MMA

He's already a UFC Hall of Famer ... but B.J. Penn could have been EVEN BETTER ... so says Dana White, who tells us the guy had the talent be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

We spotted White in NYC -- and asked if there was a fighter who had insane raw talent ... but didn't have the drive to reach their full potential.

"B.J. Penn," White said ... "B.J. Penn probably should have been one of the best ever ... to ever live ... to ever do it. B.J. was so talented."

"I think B.J. in his own words would go back and do things differently if he could."

B.J. was 28-10-2 in his MMA career -- but couldn't figure out a way to beat guys like Frankie Edgar (lost 3 times) and Georges St-Pierre (lost twice).

WBO junior welterweight champ Terence Crawford says there's one reason he'd never try his hand (or feet) at MMA ... the almighty dollar ... 'cause according to TC there's just not enough money in grappling.

We talked to Crawford while he was promoting Saturday's fight with Viktor Postol -- a fight some think could vault him into super stardom -- and asked if there was a chance he'd ever switch sports.

It's not a crazy question ... former boxing champ Amir Khan has been talking about it ... taking to social media to start the hype machine for a potential rumble with UFC king Conor McGregor.

Crawford says it's a definite no-go for him ... telling our guy there's just not enough money being thrown around in MMA for him to put his body on the line.

He's got a point ... if you're Floyd Mayweather ... other than that, we gotta say the guys and girls prowling the Octagon are definitely holding their own -- and closing the gap -- with boxing.

Despite the large painful dent in his forehead, MMA fighter Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos says he wants to fight again ... IN 3 MONTHS!!!

We spoke to Santos' ex-wife, Cris "Cyborg" Justino, -- who says she spoke with Santos Monday and insists he's doing well after suffering the brutal injury from a flying knee on Saturday at Bellator 158.

Justino says ... Santos is talking normal and already making plans to fly to Houston to undergo surgery on his head. She also told us Santos' life is not in danger.

But the craziest part ... Santos is already talking about scheduling ANOTHER fight before the end of the year!

Will it happen? Justino tells us the doctors haven't ruled out a comeback fight ... but it might take some time.

Meantime, Justino launched a GoFundMe page to help her ex with his medical costs.

MMA legend Bas Rutten's hands could kill you ... but that's not enough for him ... he had to go all Terminator at an L.A. gun range recently ... and TMZ Sports has video of him popping off some shots.

The war over the "12 Gauge" nickname ain't about to be settled in the Octagon -- with Cardale Jones telling TMZ Sports ... Paige VanZant would "destroy" him in an MMA fight.

Remember, Paige called out Jones earlier this month -- saying the two should fight over the nickname they both use ... winner gets the "12 Gauge" title once and for all.

Well, we saw the Buffalo Bills rookie at LAX Monday and he told us he still intends to battle Paige over it -- however, he knows better than to accept a real scrap with a UFC star.

"I'm not about to get in her profession ... she would destroy me."

Jones does have another idea in mind about how to settle the issue -- it's wayyyy less violent.

54-year-old Herschel Walker says he wants to get back in the cage and for an MMA bout THIS YEAR -- and tells TMZ Sports he's absolutely down to fight Rampage Jackson.

Walker appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Friday night on FS1) -- and told the guys he still has the fire and ability to compete in a real deal MMA fight.

In fact, Walker says he's already had conversations with Bellator CEO Scott Coker about fighting before the end of the year.

As for his opponent, Walker made it clear -- he wants a "worthy" adversary ... not "some bum" off the street. We brought up Rampage ... Walker said he's absolutely down.

FYI, Rampage is 38 and fighting this weekend at Bellator: Dynamite 2.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson says he missed out on kicking ass with Hugh Jackman to kick ass in the cage ... passing up a role in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" 'cause he had a fight.

We got Rampage out in L.A. -- gearing up for his fight at Bellator: Dynamite 2 on Friday -- and asked the 'A-Team' star what he thought of fellow fighter Holly Holm turning down a huge movie role to focus on her upcoming UFC fight.

QJ says Holly should definitely think twice about passing on all her silver screen chances, but admits he's had to say no too ... most notably to the 'Wolverine' movie that went on to make $373 million.

Cris "Cyborg" Justino says her black widow bite was so bad, she required hospital care ... but says she's confident she'll resume MMA training as early as next week.

As we previously reported, Cyborg was bit by the venomous spider while gardening at her L.A. home last week.

Cyborg says she didn't realize what bit her at first -- but the wound got really bad and painful ... and she finally went to the hospital when she began to feel extremely sick.

Brock Lesnar DON'T know comparisons ... that's according to UFC legend Chuck Liddell who says Lesnar should tap out on likening himself to Bo Jackson.

Liddell was out in L.A. when we asked about Brock saying his dual UFC & WWE resumes make him the "modern-day Bo Jackson."

Of course Bo DOMINATED both baseball & football for a short (but brilliant) time back in the late 80's ... so when Lesnar made the statement a lot of people scratched their heads.

Looks like Liddell was one of 'em ... pulling a total "whatchu talkin' bout Willis" to our camera guy about Lesnar's comments ... but admitting he's SUPER PUMPED for the beast's return to the octagon.

The doctors who cleared Kimbo Slice to fight at Bellator 149 in February found NO SIGNS of serious heart problems during pre-fight health exams ... this according to Bellator.

A Bellator spokesperson tells us ... Slice was not only required to pass a physical exam before his fight (as with all fighters over the age 35), he also had to pass an EKG and an EEG in order to be cleared.

Slice passed away this week -- and doctors said his heart was in such bad shape in his final days that he needed a transplant.

But Bellator says Slice would have been pulled IMMEDIATELY if there were any red flags back in February.

“If there was ANY sign that Kimbo was not healthy enough to fight, we would NOT have allowed him to fight."

Kimbo Slice was told he had been suffering from congestive heart failure in the days before his death and desperately needed a heart transplant ... this according to a hospital report.

The report -- which was given to the Broward County Medical Examiner's office -- says Slice was admitted to Northwest Medical Center on June 3rd and told he had a liver mass and congestive heart failure.

Doctors told Slice's family that he needed a heart transplant -- and appeared to be taking measures to transport him to a clinic in Cleveland on Monday night ... but he died before that could happen.

Slice was pronounced dead around 7:30 PM local time.

Also worth noting ... the report also states 42-year-old Slice did not have a history of drug use.

Ken Shamrock says his heart aches for Kimbo Slice -- saying the guy made a tremendous impact in the world of combat sports ... but never got the respect he truly deserved.

Shamrock -- who fought Slice (and lost) last year -- says Slice made one helluva splash in MMA and boxing ... but still had to battle extreme negativity from haters -- even when he won his fights.

"Even when he won a fight it seemed like he was never good enough," Shamrock says.

"When you really care about your fans and you really care about what you do then those things that come at you from a negative position ... it hurts ... especially when it comes in thousands of people with negative thoughts. It stings, it hurts."

Shamrock says he never spoke with Slice directly about it -- but says it was obvious Kimbo was affected by the negativity.

Kimbo Slice has died ... TMZ Sports has confirmed. He was 42.

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice was hospitalized in Florida earlier Monday ... and multiple sources tell TMZ Sports the situation does not look good.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Slice was admitted to a hospital near his home in Coral Springs, FL.

Police are currently at his home gathering information from family members.

Kimbo -- real name Kevin Ferguson -- last fought at Bellator 149 back in February and defeated Dada 5000 -- but the victory was overturned when Slice tested positive for a banned steroid.

Back in 2003, Slice became an Internet sensation for his backyard fighting videos -- destroying several opponents in unsanctioned street fights. He later signed a deal to fight in the UFC.

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva says he was hit by a car while riding his bike earlier Wednesday -- but it doesn't appear the injuries are life threatening.

Someone posted a statement confirming the accident on Wanderlei's official Twitter page ... saying Silva was biking home from a training session when he was hit.

According to the statement, Silva will require surgery on his shoulder ... but the extent of the damage is unclear. No word on where Silva was at the time of the accident, or if any arrests have been made.

Good news for Conor McGregor ... Freddie Roach says he's absolutely down to train him as a boxer.

Bad news for Conor McGregor ... Freddie says CM needs 3 YEARS before he'll be ready to fight Floyd.

Roach -- widely regarded as the best boxing trainer in the world -- was talking with "Fight Hub TV" when he said he got a call from someone (presumably from Conor's camp) asking to train the UFC star.

Freddie insists he's up for the challenge ... but says if Conor thinks he can hang with Mayweather, he's out of his Irish mind.

"I'd have to train him for at leat 3 years to get him ready for Mayweather," Roach said.