Athletes

Famed, record-breaking climber Jake Whisenant died from blunt force trauma, after falling during a climb ... TMZ has learned.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office Coroner tells TMZ ... Jake's preliminary cause of death has been determined, but the toxicology results are still pending -- the manner was ruled an accident.

We're told the witnesses saw the fatal fall ... and Jake's death was instant.

Jake Whisenant -- a climber who holds the record for the fastest time up Yosemite's El Capitan -- has died ... according to a report.

According to the California Post -- which cites the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner -- Jake passed away on August 3. The circumstances surrounding his death are unknown at the time.

Bailee Moore -- a self-described longtime friend of Jake's -- paid tribute to him on social media ... writing that his loved ones take solace in knowing he was doing what he loved when he passed.

Before this kid landed on "Malcolm In The Middle" he was just sitting in his toy car, growing up in North Carolina and racing off to the big screen!

Klay Thompson seemed to have a fairly fun time at the Orange County Fair Saturday night ... along with a mystery lady friend

The NBA star was spotted at the reggae group Rebelution's concert ... hanging with a woman in a box and vibing to the music.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... the two had a security guard with them at the event, ensuring themselves ample private time. On top of that, an OC Sheriff's Deputy kept an eye on his booth.

Royce White says he's testing out his new look before next year's WNBA draft ... throwing on a wig and embracing his "feminine era."

The former NBA player who announced he's throwing his hat in the ring for the 2027 WNBA draft shared the pic on X ... rocking the hair piece and a serious expression.

In his caption, Royce wrote he's glad the wig showed up on Saturday ... so he could "test it on the court" Sunday as his "feminine era" truly begins.

Justin Herbert and Madison Beer's training camp love fest won't hurt the Los Angeles Chargers' chances at a Super Bowl ... so says franchise legend Shawne Merriman, who tells TMZ Sports the quarterback's goal better be to get two rings now!!

The recently engaged couple made rounds on social media this week ... when the pop star was spotted running her hands through her man's hair as they sat in the grass.

Merriman isn't worried the romance will take Herbert's eyes off the Lombardi trophy ... and gushed over the two getting together.

Late NFL star Aldon Smith’s estate will be inherited by his only son, according to the kid's guardian.

Court docs obtained by TMZ reveal Aldon left behind personal property … unclear the value of the assets. 

He was not married and did not have any children on the way … but he did have a 13-year-old son named Aulis Smith. 

Conor McGregor, shirtless and sun-soaked, hit up social media with a health update that leaves zero doubt about his intentions ... he's hellbent on returning to the Octagon!

In the new video, posted Friday morning, the former UFC double champ lounges near the beach ... and looks straight into the camera, delivering news fans of The Notorious have been waiting for.

“Surgery done. Knee repaired. The doubters can keep talking," 38-year-old McGregor said.

"Now the real work begins. Comeback season starts now. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just the will to rise again.”

Jake Paul is eyeing a jump to MMA -- and his business partner says when it happens, it’ll shatter viewership records!

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP Promotions, dropped the bold prediction during a recent conversation with Babcock ... where the guys were discussing The Problem Child's future fight plans.

Jake definitely wants to do MMA,” Bidarian said. “And I will say here on this show with you today that when Jake Paul enters the cage, our Hexagon, it will be the most viewed MMA match in history."

"I have no doubt about that.”

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are being called out for allegedly downplaying their role in a Kansas City steakhouse, after being hit with a federal lawsuit ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, the company 1587 Sneakers, which is suing Travis and Patrick for trademark infringement, scoffed at the NFL stars' claim that they were not official members of the LLC used to launch their steakhouse, 1587 Steakhouse.

Travis and Patrick claimed evidence will show they hold no direct interest in, and are not authorized to exert control over, the restaurant.

Elijah Bieniemy told police he needed his guns back because he was a "certified UFC fighter" ... but the MMA promotion says that's news to them.

TMZ Sports reached out to the UFC for clarification -- 'cause ya never know -- after a report surfaced indicating the 27-year-old son of Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy called cops on July 24 complaining his parents were "withholding" his guns.

According to The Athletic, Elijah said he required access to the weapons to defend himself due to his status as a UFC fighter.

But, not so fast.

The promotion tells us Elijah isn't affiliated with them in any way, and definitely isn't a rostered fighter.

Mackenzie Dern's UFC champion, but she hasn't come close to accomplishing all her goals ... 'cause the MMA star says she wants to be the greatest ever in her division!

The strawweight champ stopped by the TMZ Sports office for a chat with Babcock ahead of her UFC 330 scrap with Gillian Robertson.

Dern made it clear she’s aiming way higher than just a successful title defense.

WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. -- one of the longest-reigning world champions in professional wrestling history -- is dead.

Triple H announced Dory's death Tuesday ... paying tribute to the wrestling legend and saying Dory's hard-nosed style inspired countless performers and helped lay the early foundation for pro wrestling to become a global phenomenon.

He said Dory's impact stretched far beyond his own matches ... pointing to the decades Dory spent training younger athletes for life inside the squared circle.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's father has not forgiven the man who allegedly took their lives ... as the two-year anniversary of their death looms ... TMZ has learned.

Guy Gaudreau tells TMZ ... he has not forgiven Sean Higgins, who was charged with aggravated manslaughter after allegedly ramming his Jeep into the brothers while they rode bicycles in New Jersey. Guy also says he has not forgiven God for taking his sons away from him.

He explains ... "Everyone's life goes on but mine. I will never get my sons back."

Guy told us he doesn't know how he will ever forgive Higgins.

Brock Lesnar is officially hanging it up.

The Beast Incarnate made the major announcement during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and made it crystal clear -- his Hell in a Cell loss to Oba Femi at SummerSlam this past weekend in Minneapolis was the final match of his legendary career.

“I’m here today to let the world know that I am retired and I wanted to say a big thank you to everybody,” Lesnar told Pat and A.J. Hawk. “Saturday was a very emotional day for me.”

It's not the first time Lesnar has said he's done with wrestling -- but this feels different.

Annemarie Wiley is ripping Emmanuel Acho for calling her "dumb as hell" over how she handled alleged abuse in her marriage ... saying attacks like Acho's are exactly why domestic violence victims stay silent.

The former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star fired back Monday on Instagram ... accusing Acho of spewing "disgusting and disturbing things" about her and her family.

Annemarie says Acho has no clue what women, mothers and victims endure while trying to protect their children ... or escape situations that seem impossible to leave.