MMA

Not all UFC fighters hate Conor McGregor -- despite what Cowboy Cerrone said this week -- but there ARE a bunch of guys jealous of Conor's huge paychecks ... so says Dominick Cruz.

Cerrone told SI Now that "all" of the UFC fighters hate McGregor -- "He's not one of the fellas. He's not a good dude."

So, we reached to Cruz -- who knows just about everyone in the UFC -- and asked for his take.

"I think what they're upset at is the fact of how much money he's made, how quickly and on his own," Cruz said.

"But that doesn't make ME hate him. That makes me try to understand the situation and make a better situation for myself."

"And to me, hating somebody, being bitter at them for making more money than me, that's only going to hold me back from doing what I want to do personally."

Smart dude -- watch the clip.

Don't expect Dan Henderson and Conor McGregor to catch a beer together any time soon.

The UFC legend joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Thursday night on FS1) -- and told us why McGregor just rubs him the wrong way.

Don't get it twisted, Hendo says he respects McGregor as a fighter -- but his personality ... let's just say the two don't click.

Michael Bisping is channeling his inner-Nostradamus -- and predicting the exact round he plans to end Dan Henderson's career at UFC 204 this weekend.

TMZ Sports spoke with the reigning UFC middleweight champ -- who says he respects Hendo ... but wants to make him pay BADLY for their fight at UFC 100 when Dan KO'd him in the 2nd round.

Bisping says Henderson had an unfair advantage in that fight -- even though Hendo's testosterone replacement therapy was approved by the athletic commission back then (it has since been banned).

Watch the clip ... Bisping means business.

Well, this is gross ...

Luke Rockhold's body is covered in some weird red, blotchy rash ... and he tried to rub it all over Daniel Cormier.

The UFC superstar SWEARS he got the skin condition thanks to "wet cupping" therapy -- where suction cups are placed on parts of the body and then lanced with a special needle.

It's essentially a controlled bloodletting that leaves nasty skin marks. It allegedly helps to relieve pain.

Even though it looks like some sort of infectious disease, Rockhold insists it's not contagious (it's not) -- though that didn't stop him from freaking out D.C. in the gym Monday.

UFC honcho Dana White does NOT think there's a shot in hell Conor McGregor will fight Floyd Mayweather -- saying they're more interested in the money than actually trading blows.

White was out in L.A. the other day when we asked for updates -- since both Conor and Floyd had resurrected talk about a possible superfight between the boxer and the MMA stud.

But it's clear Dana doesn't think it's gonna happen and he explains why.

However, if Floyd does want to make a deal -- Dana lays out the ground rules and says it will NOT be a pure boxing match ... but rather an MMA-style fight.

Slim chance is better than no chance.

MMA legend Ken Shamrock is also a celebrity bodyguard -- and he says if he woulda been on Kim's team, she NEVER would have gotten robbed.

FYI, Shamrock has been working in personal security for years and protected big stars like 50 Cent, Fergie and Kristin Cavallari.

So, with Kim getting robbed in Paris this week -- Shamrock says there were a TON of mistakes made that he would have never let happen.

Shawne Merriman could be the the next NFL star to get in the cage -- telling TMZ Sports he's actually had talks with Bellator about a real MMA fight ... and he's dead serious.

The former NFL star has been training with MMA fighters for almost a decade -- and says he'd be down to do it, if the conditions were right.

In fact, Shawne says he's jokingly talked to Bellator president Scott Coker about it -- but says, "there's always some seriousness behind every joke."

We asked Coker about the possibility of S.M. steppin' into the cage. He told us, "Shawne is a great friend to Bellator with some serious martial arts skills. I have no doubt that he could find success in this sport and when he's ready for his first fight, we'll be here to promote it."

Here we go again ...

Conor McGregor sounds like he's still VERY serious about squaring off with Floyd Mayweather -- telling TMZ Sports, "I told you I'm ready for that fight!"

UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens vows REVENGE against Conor McGregor for trashing him at the UFC 205 media event -- telling TMZ Sports he'll "mop the floor" with the Irish superstar.

Conor dissed the hell out of Stephens during the event -- when he turned to the UFC veteran and shouted, "Who the fuck is that guy?!"

The clip went viral -- but now, Stephens is firing back in a scathing statement in which he refers to Conor as "McClown" -- and blasts him as a "bully" who can't hold his own against real fighters.

"Media and UFC like to fuel this guy's fictional character to always bully and disrespect other fighters like it's funny," Stephens says.

"I can't accept that and will mop the floor with him."

He adds, "I've been humbling bullies and disrespectful guys like him since grade school."

There's a lot more in the full statement (see below) -- Stephens clearly hopes to settle the score with Conor inside the Octagon.

By the way, Stephens ain't no bitch -- he's been fighting in the UFC since 2007 and is currently the #7 ranked featherweight.

She might be the best ever ... but Ronda Rousey would LOSE if she does get in the Octagon with Cris "Cyborg" Justino ... so says UFC star Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Rousey told Dana White she WANTS to square off with Cyborg -- in what could be the biggest female MMA fight of all-time.

But Thompson says Rousey should think twice -- because Cyborg is no punk ... and when it comes down to it, he thinks she would crush Ronda.

Thompson explains why -- check out the clip.

Eddie Alvarez shouldn't worry about his cash flow in his UFC 205 matchup with Conor McGregor -- 'cause if he beats the Irishman, HE'LL BE RICH ... so says Jay Glazer.

Conor ripped into Alvarez at the UFC 205 media event Tuesday -- clowning the guy for not renegotiating his UFC contract after he was tapped for the biggest fight of his life.

But Glazer says it's not that big of a deal ... because a victory over Conor will seal some big paychecks moving forward.

Question is ... does Eddie have a shot? We asked Jay. Check out the clip.

Conor McGregor just went off on Eddie Alvarez -- claiming the guy's an idiot for agreeing to fight him at UFC 205 without signing a fat ass new contract.

You gotta watch the video ... McGregor goes off about how everyone in the UFC is trying to be like him these days -- but there's one huge difference ... no one's cashing checks as big as him.

During the media event, Conor also bragged that he expects to make roughly $40 MILLION this year ... which will help him achieve his goal of dethroning Cristiano Ronaldo on the top of the Forbes list.

Good luck.

Also ... check out the fan who decided to directly talk trash to Alvarez by posing as a reporter ... the reaction is hilarious!

The biggest fight in women's MMA could actually happen -- because Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... Ronda Rousey "absolutely, positively" wants to fight Cris "Cyborg" Justino.

With Cyborg coming off ANOTHER dominating performance this weekend, we had to ask White if UFC's fastest rising superstar will finally get her wish ... a shot at Rousey.

Check out the clip ... White -- who was outside Stand Up NY -- says he's still gunning to get Ronda back in the Octagon this year -- and then focus on setting up the superfight with Cyborg.

The good news for Rousey fans -- "She's getting nasty again and her head's in the right place."

BONUS -- White is also a HUUUUUGE New England Patriots fan ... and gave his team all sorts of dap for crushing people without the use of Tom Brady.

Rampage Jackson would kick the ever-living crap outta Brock Lesnar ... at least according to Rampage ... who says, huge weight difference or not, he'd win the fight.

TMZ Sports saw Jackson outside of 1 OAK in L.A. this week ... when a potential Brock Lesnar vs. Rampage Jackson super fight came up.

FYI -- Rampage is a legendary MMA fighter ... with a 37-11 record. Brock has a lot less experience (he's 6-3) ... but outweighs R.J. by 60+ pounds.

So, who'd win? Rampage has zero doubt he'd be victorious.

Question is, how would he take out Lesnar?

Michael Bisping is SPITTIN' FIRE ... takin' aim at Luke Rockhold and Demi Lovato's relationship ... saying Rockhold could never get a girl with "intelligence" ... and it's all on video!!

TMZ Sports talked to Bisping outside the UFC Gym in Torrance ... and he absolutely went off.

Rockhold and Lovato weren't the only ones in his crosshair ... he also takes on Dan Henderson ("I'm going to embarrass him") and Conor McGregor's fashion sense ... or lack of.

UFC fighter Nick Diaz just lived out every stoner's biggest dream ... by takin' part in a smoking sesh with the Weed King himself ... Tommy Chong.

It shouldn't come as a surprise ... Diaz is notoriously 420 friendly. He was suspended for testing positive for pot last year ... and Chong is, well ... Tommy freakin' Chong.

Check out the clip ... fighter Joe Schilling also joins in on the fun.