MMA

Tyron Woodley says he's not just looking for a win on May 30 -- he wants to make a violent statement to the UFC that he's ready for his title shot.

The former welterweight champ is taking on Gilbert Burns at UFC Fight Night ... and says he's in a very "violent headspace."

"I'm willing to do some sh**ty stuff to people, put them in compromising positions, hurt them -- like literally hurt them."

"I don't know if I've ever been this focused," Woodley said this week on "The Hollywood Beatdown."

Tyron says he considers his fight with Burns to be a "real war" -- one that Gilbert will wish he never asked for in the first place.

"This is going to be a clear case of someone asking for something they didn't really know what they were asking for."

You gotta watch the clip ... Tyron says he can't wait to fight in an empty arena so the fans at home can hear him "talk sh*t" to Burns while he beats his ass.

"People are gonna feel bad for him."

Burns is on a 5-fight win streak -- including a win over Demian Maia back in March.

Is UFC star Henry Cejudo -- a 33-year-old champion in his prime -- actually retiring?!

The answer is a big hell no ... if you listen to his friend and manager -- Ali Abdelaziz -- who tells TMZ Sports there's no way he can see Triple C hangin' up his gloves.

"Do I think Henry's gonna retire? Absolutely not. I don't think Henry's gonna retire."

Remember, Cejudo TKO'd Dominick Cruz -- considered the greatest bantamweight of all-time -- at the end of the 2nd round at UFC 249 last weekend. During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Cejudo announced he was retiring from the sport.

But, Abdelaziz says a lot of fighters have the urge to walk away right after going to war in the Octagon ... but that quickly fades.

"Khabib, every time he fights, 'I think I'm done,'" Ali says ... "2 weeks later, 'Who you think I should fight next?' Because these guys are at their prime. Henry's coming into his prime. How you gonna retire in your prime?"

Matter of fact, Ali believes Cejudo will not only fight again ... but it'll happen sometime over the next 3-4 months.

"Henry has everybody on their knees right now. I don't think he's gonna retire. You're gonna see him fight by the summer."

Question is, who will Cejudo take on next?

Triple C and boxer Ryan Garcia recently beefed online, and T.J. Dillashaw -- who comes off his drug suspension early next year -- has been crystal clear in his desire to avenge his Jan. 2019 loss to Cejudo.

But, Ali says that ain't happening ... ever.

"Henry will never fight T.J. I don't think any clean athlete should ever fight T.J. Dillashaw. The man cheated for a long time."

Abdelaziz continued ... "If you cheated this long, you think you're gonna come back and get a title shot? It doesn't even make sense."

"Henry for sure will never fight him. I know that for sure. Cause he beat the man while he was on the juice. Why's he gonna fight him?

Justin Gaethje loves how the tables have turned with Conor McGregor ... telling TMZ Sports it's the Irishman's turn to wait in line for a fight.

"I get to pick between Conor and [Khabib Nurmagomedov] right now," Gaethje says.

"I can pick whichever one I want. That’s a spot every single person in the sport, I don’t care what weight class you’re in, would love to be in the spot that I am in right now."

"Timing is everything. To have Conor on his knees begging for a fight, it’s a testament for the hard work and believing in my ability to show up and perform."

As we previously reported, Gaethje had been calling for a fight with Conor for YEARS -- but the guy wouldn't sign a contract.

Now, it's McGregor who's been trying to bait Justin ... and JG loves it.

Justin says right now he's laser-focused on fighting Khabib to "prove that I'm the best"... but he isn't ruling out a brawl with Conor after that.

"I could fight those two fights and retire", Gaethje says. "Monetarily, that's huge for me."

"So, yeah, it's a great spot to be in."

As for Khabib, Justin shares a manager with the Dagestani superstar -- and they're all very cordial.

Still, Gaethje has a message for Khabib -- "When we fight, it's going to be huge."

"It’s going to be the two best in the world figuring out who's the best on that night for 25 minutes.”

As for where the fight could take place, Justin says he's down to have the scrap anywhere on the planet ... "Sh*t, I'll fight him somewhere in the heart of Dagestan or Russia."

UFC star Anthony Smith says he's "good" in the wake of a violent loss to Glover Teixeira -- and recovering with the help of his loving family.

"Everyone is arguing about good stop, bad stop, bad corner, good corner...blah blah blah," Smith said.

"I’m still winning. I’m good, and I’m exactly where i need to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing."

As we previously reported -- Smith suffered intense injuries during his fight on May 13 -- a broken nose, fractured eye socket, a gash under his right eye and had 2 teeth knocked out.

Some high-profile UFC stars like Chael Sonnen have criticized Smith's coaching staff ... saying they should've thrown in the towel instead of allowing him to fight in the 5th round, where he sustained even more damage.

"All that time spent worrying about me needs to be spent somewhere a little more productive," Smith said on social media.

"I love her so much, and I’m going to make her proud."

That's UFC star Walt Harris telling TMZ Sports how he'll honor his stepdaughter, Aniah Blanchard, Saturday when he returns the Octagon ... and it's definitely going to be emotional.

"There will probably be some tears shed, I’ll go ahead and let ya’ll know right now," Harris says.

As we previously reported, Walt's 19-year-old stepdaughter went missing back in October -- and after a high-profile search, her remains were found weeks later.

A suspect was arrested and he is now facing murder charges.

Walt -- the #9 ranked heavyweight -- is now set to fight Alistair Overeem on Saturday night ... and tells us getting back work is part of the grieving process.

"It's proof that you can go through the worst thing you can possibly think of in your life, and bounce back," Harris said.

"I’m so grateful to the UFC, and to the fans, and everybody who’s supported me through all of this. And, that’s kinda been my motivation, that's why I want to go in there and put a show on for them Saturday night and say thank you."

Harris said Aniah was his biggest fan who loved to watch him fight -- and he knows she'll be there in spirit on Saturday.

Chael Sonnen is BIG MAD at Anthony Smith's coaching staff for not stopping the fight against Glover Teixeira after the 4th round ... telling TMZ Sports, "You have a towel for a reason!"

Sonnen -- who has 49 pro-MMA fights under belt -- couldn't believe Smith's corner let him continue into the 5th round considering he was literally getting his teeth knocked out in the Octagon.

"If you're in the corner, you have a towel for a reason and that's to stop a contest," Sonnen explained.

Sonnen says he respects Smith's toughness -- but the coach needs to act as the "adult in the room" and make the tough decisions in the heat of battle to protect the fighter from himself.

"I've heard the term 'A Rocky Moment' -- man, Rocky was in the movies! Rocky wasn't really getting beat up like that!"

Sonnen said he spoke with Smith at length after the fight -- and Smith explained that he refuses to quit in a fight no matter what.

But, Sonnen says that's MORE of a reason for his corner to make the tough call when it becomes clear he can't win the fight.

This video is NUTS!!!

UFC fighter Marvin Vettori tried to fight his scheduled opponent Karl Roberson in a hotel lobby ... hours after Roberson pulled out of their scheduled bout due to weight cut issues.

AND MAN, VETTORI IS FUMING!!

Vettori vs. Roberson was supposed to be on the main card for the "UFC on ESPN+ 29" event Wednesday night in Jacksonville.

But, according to the UFC, Roberson experienced "medical issues unrelated to COVID-19 after his weight cut" and was subsequently pulled from the fight.

Well, Vettori wasn't happy -- he's been training for months -- and when he saw Roberson in the hotel where the fighters are staying, he exploded.

"Let's f*cking fight," Vettori screamed across the lobby ... "If you're a fighter then f*cking fight!"

Vettori's crew grabbed him and escorted him away from Roberson.

Now, Vettori is hoping to find another opponent ASAP -- as the UFC is hosting ANOTHER event in Jacksonville on Saturday.

Jon Jones says he's dead serious about a fight with Francis Ngannou -- and now he's asking the UFC to "send the deal."

There's been talk about a possible Jones vs. Ngannou match at heavyweight for a while ... but things escalated after Francis destroyed Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds at UFC 249 over the weekend.

The two exchanged some minor trash talk on social media late Wednesday night ... but now Jon says he's done talking, he's ready for action.

"If you guys think I wouldn’t take this fight you’re insane. I have absolutely nothing else to prove as a light heavyweight. I’d love that big money fight right around now. Send the deal."

Jon currently fights at light heavyweight -- but says he's willing to go up for a bigger payday ... and let's be honest, who wouldn't want to see Jones vs. Ngannou?!

In fact, back in October, we asked Francis about a possible Jones brawl ... and he was all about it!

"Listen, let's be clear about something. If that's what you want to know, if I would fight Jon Jones if he goes up to heavyweight!? Of course!"

"I would say the same thing as he says -- it's inevitable. If Jon Jones goes to heavyweight. I'm gonna fight him."

LET'S GOOOOOO!!!

Khabib Nurmagomedov's father -- who trained the UFC star for most of his life -- is reportedly fighting for this life in a Russian military hospital ... where he's said to be in a medically-induced coma.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is VERY close with his superstar son -- they've traveled together to meet Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions following Khabib's high profile victories in the UFC.

But, the 57-year-old Dagestani reportedly fell ill at the end of April after coming down with pneumonia ... and things have gone from bad to worse.

Multiple reports say Abdulmanap was initially treated in Dagestan -- but was later flown to Moscow in early May where he is now under the care of specialists.

UFC fighter Islam Makhachev -- who's close with Khabib -- confirmed the situation ... saying, "[Abdulmanap] is in Moscow. He is in critical condition."

UFC president Dana White has also issued a statement.

"Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is a true martial artist who lives a life of pride, honor and respect," White said.

"He instilled those same values in his son, world champion Khabib, at an early age and was always in his corner throughout his career."

"I know how close Khabib is with his father and I’m saddened to hear about his current state. My thoughts are with Abdulmanap and the Nurmagomedov family as he continues to fight."

We've reached out to Khabib's camp for comment -- but so far, no word back.

Bad news for Conor McGregor ... Justin Gaethje will NOT agree to fight the Irishman before he gets his title shot with Khabib Nurmagomedov, this according to Justin's manager.

Conor has been trying to bait Gaethje into a big-time showdown on Fight Island in July -- calling out Justin on social media and threatening to kill him.

But, we spoke with Gaethje's rep, Ali Abdelaziz, who tells us the trash talk strategy just won't work -- Justin's already focusing on fighting Khabib next ... and there's absolutely NO SHOT at changing his mind.

"Khabib will never -- NEVER -- pass Justin Gaethje for Conor. Even if he made more money," Ali says.

"Justin Gaethje has so much integrity, he will never tell the UFC, 'Oh, I'm gonna fight Conor, forget about Khabib.' [Justin] wants to be a champion."

What's interesting ... Ali also represents Khabib -- so it's an easy fight for everyone (including the UFC) to make once the contracts are drawn up.

Plus, with UFC president Dana White recently saying he'd like to see Justin take on Khabib on Fight Island in June, it all but sinks Conor's plans.

Ali also tells TMZ Sports ... Khabib also has ZERO interest in fighting Conor because he feels McGregor has not earned the opportunity for a rematch.

"If [Conor] thinks he's gonna sit out and fight the winner [of Gaethje vs. Khabib] ... NO."

"Especially, if Khabib wins. Khabib said no. [Conor] needs more wins."

Ali added, "The UFC is not boxing. The best will fight the best and at this point [Justin and Khabib are] the two best guys."

That doesn't mean Justin isn't down to fight Conor down the road ... but for right now, he's got his eyes on the prize.

There's more ... we also asked Ali about Tony Ferguson -- who's beefed with "El Cucuy" over the years -- and Gaethje's manager says it's time for Ferguson to stop fighting.

"I believe, no disrespect to nobody, when you take this ass whooping that Tony Ferguson took, he's never gonna be the same."

Abdelaziz says Tony has a wife and kids ... and needs to stay healthy for them.

"This guy has a family. I don't want to see him drinking soup from a straw."

"If he was my guy, I'd be like, 'Yo, you gotta retire.'"

Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia tells TMZ Sports he's gunning for a 2-fight deal with Henry Cejudo -- one boxing, one MMA -- and he's ready to scrap on the 4th of July.

Garcia and Cejudo have been talking A LOT of trash to each other ever since the UFC superstar's surprise retirement after his victory over Dominick Cruz on Saturday night.

Cejudo called the undefeated 21-year-old boxer an "Oscar De La Hoya wannabe" ... and threatened, "I’d make you bend the knee in your own sport."

When we spoke with Garcia, King Ryan told us he's sick of talking -- he wants to fight already.

"Chicken Little, he got very disrespectful in my honest opinion," Garcia said.

"I came at him in a respectful way but he came at me in a disrespectful way so, in that regards, that needs to be handled."

"I haven't found an opponent for July 4th but I feel like we can make that happen if he really wants that work."

And, get this, Garcia says he has a secret weapon to help him lock up a deal with Cejudo -- TOM BRADY!!

"I'll hit up Tom," Ryan says ... "Me and him are cool. He's a partial owner of the UFC. I feel like he's a fan of both sports and I think he's a fan of both of us. I know he follows me and I know that that's gonna cause interest in him so I feel like I can hit him up and be like 'Lets make this happens' so I might do that today."

As for how the 2-fight deal would work, Ryan explained it to us this way ...

"First, we gotta have it in the boxing ring cause he called me out ... Once I knock him out, as a man I'll respect him enough and be like 'Aight, I'll hop into your thing now.'"

"There's no way he'll KO me in the Octagon. The only thing he'll ever do to me is submit me ... and I'm cool with that."

UFC isn't wasting any time -- gearing up for their 2nd big event in just 4 days despite the COVID-19 pandemic ... and the fighters seem ready to roll!!!

Ovince Saint Preux, Michael Johnson and others hit the official weigh-in on Tuesday morning ... where everything seemed to go off without a hitch.

Saint Preux wore a face mask when he hit the scale -- and so far, he's the only fighter to wear the protective covering.

Everyone else ditched their masks -- but as Dana White has said multiple times, ALL fighters (and their teams) are being tested and retested and retested for coronavirus before and after the event anyway.

The event -- "UFC Fight Night: Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira" -- is scheduled for Wednesday night at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL ... featuring 11 fights.

So far, no one on the card has tested positive for COVID-19 -- but even if there is a positive test, the show will go on ... just as it did for UFC 249.

Remember, Jacare Souza and his 2 cornermen tested positive the day before the fight and he was pulled from the card.

White says the positive test proved his medical screening system works -- and they immediately moved Souza and his cornermen from the hotel where the fighters were staying into quarantine.

President Donald Trump praised the UFC for finding a way to get their business back in action during the pandemic.

White has hailed UFC 249 as a massive success.

"I am going to f**king butcher you"

That's a fired-up Conor McGregor making some serious threats to Justin Gaethje -- telling the UFC's interim lightweight champ that he's coming for Gaethje's head.

"Your teeth. I’m going to put them on a f**king necklace," Conor said to Justin.

In an angry Twitter rant Monday, McGregor says he wants to fight Justin next -- and it seems the hostility comes from a 2019 tweet Justin sent criticizing Conor as a "sh*t human, father and husband."

Conor remembered the tweet and responded ...

"Speak on my skills as a father? You are f**king dead."

McGregor added, "Don’t ever say you represent the great nation of the United States of America ever again."

For his part, Justin has been calling for a fight with Conor for a while -- telling TMZ Sports back in 2019 he actively tried to get Conor to sign a contract but the Irishman wouldn't do it.

"I wrote him a message like f**king 7 months ago just trying to be his friend. I’ve tried every route," Justin said.

"I’m trying reverse psychology. I’m trying to be his friend. I’m trying every f**king route that there is to draw this man out. And I can't draw him out. And he’s calling out Frankie Edgar. So, it’s a slap in the face to me, to all the lightweights, and to really the standard that we f**king do here."

Of course, Justin beat the hell out of Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on Saturday ... and says he now wants to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the real lightweight title.

But, a Conor fight could be a bigger payday for Justin ... so it seems like he's got some decisions to make.

Is this man human?!!?

How the hell is Tony Ferguson DANCING around his hospital room -- despite the major injuries he suffered at UFC 249 on Saturday night?!

Remember, Tony got beat up BAD on Saturday night -- suffering a broken orbital bone, some nasty cuts and more during that brutal beating he took from Justin Gaethje.

But, here he is on Sunday night -- getting funky to "Midas Touch" by Midnight Star ... while still attached to his IV drip.

"Recovery Dayze," Ferguson tweeted ... "When You’re About To Get Discharged From The Hospital #LetMeOut #MothersDayVibes Post-Fight #ufc249."

Ferguson lost his interim lightweight championship belt in Saturday's loss -- and many people are wondering what his next move will be.

Of course, Ferguson was originally supposed to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 249 -- but COVID-19 screwed up those plans and he fought Gaethje instead,

Most people expect Gaethje to get the next crack at Khabib -- which leaves Tony looking for a new opponent.

There are rumblings Conor McGregor could be in Ferg's future -- it could be a little before Tony is medically cleared to fight again and Conor reportedly wants to fight in June.

The first sporting event without a crowd went down Saturday night in Florida, and by all measures, it was a big success, according to many, including UFC announcer Bruce Buffer.

It was weird at first ... looking at an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, but when the fighting started, it was easy to forget the seats were empty. You actually hear the punches, kicks and reactions crisply and clearly.

Donald Trump opened the show, congratulating his friend, UFC Prez Dana White, for pulling off the event.

All the fighters were tested, and the ones who tested negative for the virus fought like they would in front of a crowd, but there was a twist.

In the absence of a crowd, the voices of the announcers billowed through the arena, and the fighters could hear everything. Former NFL star Greg Hardy won his fight and said afterward he was taking his cues from the announcers, who were offering critiques in real-time!!!

Greg Hardy says UFC's "no crowd" rule at UFC 249 was a "game changer" -- because he could hear the TV announcers critiquing him during his fight ... and he adjusted accordingly to get the victory!

Hardy (6-2) was fighting Yorgan De Castro (6-1) in a heavyweight bout Saturday night -- with Hardy taking some serious leg kicks early in the match.

Daniel Cormier -- who's doing the announcing with Joe Rogan -- had said during the broadcast that Hardy needed to figure out a way to check those heavy kicks before they took a real toll on his body.

Of course, Cormier -- one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time -- was talking to the audience at home ... but since you can hear a pin drop in the arena thanks to the COVID-19 safety protocol, Hardy could listen too!

AND, HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION!!!

Hardy ended up winning the match by unanimous decision -- and during the post-fight interview, he gave all the credit to D.C.

"Thank God for not having the crowd," Hardy said ... "Shout out to D.C."

"I heard him tell me to check him, that I needed to figure out how to check it ... so I started trying to check him! Game changer!"