Week on the Punt: McGregor stuns Cerrone in huge UFC return

The return of a king, a chance that should have been taken, and three big upsets have changed the shape of the local sports competitions. It was a weekend to remember, here’s what happened.

Conor McGregor makes amazing return with UFC 246 win

Sunday’s fight between Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 could not have gone much better for the Irish superstar.

‘The Notorious’ started with an explosive flurry of shoulder thrusts, breaking Cerrone’s nose in the first five seconds of the fight. That got a lot of punters excited, as McGregor was paying $11 to win within the minute.

After an excellent kick from the left and a great attack on the mat, the fight was all but done. Winning at the 40-second mark, McGregor followed up his win with a challenge to all other fighters, and we cannot wait to see who he will fight next.

Aussies blow big opportunity in ODI series against India

Australia started off the recent ODI series in India with a huge win in Mumbai, but a quick fall from grace has left the squad as losers.

David Warner found it hard to make a run in the final pair of matches and Aaron Finch was ropable after Steve Smith ran him out in the final game.

Kane Richardson was dropped for the third match and the Aussies found it even harder to take a wicket, while the lack of a natural finisher in the batting order – i.e. Glenn Maxwell – was exposed.

It will go down as a 2-1 series defeat, but it could have been so much more for the tourists.

New Zealand Breakers pull off incredible NBL double

The NBL ladder has shifted in a new direction after the New Zealand Breakers beat both the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United in the same round.

The wins see the Breakers move to sixth position and within striking distance of the NBL’s top four, which is the cut off for the finals.

A big pair of performances from Scotty Hopson made NZ hard to beat, especially in the 22-point victory over United.

Look out for the Breakers in the next four rounds, as this run towards the finals could result in something special.

Melbourne Renegades stun Brisbane Heat despite dead season

Even though their season is dead and their best players are out of the country, the Melbourne Renegades have found some form at last in the T20 Big Bash League.

Cameron Boyce has been very good in BBL09, and the experienced leg-spinner starred with four wickets as the Gades stunned the finals-bound Brisbane Heat on Sunday.

The Renegades sit bottom of the ladder and cannot make the Big Bash finals, but they can overtake the Hobart Hurricanes with another win or two in their run home.