Belal Muhammad was just as shocked as everyone else when he heard Ben Askrenwas returning to the mats ... and now the UFC star is walking TMZ Sportsthrough how the deal went down!
"[Real American Freestyle] hit me up, and they asked me if I was down again. It's close to Chicago in Milwaukee, and then they brought up his name, and I was like, 'Bro, is he healthy enough?' I care about him. I've seen his story," the 37-year-old MMA fighter told us.
"When they said, 'Yeah [he's healthy],' I said, 'Bro, it'd be an honor.' He's a legend. His story is legendary. To be a part of that, and to be his homecoming match, or even his end match, his last one, it's gonna be cool. I've trained with him. I've talked to him. He's a good guy, cool guy."
Holly Madison is taking things slow with her new boyfriend, SteveDimopoulos ... and it's going to take him a long time to meet her kids ... if history's any indication.
Holly joined us on "The TMZ Podcast" and told us her joint custody arrangement keeps her life pretty compartmentalized ... half the time she's with her kids, and the other half is when she focuses on dating.
That setup has led Holly to be incredibly cautious about introducing romantic partners to her kids ... she revealed her previous boyfriend of six years, Zak Bagans, never even met them.
Damian Lillard's alleged baby mama isn't the homewrecker she's being made out to be ... 'cause TMZ has learned she and the NBA superstar didn't get romantic until AFTER his marriage was already over.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the 9-time NBA All-Star did NOT cheat on his ex-wife, Kay'la Lillard, with Justie Wolf. We're told the two had known each other for years through mutual friends, but their relationship didn't turn romantic until after Damian and Kay'la had separated.
We're also told Justie isn't the type of woman who would knowingly get involved with a married man or help break up a family ... and she would never be okay being a side chick.
Amanda Batulaand West Wilsonaren't exactly hiding out from the "Summer House" reunion fallout ... they're soaking up the Italian coast together while Part 2 of the explosive sit-down plays out back home.
TMZ has obtained photos showing Amanda and West out Tuesday night in Taormina, Sicily ... where they were spotted grabbing a late-night bite at Caffe Wunderbar in the town's famous main square just off Corso Umberto.
A witness tells TMZ the pair arrived around 10:30 PM and spent time sitting and chatting together at an outdoor table. The two appeared relaxed and engaged in conversation throughout the evening -- though there was no visible PDA.
6:17 PM 6/2/2026 -- Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … the suspect in custody is Sean’s neighbor.
Our Law Enforcement sources tell us that LAPD responded to a call at Sean's home for criminal threats around 10 AM Tuesday. The caller stated the suspect was a neighbor who had been harassing and threatening their contractors. The caller told officers this had been an ongoing issue.
Our LE sources tell us when officers arrived Tuesday morning, there was no indication of any threats made. No report was taken.
Sean Avery and his wife, Hilary Rhoda's Los Angeles home was the scene of a frightening shooting ... TMZ has learned.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the couple's contractor was working at their Hollywood Hills residence Tuesday when the shots rang out. We're told that during the shooting, a tire on the contractor's vehicle was struck.
As of now, our law enforcement sources say there are no known injuries. Our LE sources tell us one person is in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
We're told neither Avery or Rhoda was home at the time of the shooting.
Jessica Shannon's marriage is coming to an end ... 'cause TMZ has learned the reality star and her wife, Shyann McCant, have separated and are heading for divorce.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the former couple split within the last few days after realizing their relationship had run its course. We're told the breakup was mutual and not the result of any one incident ... rather, it was a split both sides saw coming.
Our sources say divorce paperwork has not yet been filed, but the former couple plans to officially begin the process soon.
The Black Crowes are set to hit the stage tonight, days after they got into it with fans over a chant about the red, white and blue ... and the backlash hasn’t messed with ticket sales, TMZ has learned.
A rep for the SJC Cultural Events, Inc., which owns the St. Augustine Amphitheatre where the group is performing Tuesday night, told TMZ this afternoon ... "At this point, we have not had any request for refunds."
At Sunday's show in Tampa, fans who attended the show claimed The Black Crowes’ singer Chris Robinson went off after the crowd started a patriotic chant … after seeing the band's Black Crowe character on the big screen dressed as Uncle Sam.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Karlie scored an invite to Taylor's wedding to Travis Kelce in New York City on July 3, a major development considering the former BFFs haven't been spotted together in years following their widely rumored fallout.
We're told there were real issues between them, but it's all water under the bridge now ... the pals actually made up quite some time ago ... so, Taylor had no problem adding Karlie to the guest list for the celeb-packed ceremony.
"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Miranda Hope sparked romance rumors with her recent Pepe Garcia dinner date ... but TMZ has learned she's still very much single ... and it sounds like she's got options.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Miranda is simply having fun right now and Pepe isn't the only 'Love Island' star currently catching her attention and getting some of her time.
As for who the other Islander might be? That's still under wraps ... but we're told the Pepe connection began when he slid into her DMs. Shooters shoot.
Mackenzie Shirilla's mom, Natalie, has some harsh words for Dominic Russo's grieving family ... blasting them as "evil" in a conversation with her daughter.
TMZ obtained audio from a prison phone call between Mackenzie and her mother ... with Natalie telling Mackenzie her late boyfriend's family is full of "evil people."
Natalie's harsh comment came as the two rehashed court testimony from Mackenzie's murder trial.
At one point, you can hear Natalie say, "Dom would be beside his frickin' self" over what was said in court.
Matt Brown's death has left his family wrestling with a painful and complicated reality ... some relatives are devastated, while others are feeling a sense of relief.
Family sources tell TMZ ... the reaction within the Brown family has been a mixed bag ... with grief, shock and relief all colliding after the late "Alaskan Bush People" star was found dead in a river.
We're told Matt's long battle with addiction created ongoing anxiety for those closest to him. Relatives often worried about when he might reappear, what condition he would be in, and what kind of situation might follow.
6/2/2026 3:19 PM -- Rep. Ogles has since deleted the X post.
Rep. Mike Lawler is cussing out a GOP colleague who says "homosexuality has no place in America" ... telling TMZ DC that Rep. Andy Ogles is a "f***ing idiot" for even going there.
Rep. Lawler strongly disagreed ... saying Rep. Ogles has family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and constituents who are gay or lesbian ... and that doesn't make them any less worthy of being an American.
Former "American Idol" contestant Antonella Barba copped to violating the terms of her supervised release by smoking marijuana ... but she's getting a puff, puff pass here.
According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Antonella reported to the probation office in Camden, New Jersey on May 5 for a scheduled visit and urine drug screening ... and officers apparently became suspicious when she appeared to be stalling before the test. They say she ultimately admitted she had recently used marijuana.
Antonella -- who rose to fame as a contestant on Season 6 of 'Idol' and later served prison time in a federal drug trafficking case -- is currently on supervised release stemming from that conviction.
6/2/2026 3:19 PM -- Rep. Ogles has since deleted the X post.
Senator Ted Cruz is publicly pushing back on a member of his own party ... splitting with Rep. Andy Oglesover homosexuality's place in America, generally, and specifically, Pride Month celebrations.
Our guy Jacobgot Ted on Capitol Hill reacting to Congressman Ogles eyebrow-raising X post going after the LGBTQ community ... and he didn't hesitate to distance himself, saying, "the behavior of consenting adults is their business."
If ya missed Ogles' social media shot Tuesday morning, the U.S. Rep from Tennessee posted ... "Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month."
Rep. Ogles' X post comes on the second day of June, which is nationally recognized as Pride Month ... though governors in Tennessee and Indiana have alternately declared June as Nuclear Family Month.
Farrah Abraham sent eagle-eyed fans scurrying to cook up engagement rumors after she flashed a huge diamond ring on social media ... but TMZ has learned she's NOT someone's fiancée.
Farrah set off the frenzy when she included a couple photos of her with a ring on THAT finger in a recent Instagram photo dump ... including one snap where she's pointing to the bling.
The ring also popped up in a mirror selfie ... and Farrah further added to the engagement speculation when she mentioned "winning in life" and being thankful for her "birthday surprises" in the caption.
However, our sources tells us ... Farrah is NOT currently engaged.
Taylor Swift's wedding guest list is slowly coming into focus ... 'cause we've learned Benson Boonehas been invited to the big day ... and he's gonna be there!!!
Sources familiar with the guest list tell TMZ ... Benson scored a RSVP to Taylor and Travis Kelce's wedding and is expected to attend .... though it's unclear if he was given a plus one or will bring one.
The timing certainly works ... the wedding is planned for July 3, and Benson's next scheduled performance isn't until July 7 in Pittsburgh, giving him a clear window to celebrate with the bride and groom.
