Fights

There might not be anyone more qualified to pick the winner of the big Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic fight than Roy Nelson -- he fought 'em BOTH -- and he's putting his money on the underdog!

The heavyweight brawler battled both guys back in 2013 -- and lost both fights -- but tells TMZ Sports there was one big takeaway ... Cormier hits harder than Stipe!

There's more ... "Big Country" says Cormier is the smarter fighter, and that will pay off big time when they clash at UFC 226 in Vegas on Saturday.

"I think DC has probably the better game plan and I think he has the overall better skills," Roy says ... "If I'm a betting man, I go with the odds with DC."

UFC star Max Holloway has broken his silence after the medical emergency that forced him to back out of his big fight at UFC 226 this weekend ... and he's vowing to return to the Octagon.

Holloway was hospitalized this week after presenting concussion-like symptoms in the days before he was set to fight Brian Ortega in Vegas. Unclear what caused Max's condition.

But now, Max is speaking out on Twitter ... saying simply, "It was what it was."

Holloway also had a message for fans -- saying he definitely plans to fight again as soon as possible.

"I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over."

Holloway also shouted out the UFC fighters who offered to fight Ortega in his place.

"Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to [Jeremy Stephens] and [Frankie Edgar] for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you."

Jeremy Stephens has a message for Brian Ortega after the UFC star wouldn't take him on in a replacement fight at UFC 226 this weekend: "F*ck you, bitch!"

Yeah, Jeremy ain't happy.

After Max Holloway pulled out of his bout with Ortega this weekend after presenting concussion-like symptoms, Dana White offered the fight to Stephens -- but, Brian turned it down because of the short notice.

That has Jeremy livid ... with the fighter saying Ortega cares more about his hair than actually getting in the Octagon.

"I keep telling this kid, man, if you want to make money, and you want to make a name for yourself and you want to be a champion ... you have to fight," Stephens says.

"Like shut the f*ck up and fight. Ain't nobody caring about your hair, ain't nobody caring about what type of flying moves you're doing. I don't give two sh*ts what you do, let's fight."

Ortega reportedly is holding out for Holloway to get better, so he can fight for the title -- but, Stephens says he's ready for the scrap anytime and anyplace.

Daniel Cormier says there's a secret about Jon Jones everyone should know ... HE LOVES DANIEL CORMIER!

"He may not like to admit it, but he's my fan," Cormier tells TMZ Sports ... "He enjoys watching me compete. He does!"

DC says there's not a doubt in his mind JJ will be tuning in when he fights Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 on Saturday because, despite all the trash talk over the years ... "he likes watching me."

Cormier has a secret, too ... and it has to do with Jon Jones -- admitting he'll use JJ when he's playing the UFC video game because his character is "the best guy in the game."

At the end of the day, Cormier hates Jones -- but he hates losing in video games even more!

Cormier says he's also aware that he's a heavy underdog going into the Stipe fight ... but has some advice for gamblers out there -- the smart money is on DC, and he explains why!

Chuck Liddell says he's not just taking the Tito Ortiz fight because he's missing the sport -- telling TMZ Sports he wouldn't have signed on if he wasn't getting a fat ass paycheck.

We broke the story ... the 48-year-old legend hooked up with Oscar De La Hoya to return to MMA for the first time since 2010. Chuck and Tito finally signed their deals last week and Liddell is excited.

"I never get tired of hitting that guy," Chuck told us outside of Sushi Nishi in Calabasas ... "He never stops running his mouth. I really don't like him."

Chuck has scored the W in both of his previous fights with Tito -- and says he's going for the knockout this time around too.

As for the money, Chuck says he's getting paid handsomely -- and the size of his check was a huge factor in his decision to come out of retirement.

Heather Locklear may have to answer for her alleged drunken attack on a paramedic -- and not just in criminal court -- because we've learned the EMT's hired a lawyer.

Sources connected to the case tell TMZ ... the EMT who Heather allegedly kicked during her most recent dustup late last month claims to have suffered serious injury during the ordeal. The EMT has hired personal injury lawyer Kevin Flahavan.

We broke the story ... Heather was arrested for 2 counts of misdemeanor battery upon an officer and emergency personnel while authorities tried separating her from family members. Law enforcement sources told us she punched a cop, and kicked an EMT.

We're told the EMT has been reassigned to desk duty as a result of injuries to her head and neck. Apparently the injuries make paramedic work all but impossible ... at least for now.

Our sources say the EMT not only wants money for medical bills and pain and suffering ... but also some cash for emotional abuse after allegedly being verbally abused by Heather.

Nick Diaz is finally breaking his silence on that domestic violence arrest back in May -- telling TMZ Sports, "I was framed."

The UFC star and his camp had been radio silent about the May 24 incident ever since Nick was arrested for allegedly choking a woman and slamming her to the ground at a Las Vegas home.

He was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation and faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.

So, when we saw Nick leaving Tocaya Organica in Los Angeles, we asked if he had a message for his fans. He cracked a smile and said, "I was framed."

Diaz also talked about his fighting career -- telling us he wants to get back in the Octagon next year -- with his sights set on fighting Georges St-Pierre.

"I win if he don't cheat," Diaz said ... "If he don't miss weight like he did last time."

UFC legend Matt Serra claims some drunk a-hole was threatening the servers at a Vegas cafe on July 4 ... so, he took action -- AND TOOK THE GUY DOWN!

Serra was chllin' at the Grand Cafe at Red Rock Casino -- the night before he's set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame -- when he saw the alleged a-hole being a jerk to staff.

The former welterweight champ subdued the patron -- while the guy continued to yell at Serra, "I'm gonna f*ck you up."

Spoiler: he did NOT "f*ck" Serra up.

Security rushed to the scene and took over.

UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic wasn't always a stone cold bad ass -- he's man enough to admit the first time he got punched in the face ... he ran home crying.

Of course, Stipe was only 10 years old at the time ... but Stipe says he's GRATEFUL to the guy who clocked him in the mouth, because it made him into the wrecking machine he is today.

In fact, Stipe has a message to the guy -- "Thank you for making me tougher."

Now, Stipe is one of the most dangerous men on the planet ... he's defending the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 226 on Saturday against Daniel Cormier.

And DC hits a lot harder than that kid from his childhood!

Thon Maker is suggesting that CRAZY basketball fight this week could have been prevented if there was better security in the stadium -- insinuating officials should be breaking up fights, and not players.

Maker -- who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks -- was playing for team Australia in a FIBA match against the Philippines when things got chippy and a full-on brawl broke out.

Maker jumped right into the melee -- throwing flying knees at multiple players.

Now, he's apologizing ... saying he's "deeply disappointed" in his actions but justified the violence by saying he was trying to protect a teammate.

"My hope is that this experience provides a springboard for a discussion regarding the security surrounding these games," Maker wrote.

"I take responsibility for my actions knowing that they were a result of MY DESIRE to protect my teammates and myself."

It seems he's suggesting security should be tasked with the responsibility of breaking up on-court fights ... instead of players and team staff.

Maker continued ... "Being from a war-torn country, basketball for me has always been a means to bring people together."

DeAngelo Williams is coming back .... no, not to the NFL (at least not yet) ... to the squared circle!!

The former Steelers running back announced he's returning to Impact Wrestling July 12 after swearing he was retired just days after his debut last year.

"I said I'd never do this again, but I'm back in the ring!" Williams says in a video obtained by TMZ Sports.

Remember ... DeAngelo was an absolute star at Impact Wrestling's Slammiversary XV last July ... busting out backflips and showing off his ridiculous strength.

DW said he was hanging them up for good immediately after the bout ... but now, he's coming back to help former NFL player Moose train for the Impact World Championship at this year's Slammiversary on July 22!!

"Juju On That Beat" rapper Zay Hilfigerrr has been ordered to stay away from his ex-girlfriend, who claims he physically abused her multiple times ... TMZ has learned.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Andrea Inzunza says Zay most recently attacked her in May. She says she'd just suffered a miscarriage, and on the way home they got into an argument. She claims Zay grabbed her by the arm, pushed her to the ground and ripped her shirt.

Andrea says police responded, but doesn't say what, if anything, happened to Zay.

In the docs, she says the rapper also assaulted her in February when they were at home. Andrea says Zay tied her up with a Gucci belt, and started to choke her with his hands -- all because she wanted to go to sleep, instead of watching him edit a music video.

Andrea filed for a restraining order ... which the judge granted. He must stay at least 100 yards away from her, at least until a hearing later this month.

VIOLENCE! VIOLENCE! VIOLENCE!

Milwaukee Bucks player Thon Maker threw FLYING KNEES AND KICKS in a crazy brawl during an international basketball game today ... and that was just the beginning!

Maker was playing for the Australian national team -- taking the Philippines -- when things got extremely chippy between the two squads.

Punches starting flying ... and so did Maker -- as the 7'1", 223 pounder took flight to try and land some shots.

One of the more devastating blows came from another NBA guy -- Andray Blatche -- who threw a crazy haymaker and knocked a guy onto the ground.

It could have been a lot worse if Blatche had hit the guy flush ...

It appears both Maker and Blatche got out of the fight without any serious injuries -- but can't say that for everyone.

Especially the dude who got hit with a flying jumping punch from one of the little guys ...

Drita D'Avanzo threatened to slap Farrah Abraham in the face if she comes across her in person again -- and now she's doubling down on that promise ... saying it's very real.

We spoke to the former "Mob Wives" reality star about her beef this weekend with the ex-"Teen Mom" OG after Farrah called her a "has been" and unprofessional following an event they co-hosted together in Atlantic City. Farrah even cropped a clown face over Drita on IG.

Drita responded to the hate on social media, saying she'd be happy to deliver an open-palm whack to Farrah's noggin if she came within arm's length. She now tells us she's serious about that hypothetical, and it sounds like she's willing to do jail time to send a message.

Meanwhile, Farrah has already threatened legal action -- and she's reportedly gunning to file a restraining order soon through her lawyers.

Max Holloway's not mad at Conor McGregor for his violent bus attack back in April ... in fact, the UFC star actually feels BAD for the Irish fighter.

Max and Conor have scrapped before and could fight again in the future ... but Holloway -- who's fighting at UFC 226 next weekend -- tells TMZ Sports there's no bad blood between the two at all ... and he hopes Conor figures his issues out quickly.

"Conor's got some serious stuff going on and I wish nothing but the best for the guy," Max says.

"I feel bad for the guy right now with his legal issues and I hope everything goes good for him."

Of course ... there are a ton of fighters who feel differently -- 'cause throwing a dolly at a bus and INJURING other fighters in the process is frowned upon in the biz.

But, Max -- who was in a nearby bus when Conor lost his mind -- ain't holdin' any grudges.

David Arquette says he's gonna BRING THE PAIN when he returns to the wrestling ring to face RJ City next month -- and he's especially pissed because RJ's been disrespecting Betty White!!!

Arquette -- former WCW Heavyweight champ -- is battling Canadian wrestler RJ City to settle their nasty Twitter feud once and for all!!!

The two have been going after each other -- RJ called Arquette a "burnt out actor" and a "piece of sh*t." Now, they've set a date to rumble -- July 15 -- at the Oceanview Pavilion in California.

Arquette hasn't wrestled a full match in 18 years, but tells TMZ Sports he's been training like crazy -- even doing DDP yoga! -- and feels motivated to "defend the honor of Betty White."