Fights

12:45 PM PT -- Bird released a statement apologizing for the incident, saying, "I'm taking some time away from the team as I deal with my legal and medical issues. I apologize to my family, the Celtics organization, my teammates, the fans and the NBA for the unnecessary distraction that I have caused."

"The information that has been released does not tell the full story. I do not condone violence against women. I am hopeful that in due time and process, I will be able to regain everyone's trust."

Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird choked out his girlfriend so badly during a Sept. 7 incident that she lost consciousness ... according to prosecutors.

24-year-old Bird appeared in court in Boston on Thursday where prosecutors laid out the case against him ... and the allegations are horrifying. WBZ-TV's Beth Germano got a photo of Bird in court.

Officials say the alleged victim claims Bird terrorized her for 4 hours at his Brighton apartment -- where she tried to get away from the NBA player by hiding under her bed and locking herself in her bathroom.

During the alleged altercation, the woman claims Bird strangled her at least 12 times.

She claims she tried to escape, but Bird grabbed her by the ankles and dragged her away from the door.

Officials say Bird appeared to be having "seizure-like" symptoms during the end of the attack -- and that's how she was able to leave.

Afterward, she claims Bird texted her that he would kill himself if she didn't return to the apartment.

He was eventually arrested for assault and battery, strangulation and kidnapping.

Bail was set at $50,000 -- and he's been ordered to pay in cash, as that's all the court accepts.

We spoke with the Suffolk D.A., Dan Conley, who tells us, "Anyone living in fear of domestic violence can count on our office for a safe, supportive, victim-centered environment."

"As this case illustrates, a trusted figure in a survivor’s life can make disclosing abuse to law enforcement easier."

It's only been 5 months since a gunman opened fire on Floyd Mayweather's entourage in Atlanta -- wounding his bodyguard -- but cops now tell TMZ Sports the case has essentially gone cold.

No arrests. No suspects. No leads.

As we previously reported, Floyd and his entourage were returning to the Intercontinental hotel in Buckhead around 3 AM on April 9 when someone sprayed at least 12 shots at one of the sprinter vans in the caravan.

Floyd's bodyguard, Greg La Rosa, was shot in the leg and was rushed to the hospital. Miraculously, none of the other 6 people inside the sprinter van were hit.

In the wake of the shooting, cops said it appeared Floyd's crew was specifically targeted -- though it's unclear if the shooter was trying to kill Floyd.

Now, the Atlanta PD tells TMZ Sports ... "Investigators have followed up on all available leads, met with the victim, and attempted to locate video."

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to identify any suspects in this case."

Cops are still encouraging people with information to come forward.

As for Greg, he tells us ... the recovery is going very well and he expects to be 100%.

Is it possible for bikini models to get fired for being TOO SEXY?!?!

Apparently, yes -- according to two former Tecate girls who claim they got axed out of working the Canelo vs. GGG rematch because they made a video that was deemed too hot for the beer brand.

Meet Kayla Fitz and Dessie Mitcheson -- two ridiculously attractive models who had worked GGG vs. Canelo events in the past ... and spent time with both fighters.

The women say they teamed up with famed director Chris Applebaum and made a scorching hot mini-movie -- wearing bikinis and drinking Tecate -- but it didn't go over well with their bosses.

"They said it was too sexy," Dessie told TMZ Sports at the Ignite Cannabis Launch Party.

"It looked too much like a commercial. No one was paid for it and we got fired. I actually got physically pulled off the stage during weigh-ins and we got canned."

Oscar De La Hoya has zero intentions to run for president and is only claiming he's serious about a campaign to try to drum up interest in his GGG-Canelo fight ... so says Jim Gray.

We broke the story ... ODLH told us he's really exploring the idea of becoming president one day because he wants to have a bigger platform to use his voice.

When we got Gray -- a Showtime boxing host -- out at LAX and asked about Oscar's potential candidacy ... Gray was hardly buying it.

"Really? Come on," Gray tells us.

"I think he's trying to promote his fight. I think his fight may not be doing as well as he's hoping. So, he's trying to bring attention. So, what better way to get attention than to say, 'I want to run for president?'"

You be the judge ... does this sound like a man who's lying?!

Nicki Minaj thinks Cardi B took a giant L in their war that almost erupted in hand-to-hand combat, because Nicki's business empire has gotten even bigger, her radio show has shot to #1 and all Cardi got was a lump on the head.

Sources connected to Nicki tell us the MC is ecstatic Cardi went nuclear at Friday night's Harper's Bazaar Fashion Show.

Nicki's podcast, "Queen Radio," was trending at the top of Twitter Monday and the show has been sitting pretty at #1 on Apple Music ... all the result of the publicity Nicki's getting off the fight. Sources say her listeners quadrupled last week from the week prior.

Not just that, but we're told Nicki believes her strong debut numbers for her new music video for "Barbie Dreams" is partially due to Cardi's antics. The video's already got over 5 million views after just one day of being released.

There's also this ... apparently, Nicki's been getting blown up a lot more for appearance requests and concert bookings in the last few days.

One last parting shot ... we're told Nicki believes Cardi's the one who's been made to look like a laughingstock after the shoe-throwing incident, especially after she walked away with a fat knot above her eye. She's been kinda getting the meme treatment ... no arguing that.

Besides, sources say Nicki feels like her friends in hip-hop and celebs in general are siding with her and praising how she handled the situation. Cardi, of course, feels differently.

We got Common in NYC Tuesday, who has a slightly different take ... he says he's got nothing but respect for both women and believes they'll resolve it all peacefully.

Here's new video of Conor McGregor hitting the gym to prep for his superfight with Khabib Nurmagomedov -- and he looks scary good.

He's sparring, he's grappling, he's knocking people on their asses ... it's impressive stuff.

Of course, Conor hasn't had an MMA fight since defeating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in 2016 -- but he's booked to make his triumphant return to the Octagon at UFC 229 on Oct. 6.

Some people are worried Conor could have "ring rust" -- but when you're looking at the new highlight video, he seems sharp and strong.

Obviously, it's heavily edited -- but we all know what Conor's capable of ... and it's cool to see him back in beast mode.

As for Khabib, that dude is an absolute monster -- he's 26-0 and beat the dog snot out of just about everyone he's faced.

The two have bad blood -- remember, when Conor attacked that bus at Barclay's Center back in April, he was gunning for Khabib ... who had disrespected one of Conor's training partners earlier that week.

Floyd Mayweather dished out advice for Khabib -- telling him not to underestimate Conor, who's a "warrior."

Conor shot back with some insults for the entire Mayweather family.

Wanna hear something gross? Imagine putting your opponent in a KNEEBAR and then hearing it POP!!!!!

That's exactly what happened to UFC star Aljamain Sterling this weekend -- when he was ripping away at Cody Stamann's knee and heard it explode right in the Octagon!

The "Funkmaster" was ripping Stamann's left leg over his head with an excruciatingly painful move, when he pulled just a little too hard and heard the joint go snap, crackle, POP!

"I heard it bro," Sterling tells TMZ Sports ... "It was a nasty one!"

Sterling says he feels bad for Stamann and hopes he heals up soon -- but fears the dude tore his LCL and maybe even more ... judging by the way the injury went down.

Injury aside, Sterling's victory was super impressive and Aljamain says Dana White took notice -- even promising to send him a little bonus check in the mail for putting on a show at UFC 228.

Congrats, man ... you earned it!

Cardi B wouldn't change a damn thing about her decision to attack Nicki Minaj -- in fact, she'd even chuck her shoe again in that same situation ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Cardi tell us the "I Like It" MC feels zero remorse about her dustup with Nicki this weekend at a New York Fashion Week event. Our sources are adamant -- Cardi was simply defending her daughter's honor after hearing Nicki had been talking trash about her family ... and she'd still sling her stiletto if she had to do it all over again.

Cardi thinks Nicki has some nerve saying SHE needs an intervention, when Nicki is the one who incites people almost for sport. Nicki denied speaking ill about Cardi's baby on Queen Radio. Cardi says that's just a baldfaced lie.

She also warned Cardi would "die" if she continued to attack people in such brazen fashion -- while going on to call the run-in mortifying and embarrassing.

We should make clear that Cardi isn't seeking Nicki out for another round -- only that she would do the exact same thing she did last week if a similar situation presents itself in the future.

Nicki Minaj straight-up said, if Cardi B does to others like she did to Nicki, she's gonna get killed.

Nicki appeared on Queen Radio Monday in the wake of Cardi B's attack Friday at New York Fashion Week, and said, "You put your hands on certain people you gon die. PERIOD. And y'all sitting here making this s*** a joke? I'm not the bitches in the strip club and I'm not a bitch on a reality show. My money is very f***ing long."

Short story ... Nicki thinks other people would have been far more aggressive than her if Cardi B zeroed in on them the same way she did Nicki.

Nicki also says she was mortified by Cardi B's attack this weekend, and insists she never spoke ill of baby Kulture ... despite Cardi's claim. She clarified she has never and would never talk smack about someone else's parenting skills or child.

We broke the story ... Cardi confronted Nicki at the Harper's Bazaar party in NYC to "address the lies Nicki was spreading," saying Nicki questioned her fitness as a mother.

Cardi tried attacking Nicki but was thwarted by security ... then chucked her shoe in Nicki's direction. CB was the one who walked away -- sans one shoe -- with a knot above her eye.

The "I Like It" rapper later went on social media to call out Nicki, saying ... "I've let a lot of s*** slide! I let you sneak diss me, I let you lie on me ... But when you mention my child, you choose to like comments about me as a mother, make comments about my abilities to take care of my daughter is when all bets are f***in off!!" Cardi doesn't specify what comments Nicki made or liked.

In one corner ... Von Miller, NFL superstar.

In the other corner, Travell "Black Magic" Mazion ... a 13-0 boxer who's a rising star in the sport.

The fight? Von claims he staked Mazion with a $30,000 investment and in exchange, he was supposed to get 20% of all "Black Magic" fight earning.

The problem? Von claims he forked over his initial check in Feb. 2017 -- and hasn't received a dime.

Mazion had a fight in April 2017 -- after Von ponied up his dough -- and expected his cut right away. But, Black Magic went M.I.A. and stopped responding to Von's demands for his cash.

In his suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Miller says he wants Mazion to cough up pay stubs so he knows how much cash he's owed.

Tyron Woodley says his skull-crushing victory over Darren Till at UFC 228 solidifies him as the greatest welterweight fighter of ALL TIME ... putting him over Georges St-Pierre.

"The Chosen One" was fired up Monday morning after notching his 4th title defense in a row -- but admitted to TMZ Sports his elbow and hands were sore from bashing in Till's face.

"I don't think [he landed one shot on me]. I think the stats show one, but I didn't feel one. His head connected with my elbow a lot. That motherf**ker is sore," Tyron said.

"I'm like, 'Damn! What's your head made out of?!'"

As far as his legacy is concerned, Tyron says there's no question -- "I am the greatest welterweight of all time. No disrespect to Georges St-Pierre, but I don't have to fight him to prove that."

Tyron goes on to explain why he deserves the #1 spot over GSP.

By the way, Tyron has previously called out GSP to his face on "The Hollywood Beatdown" back in November ... but St-Pierre wouldn't commit to a scrap.

By the way, we also asked Tyron if there's a chance he'd fight Conor McGregor down the line -- since the two had beef backstage at UFC 205 back in 2016 ... and Tyron's definitely down.

Tyron told us Conor needs to focus on getting through Khabib Nurmagomedov next month first -- and then "maybe" the two can work something out.

Hulk Hogan is bringing back one of the GREATEST wrestling factions of all time -- THE ORIGINAL NWO -- how sweet is that?!?

The WWE legend tells TMZ Sports it's been over 20 years since he terrorized opponents with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall ... but they've decided the time is right to get the band back together.

"Brother, I told you guys it was 4 LIFE!"

It's all going down on Oct. 27 at Mango's in Orlando where Hogan says the guys are hosting a major reunion event complete with a Q&A session for the hardcore nWo fans.

"It's been over 20 years and it's still the talk of the wrestling business," Hulk says.

So, how would nWo stack up against wrestling's new dominant trio, The Shield -- composed of WWE megastars Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose?!

"We would murder the bums, brother! We would kill em!"

"I used to wrestle with Roman Reigns' dad! You've seen pictures of me holding Roman Reigns as a baby, come on! We taught them ALMOST everything we know."

There's more ... We also asked Hulk to give the best nWo story in his vault -- it involves beer and trash talk.

The raging feud between 'Love & Hip Hop' stars Moniece Slaughter and Princess Love has reached a new level ... cops have now gotten involved.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Moniece filed a police report after she and Princess damn near got into a brawl while filming scenes this week. Moniece alleges Princess threw a rock and a shoe at her. Sources close to Princess tell us she admits to chucking the rock, but insists it was Moniece who started the fight.

Our sources say Princess and Ray J were at a friend's party during filming when Moniece showed up and started trash talking Princess. S**t quickly hit the fan when Moniece threw cake at Princess, who then threw the rock.

Moniece took to Instagram and posted an injury pic on her Story ... showing her hand wrapped in a bandage. She captioned it, "When they can't match you w/ words. When they can't get to you so they throw stones instead but your ninja reflexes are on fleek."

Princess later took to social media and responded to Moniece saying, "I told this weirdo to meet me after the scene and she takes her sneakers off and runs through dirt in her socks right into securities arms."

Nicki Minaj was not the first person to fall victim to a wicked shoe hurling attack from Cardi B ... the "Bodak Yellow" rapper has done the heel heave-ho before.

Check out the clip, Cardi was on the Love & Hip Hop NY reunion show last year when she got into it with Asia. Cardi didn't like the explanation Asia gave when she was asked why she didn't like Cardi -- and without hesitation -- Cardi kicked off her shoe -- and a red one at that -- and chucked it straight at Asia.

As expected, a huge fight broke out.

TMZ broke the story, Cardi went wild on Nicki Minaj Friday night at the NYFW Harper's Bazaar party. Cardi charged Nicki and her team -- cussing her out for shots Nicki's taken at Cardi and her family -- and when security intervened, Cardi took off her shoe and hurled it Nicki's way.

Cardi was booted from the party, and left without her shoes and a giant lump above her left eye.

8:17 PM PT -- Drake just brought Meek out and as expected, the crowd went insane. Beef officially squashed

It might seem like a long, long time ago when there was no greater beef in the hip hop world than Drake vs. Meek Mill, but tonight that's all officially ancient history ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Meek tell us ... the rapper will join Drake on stage during his show at Boston's TD Garden Saturday night. Drake is currently touring with Migos, and we're told Meek's set to go on in a matter of minutes.

As you'll recall ... the 2 rappers went at it in 2015 after Meek criticized Drizzy and accused him of using ghostwriters. Drake responded with a couple diss tracks, including the huge hit "Back to Back."

Since then, Meek's gone to prison and been released, and publicly stated his beef with Drake was over in May because Drake supported his release. Still, the 2 haven't got together to officially squash it ... 'til now.

BTW, Meek's friend and Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin -- who played a big part in helping him get released from prison -- is stoked about the rappers performing together too ... and shared this pic of Meek's wrist with his credentials.

Conor McGregor just got called the HELL out, and not by a scrub either ...

The guy doing the talking is 28-0 welterweight champ Keith "One Time" Thurman, who says he'd destroy Conor on any shaped mat -- that includes Octagons.

McGregor has obviously tried his hand at boxing before, getting beat up by Floyd Mayweather in Vegas last summer ... Keith told TMZ Sports if he ever got his hands on Conor, it'd be WORSE.

"I'd beat Conor McGregor's ass, I'd beat his ass. He would've got knocked out. If he fought a real young welterweight ... he would've got knocked out for the whole world to see."

He's obviously referring to the boxing ring -- but if you think Thurman is scared to beat Conor at HIS game ... you're wrong.

"I'll take Conor in the Octagon. Ain't like he's throwing a lot of kicks anyway."

BTW ... anyone wondering when Keith is coming back to boxing, he addresses his future below, and it seems either Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, or Manny Pacquiao is in for a headache.