Conor McGregor's last fight was more than five years ago, but Max Hollowaydoesn't believe in ring rust ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports he's preparing for a "dangerous" Mystic Mac at UFC 329 on Saturday.
Holloway and McGregor first met in the Octagon way back in 2013 -- a scrap Conor won via unanimous decision. Not only did Holloway think a rematch would've gotten made a lot sooner, he wasn't expecting it to happen with McGregor coming off a lengthy hiatus.
All that being said, Blessed told us he's happy to be the guy to welcome Conor back in the cage ... but that's where the pleasantries end -- 'cause he "can't wait to punch the guy in the face."
Dustin Poirier is dealing with the fallout from his recent legal K.O. ... revealing he lost a "big" business deal over it all -- but he wants to connect with the responding officer and make amends.
The retired UFC superstar opened up on his public intoxication arrest on the "Diary of a CEO" podcast ... and explained he started drinking because it was Father's Day and he couldn't help but think about his own pops, which made him feel depressed.
Prior to getting to the airport, Poirier said it was a great day -- he spent time with his kids, and his daughter wrote him a letter ... but once he started traveling, he had a few glasses of champagne, which turned into more booze.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett is the co-main event for Conor McGregor's big return at UFC 329 ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's not satisfied with just that -- he wants a piece of Mystic Mac himself!!
We caught up with the Baddy ahead of his bout with Benoit Saint-Denis on July 11 ... and he explained he can't wait to get in the Octagon and back in the win column.
He's expecting a bloodbath -- they're both coming to scrap, not "sniff balls." Either that, or it'll be a quick finish with Pimblett's hand raised at the end, he said.
Donald Trump and Dana White walking out from the Oval Office before the UFC fight at the White House looked flawless ... but it almost didn't turn out that way ... according to new behind-the-scenes footage that just surfaced.
Fox Nation is releasing a two-part documentary series Thursday titled "UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History" ... and it captures the interaction between the two powerful men before they head out to the South Lawn for UFC Freedom 250.
Check out the clip ... a coordinator is explaining the timeframe to the pair and taking into account weather issues which nearly derailed the day.
Dana looks nervous before walking out ... while DJT looks calm and in control -- though the two do switch sides, possibly so photogs can catch the Prez on his good side.
Angel McCoughtry isn't buying Dana White's explanation for why the UFC doesn't hold Pride Nights ... calling the stance hypocritical and arguing the LGBTQ+ community deserves the same visibility other groups receive through major sports organizations.
The star WNBA player joined us on "TMZ Live" and said Dana's argument that sexuality is a personal matter, not a workplace issue, doesn't hold up. In her view, the same logic could be applied to other groups, such as the military, which sports leagues regularly choose to spotlight.
Angel argues that giving the LGBTQ+ community a platform wouldn't hurt anyone and could actually help closeted athletes feel more comfortable being themselves.
Sen.John Fetterman says Larry David needs to change his stripes and get over himself ... using a 1980s movie reference to tell Larry it's ridiculous to be embarrassed over the UFC event at the White House.
The Senator from Pennsylvania Senator ripped the "Seinfeld" creator for recently saying the fights held on President Donald Trump's birthday on the South Lawn made him "embarrassed to be an American."
Fetterman's got 3 words for Larry ... and while the movie reference goes over Jacob's head, what the Senator is trying to get across here is that the UFC event isn't un-American and Larry needs to get over himself.
Dana White says "he doesn't give a s*** what you are" -- gay or straight, everyone is welcome in the UFC -- but don't hold your breath waiting for the promotion to have a Pride Night, 'cause it ain't happening.
During an interview with Outkick's Tomi Lahren, the UFC honcho was asked why they don't host Pride Nights ... as other major sports organizations do, including the NBA, NHL, and MLB.
"I'm staring at my roster of top 15 fighters. I'm assuming we have some gay fighters. I don't know how many are open. I know that we have some gay female fighters," White said. "I don't give a s***. I don't care what you are, who you are, what you do, we don't talk about that, any of that stuff."
Dana added ... "I'm in the fight business, so it's a little different. Baseball is like America's Game. I stay in my lane, man. Whatever all these other guys are doing, good luck to ya."
12:01 PM PT -- Ben Askren is (seemingly) providing some context around the arrest of Poirier, writing on X ... "He was having a good time at the airport. Wrestled some of my friends"
11:42 AM PT --Dustin seemingly just went to Instagram to address the arrest, keeping it short and sweet, saying ... "Love you all Im working on my self"
It wasn't exactly the Father's Day Dustin Poirier had in mind ... the retired UFC legend was arrested early Sunday evening in Georgia, TMZ Sports has learned.
Poirier, 37, was booked for "Public Drunk" -- a misdemeanor -- at 6:38 PM ... before being released several hours later, a quarter after 10 PM.
Dan Hurley's certainly on board ... telling TMZ DC he'd love to have his UConn Huskies play on the South Lawn next after the recent UFC Freedom 250 extravaganza!!
Coach Hurley -- who attended the elaborate MMA event on Sunday and other UFC fights in the past -- lit up when Charlie Cotton pitched the idea of getting some college basketball at 1600 Penn next.
Dana White claims the alleged drone attack foiled by the FBI wasn't the only threat against Sunday's historic Freedom 250 event -- there were others -- but the UFC boss says law enforcement did a bang-up job, and there was no safer place to be!
"There was more than that [plot]. There was more than that," White revealed during a conversation with Babcock on Tuesday.
A 19-year-old Ohio man arrested for the alleged terror plot against UFC Freedom 250 has been identified ... and authorities say he called out his alleged co-conspirators during an interview with them.
Tycen Proper was collared by federal agents from the Cincinnati division last week ... then snapped a vacant stare mugshot, WXIX reported.
In the federal criminal complaint against Proper, feds say local police received a call on June 10 from Proper's mother expressing concern about her son's actions.
A terrifying terror plot involving explosive drones aimed at this weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C. was foiled by the FBI.
Federal officials told Fox News Digital the plot called for explosive-packed drones to strike buildings near the UFC event, triggering chaos and a mass evacuation. Authorities allege the goal was to funnel panicked crowds into the path of a sniper team that had already been positioned nearby.
"Capitalist elites" and "billionaires" were reportedly targeted, plus politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
President Donald Trump appeared uncomfortable after Josh Hokit's nasty remarks about Michelle Obama at UFC Freedom 250 ... to the point where he yanked the fighter's chain right off his own neck shortly after the controversial comment.
The new footage was unearthed by CNN on Monday ... showing POTUS reacting in real time to Hokit's now-viral moment after beating Derrick Lewis via 2nd-round TKO on the White House South Lawn.
As part of his celebration, Hokit went over to Trump and put a chain on him ... which DJT initially embraced, shaking the fighter's hand and giving him a standing ovation.
The ladies of "The View" aren't giving UFC fighter Josh Hokit a pass ... coming together to torch his controversial Michelle Obama remark ... and the reaction it got from the crowd.
Sunny Hostin led the discussion, arguing comments like Hokit's are rooted in ugly stereotypes historically used to paint Black women as masculine and unattractive.
She took issue with audience members laughing at Hokit's insult ... and with President Trump appearing to smirk.
Ana Navarro piled on too ... blasting the idea of hosting a UFC event at the White House as part of America's 250th birthday celebrations ... saying it hardly reflects the country's ideals.
Conor McGregor went back to where it all started for his latest business venture ... filming a new commercial for Tucker Carlson's ALP nicotine pouch brand ... inside the Dublin boxing club that helped launch his combat sports career ... TMZ has learned.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... ALP's production team traveled to Ireland in May to shoot a campaign with Conor shortly after the former UFC champ was announced as the brand's newest global partner.
The contract is signed, the lines are drawn, and the hostile takeover of big tobacco is officially underway.
We're told filming took place at Crumlin Boxing Club ... McGregor's childhood gym in Dublin ... where he spent roughly six hours in front of the cameras.
