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USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Robert Whittaker: If Khamzat Chimaev can't stop Dricus Du Plessis on the ground, he loses
Robert Whittaker doesn't see Khamzat Chimaev surviving a five-round war with Dricus Du Plessis. Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the UFC 319 main event on Aug. 16 from United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Whittaker suffered stoppage losses to both Du Plessis and Chimaev. He was quickly submitted in his most recent outing against Chimaev at UFC 308 last October. However, with Chimaev showing a tendency to slow down in his only two decision wins against Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, Whittaker questions his ability to survive the championship rounds against Du Plessis – if he's dragged there. "Honestly, I have to say Dricus would be a favorite," Whittaker told FOX Sports Australia. "I think I'm leaning towards Dricus. The whole thing can be summed up – Chimaev will take him down. It's will he finish him before he gets back up? That's the million-dollar question because if he doesn't finish him on the ground, I think he loses." Former middleweight champion Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) will look to rebound when he takes on Reinier de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the UFC on ABC 9 headliner July 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. "Four fights, I see the light at the end of the tunnel," Whittaker said on his future. "I want four more. I see the stepping stones needed to do what I want to do. Four fights gets me into that title shot, gets me into a position to finish on top, to have that fairytale ending. So, I'm working towards it."
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gout Gout's true colours on show with six-word mantra after Usain Bolt statement
Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm since he rose to international acclaim in 2024, and a message on his phone's wallpaper is indicative of his sprinting aspirations Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout keeps his Olympic ambitions close at hand with a distinct motivational message as his phone's wallpaper. Since he was 15, Gout has been smashing national records and turned heads this March with a scorching 19.98 in the 200m at the Queensland Athletics Championships. The teenager then claimed the Australian 200m crown in April, although his sub-20-second runs weren't officially recorded due to an overly helpful tailwind. He does, however, hold the national record of 20.04. Gout also cracked the 10-second mark in the 100m the same month, which was another wind-assisted feat but a clear indication of his burgeoning prowess. The 17-year-old has since captured international attention, sparking conversations about possible Olympic success. With sights set on competing among the world's elite at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Gout is gunning for gold, especially as the Games will come to his home country in 2032. Talking to GQ, Gout shared the six-word motivational mantra that he sees each day and adorns his phone screen: "You're going to be Olympic champion." Coming off the back of Noah Lyles' gold-winning performance of 9.79 in the 2024 Olympics, the stakes are high for young Gout who, at just 20 years old by LA 2028, could be setting the track alight, reports the Mirror US. Gout has not only set his sights on becoming an Olympic champion, but also dreams of dominating the track scene like the famed 100m and 200m world record holder, Usain Bolt "I think the limit is just obviously winning Olympics and winning world championships and honestly dominating like Bolt did," Gout shared with FOX Sports Australia. "I think that limit is reachable for me. "The times I've run so far could potentially make it into [Olympic] finals, make the top four, top five, top six. Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement," he added. "[Just] trying to be on that podium running against [Letsile] Tebogo, Noah [Lyles], [Lachlan] Kennedy, all them athletes. That's definitely a goal of mine and to keep aiming for the top." However, Gout's coach, Di Sheppard, has cautioned the young athlete that achieving his goals will require sacrifice and acceptance that his talents will eventually plateau. "I've been telling him for a couple of years that when we get to a set point, your social life will be pretty much non-existent, in the sense you just can't go out where you want," she told The Guardian. "He's at that point pretty much now, which is kind of tough when you think he's still at school. Things will plateau, that's a natural part. It has to come to a 'Bang, OK, now we've got to find our next adaptation phase to go up.' "For us to go to the top – we're still a long way from there – and because we know that's our end goal, we don't get too wrapped up in the good things that come. They're stepping stones, and that's how I've tried to teach Gout. There's no clear path up."
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gout Gout's most expensive buy says a lot about him as he makes admission
Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm at the tender age of just 17 - but the Australian sprinting sensation has remained incredibly level-headed in his spending Gout Gout has shown remarkable restraint with his finances despite his rapid rise in the athletics world at the age of just 17. Hailing from Queensland, Australia, where he was born two years after his parents fled South Sudan, Gout Gout quickly developed a passion for sports. Initially an enthusiastic footballer, he soon shifted focus to sprinting, excelling particularly in the 100m and 200m events. Gout Gout first made waves at 15 when he shattered the Australian U18 men's 200m record, clocking in at 20.87 seconds during the Australian Junior Athletics Championships. But it was in December 2024 that he truly stunned the world. The young athlete blazed through the 200m final of the Australian All Schools Athletics Championship in 20.04 seconds, securing the second-fastest U18 time ever recorded, surpassing Usain Bolt's record in the same age bracket and breaking the Australian and Oceanian record previously held by Peter Norman since 1968. Despite the potential for newfound wealth to turn heads, Gout Gout has stayed grounded. In a candid chat with GQ, he revealed he has been modest with his spending, explaining: "I've saved a lot and I bought myself a new car when I got my Ps, so that's probably the biggest purchase I've made so far. I haven't gone crazy." Showing his true colours, he also shared his commitment to looking after his loved ones, adding: "Long term, I'd like to set myself up and set my family up." While he may be a few years off from Olympic glory, Gout Gout has already made waves in athletics, grabbing silver in the 200m at the 2024 World Championships in Lima and securing fifth in the 4x100m relay at the same event. On top of his international exploits, the youngster has dominated domestically, winning the U20 100m and the 200m at this year's Australian Athletics Championships with blistering times of 9.99 and 19.84 seconds, respectively. His striking achievements at a tender age have led to comparisons with the legendary Bolt, who captured eight Olympic golds and another eleven at World Championships during his own career. Embracing high aspirations, Gout Gout told FOX Sports Australia about his ambition to emulate Bolt's incredible dominance. He said: "The limit is just obviously winning Olympics and winning World Championships, and honestly dominating like Bolt did. I think that's a limit that's reachable for me." Although comparisons with Bolt have been frequent, the athlete expressed feelings of mild irritation at constantly being likened to the sprinting giant. Speaking to Nine last year, he said: "My stride length is pretty long, my knee height is pretty high and just the amount of tallness I get when I'm running. "I'm just me trying to be me. Obviously, I do run like him. I do sometimes look like him, but obviously, I'm making a name for myself, and I think I've done that pretty well. I just want to continue doing that and continue to be not only Usain Bolt but continue to be Gout Gout."
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alexander Volkanovski provides update on next UFC fight: 'The rumors are pretty much true'
Alexander Volkanovski provides update on next UFC fight: 'The rumors are pretty much true' UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski expected Movsar Evloev to be his next challenger – but it appears he won't be. Prior to defeating Diego Lopes to claim the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314, Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) said he was willing to make his first title defense against Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in September. However, the promotion opted to go a different direction. With Noche UFC originally set to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in Sept. 13 before moving to San Antonio, Texas, rumors swirled that Yair Rodriguez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is likely next for Volkanovski. "It's pretty clear that it wasn't going to be Movsar," Volkanovski told FOX Sports Australia. "That's who I thought it would be. Obviously, him being undefeated and on the sort of a tear that he's on, but I think they've matched him up. You've seen him tweet something about that. So, he already went out and made that public that he unfortunately can't fight for the title. "Yair's name has popped up. No dates are set right now. So, again, I think it's just a lot of moving parts all through the whole division. I think there's a lot happening right now. So, we'll see what's happening. We'll see what comes up. All I can really tell you is everyone pretty much knows the situation, and the rumors you're hearing are pretty much true, but nothing's locked in." Rodriguez in the title picture may come as a surprise to many since he is 1-2 in his past three fights. After back-to-back losses to Volkanovski for the featherweight title then Brian Ortega, "El Pantera" rebounded with a unanimous decision win over former Bellator champion Patricio Freire at UFC 314.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gout Gout admits Noah Lyles has two-word nickname for him as he shares messages
Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm over the last 12 months and the 17-year-old has a strong bond with Olympic champion Noah Lyles, who has a nickname for his young friend Noah Lyles has taken the prodigious Gout Gout under his wing as he affectionately uses the nickname "Little Bro" for the 17-year-old sprinting sensation. The Australian teenager has been making waves in the athletics world, surpassing records once held by the legendary Usain Bolt. His prowess was on full display last year when he clinched silver in the 200m at the Under-20 World Championships. Now, with an eye on the senior World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, Gout is set to represent Australia after shattering the Oceanian record and breaking a longstanding national record. He has already developed a close friendship with Olympic 100m gold medallist Lyles, as the pair have trained together and keep in touch online. Lyles even has an affectionate nickname for his fellow athlete, who is a decade younger than him. Speaking to FOX Sports Australia, Gout revealed: "He calls me 'Little Bro' so we definitely have a great connection. Obviously, I gave him a nudge. "I said in the podcast (Gout appeared on Lyles' podcast earlier this year), I told him I'd be running up his a**, for sure. "It's definitely great. He messages me occasionally and I tell him 'Congratulations' and stuff like that. He's a great guy" Lyles has been sharing some tips with Gout, even though they might soon be head-to-head competitors on the track. While appearing on Foxtel's The Back Page, Gout said: "Some of it is definitely physical. I'm still a teenager and haven't grown into my body yet. "Still getting my grown man's strength, as Noah would say, and just working on those little aspects, a couple of things at the start, gaining power and strength. Those little things really take you to the next level." Gout doesn't shy away from his ambitious goals to conquer the sprint world like Bolt did in the late 2000s and early 2010s. He said: "The goal is winning the Olympics and winning the World Championships. "Honestly, dominating like Bolt did. I think that limit is reachable for me." As he looks ahead, the teenager's eyes are set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Games planned for his hometown, Brisbane. Gout added: "The times I've run so far could potentially make it into finals, make the top four, top five, top six. Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement. "And trying to be on that podium running against [Letsile] Tebogo, Noah, [Lachlan] Kennedy, all them athletes. That's definitely a goal in mind and keep aiming for the top."
