MARTIN SAMUEL - INTERVIEW: There is not a player in Claudio Ranieri's squad who has not had to graft to overcome professional adversity, or is without a point to prove. Released by bigger clubs, overlooked in the lower leagues, when Leicester's players dressed ironically as superheroes for their Christmas party in Copenhagen, it somehow summed up the egoless nature of this incredible campaign.

MARTIN DOMIN IN LAS VEGAS: Conor McGregor vowed to feast on Nate Diaz's carcass and bury his remains in the Las Vegas desert as the warring pair almost came to blows more than 48 hours ahead of schedule. McGregor predicted Diaz will follow in the footsteps of Dustin Poirier, Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo in becoming his latest Sin City victim on Saturday night.

RAYO VALLECANO 1-5 BARCELONA BY PETE JENSON: Barcelona don't need gifts to win games but they were presented with two in thrashing over Rayo Vallecano in which Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick. Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Juan Carlos dropped a simple cross at the feet of Ivan Rakitic on 22 minutes to open the floodgates. And after Messi had doubled Barca's lead Rayo had Real Madrid loanee Diego Llorente sent off just before half time for a wild challenge on Ivan Rakitic. Messi added two more for his hat-trick and has now scored 20 goals in 16 games this year before substitute Arda Turan scored his first goal for Barcelona to make it five.

They may have lost 1-0 at West Ham on the night they could have gone top, but there was still a swagger about Tottenham on Wednesday. Their first away defeat in the Barclays Premier League since the opening day of the season might not have been the best preparation ahead of the north London derby with Arsenal but you would not have known it. Spurs are certainly not lacking in confidence. It is part of a magnificent conclusion to the season with five clubs still in the ultimate title race and 10 clubs featuring in the scramble for Europe.

He didn't come, he didn't see it but, as ever, he conquered all. Muhammad Ali's presence surrounded and pervaded us at the preview of 'I Am The Greatest,' the new exhibition about his life which opens on Friday at London's O2 Arena. For English gentlemen of uncertain age, such as myself, the most eye-catching exhibit was not the largest, an above life-size bronze statue, nor the most extravagant, the gold-embossed gown he gave to Elvis Presley.

Chelsea captain Terry turned up in person at Battersea Evolution in the capital to collect his Outstanding Contribution to London Football award. Tottenham Hotspur starlet Alli won London Young Player of the Year while West Ham playmaker Payet won Premier League Player of the Year.

UNITED STATES 1-0 ENGLAND: England impressed in their first outing of the year before a stunning second-half goal condemned Mark Sampson's team to a 1-0 defeat against World Cup winners the United States in Tampa. Captain Steph Houghton was caught out by a sharp turn from substitute Crystal Dunn, who wriggled into the penalty area from the left and found the far top corner with a strike that gave England's California-born goalkeeper Karen Bardsley little chance. The goal arrived in the 72nd minute, and England could not find the leveller their performance arguably deserved.

Kimi Raikkonen became the first Formula One driver to run with the Halo closed cockpit system on Thursday as Ferrari fitted the frame to their car at pre-season testing in Barcelona. The device is the FIA's preferred solution to concerns over cockpit protection and they hope to introduce the design in 2017.

On a memorable night for Liverpool as they beat Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp had even more reason to celebrate as Bayern Munich suffered a shock Bundesliga defeat at home against Mainz. Klopp, who went up against the Bavarian giants on multiple occasions during his time in charge at Borussia Dortmund, burst out laughing in one of his post-match interviews over the news of Bayern's defeat. In another energetic interview following Liverpool's resounding victory on Wednesday night, the German summed up his feelings on a well-earned three points: 'The best word I can say to describe this is: Boom!' 

The Greek government has cancelled the Greek Cup due to the violence that marred the semi-final between PAOK Salonika and Olympiacos on Wednesday The first-leg fixture had to be abandoned because of crowd trouble that started after PAOK had a penalty appeal rejected and riot police were called in to clear the pitch of missile-hurling fans. 'In view of this mayhem in football grounds and a huge disturbance of the social peace and legal order in general, the government has decided to definitively cancel any process and match related to the Greek Cup as provided for by the law,' a government statement read.

Conor McGregor has admitted a shot at the welterweight title has jumped to the top of his wish list. The Irishman, who holds the featherweight belt, was due to face Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196 this weekend before the Brazilian pulled out with a broken foot. Instead he will take on Nate Diaz in a hastily-arranged fight at 170lb and should he win, McGregor could then target champion Robbie Lawler.

How would you like a sprinting session with Dina Asher-Smith? Running with Britain's fastest woman was an opportunity Sportsmail deemed too good to miss, even when closely followed by the punchline that I would have to wear a blindfold throughout. Alongside Paralympic silver medallist Libby Clegg, Asher-Smith delivers a workshop to a group of primary school children, some with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. Then it is time to don the bright green blindfold myself and London's Lee Valley Athletics centre is plunged into darkness. With Asher-Smith as my guide we are attached at the wrist by a blue cotton tether. The idea is to mimic the environment for a visually impaired sprinter as part of a campaign to make sport more accessible for disabled children.