Khamzat Chimaev is the new undisputed UFC middleweight champion after a dominant display against title holder Dricus Du Plessis at the United Center in Chicago.
Billed as a battle between the undefeated UFC middleweights, Du Plessis put his belt on the line for the third time on Saturday against Chimaev, the No 3-ranked contender and considered one of the most feared pound-for-pound fighters on the UFC roster.
But Chimaev was in control of the bout from the beginning until the end in one of the most one-sided title fights in UFC history; all three judges scored the bout 50-44 for the Chechen fighter, who holds dual Russian and United Arab Emirates citizenship.
“I am happy, always,” Chimaev said post-fight. “I never have a game plan, just go in and work like I do in the gym. That guy [Du Plessis] is strong. I couldn’t finish. I respect that guy. He is the only champion that would say my name. This guy has big heart.”
The victory extends Chimaev’s unbeaten UFC win streak to 15. Du Plessis experienced his first UFC loss and drops to 23-3 for his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
Chimaev, who first entered UFC in 2020 and has previously defeated former champions Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker, was rarely threatened against Du Plessis, and despite being denied a finish by the South African he relentlessly took down the defending champion in the opening minute of every round.
The 31-year-old converted 12 of 17 takedown attempts in the bout and spent 84% of the 25-minute fight in control of Du Plessis, according to official UFC match data.
Du Plessis’s only moment to stage a come-from-behind victory came in the final round when he spun his way on top of his tiring opponent and executed a guillotine. Unfortunately for the reigning champion, the choke only lasted a couple of seconds as Chimaev methodically fought his way out and again resumed his control of the fight until the final bell.
“The man has incredible control on top,” Du Plessis said. “It wasn’t a matter of strength; it wasn’t physical; it was almost like he knew what your next move was. I could almost taste that victory [with the guillotine choke hold], but he beat me fair and square. He was the better man tonight. I’ll be coming to get my belt back, but for now, it’s his. He deserves it.”
Khamzat Chimaev (top) grapples with Dricus du Plessis during their middleweight title bout at UFC 319 [Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images via AFP]
EXCLUSIVE: Adam Collard has revealed whether he and fiancée Laura Woods are having more children, as he admits the pair have a decision to make when it comes to the future of their family.
Adam Collard has revealed whether he and fiancée Laura Woods are having more children
Adam Collard has revealed he and Laura Woods are already planning baby number two, but have a big decision to make on whether a third little one will be on the cards.
“I’m one of two and Laura’s one of three, so we’re arguing over whether we want two or three kids. Hopefully the next one’s a girl and we can stop there,” Adam – who already shares eight-month-old son with the sports presenter – tells Mirror. “We’ve got her family staying right now and there’s a lot of kids around the house, so I told her this is what it’ll be like if we have three,” laughs Adam.
Whatever number the decide on, Adam says Laura is a natural when it comes to parenthood: “She was born to be a mum. Laura fell pregnant quite early on in our relationship and it feels like she was meant for it in every sense. I started my own businesses at 21 and went on Love Island at 22, but it always felt like I was working hard, going on holidays, doing all these material things, with no one to share it with.” Adam’s comments come after Andy Carroll ‘splits from Lou Teasdale due to her demands’ weeks after public row.
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Adam has been with TNT presenter Laura since 2023(Image: Instagram)
“Laura’s the same, we now realise why we work hard. We’ve just bought another house and it’s probably going to be the home where Leo grows up – we now realise what the point is.”
Becoming a parent is no easy feat though, something Adam has learned along the way. “[Leo] is a handful! He’s 100 miles an hour, but so funny and everything we’ve ever wanted. Being a dad is great, but it’s challenging, too, I’d never sugar coat that.
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“But it’s put everything into perspective. I’ve got a purpose now, whereas for years I felt like I was in limbo. I’ve not got a lot of family members that I’m close to – unlike Laura. Both my mum and dad have been missing at different stages of my life. But I want to compensate for that and be the best I can possibly be for Leo.”
On the topic of being the best he possibly can be, Adam is currently one of the celebs battling it out on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and has been one of this series’ strongest contenders. “[Celeb SAS] was amazing, even better than I expected. I like how it’s not ‘produced’, when we’re in there, it doesn’t feel like a TV show. It wasn’t easy, though.
Adam is one of the recruits taking part in the new series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins(Image: Pete Dadds / Channel 4)
“The final few days were tough – interrogation alone was harder than the full week before, they peel the layers off. I have a reputation for physical fitness, but I wanted to put myself in that situation to test myself mentally,” he said of doing the show.
But as well as testing himself, Adam also used the show to get out of a difficult place he was in, as the former Love Island star explains: “I’ve spoken about my addiction to painkillers, which saw my mental health dip. I nearly pulled out of SAS because I didn’t feel my strongest, mentally. But, I spoke with Laura and realised that when anything bad happens, the best thing is to have something to focus on.
“People will see an emotional side of me, which they’ll be surprised about because it’s not the hard exterior I had the last seven years I’ve been on TV. The show was a bit of a saving grace.”
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Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sundays and Mondays.
Meghan Markle has returned to Instagram posting and publicly announced her and Prince Harry new deal with Netflix – but there is one issue she’s not spoken out about
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be toasting their new Netflix deal – but a war of words has still rumbled on in the background.
Earlier this year, the Duke of Sussex stepped down from Sentebale, the charity he founded to help children orphaned by Aids in Lesotho, following a boardroom battle with the chairwoman, Dr Sophie Chandauka.
Harry was said to be devastated by the row, which saw all sides rebuked by the Charity Commission for allowing the war of words to play out so publicly. Meghan was even dragged into the row earlier this year when Dr Chandauka claimed she caused a stir at a fund-raiser for the charity with little notice.
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The couple have a new Netflix deal(Image: Netflix)
But despite posting on Instagram and publicly announcing the new Netflix deal, Meghan has stayed silent on the row. And according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, there is good reason for this.
She told the Mirror : “This is a very sensitive issue all round. Sentebale was Harry’s charity from the start, along with his co-founder, Prince Seeiso.
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“The allegations of misogyny and misogynoir – both discounted by the charity commission – make this an even more sensitive issue for Meghan to become involved with.
“So I think she has wisely taken a back seat on this and left it to her husband. I’m sure she has supported and comforted him in private, and I think Harry will completely understand that it’s not her place to get involved in a public row with his charity.”
Prince Harry with Dr Sophie Chandauka (Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
Since the Charity Commission’s report, it has since been revealed that Harry might be set to start a new humanitarian charity. His spokesperson said: “The duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago. In what form that support takes — no decisions have been made.
“All options remain on the table; whether that be starting a new charity or working to support pre-existing charities operating in the same sector in the region.” But for royal historian and expert Dr Tessa Dunlop, Meghan’s silence on the issue has been notable.
She added: “Now that Meghan and Harry have signed a new Netflix deal (‘looser’ and apparently less lucrative than the previous $78m one but a deal nonetheless), might the Duchess find her voice?
“Not the one she volubly uses to hawk As Ever wares (in conjunction with Netflix) but rather the voice Meghan famously re-found after leaving the Royal Family, the one that talked her truth to royal power and surely could talk her truth to the Sentebale fiasco?
“No, really, why hasn’t Meghan come out batting for Prince Harry in his latest round of verbal fisty-cuffs concerning his former African charity?
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After all, the Duke has consistently spoken out in support of his wife, establishing the precedent early on and against the wishes of his family when he condemned Britain’s media coverage and insisted he had never before witnessed such a ‘degree of pressure, scrutiny and harassment’ from the press. As it currently stands, Harry cuts a lonely figure.”
As Lauren Goodger gears up for the new series of TOWIE, a source reveals how filming the reality show while taking care of her young daughter on her own is leaving her “shattered”
Lauren returned to The Only Way is Essex last year but Larose remains her first priority
Lauren Goodger says she’s “rebuilding” herself with the support of her “TOWIE family” – but a source claims her TV role is taking its toll elsewhere in her life. The reality star, 38, who first appeared on The Only Way Is Essex as the ex-girlfriend of Mark Wright in its first series in 2010, returned to the set as a permanent cast member last year after experiencing some devastating personal losses.
But according to our source, while the high-profile gig is doing wonders for Lauren’s confidence, the reality of juggling her life as mum to a four-year-old daughter with the demands of a job on a prominent reality show is “overwhelming” at times.
Lauren was “gutted” to pull out of a planned promotional appearance on This Morning last week because she couldn’t arrange childcare for Larose, whose father is builder Charles Drury. Instead, the interview featured fan favourite Harry Derbidge in the studio and fellow TOWIE original Amy Childs via video link. It comes after Katie Price reaches out to Harvey’s lookalike half-brother but fears ‘he’s too scared’.
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Our source says Lauren will always put Larose before anything else(Image: Instagram)
“Lauren was devastated to miss This Morning last week because she’s really trying to get back out there with her career,” our source claimed. “She doesn’t think it looks good to miss things, but she also needs to be the best mum to Larose. She really hates letting people down but also doesn’t want to feel like she’s a bad mum if she leaves her daughter – especially after everything they’ve been through.”
Lauren has been vocal about her struggles with anxiety since her and Charles’s second daughter, Lorena, died in July 2022, just a few minutes after her birth. The tragic loss came only a week after Lauren’s ex-boyfriend, Jake McLean, died in a car crash on holiday in Turkey at the age of 33.
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Just before her big TOWIE return last year, Lauren revealed she was “realising who I am again” after spending the last few years in a “mum bubble” as she learned to navigate her grief.
Larose was born in July 2021 after Lauren became pregnant early into her relationship with Charles, 28, and the pair are widely thought to have had an on-off relationship ever since. Rumours they had reunited circulated when the two were photographed with Larose at an airport last month, reportedly jetting off on a family holiday.
Lauren shares Larose with her ex boyfriend Charles Drury(Image: Instagram)
Regardless of her relationship status – Lauren has yet to publicly confirm or deny that they are back together – our source said she’s struggling to find a healthy balance when solo parenting.
“Lauren is overwhelmed – she’s overwhelmed with mum duties and with work,” said the source. “It’s so hard to find that balance of taking care of Larose and also making sure she stays healthy and happy herself. TOWIE is her main job so it has to be a priority, but she’d never put it before being a mum to Larose, so it’s a really difficult balance for her to find.”
Lauren spoke out earlier this summer before jetting off to Portugal – without Larose – to film for the hit ITV2 programme. She revealed it was the first time she’d left her daughter “to go away or do anything for me” and had been kept awake most of the night by doubts about going on the trip.
The reality star also confessed that she felt “lonely”, but had to stay strong all the time for the sake of her daughter. “I haven’t got anyone to lean on and that’s really sad,” she said.
Lauren jetted off to Portugal with the rest of the Towie cast(Image: @laurengoodger/Instagram)
The sun-soaked trip to Portugal, where the cast celebrated 15 years of the series, clearly did wonders for Lauren’s confidence, however. Sharing a sunset snap of herself with her 945,000 Instagram followers, she wrote, “What a rollercoaster but an amazing achievement for me personally. Here’s to rebuilding me. Thank you @itvxofficial @towie thank you whole of TOWIE production and my TOWIE family.”
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Lauren since visiting Portugal in June, as she revealed to her followers last week that she was feeling “absolutely shattered”.
“I’m so tired, I don’t know how I’m doing it at the minute,” she said. “It has been absolutely hectic.”
Lauren put her exhaustion down to Larose’s six-week summer holidays and travelling back and forth to London to film, adding, “I’m going to do bath, do bedtime and do work again. I haven’t stopped working. I wish I could have a nap but never. You know how it is being a mum.”
Handy Andy – real name Andy Kane – was a hugely popular member of the Changing Rooms team with viewers. But what has he been up to since he left the show in 2004?
Changing Rooms aired on the BBC between 1996 and 2004(Image: BBC)
Popular 90s DIY show Changing Rooms was a firm favourite on our screens, but the cast look very different to nowadays.
Viewers of the BBC show tuned in weekly to see the team take on some major home transformations, making the stars of the show household names in the process.
Hosted by Carol Smillie, Changing Rooms drew in a whopping 10 million viewers at its peak on BBC One and created some iconic moments – who can forget when a £6,000 teapot collection was destroyed in one fell swoop by a floating shelf in series 8?
Designers Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Linda Barker, and Anna Ryder Richardson were the ones tasked with helping members of the public transform a room in someone else’s house – be it a friend, family member or neighbour. And then to help them make it a reality, the show’s handyman, Handy Andy (Andy Kane) swooped in.
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‘Handy Andy’ with his co-star Carole Smillie(Image: BBC)
DIY expert Andy appeared on the show from 1996-2004 and was a key player in the transformation process. But what has he been up to in the years since?
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After the show ended, Andy landed a role on the American version of the programme, named Trading Spaces, and he also presented three shows for UK Style, Room Rival , Garden Rivals and Streetcombers.
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One of his biggest programmes was Increase Your House Price By Ten Grand, which saw Andy work with a team to increase a house’s value by £10,000 in just three days with a £1,000 budget.
Andy has also appeared on I’m Famous And Frightened, Cirque de Celebrite and The Adam And Joe Show, and he has hosted a number of BBC Primary Geography programmes since 2008. He is happily married to his wife Geraldine and together they have four children.
Disaster struck in series 8 when a floating shelf collapsed(Image: BBC)
Andy was a popular member of the team and the chatty Cockney proved to be a big hit with viewers too. While he frequently impressed with his DIY, it didn’t always go to plan, and he later spoke about his most major mishap – when the teapot collection was destroyed.
Designer Linda had commissioned a floating shelf to house them but weighed it down with heavy books, causing the shelf to collapse overnight.
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Andy told the Metro: “It went wrong because they put too much weight on it. The shelf was obviously just for show and just the teapots on it would have been fine, but then they started loading up with books at the bottom.
“I did say at the time that books are very heavy but they carried on and you know, it’s one of them things. When it happened, it was really, really awful, everyone felt really bad, but now you just laugh about it. But it was good entertainment, wasn’t it?
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were invited to a movie premiere in Jamaica, a seating mix-up led to a very awkward situation, which has now been decoded by a body language expert
According to a body language expert, Prince Harry expected “preferential treatment” at a movie premiere(Image: Getty Images)
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are used to receiving celebrity treatment, a seating mix up at a movie premiere prompted an awkward reaction from the Sussexes, with Harry’s “lack of experience” at Hollywood events making for a cringeworthy moment – according to an expert.
Back in January 2024, Harry and Meghan were invited to the premiere screening of the Bob Marley: One Love biopic, making a surprise appearance at the glitzy event at the Carib Theatre in Jamaica.
After posing for photos on the red carpet, Harry and Meghan mingled with fans and dignitaries alike, including anti-monarchist Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness, before making their way inside for the screening. It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new Netflix deal could cause ‘concern’ for Royal Family.
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Harry and Meghan the premiere together in January 2024, travelling to Jamaica for the screening
While the Sussexes made their way to the front row to sit with the other VIPs at the event, it appears they couldn’t conceal their shock when they were asked to move a few rows back, leaving them seated in the third row.
According to body language expert Judi James, it was Harry more than Meghan who was surprised at the request to sit further from the state.
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She told the Daily Mail : “While [Meghan’s] smile suggests her expression of utter graciousness was unflinching, Harry clearly hangs back, performing several gestures of reluctance, discomfort and even indecision.”
Judi analysed the rest of Harry and Meghan’s appearance at the event, noting that Meghan appeared to see it as a “full-blown Hollywood” event as they both pulled moves “A-list celebrity couples perform”.
She explained: “Meghan seemed to treat this red carpet appearance as a full-blown Hollywood one. She looked regal and gracious in her elegant ballgown and pulled the kind of moves A-list celebrity couples perform, like the romantic gesture of ownership as she places a hand on Harry’s chest.”
Judi James believes Prince Harry showcased a “lack of experience” with Hollywood events(Image: Getty Images for Paramount Pictures,)
Judi added: “Meghan was fully in charge of the steering on the night, gently nudging Harry around and at one point pulling his hand out of his trouser pocket so that she could hold hands with him to walk into the venue.”
“Harry was showing body language signs of anxiety as they posed for their red carpet photos, but these increased and peaked once the couple were inside the venue and being ushered to their seats.”
Judi further explained Harry’s discomfort at the event as she said: “For Harry, public functions in the Royal Family have always meant top billing, the best seats in the house and preferential treatment.”
“But here there is a more unilateral look, where they were expected to take their own seats and maybe even buy their own popcorn. Harry’s lack of experience in this kind of scenario seems to show through here.”
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According to Ms James, this is not the first time that the couple have appeared to view themselves as “A-listers”, as she said at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf in September 2023, the pair presented themselves as a “celebrity power couple” during a rock star welcome.