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It's over ... UFC legend Georges St-Pierre just officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts -- saying, "It takes a lot of discipline, though, to retire on top."

The 37-year-old is widely considered one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time -- some say the best -- racking up a 26-2 record and 3 UFC titles in his 17-year career in the Octagon.

GSP has signature victories over stars like Nick Diaz, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, Carlos Condit, B.J. Penn (twice)... and most recently Michael Bisping.

During his press conference, GSP thanked Dana White, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and other key UFC people.

He also thanked UFC legend Royce Gracie for inspiring him to start MMA back in the day, and thanked Wayne Gretzky for being such an influential Canadian role model.

"I always wanted to be like Wayne Gretzky."

GSP says he's not sad about retiring -- "No tears, I'm very happy to do it."

"It takes a lot of discipline to retire on top ... you should retire on top and that is very hard to do."

As for one final fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges said he started negotiating with Khabib's camp but "the UFC had other plans."

"I wish Khabib the best of luck. I think he's the best fighter right now ... he's a great guy. I love to watch him fight and I can't wait to see what's next for him."

President Barack Obama was quick to show love for Zion Williamson after watching him suffer an injury 30 seconds into the Duke vs. NC game ... wishing the college star a speedy recovery.

You've heard about it by now ... Zion's Nike shoe blew out shortly after tip-off Wednesday night, resulting in a mild knee sprain. Obama was sitting in the front row when it all went down.

"Zion Williamson seems like an outstanding young man as well as an outstanding basketball player," #44 tweeted after the game. "Wishing him a speedy recovery."

It didn't take an expert lip reader to figure out Obama's reaction to the injury -- cameras captured Barack's shocked look while he mouthed the words, "His shoe broke!"

LeBron James -- who's also a big fan of Zion -- tweeted out support for the young star as well, saying, "Hope young fella is ok! Literally blew thru his [shoe]."

The freak injury didn't stop Obama from being fan-friendly with the Cameron Crazies ... dappin' up all the folks who packed into the crowded arena for the big game.

Check out the footage we got from inside the arena showing Barack posing for pics before the game -- and meeting fans throughout the night.

The Blue Devils ended up losing 88-72 without their superstar ... and Zion's status will be evaluated on Thursday.

2:15 PM PT -- Syracuse PD says Boeheim did exactly what he should've done after the accident by calling 911 and using his cell phone flashlight to flag oncoming drivers away from the scene.

9:14 AM PT -- Jim Boeheim issued a statement saying he's "heartbroken that a member of our community died as the result of last night’s accident."

"Juli and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family. Out of respect for those involved, I will not be providing further comment at this time."

7:15 AM PT -- The Syracuse PD issued a statement saying, "It was revealed that the victim was an occupant in a vehicle that had lost control on the highway striking a guard rail."

"The occupants then exited the vehicle and proceeded to walk on the highway within close proximity to that vehicle."

"An oncoming vehicle noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle which was in the middle of the road. As a result, the driver, James Boeheim 74, of Fayetteville NY struck the victim who was standing on the side of the road."

"Both drivers remained on scene and are cooperating with this investigation. Field sobriety and alco-sensor tests for both drivers were negative for any signs of impairment."

"Reconstruction of the scene will be performed and speeds cannot be determined at this time. No Uniformed Traffic Tickets have been issued at this time."

7:13 AM PT -- Boeheim is "devastated" ... according to his good friend, Adam Weitsman, who spoke with the coach Thursday morning.

WTVH reporter Michael Benny spoke with Weitsman who says Boeheim is clearly affected by the crash.

"He says the man was in the middle of the road, not along the side or anything like that," Weitsman told Benny.

Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim is cooperating with police after hitting a man with his car on Interstate 690 late Wednesday evening. The victim has died from his injuries.

Officials say Boeheim was NOT drunk and will NOT be charged with a crime.

The victim has been identified as 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez -- who was walking on the Interstate around 11:30 PM when he was struck by Boeheim's vehicle.

Cops believe Jimenez had been riding in another vehicle with other passengers -- and that vehicle had crashed before the Boeheim incident. At some point, Jimenez got out of the car and began to walk.

Cops say the 74-year-old coach underwent a field sobriety test -- and officers determined he did not show signs of intoxication. Syracuse.com reports Boeheim had a .00 blood alcohol level.

The coach is cooperating with the investigation.

Officials say the roads were ice Wednesday night -- but it's unclear if the conditions played a role in either crash.

Boeheim coached the Syracuse basketball team earlier in the evening -- leading the Orangemen to a 69-49 victory over Louisville at the Carrier Dome.

We reached out to the Syracuse Athletic Dept. for comment -- but so far, they're not saying anything.

Story developing ...

Vinny Vella -- who starred in "Casino" and several other gangster movies -- has died after battling cancer.

His rep posted a message late Wednesday night, saying ... "We are saddened to report that Vinny Vella has passed and I'm sure that no one is more saddened than himself. Vinny loved life from his family to his friends and fans he was easily one of the funniest, endearing actors to have ever graced the screen."

Vinny's son, Vinny Vella Jr., tells us his father had liver cancer.

Vinny, who has 74 acting credits to his name, memorably played deli owner/mobster Artie Piscano alongside Robert De Niro in "Casino." He also acted with De Niro in "Analyze That."

He had smaller roles in other films like "Donnie Brasco," "Kissing Jessica Stein," "Kill the Irishman," "Mambo Cafe," "This Thing of Ours" and "Find Me Guilty."

Vinny's rep added, he was "Arguably the fastest on the draw, king of the comebacks. His verbal jousting was legendary but many know Vinny for his favorite saying - 'Who's better than you?' Well Vinny, I think we all can agree on the answer to that, it was you, it always was you! We miss you my boy!"

His son also commented, saying ... "RIP to my father. I love you so much and I’m so heart broken. You are no longer in pain- no more suffering pops. I love you."

He's survived by his son and his wife, Margaret.

Indiana's AD just went scorched earth on the basketball team's student fanbase ... saying a "F*ck you" chant that rained down at Assembly Hall was "embarrassing and unacceptable."

IU students and supporters heckled Purdue sophomore Matt Haarms relentlessly during a home game Tuesday ... clapping along to a "F*ck You, Haarms" chant throughout the night.

The cheer was so loud ... it could be heard on the television broadcast -- which REALLY pissed off school AD Fred Glass.

"The profane chants directed at a specific Purdue player were not part of your positive contributions," Glass said in a letter to student ticket holders Wednesday.

"They were embarrassing and unacceptable and reflected poorly on you and the Indiana University. Knock off the profane chants, and please help those around you do the same."

Glass added, "You and Indiana University are better than that."

For Haarms' part ... dude clearly wasn't bothered by the obscenities -- the 7-foot-3 center tipped in the game-winning basket with just 3 seconds left to play, giving the Boilermakers the 48-46 W.

3:21 PM PT -- More footage has emerged of the brothers reportedly leaving a store after buying items allegedly used in the attack.

2:20 PM PT -- Chicago PD says Jussie is now "officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation" ... and detectives began presenting evidence Wednesday afternoon to the grand jury.

The brothers who say Jussie Smollett hired them to stage the alleged attack were caught on surveillance camera buying a bunch of items they used during the incident.

The video -- first posted by CBS2 in Chicago -- shows Ola and Abel Osundairo at the checkout counter as they pile up the items, which include ski masks, gloves, bandanas, sunglasses and red hats.

At one point Abel pulls his hoodie over his head, perhaps attempting to hide his face, but he'd already been seen clearly on the video.

CBS2 says the brothers bought these items the day before the "attack" on Jussie.

The items are interesting ... we know Jussie said his attackers were wearing ski masks, and we also know police seized red hats when they raided the brothers' home in Chicago. The surveillance image police had released last month appears to show Abel and Ola with their faces still concealed under the ski masks.

As we first reported, the brothers were at court Tuesday, ready to testify for the grand jury -- but were called off at the last minute because Jussie's attorneys are going to speak to police.

We're told they will go before the grand jury when it finally convenes.

Le'Veon Bell just compared NFL free agency to the civil rights movement -- using Martin Luther King's most famous quote to celebrate becoming "free at last."

Hours after Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert announced the team would not use a franchise or transition tag to force Bell to stay with the team, the disgruntled running back spoke out on Twitter.

"Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty I am free at last."

Of course, the quote comes from MLK's legendary 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech -- in which he imagines a future of racial equality.

Bell has been at odds with the Steelers for years -- claiming he has been wildly underpaid and unfairly treated by the team ... despite the fact, he made $12 mil in 2017 and sat out in 2018 when he was supposed to make $14.5 mil.

Russell Wilson could be the guy who replaces Eli Manning as QB of the NY Giants ... and it's all 'cause of Ciara -- so says Colin Cowherd.

The FS1 star reported on his show, "The Herd," that he's hearing from sources "in the entertainment agent world" that Russ' wife would absolutely prefer New York over Seattle.

And, with Wilson's Seahawks contract expiring after the 2019 season ... he says it all makes too much sense -- and thinks the deal could actually go down.

"[Ciara] would prefer to live in New York, and the Giants need a quarterback. And there's nobody in the draft they love."

Cowherd added, "A lot of things add up."

Cowherd says because Eli's career is all but over ... and since Wilson can essentially force his way out of Seattle after his deal ends -- he thinks Ciara could get her way.

Colin also thinks it'd be a winning move for Wilson on the field too -- saying the 30-year-old could become a much bigger star than he ever was in the Pacific Northwest.

Khabib Nurmagomedov ain't happy with reports about Georges St-Pierre retiring from MMA on Thursday -- and wants the UFC legend to enter the Octagon one last time ... so they can finally fight!!!

ESPN's Ariel Helwani says GSP has made up his mind and will end his 15-year run with the UFC -- during which he racked up an amazing 26-2 record while winning multiple titles.

But, Khabib wants him to reconsider -- saying, "Let’s do it in November. After this fight you can retire."

Khabib added, "I grow up on your fights, and have nothing but respect for you, and I believe showed that to you George when you were in Moscow."

"But, it would be honor for me to share Octagon with one of the greatest fighters of all time."

"Let’s do it 155 lbs, or I give away 5lbs to you, cause you newer done 155. Well, it’s your choice 155 or 160, Montreal, NYC, Moscow or Abu Dhabi. Send me location my Friend."

Helwani says GSP had hoped to get a fight deal done with Khabib -- but it never materialized. And, instead of looking for another opponent, Georges decided to retire.

Being president is pretty cool ... but Barack Obama's biggest accomplishment came on the hardwood ... 'cause 44 says he's the man behind Stephen Curry's dangerous jumper!!

Obama and Curry hosted a town hall meeting for the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance in Oakland on Tuesday ... and naturally, Barry had to let the jokes fly when introducing the 2-time MVP.

"Even Bulls fans have to acknowledge that it's been fun to watch the Warriors and the greatest shooter of all time -- because I gave him some tips right before, about 5 seasons ago, there's film of this in the White House."

Steph doubled down on the quip ... saying Obama fixed his "chicken wing" jumper as well as his resume ... calling him "the best mentor" (which might not be a joke).

The duo traded zingers before getting serious about helping minority youth in America, the work their MBK Alliance has accomplished in the 5 years of its existence ... and what needs to happen moving forward.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has officially been booted off the advisory board of a prominent LGBTQ organization after making comments deemed "transphobic" about trans athletes.

As we previously reported, the 62-year-old wrote a strongly-worded op-ed about why trans athletes physiologically born as men should NOT be able to compete against women.

Martina said it's "insane" and "cheating" and says people born with male physiology have a dramatic physical advantage over cisgender women.

Now, the LGBTQ non-profit Athlete Ally has announced it has removed Navratilova from the group's advisory board Tuesday -- and blasted Martina in a statement.

"Martina Navratilova’s recent comments on trans athletes are transphobic, based on a false understanding of science and data, and perpetuate dangerous myths that lead to the ongoing targeting of trans people through discriminatory laws, hateful stereotypes and disproportionate violence."

"As an organization dedicated to addressing root causes of homophobia and transphobia in and through sport, we will only affiliate with those committed to the same goal, and not those who further misinformation or discrimination in any way."

"Given this, Navratilova has been removed from our Advisory Board and as an Athlete Ally Ambassador, effective immediately."

So far, no response from Navratilova.

In her op-ed this week, Martina says her goal is to make sports fairer -- and based on her research, she concluded trans women (born with male physiology) have a distinct competitive advantage.

She also warned in her article that people who take her position are being unfairly labeled as "transphobic."

Lady Gaga and her fiance have called off their engagement ... ending their two-year relationship ... TMZ has confirmed.

The singer and Christian Carino started dating back in February 2017 around the time she performed at the Super Bowl halftime show and just months after she called off her engagement to Taylor Kinney. Her relationship heated up fast with Christian ... wasting no time kanoodling with him in the Hamptons.

It's unclear when exactly the 50-year-old agent proposed ... but during a speech at Elle's 25th annual Women in Hollywood Celebration in October 2018, LG revealed the engagement when she thanked "my fiance, Christian."

There were signs the relationship was on the rocks ... fans noticed Christian was nowhere in sight when she hit up the Grammys. He was also absent from Gaga's Instagram feed on Valentine's Day.

People was first to report the news.

Dodgers legend Don Newcombe -- one of the most important black athletes in MLB history -- died Tuesday morning after battling an undisclosed "lengthy illness," the Dodgers confirmed. He was 92.

Newcombe started off as a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues -- before making his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.

Once in the Big Leagues, Don was a STUD -- racking up 17 wins while leading MLB in shutouts. He also pitched 32 consecutive scoreless innings. He also won Rookie of the Year.

Along with Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Larry Doby, Newcombe was among the first 4 black players to make the All-Star game. He was named an All Star 3 more times during his career.

"Don Newcombe's presence and life established him as a role model for major leaguers across the country," Dodgers president Stan Kasten said in a statement.

"He was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium and players always gravitated to him for his endless advice and leadership. The Dodgers mean everything to him and we are all fortunate he was part of our lives."

The Dodgers consider him one of the greatest pitchers in team history -- and for good reason.

He won the National League MVP and Cy Young in 1956 ... the same year he led the league in wins. He also led MLB in strikeouts in 1951.

Newcombe took a hiatus from pro baseball in 1952 and 1953 to serve in the Korean War.

In 2013, he talked about his service to USA Today saying, "I served my country. I was going to fight for my country and my flag if I was asked. I didn't dodge bullets, but I'm proud of my contribution."

Back in 2010, Barack Obama credited Newcombe -- along with Jackie Robinson -- with helping to change America for the better.

"I would not be here if it were not for Jackie and it were not for Don Newcombe," Obama said.

See that hand?? Yeah, that's Kyle Kuzma's hand ... and now you wish you were Kyle Kuzma.

The 23-year-old Lakers star is getting some well-deserved R&R before the All-Star break ends ... taking a boat trip in Miami with an insanely attractive model ... and cuppin' a handful of ass in the process.

Kuz -- who won the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge this past weekend -- kept the winning going on Monday with rumored girlfriend Katya Elise Henry ... a model with nearly 6 million followers on IG.

The couple(?) have yet to acknowledge any real romance on social media ... but it doesn't take a genius to put 2 and 2 together with this one, thanks to Kuz's body art.

The rumors date back to last year when KEH was spotted attending Laker games ... and this pretty much closes the case.

On top of being ridiculously hot, Henry -- a Miami native -- is also a businesswoman with her own workout plan (including an 8-week "booty program") and bikini line.

No word on whether this is love or just young kids having fun ... but it's clear there are no losers here.

Clemson superstar QB Trevor Lawrence says he's sorry for shoving a fellow student to the ground during a heated intramural hoops game ... admitting it was "probably unnecessary."

Of course, 19-year-old Lawrence -- 6'6", 215 pounds -- just wrapped an unreal season, leading Clemson football to another national title. But, he found trouble on the basketball court this week when he got into an altercation with a fellow student who was trying to set a screen.

The student set the pick on Trevor some 80 feet from the basket ... but Lawrence clearly took issue with the move and pushed the guy hard, TWICE ... sending him flying to the ground.

Lawrence was definitely the aggressor -- but in a comment on social media, the QB implied the other guy had it coming for running his mouth during the game.

"He wanted to talk the whole game lol... still probably unnecessary. Sorry folks."

Lawrence has since deleted the comment ... probably 'cause Dabo Swinney HATED every second of the incident.

LeBron James has a new teammate ... 2 CHAINZ!!! 'Cause the Lakers superstar just announced his first music project starring the "It's A Vibe" rapper.

The King is takin' his first shot at being an A&R exec ... teaming up with the Georgia rapper for, "Rap Or Go To The League," a 14-track album coming out March 1.

LBJ announced the collab with a video of the duo in the studio ... choppin' it up about things like the tracklist, features and release plans -- all the things a music exec has to deal with.

"Can’t wait for y’all to hear the continues evolution of his profound skills from his mind to the booth to the records itself," Bron says, "Proud of you homie and the people will be as well when this hits!"

2 Chainz added ... "It's gonna be shocking for people to know how much input you had on (the project.)"

No word on whether Bron actually got in the booth to spit some bars ... but we know he's fully capable of doing so.