Conor McGregor will return to the UFC Octagon on Jan. 18 in Las Vegas, according to UFC president Dana White.

The UFC is close to finalizing a non-title welterweight bout between McGregor and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone, which will headline UFC 246 on Jan. 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. McGregor has signed his contract to compete on the date, White told ESPN.

Cerrone's representatives say he has agreed to the bout and signed a new exclusive deal with the UFC.

"Conor has signed and Cowboy is ready to go," White told ESPN.

The bout will mark McGregor's third appearance at 170 pounds in the UFC. He fought Nate Diaz at welterweight twice in 2016, losing via submission before evening the series with a majority decision. McGregor's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

McGregor (21-4) has not fought since he was submitted in the fourth round of a lightweight title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018. The Dublin native hasn't won in the UFC since he knocked out Eddie Alvarez in November 2016 to win his second title.

A former 145- and 155-pound champion, McGregor, 31, has just the one UFC appearance in the past three years. Recently, he pleaded guilty to punching a man in a bar in April, and was ordered to pay a fine. Last month, The New York Times reported McGregor is under investigation in Ireland for two separate sexual assault allegations. No charges have been filed.

Cerrone (36-13) holds the UFC record for most wins and finishes in company history, with 23 and 16 respectively. He is a former lightweight title challenger, but fought exclusively at welterweight from 2016 to 2019. He is coming off a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in September.

Jonny Wilkinson says his World Cup-winning drop-goal for England felt like an out of body experience.

Wilkinson landed the drop-goal against Australia with just 26 seconds left of the 2003 final in Sydney.

It remains the only time England have won the event, after the current side lost this year's final to South Africa.

Recalling his winning strike for BBC Radio 4's Don't Tell Me The Score, Wilkinson said: "It's not me kicking it, it's a knowing of it."

Wilkinson, who made his international debut in 1998 and played the last of his 91 Tests at the 2011 World Cup, has the highest number of points for England, with 1,179.

By far the most momentous of his 36 drop-goals came in the dying seconds of extra time in the 2003 World Cup final - with his less favoured right boot - putting England into 20-17 lead.

"I'm just feeling the ball, then I set the ball down and drop it and as it drops the ball turns ever so slightly towards me and forwards," he remembers of the kick, which added to the four penalties he also recorded in the match.

"If it goes too far towards me it will change the kick completely but it's gone just a tiny bit which means I am going to miss the sweet spot of the ball but I'll catch it just underneath which means it will spin a lot quicker, it will go a lot shorter but it will be a hell of a lot straighter.

"I can feel my leg going back but it's not me kicking it, it's a knowing of it. As I hit the ball the sensation is what I knew it was going to be.

"It's only when the ball gets a few yards past the post I then realise what the hell has happened and I do this half-hearted celebration which is almost disbelief because I hadn't been there to really see it.

"It led it to be - not a memory that I treasure because I don't have much memory of it - but just an experience which gave me a glimpse of life a little bit outside the boundaries of what I thought was possible - something bigger."

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The list of tour-thpe and Wall/SK modified teams planning to compete in the Thanksgiving weekend Turkey Derby continues to grow.

Well more than 80 race teams from all divisions were in the Wall Stadium Speedway pit area for both the Nov. 16 and the Nov. 23 final practice session. If these practice turnouts are any indication, the 46th running of the Turkey Derby could feature a record setting field in both quality and quantity.

The Turkey Derby is presented on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend during the daylight hours.

Among the tour-type modified standouts expressing interest in the annual classic are multi-time Turkey Derby winner Jimmy Blewett who tested his Wall and tour-type modifieds during practice. Also seen turning fast laps were Andrew Krause, Andy Jankowiac, Anthony Sesely and Bobby Jones.

Former winner Eric Mauriello, Matt Hirschman, defending winner Dave Sapienza, Derek Hopkinson, Zane Zeiner, Ricky Collins and Kenny Darch also reportedly plan to see action. Also reportedly planning to compete in tour-type modified action are Justin Bonsignore, Ron Frees, Chas Okerson, Kyle Ellwood, Jonathan Mandato and Blake Barney.

The speedway’s own Wall/SK modifieds will also be well represented by both local favorites and invaders. Former winner Blewett, newly crowned champ Steven Reed, Jason Hearne, Marc Rogers and Eric Mauriello are all reportedly planning to compete in the Wall modified 100-lap feature. Tyler Truex, Kenny Van Wickle, Joey Merlino, Shaun Carrig, Zack Alspach, Jason Treat and Chris Andretta are also expected to be in the field.

Many of the above mentioned racers participated in practice.

Several racers are contemplating competition in both pavement type modified races. In fact, Andrew Krause plans extra duty he is planning to compete in the dirt modified feature race. A healthy field of dirt modifieds practiced during the two tune-up sessions.

The current list is compiled of teams that have filed entries, secured tires for the weekend and participated in two Saturday practice sessions on Nov. 16 and 23.

Like the modified classes, all divisions that will compete in Turkey Derby action look to be well represented by both locals and invaders on race weekend.

On Friday, day one of Turkey Derby, pit area gates will open at 6:30 a.m., practice will begin at 8:30 a.m. and grandstand seating will open at 9:30 a.m. Qualifying is set for noon with feature racing scheduled to start at 2 p.m. The Sportsman cars will compete in a 50-lap main event, the Limited Late Models will battle in a 50-lapper and the Factory Stocks and the 4 Cylinder Stocks will each battle in 40-lap races.

On Saturday, the pit area will again open at 6:30 a.m. with practice at 8:30 a.m. and grandstands opening at 9:30 a.m. Qualifying will start at 11:00 a.m. with main events set for 1 p.m. The tour-type modifieds are set for a 150-lap, $6,000 to win feature race while the speedway’s Wall/SK modifieds will compete in a 100-lap feature race that offers $5,000 to the winner. Dirt Modifieds will also be on the Saturday card in a 50-lap feature and the Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars will compete in a 30-lapper. The TQ Midgets will race on the inner oval in a 30-lap race.

The Turkey Derby weekend will then wrap up on Sunday, December 1, with pit gates opening at 10 a.m., practice starting at 11 a.m., grandstand opening at 11:30 a.m., qualifying at noon and main events set for 1 p.m. The Legend Cars will be competing in a 40-lapper and the Factory Stocks will race in a 50-lapper. The 4 Cylinder Stocks are set for a 50-lapper on Sunday while the Dirt Outlaw Stocks and the Dirt Sportsman cars will each compete in 25-lap main events. Demolition Derby action will cap off Sunday’s card.

MALELANE, South Africa — Golfers were allowed to wear shorts during a European Tour event for the first time on Thursday because of sweltering temperatures.

The decision to relax rules at the 2020 season-opening Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa was made after discussions between players, European Tour CEO Keith Pelley, and tournament host Johann Rupert. It applies for this event only.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) over the next few days at the Leopard Creek Country Club, which borders the Kruger Park wildlife reserve in northern South Africa.

“We felt that in this situation it was a good move,” said the European Tour’s David Williams, the tournament director. “The temperatures will increase as the week goes on, which is uncomfortable and could be a health issue for the players.

“A lot of players were concerned about it. In these temperatures it can be pretty uncomfortable out there in trousers.”

In 2016, the European Tour allowed players to wear shorts for practice rounds and pro-ams but not tournament play. The U.S. PGA Tour brought in the same policy this year.

Four-time major winner Ernie Els said allowing shorts this week was “common sense” and hoped it wouldn’t be the last time in a tournament.

“It’s going to get up to 40 degrees here and it’s the right thing to do,” Els said. “It’s been talked about for so long on all of the tours around the world ... I think this could be a game-changer for golf which could end up enhancing the product.”

When the U.S. PGA Tour announced in February it was allowing shorts for practice and pro-ams, it said it noted the opinions of leading players.

Asked for his view on allowing shorts, Tiger Woods said: “I would love it. We play in some of the hottest climates on the planet.”

Rory McIlroy said: “It makes the guys a lot more comfortable. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with professional golfers showing the lower half of their leg.”

Robert Moreno has hit back at Luis Enrique's criticism and reminded the ex-Barcelona boss he is only back as Spain manager thanks to his work.

During his unveiling on Wednesday, Luis Enrique said Moreno's ambition to continue at the helm of the national team through Euro 2020 made him "disloyal". He also said Moreno would no longer be a part of his coaching staff despite the two having worked together since 2008.

- Euro 2020: Who will reach the finals?
- Euro 2020 qualifying: All you need to know

Moreno, who left the job last Tuesday after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) reappointed Luis Enrique, read a statement on Thursday: "Yesterday I was attacked in a very personal way and I was accused of something I'm not. This is a very unpleasant time, it's not what I wanted.

"I don't deserve the things that were said, which were nasty. My pieces of the puzzle are missing. I need to step up and I did it. It should not be forgotten that, had I not carried on, Luis Enrique would not be manager."

Moreno was promoted as Spain coach in June after Luis Enrique left the position in June to care for his younger daughter, who was diagnosed with bone cancer.

"Nobody knew how long Luis Enrique's situation would last but he was consulted on everything," Moreno said.

He also said he had Luis Enrique's blessing to take the Spain job having temporarily taken charge in March.

"Before the meeting on Sept. 12, which Luis Enrique referred to, there was an earlier meeting in which Luis Enrique told me that I did what I had to do [to take the Spain job]," he said. "That I was doing a good job and that he was proud of what I had done.

"No one knew how long Luis Enrique's situation would last."

Luis Enrique announced the death of his daughter Xana on Aug .29. Moreno said he met Luis Enrique again on Sept. 12 and told him in person as he had stated to the press, that he would step aside if needed.

"To my surprise he said that that was fine but that he no longer was counting on my services," Moreno said. "I was in a a state of shock.

"I spent 10 days feeling terrible, asking myself what had I done wrong for Luis Enrique not to want to work with me anymore? I only found out through the press that Luis Enrique was considering returning to coach Spain after the game [7-0 win over Malta on Nov. 15] in Cadiz.

"I had been faithful until I told the federation to discuss my contract termination knowing then that Luis Enrique was going to return and was not counting on my services. To this day I don't know why Luis Enrique doesn't want to work with me."

Moreno worked with Luis Enrique at Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona before becoming part of his national team set-up.

"I am the first to be delighted that Luis Enrique has returned to coaching and that his staff can win the European Championship," he said. "From now on, I will continue my career as first team coach.

"I am eager to train, to take my own decisions."

Spain completed their Euro 2020 qualification with a 5-0 win over Romania on Nov. 1, to seal top seeding in what was Moreno's last game in charge.

Granit Xhaka will make his first Arsenal start for a month in their Europa League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Emirates on Thursday.

Xhaka has not featured for Arsenal since he stormed off the pitch and taunted the home fans in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

The midfielder issued a statement and said his actions were caused in part by what he perceived to be harsh treatment from the club's fans on social media and during matches.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery subsequently stripped Xhaka of the club captaincy with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacing him.

Arsenal will secure their place in the knockout stages with a win against Frankfurt and ease the mounting pressure on Emery.

Durban Heat 182 for 3 (Vilas 75*, Lubbe 49, Steyn 2-25) beat Cape Town Blitz 181 for 5 (Malan 75, Beddingham 44, Abbott 2-32) by seven wickets

Cape Town Blitz's Dale Steyn conjured a vintage spell with the new ball on his grandfather's birthday, but Dane Vilas and Wihan Lubbe crashed their party and led Durban Heat to their first victory in MSL 2019.

Steyn struck twice in the first over of Heat's chase of 182 and even floated a Lasith Malinga-esque dipping full-toss in his first spell. However, Lubbe and Vilas repaired the innings and ensured they stayed in touch with the asking rate by adding 65 for the third wicket in just 39 balls.

By the time Steyn returned for his second spell, in the 14th over, the partnership had been broken. Steyn cranked it upto 144kph and pinged David Miller on the shoulder, but he shook that blow off and ushered Heat to the finish line along with his captain Vilas, who ended with a career-best 75 not out off 52 balls.

Strike four...and out

After Blitz chose to bat on an used track, Janneman Malan settled into his shot-making stride immediately, backing away and launching 19 year-old left-arm seamer Marco Jansen over mid-off for six. At the other end, Quinton de Kock swivel-pulled Kyle Abbott for six, but then struggled to put bat on ball against Andile Phehlukwayo. He desperately swung and missed four successive balls from the seam-bowling allrounder before dragging the fifth to midwicket, where Jansen completed a smart diving catch.

Malan's blitz

Malan, however, offset that early loss and cracked Jansen for three boundaries in four balls as Blitz reached 46 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay. Ravi Bopara then found some grip and rolled out one slower ball after another. Once it became too predictable, Malan lined him up and biffed him for a brace of leg-side boundaries.

He found a busy partner in David Bedingham and went onto bring up his fifty off 32 balls when he imperiously lofted Phehlukwayo for six over long-on. Malan cut loose thereafter and moved to 75 before holing out in the 15th over. The dismissals of both Malan and Bedingham added to a late slide, but Liam Livingstone smote a hat-trick of sixes in the final over to push Blitz past 180.

Lubbe's fire, Vilas' calm

If you're still wondering if Steyn has it, of course he does. He first pinned Alex Hales lbw with a 143kph full ball and then got a similar rapid ball to skid through the defences of Wesley Marshall, leaving Heat at 24 for 2 in two overs.

Lubbe, too, was skittish against Steyn's pace or the lack of it. However, he found the release against Sisanda Magala and Wahab Riaz, taking 31 runs off 15 balls from the two pacers. Lubbe fell one short of a fifty, getting castled by a 100kph dart from left-arm fingerspinner Mohammad Nawaz in the ninth over.

There was no stopping Vilas, though.He drove Nawaz inside-out over extra-cover and even reverse-swept him fine of short third man for another four. Then, when Steyn returned to the attack, Vilas scythed him to the third-man boundary and raised his maiden MSL fifty off 37 deliveries. Miller wasn't as fluent during his unbroken 93-run stand with Vilas, but they got the job done with seven wickets and three balls to spare.

Oregon freshman forward Lok Wur has issued an apology for tripping Seton Hall senior star Myles Powell during Wednesday's game.

"I want to apologize to Myles Powell and the Seton Hall team for my actions on the bench Wednesday night," Wur said in a statement Thursday. "I acted in an unsportsmanlike manner. I am truly sorry for that and regret my actions."

During the second half, Wur, who has not played for the No. 11 Ducks and was sitting on the bench, stuck his leg out to trip up Powell, the No. 13 Pirates' leading scorer who had 32 points in 36 minutes against Oregon.

Powell did not fall as a result of the trip, but he crumpled on the sideline near midcourt at the end of the 71-69 Oregon win.

He was receiving treatment after the game and was unavailable to reporters. Pirates coach Kevin Willard referred to it as a cramp.

Seton Hall faces Southern Miss at 9 p.m. ET Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

PITTSBURGH -- Mason Rudolph had a hunch what coach Mike Tomlin was going to tell him Tuesday.

A few days earlier, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was benched early in the third quarter for rookie third-stringer Devlin "Duck" Hodges after Rudolph was ineffective and threw a red zone interception against the Bengals.

On Tuesday morning, Tomlin told Rudolph that Hodges would be taking his place once again and would start Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

"You handle it with a good attitude, with a team-first attitude," Rudolph said. "I can only control how I react and how hard I prepare, knowing that I'm one play away. I'm going to support the guy, knowing that this is a crazy game and you've got to be ready when your number is called. I will be ready, for sure."

Tomlin relayed to Rudolph that the decision to start Hodges wasn't a referendum on his future with the team or even his role for the rest of the season.

"He said this isn't his final decision, and any player wants a chance to play every week," Rudolph said. "That's the way I'm going to look at it and continue to work and grow and learn from mistakes and continue to play well and practice hard."

Rudolph said the controversy that has followed him since the fight in Cleveland didn't affect his preparation or his focus in Cincinnati. But Rudolph admitted that Myles Garrett's accusation that the quarterback used a racial slur has been difficult for his family.

"I think that specific allegation, it affects my family," Rudolph said. "It's tough for them to see something so false be circulated about my family name. That's tough.

"But Coach Tomlin talked about, when in the spotlight, you expect those types of things to be said and you've got to block it out and move on. And that's what I've done, and that's what I'll continue to do."

Between the fight, the turnovers and now the benching, Rudolph is in the midst of a rough stretch. But he has been through adversity before and is drawing on those experiences to get through this.

"I'd been benched once in college for a half and once in high school," Rudolph said. "So yeah, there's some past experiences you do draw from. I conquered that, and I think I'll conquer this the same way. Just going to be a matter of staying true to myself and believing in myself and staying in the fight."