24 hours or so ago suggesting that Viktor Gyokeres has told friends and family he expects to join Arsenal.

“We know that Manchester United are interested in signing him as well – obviously there is that pre-existing relationship with Ruben Amorim.

“But Arsenal can offer Champions League football, maybe can offer a tilt at the title next season.

“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well.

“But at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”

The Swede is said to be considering going on strike to force his Sporting exit.

Gyokeres is furious as he believes the club have broken a promise that he would be sold for £50million with a further £8million in add-ons.

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That agreement was supposedly made with former chief Hugo Viana.

But since his departure to Manchester City, club president Frederico Varandas is handling the transfer.

He has slammed Gyokeres last week, saying: “Sporting will not accept blackmail and insults – you should know me better by now.

“One thing is certain, we will not accept £50m plus £8m. As of now, Sporting has not received any bids for Gyokeres.

“It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the season, especially because he was going to be 27.

“We knew about Viktor’s dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense.

“We guaranteed that we would not demand £85m. Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word.”

Sesko, 22, is also on Arsenal’s radar and reports in Germany say they have agreed personal terms with him.

Inside Arsenal's frustrating striker transfer saga

By Jordan Davies

ARSENAL’S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall.

The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta.

But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen’s agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated.

Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit.

But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money.

While the players’ camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them.

So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike?

Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season.

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UFC star Ilia Topuria makes offer to Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso ahead of UFC 317 as Los Blancos eye Mbappe back-up

UFC superstar Ilia Topuria has jokingly offered his services to Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who is on the hunt for a new striker

Georgian-born Spaniard Topruia is one of the slickest strikers in the sport of mixed martial arts and has electrified the UFC with a string of emphatic knockouts.

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Ilia Topuria UFC featherweight champion salutes the fans prior the game prior the game the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 25, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
UFC superstar Ilia Topuria is a huge fan of Real Madrid and visited the Bernabeu after winning the featherweight title
GETTY
Two shirtless men playing soccer on a lawn.
INSTGRAM@ILIATOPURIA
Madrista Topuria is quite the football player[/caption]
Shirtless soccer player running on a field.
INSTGRAM@ILIATOPURIA
Topuria has offered his services to new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso[/caption]

But he’s also a dab hand on the pitch, so much so that he shared his footie skills in an Instgram video for his 7.7 million followers to see.

The 28-year-old posted a video of himself dribbling past his training partners as they took some downtime from preparations for his UFC 317 next weekend.

And the Real superfan sent a message to new Los Blancos boss Alonso, who is in the market for a back-up striker for Kylian Mbappe.

His accompanying caption read: “I’m not saying anything but @realmadrid needs a Matador.”

Topuria, who was presented at the Bernabeu last February after his brutal featherweight title-winning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski, had his comments section flooded by Madridistas.

One commented: “Warm up, you’re playing tomorrow.”

Another said: “The terror of defences (no one dares to protest)”

And another said: “Better than Cristiano.”

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Two MMA fighters celebrating a victory with a championship belt.
GETTY
Ilia Topuria is pals with Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos[/caption]

One remarked: “Topurinho.”

Another chimed in: “Barcelona, you have a new problem.”

Topuria is pals with Real legend Sergio Ramos, who was cageside for his sole featherweight title defence against Max Holloway last October.

‘El Matador’ will bid to become a two-division champion a week on Sunday morning when he fights Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas.

And he plans to win his second belt in as equally devastating a fashion as his first.

He said: Charles is a great fighter.

“I’d say he’s a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC.

“But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round.

“Because he has no mobility, he doesn’t move.”

UFC 317: Topuria vs Oliveira, World Lightweight Championship fight poster.
UFC
Ilia Topuria returns to the octagon next weekend to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title[/caption]

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I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it

A RETIRED banking boss was shocked after discovering his neighbour had knocked down his door.

Nicholas Patrick-Hiley and his wife Lisa won £10,000 in a court battle with Parliament’s master bell-ringer Adrian Udal, 65 after the latter ripped out the front gate of their £2million home in Fulham, West London.

Aerial view of a property dispute location.
The location of the heated dispute between Nicholas Partick-Hiley and Adrian Udal
Refer to Source and caption
Photo of a property dispute location in Disbrowe Road, Fulham.  Mr. Udal's house is on the left and Mr. Partick-Hiley's is behind.
The Partick-Hileys use the drive that Mr Udal owns to gain entry to their property
Champion News Service Ltd
Aerial illustration of two houses, highlighting a neighborly dispute.

Former Panmure Gordon Securities top executive Nicholas, 64, purchased the property in August 2023 to commemorate his retirement.

But the homeowner’s mood was dampened when he arrived to find the door and roller gate demolished by the bell ringer.

Udal claimed that he had merely been asserting rights over land he owns when ripping out the previous gate and installing a new one at the end of the driveway.

The couple sued for an injunction against Mr Udal, claiming the right to put up new gates across the opening which leads to their house, citing “security concerns” in the affluent street.

Judge Nicholas Parfitt KC ruled in favour of the couple, ordering Mr Udal to pay the couple £10,000.

Mr Udal is a veteran bell-ringer at St Margaret’s Church next to Westminster Abbey, which acts as the church for the Houses of Parliament. 

The neighbouring homes have an unusual layout, with Patrick-Hileys’ home situated behind Mr Udal’s property and is reachable via a drive and a passageway, the court heard. 

Mr Udal owns the drive and passageway which the Patrick-Hileys pass through to arrive at their home, but the couple maintain the right to use it.

Mr Udal insisted that their rights over the passage did not include passing through by car or parking a vehicle on it.

Representing the Patrick-Hileys, Mark Warwick KC told Mayors and City County Court that the incident began when they found Mr Udal destroying the door and gate at around 12pm on move in day. 

The bell ringer continued with the demolition works into the early evening accompanied by another individual.

“They were also disconnecting wiring that connected the property to various services,” Mr Warwick KC said.

“No advance warning of any kind had been given by Mr Udal, or anyone on his behalf, that such extraordinary behaviour was going to happen. 

“His actions were plainly carefully pre-planned. No amount of persuasion, including the involvement of the police, has caused him to resile, or seemingly regret, his actions.

“The impact of these actions, and contentions, has been serious, their quiet enjoyment and actual enjoyment of their home has been disrupted.”

Ultimately, Judge Nicholas Parfitt KC ruled in favour of the Patrick Hileys, stating that Mr Udal was “a poor witness who came across as preferring his own perception of what might be helpful to his own case, regardless of any objective reality”.

He added: “Mr Udal’s actions in respect of the roller gates and furniture was an inappropriate and wrongful act of wanton destruction designed, in my view, to, at best, take advantage of the gap between owners occurring at completion, and conduct which any reasonable and objective person should have realised would cause considerable upset and discomfort to the new owners.

“I also find that his actions…removed the claimants’ internet cable for about six weeks; they also led to a lack of privacy and meant that Mrs Patrick-Hiley in particular felt uneasy about coming home after dark.

“This [behaviour] was inappropriate and unneighbourly and my impression of Mr Udal is that he is likely, if given the opportunity, to think of other ways in which he can interfere with the claimants’ rights if his own ability to believe his own arguments and language constructions manages to suggest them.

“It follows that the claimants’ rights need to be vindicated by the granting of declarations and injunctions for their reasonable protection and to limit the risk of a repetition.

“The removal of the roller gates and furniture was a trespass to property and the general conduct on 25 August 2025 was a nuisance and in particular a wrongful interference with the claimants’ easements.

“The defendant’s conduct has continued as a sporadic and occasional interference.”

Nicholas and Lisa Partick-Hiley outside a county court during a neighbor dispute.
Judge Nicholas Parfitt KC ruled in favour of Nicholas and Lisa Partick-Hiley (pictured)
Champion News Service
Adrian Udal, a Westminster Abbey bellringer, outside a county court during a neighbor dispute.
Mr Udal was ordered to pay the couple £10,000
Champion News Service

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