Fights

Greg Hardy says he's feeling extremely "positive" after his impressive UFC performance on Tuesday -- and says he wants to prove to his haters that he's truly a changed man.

TMZ Sports spoke with the ex-NFL star after his 57-second knockout victory over Austen Lane on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series ... and you can tell he's excited about his MMA future.

"I'm feeling great. I'm feeling positive. I'm feeling excited. I'm ready to go ... ready to take this next step and see where it takes us."

Hardy knows his new UFC contract will come with scrutiny because of his troubled past -- including allegations of domestic violence -- but says he hopes people will give him a chance to prove he's not a monster.

"It would be best to meet me, give me an opportunity," Hardy said ... "I think I can win a lot of people back over to my side."

As we previously reported, Dana White wants Hardy to get a couple more fights under his belt before he matches up with a major UFC opponent ... but Hardy says he's already got his sights on Derrick Lewis.

Let the trash talk begin!!!!

Logan Paul and KSI are ripping a page from Mayweather vs. McGregor and holding a massive news conference at the L.A. Coliseum for their full-contact beatdown ... and it's all going down this weekend!

As we previously reported, the two social media stars have agreed to fight each other on August 25 in Manchester, England ... and there's talk it could bring in more viewers than Conor vs. Floyd.

Besides Logan and KSI, both of their younger brothers -- Jake Paul and Deji -- will also be participating in the presser ... since they're also fighting each other that night.

Logan is taking the fight VERY seriously -- he's been training like a maniac and beating the hell out of his sparring partners.

KSI has trained up at Floyd Mayweather's gym in Vegas ... and already has one boxing victory under his belt.

Surprise, surprise ...

Ya just knew Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin were not about to walk away from MILLIONS ... finally hammering out a deal to set up boxing's long-anticipated rematch ... this according to Oscar De La Hoya.

Despite the fact the two sides were at loggerheads for months, ODLH tweeted out moments ago that a deal has been made and the fight is set for Sept. 15!

Oscar had previously set a noon deadline for GGG to accept his final offer, but c'mon ... with that much money on the line, everyone on the planet knew the deadline wasn't REALLY a deadline.

Noon came and went ... and finally at 2 PM, the deal was announced.

Oscar's problem was the GGG's camp wanted a 50/50 revenue share -- and Oscar said that was WAY too much money.

Unclear what the final deal entails.

The rematch was originally slated for Cinco de Mayo, but it was derailed when Canelo tested positive twice for PED. As we reported ... Canelo started training again, only this time he knows his next opponent. The fight's set to happen at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.

Farrah Abraham lit into the cops who arrested her at The Beverly Hills Hotel, but her tone changed dramatically when they hauled her off in a police cruiser -- and it's all on video.

The former 'Teen Mom' and 'Backdoor Teen Mom' star got belligerent while sitting outside the hotel talking to police. In this video, obtained by TMZ, she repeatedly yells, "Go f**k yourself" to the officers surrounding her.

Farrah's combative tirade continued when one officer took her wallet. She insisted she hadn't struck or injured anyone at the hotel ... so there was no need to arrest her. Obviously, cops didn't buy that and hauled her away, and that's when she turned on the waterworks ... sobbing and yelling, "I'm not resisting!"

We broke the story ... Abraham was arrested for allegedly striking a hotel security guard after he asked her to leave because she'd gotten into an altercation with some guests. Officers noted she appeared intoxicated.

Farrah was booked at 1:48 AM for battery and trespassing. As of now, she's still being held on $500 bail.

Dana White was so impressed by Greg Hardy's 57-second knockout on Tuesday, he wants to get him back in the Octagon as soon as he can ... telling TMZ Sports he's shooting for August.

"He's got a lot of raw talent," White said from his gym ... "He looked good in his showing there."

White says he wants to get Hardy more experience before he puts the ex-NFL star on the main UFC stage -- and the ideal situation would be a second fight in his Tuesday Night Contender Series.

"In a perfect world what I'd love to do is turn him around and have him fight again in the last fight of the Contender Series."

FYI, the series finale is reportedly set for August 7 ... which would give Hardy exactly 8 weeks to prep.

White says if Hardy wins that fight, he'd still like to see him rack up a few more wins before he gets a major UFC fight.

As to the criticism that comes with signing Hardy -- who was convicted of domestic violence (which was later overturned when Hardy appealed) ... White says he's ready for it.

"What I respect about the guy is he did something really bad and horrible. He went through everything you need to go though after you do something disgusting like that. Then he hit rock bottom, picked himself back up, started to work his way up to become not only a better human being but a better athlete."

He's got no opponent yet ... but Canelo Alvarez has returned to his boxing gym to start training -- while his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, is now turning up the heat on Gennady Golovkin.

Remember, Oscar said the GGG train had left the station because Gennady's team refused to budge from their negotiating terms ... they wanted a 50/50 revenue split.

Oscar said that wouldn't happen ... and told the media Canelo was now focusing on trying to make a deal with other fighters, including Daniel Jacobs.

But moments ago, De La Hoya went to Twitter and wrote, "Tic-Toc, Tic-Toc. If any fight freaks see @GGGBoxing in Russia, perhaps you can lend him a pen. #whereisGGG."

So, seems like the GGG train hasn't left the station after all.

Both sides have said they want a Sept. 15 fight date -- our bet is the two sides will work something out before then.

Some real talk from UFC rising star Sean O'Malley ... who tells TMZ Sports he's a BIG fan of Wiz Khalifa, but knows the dude would get crushed if he took a real UFC fight.

Remember, Wiz has been training like crazy at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable gym -- and even UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he's been very impressed with the rapper's fighting skills.

In fact, Wiz told us he believes he could compete in a pro MMA fight -- but won't do it unless someone offers a TON of cash.

But, O'Malley says when push comes to shove ... Wiz has "no chance" in a real UFC fight and gives the hard truth about why Khalifa would get smoked for real.

It's not personal, O'Malley's just being honest ... and tells us he still REALLY wants to smoke with Wiz.

There's more ... O'Malley also updates us on his recovery from his foot injury and tells us why he's become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Fortnite.

8:57 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us Farrah got physical with the security guard after he'd asked her to leave when she got into a verbal altercation with some guests. Cops say the man reported she hit him in the face with her forearm, grabbed his ear and pushed his head as he tried preventing her from reentering the hotel. Officers noted Farrah displayed signs of intoxication during their investigation. The guard suffered minor injures and didn't go to the hospital.

7:13 AM PT -- Farrah was booked at 1:48 AM PT ... she's being held on $500 bail.

Farrah Abraham got busted at The Beverly Hills Hotel for fighting with an employee ... TMZ has learned.

The ex-'Teen Mom' and sometimes porn star was at the schmancy hotel Tuesday night and, according to law enforcement sources, she got into an argument with a male employee ... a hotel security guard. We're told things got heated, she was asked to leave and refused ... and that's when she allegedly struck the guard.

Not shockingly, we're told alcohol might be involved. A source tells us Farrah was heard playing the "I'm a celebrity" card -- yelling things like ... you should know who I am.

Greg Hardy made one hell of an impression on Dana White -- knocking out his opponent 57 seconds into his UFC Contender Series fight.

Hardy was matched up against another former NFL lineman Austen Lane Tuesday night -- and the winner gets an opportunity to earn a UFC contract ... if White feels like the fighter has earned it.

Hardy -- who was undefeated in his previous 3 amateur MMA fights -- hit the Octagon like a violent tornado ... and rocked Lane -- who was 2-0 with 2 KOs in his previous pro fights -- with a couple of devastating haymakers.

Lane went down ... and the ref called it immediately for Hardy.

Chris Johnson just got SERVED!!

The NFL running back was blindsided with an assault and battery lawsuit at an autograph signing over the weekend -- filed by the valet he allegedly attacked in April ... and TMZ Sports has the video.

Here's what went down ... CJ was signing pics and memorabilia for fans at a minor league baseball game in FL on Saturday ... when a process server patiently waited in line for her time to meet the All-Pro back.

Once the server got her chance ... she placed the papers right on the table for Johnson, who nearly puts his John Hancock on the complaint and summons until he realizes what's in front of him.

In the civil suit, the alleged victim states he was seriously injured, lost work 'cause of the incident, and has medical bills to pay. It's unclear exactly how much he's asking for ... but it's at least $15K.

It's a clever tactic, but not the first time we've seen this move used -- Warren Sapp was duped at a meet-and-greet back in February.

Tyron Woodley says he's gonna do way more than kick the hell outta Colby Covington ... telling TMZ Sports he's going to KILL CC in the Octagon ... and it doesn't sound like he was kidding.

Covinginton (again) called Woodley out this past Saturday after his victory over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 ... referring to Woodley as a "coward" and a "b**ch."

Well, he got through to Tyron ... because when Woodley came on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (full interview airs tonight at 9PM PT on FS1), he told the guys he was going to do the type of damage to Covington that can't be reversed.

"I want him never to fight again," T-Wood says, "I want to end his life."

Woodley says it's not just the call-out that's got him so pissed at Covington, it's the guy's whole EXISTENCE that ticks him off.

"When you disrespect my division, you disrespect the sport, you disrespect the team that I fight for, and also, just the HUMAN RACE, you're an embarrassment."

CM Punk should NEVER fight again ... according to Mike Jackson, who says if not for the mercy he showed, Punk could've been badly hurt Saturday night.

TMZ Sports talked to Jackson about his UFC 225 fight against Punk ... and, while MJ says Punk is a tough MF'er ... he also says real-life fighting ain't for him.

FYI -- CM went the distance in the fight ... but was thoroughly dominated.

"It's not even a knock on the man and his skills. It's all about his safety. We're in a sport where you're trying to incapacitate someone," Jackson says, "It's a dangerous sport. People's lives, health is on the line."

Jackson goes on to say ... "I never wanted to hurt the guy. I just wanted to beat him up a little bit, so he knows not to do this no more"

"The Truth" also sent a message to Dana White -- who was pissed 'cause he thought MJ was showboating during the fight.

Chris Johnson was charged with battery for allegedly choking a valet in April ... and now TMZ Sports has the surveillance video of the alleged violent altercation.

Here's the deal ... Johnson was charged with misdemeanor battery after officials in Hillsborough County, Florida say the NFL star roughed up a nightclub valet.

According to court docs, Johnson "became angry at the businesses valet" and "intentionally touched and struck the victim" by "placing him in a choke hold and punching him in the face causing minor injuries" April 9 at The Lodge.

The video quality ain't the best ... but you see a man who appears to be Johnson attempt to grab something from the valet ... before the men leave the frame and are lost in a crowd.

We spoke to Matt Powell -- the alleged victim's attorney -- who tells us Johnson didn't have his valet ticket, and got pissed when his client asked him to prove the Porsche he was trying to take was his vehicle.

Powell says Johnson grabbed the keys before choking his client while an unidentified person punched him in the face -- injuring his face, neck and back.

We also obtained a video taken shortly after the alleged incident, where the victim appears bloodied and beaten ... and says he was scared for his life.

"I thought I was gonna die."

KSI is gonna wanna see this ...

Here's Logan Paul beating the dog snot out of his sparring partner during a recent training session -- and ending it all with a CLEAN knockdown shot to the face!!!

TMZ Sports got our hands on the footage of a recent workout for Paul's August 25 boxing match against KSI ... a fight that some say could get more viewers than Mayweather vs. McGregor.

The YouTube star is clearly taking the fight seriously ... he's been training like a maniac and looks pretty solid in this video.

Check out the footwork, the power and the speed ... it's genuinely impressive for an amateur.

Sources tell us Paul has been training in Los Angeles -- and we know his brother, Jake Paul (who's also fighting on the card) -- has been reaching out to pro fighters to get him ready.

FYI, Paul and KSI are both MASSIVE social media stars -- and are fighting to show the world they're no punks.

In fact, KSI -- who has over 18 MILLION followers on YouTube -- already fought earlier this year against Joe Weller and beat his ass.

He's been doing some training at Floyd Mayweather's TMT gym in Vegas.

Dana White says he believes Brock Lesnar's contract with WWE is up at the end of the summer ... and he KNOWS Brock wants to take another UFC fight.

In fact, White says the opponent he's gunning to match up with ... is Jon Jones.

"Jon Jones is very interested in Brock Lesnar and Brock is very interested in Jon Jones," White tells TMZ Sports.

The issue ... Jones is currently suspended for failing a drug test surrounding his 2017 fight against Daniel Cormier.

The suspension is provisional until USADA makes an official ruling -- and it seems that could happen pretty soon.

"I'll end up figuring that out in the next month," White says ... "I don't know how that's gonna play out. That's up to USADA."

If it doesn't work out with Jones, there's another big name who could face Lesnar -- Dana says that too could be a really fun fight.

21 Savage quickly went from being empty-handed to locked and loaded with a gun this weekend after a fight broke out at a pool party he attended in Georgia.

Savage was partying it up Saturday at an annual rager in the Atlanta area called Big Ass Pool Party, when a large group of people crashed the event through the back.

Eyewitnesses tell us Sav appeared uneasy at the unexpected entrance, and that all hell broke loose when a person from the other camp said hi to a girl in Savage's circle, upsetting his side. We're told someone from the crashers' crew pulled out a gun when confronted, which led to Savage arming himself too. It appears he received a revolver from a friend.