Fights

Stipe Miocic stepped out of the Octagon as the big winner, and then stepped right into this club a week later an even bigger birthday boy.

The MMA fighter celebrated winning the heavyweight card at UFC 241 against Daniel Cormier last weekend by raging at Cleveland's Barley House Saturday night, where he was met with a massive bottle of Luc Belaire bubbly ... which he promptly started drinking.

Nothing says 4th-round TKO victory like champagne to the face.

The party served two purposes as it turns out -- Stipe was also celebrating his 37th birthday, which had just come around this past Monday. That's why you're seeing cake here too.

The pastry came courtesy of Colossal Cupcakes, and it ended weighing in at 20 lbs. of pure edible gold in the shape of a UFC trophy. Looks like Stipe was diggin' lickin' it.

The Cleveland native was joined by some good friends, including Browns player Myles Garrett, whose team has looked pretty solid this preseason, but lost on Thursday night.

Jon Jones is "soft as baby sh*t" ... so says Corey Anderson, the guy who claims he's living rent-free in Bones head.

There's zero love between the fighters ... in fact, Anderson -- the #7th ranked UFC light heavyweight -- recently confronted Jon at an autograph signing near Corey's gym in NJ.

Anderson told TMZ Sports his version of what went down ... and had some, lets say, not nice things to say about Jones.

"You made yourself look like you just sensitive, bro. You soft body. You soft like Charmin. All that G.O.A.T. talk, boy, you soft as baby sh*t. I ain't even say nothing to you and you got in your feelings."

Corey says since the incident, he's noticed guys from Jones' team are keeping a close eye on his social media accounts -- and Anderson thinks he's in Jon's head.

"Watch me, see that I'm developing, get scared. I want you in the gym. I want you to relapse and start doing drugs again because you don't think you can beat me. I want to get in your head before we get in the cage."

Anderson continued ... "I'm the real deal. Like I said, I got fight IQ and I'm a mixed martial artist. I'm not a one hit wonder. You hit me, I'mma hit you. you kick me, I'mma kick you. we gon' wrestle and we gon' do Jiu-Jitsu. We can go all over, and it ain't gonna be an easy battle. Believe that."

But, before a fight with Bones ... Corey has a scrap with UFC rising star Johnny Walker at UFC 244 on November 2.

Anderson's plan -- derail the JW hype train, and then ... "I want that belt, and I want [Jon's] head on a platter."

Forget a MayMac 2 ... there's a NEW fight to be made -- Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather SENIOR!!!

"I would beat the s*** out of Conor RIGHT NOW," 66-year-old Floyd Sr. told us while shadow boxing right in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

... And, by the way, dude can still throw a punch!!!

So ... how'd this all come about??? TMZ Sports spoke with the boxing legend about the video of the UFC superstar socking a 50-year-old man at a pub back in April ... and asked Floyd Sr. what he'd do in the same situation.

"I'm double his age and I'd whoop his ass."

Of course, Floyd Sr. ain't fighting Conor ... but his son might.

In fact, he recently told us he believes Floyd will come out of retirement for a rematch with Manny Pacquiao ... so why not book another bout with McGregor (and bank another $300 mil) while he's at it?!

April Ryan is going on TV this weekend to explain how and why a reporter was allegedly roughed up by her security this month, but we've learned she's denying responsibility.

Sources close to the White House correspondent and CNN contributor tell TMZ ... April insists that she did NOT give her security the go-ahead to remove, let alone get physical with, New Jersey reporter Charlie Kratovil a few weeks ago at an event she was speaking at.

Unfortunately, it appears that's exactly what went down ... and it got ugly fast.

On August 3, the New Brunswick Today journo told cops that April's bodyguard, Joel Morris, snatched his phone away from him while he was recording April's remarks at the Heldrich Hotel, and then twisted his wrist in an attempt to get him outta there.

April took to social media Saturday, teasing her appearance on CNN Sunday ... where she'll presumably tell her side of the story about the dust-up.

The whole thing was partially captured on Kratovil's smartphone camera, and you can hear what sounds like a physical confrontation. Before that though, you see Kratovil recording April come up to the podium -- where she's addressing some politicos -- but gets interrupted by Morris, whom we're told whispered to her, "Ms. Ryan, stop talking."

She does, giving him a head nod at the same time, and then stands up there silently while her guard walks over to the reporter. It's all downhill from there ... watch.

Our April sources tell us that the reason she stopped talking is because she and her team have a strict policy on people recording her speak in public, to avoid having her words taken out of context. We're told Kratovil was NOT pre-approved to film her here.

It should be noted -- in the police report filed by Kratovil, obtained by TMZ, he told cops he'd been invited to the event by a PR person who wasn't on hand to confirm or deny.

As for why she even has security with her in the first place, well ... she gave us the rundown on that back in November, after she'd received multiple threats on her life.

Anyway, our sources tell us April is doubling down on the fact she didn't sign off on how Kratovil was handled, as she's a huge advocate for First Amendment rights. BTW, Kratovil has a history of filming confrontational encounters for NBT ... it's kinda his thing.

Morris was ultimately booked for assault, harassment and theft, and he'll reportedly be arraigned next month. Either way, we're told he no longer works for April.

We've reached out to Charlie Kratovil for comment ... so far, no word back.

Sergey Kovalev's big-money fight with Canelo Alvarez is about to get the royal hater treatment ... because Anthony Yarde says he's gonna c-block the fight ... by knocking Kovalev the hell out.

Here's how this goes ... Kovalev is hoping to get a huge payday for fighting Canelo (boxing's biggest draw) but has to keep winning to make that a reality.

Sergey fights the undefeated Yarde on Saturday in Russia on ESPN+ at 12:30 PM ET and Yarde says it's HIS MISSION IN LIFE to stop Sergey's cash flow.

"There's a big thing about him fighting Canelo next. I want to c**k block."

Yarde has knocked out 17 of 18 opponents, so he can DEFINITELY do it ... plus, if he gets the win, it could end up being him who gets the life-changing money of a Canelo fight.

As for Sergey ... we talked to him too and he says Yarde ain't even ready and experienced enough to block his ... well, you know.

Ryan Garcia says if Gervonta Davis were ever to step in the ring with him it'd be the biggest fight in the history of boxing ... and he thinks he'd kick Tank's ass.

Garcia is an undefeated rising star in the sport ... and has called out Tank before, claiming he's ready to challenge Davis and take his strap (boxing term for belt, keep up people).

Last time we spoke to Davis, he said he had his sights on Vasyl Lomachenko in what would certainly be one of the biggest fights in the world.

Well, Garcia says him and Tank would be THE biggest fight in the world ... maybe ever.

"I feel like if we keep doing what we're doing, our fight would be the biggest fight in boxing history."

Garcia's star is on the rise for sure ... he has over 3 million Instagram followers, and his spectacular knockouts (and let's face it, the looks) have made him one of the biggest stars in the sport.

But, is he ready for a killer like Tank yet at 21 years old? Prolly not, but it's coming.

Conor McGregor is finally apologizing for sucker punching a man in the head at a pub in Ireland ... saying, "I was in the wrong."

The UFC superstar is speaking out 1 week after TMZ Sports posted video of the incident ... telling ESPN's Ariel Helwani that there was no excuse for his behavior.

"I mean, in reality, it doesn't matter what happened there. I was in the wrong. That man deserved to enjoy his time in the pub without having it to end the way it did."

McGregor says that he made amends with the man shortly after the April bar attack -- which happened to be a dispute over his Proper 12 whiskey.

While at the pub, Conor poured shots for patrons at the Marble Arch in Dublin ... and threw a punch at the victim when he turned down the offer.

"And, although five months ago it was, and I tried to make amends, and I made amends, back then, it does not even matter. I was in the wrong."

McGregor continues ... "I have to realize that's not the attitude or the behavior of a leader, of a martial artist, of a champion. So, I must get my head screwed on and just get back in the game and fight for redemption, retribution, respect."

Conor clearly wants to move on from the incident ... but Ireland cops tell TMZ Sports they are still investigating the attack and could bring criminal charges.

As for the victim, he told the Irish Daily Star that Conor is a "bully with money" ... and claimed he wanted to drink his Guinness in peace.

Conor also addressed his fighting future, saying he's NOT retired and when asked if he'll fight before the end of 2019, he says that's the goal.

The man who was punched in the face by Conor McGregor at a pub in Ireland is breaking his silence ... and he's BRAGGING that he can take a punch!!!

The victim spoke with the Irish Daily Star on the condition of anonymity -- and explained why he thinks Conor socked him with a left during an incident caught on video back in April.

"I am sitting on the bar stool just having a quiet pint with my friend then all of a sudden because I refuse his drink I get a punch," the man said ... "You don’t need that in life."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Conor had been pouring shots of his Proper 12 whiskey to people at the Marble Arch Pub in South Dublin when one man refused ... and Conor let his fist fly.

The man took the punch like a champ -- with UFC star Stipe Miocic praising the dude's "chin of steel" -- and now the guy is bragging about his toughness too.

"Look-it, I can take a punch,” he told the Irish Daily Star.

Despite the way it played out on video, the man claims the punch really hurt and he was in pain for a week ... and went after Conor during his interview.

"He is a bit of a bully, a bully with money ... I'm glad people saw the video. I don't like him."

The man still has one major beef -- but it seems to be with the media. It was reported the guy was 60-years-old ... but the man wants to set the record straight.

"I'm 50."

As we previously reported, Conor has not been arrested or charged with a crime for the attack ... and cops in Ireland say they're still investigating, which is crazy because the whole thing is ON VIDEO!!!

Nate Diaz ain't the only member of his family who thinks he can beat down Conor McGregor ... his bro Nick Diaz tells TMZ Sports, "I'll whoop his ass!"

The elder Diaz bro was leaving Warwick with his pal, Bellator fighter AJ Agazarm when we brought up the possible trilogy fight between Nate and Conor ... a fight EVERYONE wants to see!

"I'll whoop his ass," Nick told us ... which triggered his pal AJ to start talking a TON of crap about the Irishman.

"I can't believe he hit that old man! That was crazy! Who would do that?! If he's gonna hit an old man, I'll hit him," Agazarm told us.

By the way, Agazarm is a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who trains with the Diaz Bros at the Nick Diaz Academy ... so he's no punk.

In fact, AJ just defeated Jacob Landin at Bellator 224 in July ... and he wants a crack at Conor too!!!

"F*ck Conor, I'll f*cking choke him in the 1st round!"

Obviously, AJ will have to get in line ... Conor's got business to handle with Nate, Khabib and a long list of others before he gets a shot.

Tommy Lee wanted a bite at Emeril's, but all he got was the boot ... he says he got thrown outta the joint because he dropped an F-BOMB when staff asked him to take off his hat.

The Motley Crue drummer and his new wife, internet personality Brittany Furlan, were at LAX Tuesday when they broke down their dinner fiasco in New Orleans ... they say the people running Emeril's Delmonico lost their lids over some caps and a harmless curse.

Tommy and Brittany say they were both wearing hats when they entered the fancy establishment Tuesday night, but only he was asked to remove his ... and that's when all hell broke loose.

Ya gotta hear Tommy defend his use of the F-word with more "f**k yous" ... and stick around to watch him go digging for gold.

There's no beef with Emeril himself ... but sounds like Tommy and Brittany will be dining elsewhere next time they're in New Orleans. Can't blame 'em, plenty of good eats in that town!!!

Floyd Mayweather's father tells TMZ Sports he's "pretty sure" his son is down for the rematch with Manny Pacquiao ... and he's warning PacMan that TBE will "kick his ass" again!!!

"I'm pretty sure that they gonna fight," Floyd Sr. told us on the way into the Beverly Wilshire hotel ... "If Pacquiao says he wants to fight, I'm pretty sure they're gonna fight again."

Floyd Sr. would know ... he's pretty tight with his son. In fact, Floyd Jr. gave a heartfelt speech at his father's Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction earlier this month.

And, Fun Fact -- Floyd Sr. was his son's trainer for the first Pacquiao fight back in 2015, a fight Floyd easily won.

Speaking of Manny, he called out Floyd on social media after he beat up Keith Thurman back in July ... telling Floyd, "If you want to be relevant again #MayPac2."

Manny looked VERY impressive in his victory over Thurman -- but Floyd Sr. says he ain't worried about the 40-year-old Filipino superstar.

"Man, my son will kick his ass the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th [time]!!!"

Only one way to find out ...

Trae Young is going to bat for his NBA buddy, Devin Booker ... saying the dude had every right to throw a tantrum in a pickup game Monday -- adding it's insane people were double-teaming him!!!

"DBook speaking facts," Trae said of the Phoenix Suns superstar Wednesday ... "There should be NO Double Teaming in pick up."

Of course, Booker went off on some guys in an open-run sesh earlier this week when he was doubled on the baseline while trying to attack the basket.

"Hey, bro, we not doubling in open gym, bro!" Booker yelled.

Devin caught a ton of heat for the blowup, with people claiming he was being a baby ... but Trae came to his defense on Twitter, saying Booker SHOULDA been pissed.

"When you trying to work on your game, and work on the moves and things you do individually in pick up... it’s annoying getting double teamed in that type of setting."

Trae added, "Just Sayin.. #OnlyAFewUnderstand"

For his part, Booker clearly appreciated the backing ... writing, "Only a few."

Lenny Dykstra's new fight training video shows the ex-MLB has real knockdown power ... because he almost put HIMSELF on the mat throwing a left hook!!!

Nails hit a boxing gym in NYC to train for his upcoming celebrity boxing match against Chris Morgan, AKA Angry Bagel Guy ... and he's working on everything from jabs to power shots.

Lenny is cocky as hell ... and with good reason, he's a former world-class athlete and Bagel Guy ... well, he's just angry.

But, remember, Bagel Guy has been training with legit UFC superstars -- and he's taking the fight very seriously.

So is Lenny from what we're told ... he's been working with Mel Millington, a former Marine-turned-boxing trainer.

Lenny's jabs looked pretty decent but his footwork needs help -- dude almost fell down throwing that hook.

It's all going down Sept. 28 at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City -- and Lenny says if/when he pummels Bagel Guy, he wants his NEXT fight to be against Mickey Rourke.

The good news for 2 couples on the upcoming season of 'Marriage Boot Camp' is they've already proved they have each other's backs -- unfortunately they proved it during a knockdown, drag-out fight.

Sources close to production tell TMZ ... they had to stop shooting this week after a huge fight erupted over ex-'Love & Hip Hop' star Hazel-E's Instagram. We're told the issue was a racially-charged post from way back in 2017.

We're told Shanda Denyce, wife of Day26 singer Willie Taylor, confronted Hazel about her comments insulting darker-skinned black women ... and then all hell broke loose.

Our sources say Shanda and Hazel-E started brawling first, tearing down a set of drapes in the 'Boot Camp' house in the process.

Meanwhile ... we're told Hazel-E's BF, model Devon B, and Taylor started rumbling and got completely out of control. It took several security guards and crew members to break them up ... but not before a marble table was cracked and several chairs were destroyed.

Once the dust settled, our sources say producers put the cast on lockdown -- and then had an emergency producers-only meeting. We're told they've resumed shooting, and all the couples are still there.

Tyson Fury says he'd only need ONE hand to beat Andy Ruiz's ass ... and he tells TMZ Sports he'd even let the fans pick which arm he would use!!!

"I only need one hand for him," Fury said. "One hand."

The boxing superstar's fight schedule is pretty booked up this year ... he's got a bout with Otto Wallin on Sept. 14 and a rematch with Deontay Wilder set for Feb. 22, 2020.

But, Tyson tells us he'd be down for a fight with heavyweight champ Ruiz after that ... saying, "I can never say no to anything."

But, Fury says the fight probably wouldn't be a good one ... telling us he'd wreck Ruiz!!!

By the way, Fury didn't use up all his trash talk on Andy ... he also guaranteed a knockout in his fight with Wilder, saying, "I don't believe Deontay Wilder is going to put the Gypsy King to rest."

UFC star Israel Adesanya is a phony champ who hasn't beaten any level fighters ... so says Paulo Costa, the dude who just beat Yoel Romero.

TMZ Sports talked to Costa -- the #2 ranked UFC middleweight -- about his next move after his epic win over Romero ... and it's clear he ain't impressed with the 2 champs in his division.

"Yoel Romero is more tough than Whittaker, I know. And, man, Adesanya, Adesanya is a fake champion."

Why does Costa -- the 28-year-old undefeated (13-0) fighter -- think Izzy's a fake champ???

"Because he not proven yet. He needs to prove. He won against who? Tavares? Derek Brunson. Gastelum. Gastelum is good fighter, but Gastelum is not a middleweight. Against Anderson Silva. Man, Anderson Silva is not top 10. Not top 5. I beat a real beast. I beat Yoel Romero."

FYI -- Adesanya won the interim belt against Kelvin Gastelum earlier this year.

Whittaker (middleweight champ) and Adesanya (interim middleweight champ) are fighting October 5 at UFC 243 in Australia ... Costa says he'll be there, and he has a message for both fighters.

"I am a real deal. I'm training like a crazy guy. This is my life. [I'm] born to fight. [I'm] born to win, and I will take the belt."