Fights

Alex Volkanovski was literally holding his adorable newborn Reign when he got the call -- Charles Oliveira was out and Islam Makhachev needed an opponent -- and the 145 lb. champ almost instantly knew it was time for daddy to go to work!

Volkanovski joined Michael Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs daily on FS1) on Wednesday ... where Alex "The Great" talked about the phone call he received late last week from his manager.

"I think I might've had Reign, my newest addition to my family, my newborn Reign," Alex said ... "I might've been holding her, and [my manager] gets on the phone and says, 'Mate, you wouldn't believe it.' And I'm like, 'What's up?' Did not cross my mind one bit. I'm thinking it's for something else. He goes, 'It's looking like Charles isn't going to make it and they need someone.'"

Volkanovski was obviously shocked ... and after conferring with his coach, Joe Lopez, and wife Emma, the decision was clear -- we've got a fight in less than two weeks, and it's going down halfway across the world.

Of course, Makhachev was originally scheduled to fight Oliveira -- a rematch of UFC 280 (Islam won by 2nd round submission).

In some ways, Volkanovski, who lost by unanimous decision to Islam in February (although many people think he actually won), believes the lack of a training camp could actually be beneficial.

"I'm feeling good. I'm excited. That's one thing that I've taken out of all this whole thing, obviously, it's crazy. But man, it's gonna be fun. I don't think I've ever been this excited for a fight.

"Obviously you get excited, but you go through camp, and camp can be exhausting. Mentally and physically exhausting thinking about the fight the whole time. Now I don't have time for that. As soon as I heard about it I had a smile on my face and it hasn't gone away even until now."

Alex Volkanovski estaba literalmente sosteniendo a su adorable bebé (Reign) cuando recibió la llamada. Charles Oliveira estaba fuera e Islam Makhachev necesitaba un oponente, ¡y el campeón de 145 libras casi al instante supo que era hora de que papá fuera a trabajar!

Volkanovski se unió a Michael Babcock en el programa de televisión "TMZ Sports" (se emite diariamente en FS1) el miércoles, donde Alex "The Great" habló sobre la llamada telefónica que recibió a finales de la semana pasada de su manager.

"Creo que estaba sosteniendo a Reign, mi pequeña bebé, que es la última integrante de la familia", dijo Alex: "Podría haber estado sosteniéndola, cuando mi manager se pone al teléfono y dice: "Amigo, no te lo creerías". Y yo: "¿Qué pasa? No se me pasó por la cabeza. Pensaba que era para otra cosa. Me dice: 'Parece que Charles no va a conseguirlo y necesitan a alguien'".

Volkanovski estaba obviamente conmocionado y después de consultar con su entrenador, Joe López, y su esposa Emma, la decisión estaba clara, tenemos una pelea en menos de dos semanas.

Por supuesto, Makhachev estaba programado originalmente para luchar contra Oliveira, una revancha de UFC 280 (Islam ganó por sumisión 2ª ronda).

En cierto modo, Volkanovski, que perdió por decisión unánime contra Islam en febrero (aunque mucha gente cree que en realidad ganó), cree que la falta de tiempo para entrenar podría incluso ser beneficiosa.

"Me siento bien. Estoy emocionado. Eso es algo que he sacado de todo este asunto, obviamente, es una locura. Pero tío, va a ser divertido. Creo que nunca he estado tan emocionado por una pelea".

"Obviamente, te emocionas, pero pasas por el período de entrenamiento, y eso puede ser agotador. Mental y físicamente agotador, pensando en la pelea todo el tiempo. Ahora no tengo tiempo para eso. En cuanto me enteré, se me dibujó una sonrisa en la cara y no se me ha borrado hasta ahora".

4 quarters weren't enough ... Odell Beckham Jr. and Jeffery Simmons went to overtime on Sunday, literally coming to blows after the Ravens-Titans game in London, according to OBJ's teammate Marlon Humphrey.

The beef started during the game ... 26-year-old Simmons tackled Ravens WR Zay Flowers low, and 30-year-old Odell objected, seemingly kneeing Jeffery. That didn't go over well with the DE, who shoved OBJ to the ground, drawing a 15-yard penalty.

After the game, which the Ravens won 24-16, Simmons clearly wasn't over what happened with Odell.

On his show, the Punch Line Podcast with Marlon Humphrey, the 3x Pro Bowler says he was hanging out on the field at Tottenham stadium when he saw the huge, 6'4", 305 lb. defender waiting, helmet on.

A bit strange, but Marlon says he assumed Simmons was waiting for a family member.

Alas, that wasn't the case ... moments later Humphrey heard someone yelling for Ravens' security.

"I turn around, [Beckham Jr. and Simmons] are genuinely like fighting. I am pretty sure Odell is grabbing his facemask," Marlon described.

"They had to be separated and everything. I don't know how this has not [been reported]. I mean, [Simmons] is crazy. He wanted that fade from Odell."

Order was eventually restored ... and the two stars went their separate ways. Probably best for Odell ... who is just 5'11", and weighs under 200 lbs.

Of course, it's not the first time Odell's mixed it up on the football field. Recall the infamous Giants vs. Panthers game back in 2015.

Canelo Alvarez still doesn't consider Conor McGregor a legitimate threat in the boxing ring ... doubling down and saying he can whoop the UFC superstar with just one hand!

The undisputed super middleweight champion's proclamation came shortly after the Notorious name-dropped him yet again on Tuesday ... when Conor claimed he fared far better in his fight against Floyd Mayweather than Canelo did in his own matchup with TBE.

"One of the greatest performances in Professional Boxing this was," McGregor said of footage of the Floyd vs. Canelo footage. "I landed more shots on Floyd than Canelo. I’d love another go."

FYI, McGregor landed 111 shots on Mayweather in 2017. Canelo, however, landed 117 -- 31% power punches -- during his fight with Floyd in 2013.

The 60-2-2 boxer caught the sneak diss in Conor's pitch to Floyd ... and clapped back with his own shot.

"I just need one hand with you," Alvarez said, "and I don’t need to throw so many punches 🤣."

This isn't the first time Canelo has promised a victorious one-handed victory over McGregor ... he made a similar statement after Conor said he'd fight him back in May.

"I saw [John] Ryder, I’m a southpaw, Ryder was a southpaw, Billy Joe [Saunders] was a southpaw, I’ve seen methods, I’ve seen things I’d do," McGregor said.

"I know he’s waning, I’d fight Canelo no f***ing problem. Out straight. No problem."

Of course, the betting odds would be in favor of Alvarez in a fight -- he just retained his belts against Jermell Charlo last month, while McGregor hasn't had any action since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Cowboys and Chargers players weren't the only ones throwing hands at Monday night's game -- their fans were too ... getting in a wild brawl in a concourse.

Around a dozen people clad in Los Angeles and Dallas jerseys were seen trying to beat the hell out of each other while at SoFi Stadium for the much-anticipated "Monday Night Football" contest.

It's unclear why the fight started ... but check out videos from the scene, both women and men were involved in the skirmish -- throwing punches left and right.

It didn't all seem to be Dallas vs. L.A., either ... as some Chargers supporters appeared to go at it with each other during the fracas as well.

Security ultimately got involved and looked like they mercifully restored order ... though no word if any arrests were made.

Of course, it was hardly the first tilt of the night ... as Cowboys pass rusher Dante Fowler got into it with Chargers star Austin Ekeler before the game, nearly causing an all-out melee on the field.

Dillon Danis apparently got paid a pretty penny to get his ass whooped by Logan Paul ... saying this week he made over $1 MILLION for the one-sided boxing match.

Danis revealed the figure while on "Piers Morgan Uncensored" just days after Paul beat him in Manchester ... saying emphatically that was his cut for the tilt.

Dillon had previously told Paul he could have the entire check if the WWE Superstar won the fight ... but he walked that all back while chatting with Morgan.

"We never shook hands," the 30-year-old MMA fighter said.

Danis then explained he thinks there's actually a way he'll be eventually dubbed the winner ... saying because Logan attempted to punch him while on the ground during the match, he should be awarded the victory.

"I might be the winner," he said.

Of course, Danis was anything but victorious during their bout at AO Arena ... losing every round, before getting disqualified in the sixth.

Rey Mysterio heard Logan Paul call him out after beating up Dillon Danis on Saturday ... and now the WWE Superstar is intent on making the YouTuber-turned-fighter pay in front of the world!

TMZ Sports ran into Rey Monday afternoon in NYC (he's hard to miss with the luchador mask!) ... and we had to ask him about Paul's in-ring trash talk.

"I'm looking to shut him up in a way," 48-year-old Mysterio told us without hesitation.

"He said he has his eyesight on something and someone, it's me and the U.S. title. So let's go! I've only been doing this for 34 years. I don't think he was even born before that happened."

Of course, after 28-year-old Logan beat Danis, he called out the pro wrestling legend ... "Rey Mysterio, I already beat you once, brother, and I'm coming for that U.S. Championship. Let's go!"

FYI, Mysterio has been the United States Champion since mid-August.

Rey and Logan have some history. In fact, Paul and The Miz defeated Mysterio and his son Dominik at WrestleMania 38 in 2022.

Thankfully, it doesn't sound like we're going to have to wait long until the men are back in the squared circle together.

"I'm hoping to see [Logan] there this Friday [on SmackDown]," Mysterio told us, adding, "I don't know if it'll go down right then and there [on SmackDown], but we will plan a date."

Despite the bad blood, even Rey couldn't help but admit Logan's pretty awesome in the ring.

"I have seen his growth inside the ring and he picks up very fast," Mysterio said, adding, "He's good. I'm not gonna lie. But I don't think he's better than Rey Mysterio."

Jake Paul is climbing back into the squared circle in less than two months ... we just don't know who The Problem Child is fighting!

26-year-old Paul, who last fought Nate Diaz in August, is preparing to lace up the boxing gloves once again for his next professional bout in mid-December.

"8 fights in the boxing game and I'm already its biggest name. I’ve proved that I can headline the biggest global events and defy the odds. PPV after PPV after PPV, and I’m just getting started," Paul said while announcing his return.

"My mission is to be a world champion and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there. December 15th is the next step on my journey, and I promise you’re not going to want to miss it.”

Jake's opponent is not yet known.

Of course, JP beat Nate by unanimous decision ... bringing his record to 7-1. His lone loss was by split decision to Tommy Fury in February.

Paul has made it clear he wants to rematch Fury ... but Tommy just fought KSI on Saturday, and although he didn't take much damage (neither did JJ), it'd be tough to imagine him turning around in 60 days.

Un hombre australiano tuvo que enfrentarse a un canguro musculoso que tenía secuestrado a su perro y lo grabó todo con una cámara.

El residente de Mildura, Mick Moloney, le dio un golpe al animal, y este devolvió el golpe sin rodeos. La cámara del hombre cayó al agua, pero su perro se salvó.

Mick len dijo a ABC Radio Melbourne que estaba estirando cerca del río durante el fin de semana cuando se dio cuenta de que su cachorro, Hatchi, no estaba por ninguna parte.

Sin embargo, rápidamente se encontró con el motivo... primero se dio cuenta de que el canguro le miraba fijamente desde el río y después su perro salió del agua, chillando, mientras le salía agua a borbotones de la boca.

Mick afirma que el canguro le estaba haciendo una llave a Hatchi para ahogarlo y sabía que tenía que ir a salvar a su peludo amigo. Admitió que el canguro era muy intimidante y agregó: "Yo estaba como "esta cosa acaba de salir de la cárcel" o algo así".

Dice que era bastante fuerte - pero le dio una bofetada al marsupial en la cabeza y se metió en una pelea en el agua. Mick admite que parecía que también iba a darle una patada... pero le echó agua en la cara mientras corría hacia la orilla, donde su perro estaba a salvo.

A man in Australia was forced to put up his dukes against a buff kangaroo that was holding his dog hostage ... catching the whole thing on camera.

The down-under beatdown took place between the 'roo and Mildura resident Mick Moloney ... who took a swing at the animal, and got knocked in return -- his camera took a tumble into the water, but his dog was safe from the scary situation.

Mick told ABC Radio Melbourne Afternoons he was stretching near the river over the weekend when he noticed his pup, Hatchi, was nowhere to be found.

He soon found his answer, though -- first noticing the kangaroo staring at him in the river, then his dog came up from the water, yelping as water gushed out of its mouth.

Mick claims Hatchi was in a headlock and knew he had to go save his doggo ... but admitted the kangaroo looked "jacked," adding, "I was like 'this thing's just got out of jail' or something."

He says it was pretty strong -- but he slapped the marsupial across the head and got into a tussle in the water. Mick admits it looked like it was gonna kick him, too ... but he splashed some water in its face while he bolted to the shore where his dog was safe.

Un aficionado de los Bears fue golpeado tan fuerte durante una pelea en el partido de Chicago el fin de semana, que pareció perder momentáneamente el conocimiento.

La pelea ocurrió durante el partido de los Bears contra los Vikings en el Soldier Field el domingo, cuando un grupo de hombres se enfureció tanto que comenzaron a pelear.

En un momento durante la acción, un hombre con una camiseta de Walter Payton recibió un golpe certero de un fan de de Justin Fields. Se puede ver en el video que el puñetazo fue un KO momentaneo.

Sin embargo, se levantó, antes de ser empujado de nuevo al suelo unos segundos más tarde.

Mientras otros aficionados de los Bears se peleaban, un hombre propinó a otro una fuerte patada en la cabeza. La violencia parecía haber parado parada.

Nos hemos puesto en contacto con la policía para ver si se hizo alguna detención, pero hasta ahora, no hay noticias.

A Bears fan was hit so hard by a haymaker during a fight at Chicago's game over the weekend, he appeared to momentarily lose consciousness right in the middle of a stadium concourse.

The wild fracas happened at some point during the Bears' tilt with the Vikings at Soldier Field on Sunday ... when a group of men became so enraged with one another, they started brawling.

At one point during the action, a man in a Walter Payton jersey was absolutely leveled by a Justin Fields supporter ... and you can see in video from the scene, the punch seemed to briefly KO the man.

Somehow, however, he got up -- before he was pushed back to the ground just seconds later.

Meanwhile, as several other Bears fans were scuffling, a man kicked another man hard in the head. The violence then appeared to mercifully stop.

We've reached out to cops to see if any arrests were made, but so far, no word back yet.

Tekashi 6ix9ine ha sido detenido en la República Dominicana por presuntamente darle una paliza a los productores de música.

Según la policía en la República Dominicana, Tekashi fue detenido el domingo por la noche en el Hotel Balcones del Atlántico en Sánchez, ubicado en la provincia de Samaná.

Sobre ya tenía una orden de arresto de la fiscal de La Vega, Aura Luv García, quien encabeza toda la investigación.

El video de la escena en la cárcel donde Tekashi fue llevado mostró el caos. Como se puede ver, la gente empezó a gritar cuando el coche de policía se detuvo con él siendo llevado dentro. Algunas personas incluso estaban luchando para obtener solo un vistazo de él.

Tekashi, según los informes, ha sido acusado de golpear a los productores de música con un puñado de otros hombres, luego de que supuestamente causaran problemas relacionados con su nueva novia, Yailin.

Los informes dicen Yailin estaba en el estudio cuando 6ix9ine apareció con su equipo y el rapero supuestamente se puso celoso de los productores por pasar tiempo con su chica.

Tekashi 6ix9ine has been arrested in the Dominican Republic ... after a warrant was put out for his arrest for allegedly unleashing a beatdown on music producers.

According to police in the Dominican Republic, Tekashi was taken into custody Sunday night at the Hotel Balcones del Atlántico in Sánchez -- located in the province of Samaná.

A warrant was out for his arrest from La Vega Prosecutor Aura Luv Garcia, who is spearheading the whole investigation.

Video of the scene at the DR jail where Tekashi was brought to showed chaos ... as you can see, folks started screaming as the cop car pulled up with him being brought inside. Some people were even scrambling to just get a glimpse of him.

Tekashi's reportedly been accused of beating up music producers in the country with a handful of other men  ... after allegedly getting into it over his new girlfriend, Yailin.

Reports say Yailin was in the studio when 6ix9ine showed up with his crew -- and the rapper was allegedly jealous of the producers spending time with his girl.

"I'm feeling better than ever, honestly. I would say I got a little bored with the UFC. Maybe a little complacent."

That's a 39-year-old, rejuvenated Derek Brunson ... fresh off signing a multi-fight deal with the PFL after a decade-plus-long career with the UFC.

Brunson has tons of great things to say about his old promotion, but he's also pumped for a fresh start.

"Now being with a new organization, I got that hunger, that motivation back, and I'm feeling really good. I haven't ran in like 5 years. I just started back running, I'm excited to see what we can do here."

FYI, Brunson lost his last two UFC fights ... against two of the best in the middleweight division, Dricus Du Plessis and Jared Cannonier. Before the losses, Derek won five in a row including wins over Darren Till, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Kevin Holland.

Brunson's set to compete in the PFL's million-dollar tourney ... a journey he'll begin on November 24. It won't be easy ... he's fighting 2x champ Ray Cooper III.

Kamaru Usman had a nearly impossible decision to make Wednesday morning ... travel nearly 8,000 miles and fight Khamzat Chimaev on 9 days notice, and now the former welterweight champ is opening up on why he decided to step in against one of the most dangerous men in the world!

"I leave training and I get the call from [manager Ali Abdelaziz] and I'm immediately excited. That's where you are, you're excited about what could potentially be," 36-year-old Usman told Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" show on Friday (airs weekdays on FS1).

But, the UFC legend said he didn't want "to be hasty and do something unintelligent," so after speaking with his coaches, who didn't object, Kamaru told his people he'd take Tuesday night to decide.

When the sun rose Wednesday morning, the choice was crystal clear for Usman, who "texted Ali and said, 'Let's do this!'"

Of course, Usman is stepping in for Paulo Costa -- the middleweight contender -- who was originally scheduled to fight Chimaev. unfortunately, Costa is dealing with a medical issue, and wasn't going to be cleared.

With less than two weeks before UFC 294, the co-main event was in serious jeopardy ... but then Kamaru saved the day.

Now, Usman faces a huge challenge in the 29-year-old, undefeated Khamzat ... who Kamaru admits is very dangerous.

"He's very skilled. He's strong, he's big. He's fast, he can wrestle, he can grapple, he can strike. He has everything," Kamaru said, "But so do I."

"At the end of the day, we're all human beings. Everyone feels invincible until someone pokes that balloon."

Usman (#1) and Chimaev (#4), are both top 5 ranked welterweights ... but the fight's being contested at middleweight (185 lbs.)

We asked the Nigerian Nightmare if he's been told a win earns him a title shot.

"I mean, it's a no-brainer," Kamaru said, before making it clear he's solely focused on KC.

"I've got a mountain in front of me that I have to scale. We'll get through that first and then we'll worry about what's next."

Check out the full interview ... there's much more with Kamaru, including whether we've seen the last of him at welterweight, where he's arguably the G.O.A.T.