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Portuguese soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo could be set for a rare India appearance after Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr were drawn against ISL champions FC Goa in the AFC Champions League Two group stage. The sides will meet twice under the home-and-away format, though Ronaldo’s trip to Goa remains uncertain amid reports of a contract clause restricting certain away fixtures.

In the same competition, Al Nassr will also face Iraq’s Al Zawraa and Tajikistan’s Istiklol Dushanbe, with the potential star power of Ronaldo, Joao Felix, and Sadio Mane ensuring huge fan interest across Asia.

Meanwhile, UAE champions Shabab Al Ahli have been handed a formidable AFC Champions League Elite draw, going up against all three of Saudi Arabia’s football giants, Al Hilal, Al Ahli Saudi Arabia, and Al Ittihad. The Dubai side, coached by Portuguese tactician Paulo Sousa, dominated domestically last season and will now aim to add continental silverware to their collection when the group stage kicks off on September 15.

Elsewhere, the UAE’s Sharjah and Al Wahda also face Saudi opposition in the competition, while Al Wasl will compete in the AFC Champions League Two against Esteghlal (Iran), Al Muharraq (Bahrain), and Al Wehdat (Jordan). The top eight sides from each region progress to the Round of 16 in March 2026, with finals set for April in Saudi Arabia.

The possibility of Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Sadio Mane playing in front of a packed Indian crowd has already generated huge buzz.

Dubai is set to host a night of world-class MMA action as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brings a championship double-header to the Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, October 3. The event, PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. The rematch will feature two world title bouts, headlined by one of the most anticipated clashes in PFL history.

In the main event, Dagestan’s undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0, 1 NC) defends his PFL lightweight title against Ireland’s Paul Hughes (14-2) in a high-stakes rematch. Their first meeting in January, also in Dubai, was an instant classic that ended in a decision many fans debated fiercely. Hughes has since rebounded with a stunning 42-second knockout win in May, vowing to settle the score once and for all.

The co-main event will see former Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson (19-6) take on 2024 PFL light heavyweight tournament winner Dovlet Yagshimuradov (25-7-1) of Turkmenistan. It’s a rematch of their 2021 clash, where Anderson scored a stoppage victory. Since then, Yagshimuradov has built an impressive seven-fight win streak to claim PFL gold.

The early card is equally stacked:

• Heavyweight wrestling showdown: Iran’s Pouya Rahmani (4-0) vs Tunisia’s Slim Trabelsi (8-0), with both fighters aiming to keep their unbeaten records.
• Grudge match, seven years in the making: Zubaira Tukhugov (20-6-1) vs Artem Lobov (14-15-1), a bout originally scrapped after the infamous UFC 229 post-fight brawl.
• Battle of champions: Egypt’s Omar El-Dafrawy (14-5), PFL MENA welterweight champion, vs Albania’s Florim Zendeli (10-1-1), PFL Europe welterweight champion.

More bouts will be announced in the lead-up to fight night.

The event is part of PFL’s multi-year partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, marking another milestone in the Road to Dubai campaign. The October fight card is an additional showcase ahead of the series finale in January.

PFL CEO John Martin promised fans “one of the biggest nights in PFL history,” adding:

“Two world titles, four elite athletes, and the biggest rematch we’ve ever seen. Dubai has fast become one of MMA’s global capitals, and this night will be a championship spectacle.”

West Indies power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer has signed with the Desert Vipers as the team’s wild card pick for the upcoming season of the DP World ILT20.

The left-hander, who previously represented the Gulf Giants in the first three seasons, including their title-winning debut campaign against the Vipers, brings firepower and experience to the Vipers’ batting order. In his ILT20 career so far, Hetmyer has scored 666 runs at a strike rate of over 150, smashing 48 fours and 33 sixes.

“I am so happy to be joining the Desert Vipers,” said Hetmyer. “I’ve enjoyed my battles against them in past seasons, and now I look forward to playing alongside their quality players.”

Tom Moody, Desert Vipers Director of Cricket, hailed the signing as a “real coup”, calling Hetmyer “a smart cricketer who knows the T20 format inside out” and “a huge asset for the coming season.”

The Vipers, twice runners-up in the first three seasons, continue their hunt for a maiden title.