American fighter Strickland loses his world champion belt in a bloody fight

South African fighter Drexus du Plessis snatched the UFC Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) champion title from American Sean Strickland in the fight that brought them together today, Sunday, in Canada.

Drakeus du Plessis was able to defeat the American fighter, with points according to the different opinions of the judges, by: (48-47, 48-47, 47-48), in an exciting, “bloody” fight that brought them together in the Canadian city of Toronto, within the (UFC 297) tournament. .

It is noteworthy that Sean Strickland had snatched the UFC middleweight world champion belt for mixed martial arts (MMA) from the former world champion, New Zealander Israel Adesanya, by defeating him on points, by unanimous decision of the judges, with a score of: (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) in the main fight that brought them together on September 9, 2023, in the Australian city of Sydney, within the “UFC 293” tournament.

Dricus du Plessis (30 years old) achieved his twenty-first victory during his professional career so far, compared to two losses.

While Sean Strickland (32 years old) suffered his sixth defeat during his professional career so far, compared to 28 wins.

A fight between Moroccan and Congolese players Regragui is accused of racism, and Mbemba “speaks to God”

Clashes occurred between players from Morocco and the Republic of the Congo on Sunday, after the two teams faced off in the second round of the group stage of the African Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

Immediately after the final whistle sounded in a positive draw (1-1), verbal and fistfights took place between the players of both sides.

Walid Regragui, coach of the Moroccan national team, was present at the scene of events, after Congolese player Chancel Mbemba directed insulting words at the Lions coach.

The Confederation of African Football opened an investigation to find out the causes of the quarrel and the unfortunate events that followed the match between Morocco and the Republic of the Congo.

Walid Al-Regragui said in a press conference after the match: “Things should not be exaggerated. What happened could have been avoided. The match was difficult and intensely competitive... and we must apologize for what happened.”

While the Congolese player came out and revealed the details of that incident and his conversation with Regragui in media statements following the match, claiming that he was insulted with racist language by the Moroccan coach.

The player said in his statements: “I do not need to talk a lot, because God’s justice is the most important. I am not perfect, but on the field I respect everyone and this respect is mutual.”

He added: "I respect Regraki for being a big man, but the video that appeared on television was cut off. I will remain silent because it is the best option, but God's justice exists, and this word should not have come out of his mouth."

The Moroccan national team leads Group Six (F) with 4 points, two points ahead of its closest rival, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the Zambian national team is in third place with two points as well, after drawing in a subsequent match, with a similar goal, with Tanzania, at the bottom of the standings with one point.

The "Atlas Lions", who won the African Cup of Nations in 1976 in Ethiopia, began their matches in the current edition of the tournament, with a 3-0 victory over Tanzania in the first round, which saw the Democratic Republic of the Congo draw 1-1 with Zambia.

The competition regulations stipulate that the winner and runner-up of each group in the six groups will qualify for the round of 16 of the tournament, in addition to the four best third-placed teams.

The Moroccan national team will conclude its matches in the group by facing Zambia next Wednesday in the third (final) round, which will witness another meeting between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania.

The youngest Arab climber reaches the highest peak in Africa

A Moroccan child succeeded in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest peak in Africa, fulfilling his ambition to be the youngest Arab climber to achieve this achievement.

Youssef Al-Tazi, 12 years old, expressed his pride in achieving this achievement, as he became the youngest Moroccan and Arab mountaineer to climb the highest peak in Africa, with a height of 5,895 metres.

Last August, Youssef and his father were able to achieve his dream of climbing Mount Ararat, the highest peak in Turkey, after climbing 27 mountain peaks in Morocco, including 7 peaks exceeding 4,000 meters in height.

After a five-day trip, starting from the Turkish city of Dogbayazit, Youssef reached the summit of Mount Ararat, located on the border between Turkey and Armenia, becoming the first Moroccan child to climb a mountain whose peak exceeds five thousand metres.

It is noteworthy that Youssef and his father, Omar Al-Tazi, chose to undertake this adventure after more than a year of physical, psychological and medical preparations, and after climbing a number of mountain peaks in Morocco, some of which exceed 4,000 meters in height.