MMA

This is interesting ... Daniel Cormier tells TMZ Sports he wants to line up at least one more opponent BEFORE he gets in the Octagon with Brock Lesnar!

Cormier is currently nursing a broken hand from his victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 -- the same night Lesnar rushed the Octagon and shoved him, hyping up a Cormier vs. Lesnar superfight!

But as Cormier pointed out, Lesnar won't be cleared to fight until early 2019 -- so, he wants another big fight while he waits for the WWE superstar.

So, who's it gonna be? Cormier says he's not even thinking about Jon Jones -- but if he miraculously gets cleared before DC retires, ya gotta think he'd strongly consider it.

Ronda Rousey vs. Cris "Cyborg" Justino -- the superfight that never happened -- could still be a possibility ... just not in the UFC.

TMZ Sports talked to Cyborg at the airport in L.A. on Sunday ... and asked her about the possibility of finally facing her rival after years of trash talk ... and battling Ronda in the WWE.

"Some fans ask me, 'Cris, do you like to make a fight with Ronda Rousey in WWE?'" Cyborg tells us, "I say 'Maybe, ya don't know. Maybe.' It's not something I plan. But if fans would like to watch, I need to train for that, but, ya know, it's gonna be great."

Cyborg was actually complimentary of Ronda ... telling us she's seen Rousey do her thing in the WWE ... and thinks she's kickin' ass in the squared circle.

"I watch a couple things Ronda's doing there, and I think she's doing great."

Conor McGregor is one lucky scofflaw ... because TMZ Sports has learned he's on the verge of striking a deal in his New York City criminal case that will keep him in the U.S. and out of jail.

We've learned Conor's lawyer is in the final stages of negotiating a plea deal in his felony mischief case ... the case that was filed after the UFC champ unleashed his fury by hurling a dolly into a UFC bus, injuring 3 fighters. His target was UFC rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was not hurt.

Conor was charged with one count of felony criminal mischief and 3 counts of misdemeanor assault.

Sources familiar with the deal tell us, prosecutors have agreed to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor. That's hugely significant because a felony involving violence could trigger permanent deportation from the U.S.

The Irish bad boy faced 7 years behind bars if convicted, but we've learned prosecutors are agreeable to probation ... NO jail time.

The deal is not finalized, but we're told negotiations are down to the "fine points." If it doesn't fall apart, the deal should be finalized in a matter of days, because Conor is due in a Manhattan court Thursday.

Seems Conor McGregor was PUMPED about his dip in the ocean Friday.

The UFC superstar threw a post-swim selfie on social media braggin' about his LONG workout -- and, as you can see, water must not have been very cold in Ireland today.

"Great swim in the beautiful Irish Sea with the team," the Irish fighter said.

It's not the first time we've seen McGregor flaunt his mini-me ... he had it on full display at weigh-ins for the Mayweather fight.

The good news for War Machine is that he found love and he's now engaged to 30-year-old Ashley Farrington ... bad news is there's no conjugal visits in the state where he's locked up. Congrats?

Family sources close to Ashley tell TMZ ... War Marchine -- who is serving a life sentence with a possibility of parole when he's 71 -- first got acquainted with Ashley when she started writing to him as his pen pal last summer. We're told the relationship evolved to visits to Ely State Prison. They posed for this pic a few weeks ago.

Feelings developed and, earlier this year, the 36-year-old former UFC star wrote a poem asking for her hand in marriage. She said yes, even though he was sans ring.

War and Ashley can have a wedding ceremony in prison and share a hug, but that's all the physical contact they'll have for a very long time -- Nevada doesn't allow conjugal visits. So much for consummating the marriage.

As we reported ... War was found guilty of sexual assault, coercion, battery by strangulation, kidnapping and several other charges after attacking his ex, porn star Christy Mack.

Don't slam the door on a possible Cormier vs. Miocic rematch -- with D.C. telling TMZ Sports he's open to the idea ... AFTER he fights Brock Lesnar.

Remember, after Daniel Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 earlier this month ... Lesnar stormed the cage and hyped a Cormier vs. Lesnar superfight.

Miocic -- the former heavyweight champion of the world -- is furious claiming he's EARNED a rematch with Cormier before Lesnar gets a shot ... considering Brock hasn't even fought since 2016.

So, when we saw Cormier at the ESPYs on Wednesday ... we asked how he felt about Stipe's gripe.

Of course, the clock is ticking considering Cormier is 39 years old and wants to retire at age 40. His birthday is in March.

Tick tock ...

Darrelle Revis gave us a glimpse into his life after football Wednesday night ... and it looks good. REALLY good.

The newly retired cornerback showed up to the ESPYs with Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and pro MMA fighter Mia Kang as his arm candy ... and the two looked VERY coupley.

Are they dating for real? Mia wouldn't spill the beans ... but, Revis did say the two already have a second date planned.

"She said she's going to kick my ass soon," Revis says. "So, I'm looking forward to it."

Sure beats jammin' receivers during the dog days of training camp, right D.R.??

Sage Northcutt tipped the scale at 170 lbs. on Friday ... but he'll be a helluva lot heavier in the future -- as in, the size of a 206+ lb. heavyweight -- 'cause that's where Super Sage says he'll eventually fight.

TMZ Sports talked to the UFC star before his co-main event fight against Zak Ottow at Saturday's UFC Fight Night 133 -- a fight in the 170 lb. welterweight division.

That's a step up for the 22-year-old -- who's been fightin' at 155 lbs. -- but it ain't the final destination.

"Personally I think I might end up fighting heavyweight in the future," Sage tell us.

"I can just see myself keep growing. I'll be 24, 25, growing 2, 3, 4 more inches, and putting on a lot of muscle. I can absolutely see it."

Ronda Rousey stopped short of giving Daniel Cormier G.O.A.T. status -- but tells TMZ Sports the UFC's new "champ-champ" is definitely the best in the game "right now."

The newly inducted UFC Hall of Famer was at LAX on Monday where we asked if DC's victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 cements him as the best to ever step in the Octagon.

"I think right now, yeah," Ronda said ... emphasizing the words "right now."

"He's the best in the game right now."

Don't get it twisted -- there was no disrespect ... in fact, Ronda praised Cormier for all of his accomplishments. She considers him a friend. Nothing but love.

Ronda's also friends with Brock Lesnar -- and says she's NOT looking forward to the Cormier vs. Lesnar superfight, because it'll tear her up inside!

The dude who shoved Brock Lesnar at UFC 226 says he ain't done with the WWE monster just yet ... and now he's threatening EVEN MORE violence!

Okay, backstory ... remember when Brock shoved DC in the Octagon after Cormier beat Stipe Miocic?

If you watch closely, you can see a guy from Cormier's camp step in and PUSH Brock in retaliation -- actually knocking the ex-UFC champ off-balance.

That dude is Cormier's 5'3"-ish boxing coach, Rosendo Sanchez -- and we called the guy up to ask one very important question ... WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!

Sanchez says it was all about having his friend's back -- and when he saw Brock attack Cormier, "I'm like, 'F*ck it, I'm going in!'"

Rosendo wasn't done with the trash talking there ... telling us that when Cormier finally gets in the Octagon with Lesnar for real, it ain't gonna be pretty.

How many stitches did it take to close all the bloody gashes on Paul Felder's face after his war with Mike Perry at UFC 226???

Well, TMZ Sports has the answer ... thanks to Paul -- who gave us a video tour of his injuries -- and it's pretty graphic stuff!

Paul -- who's gotta be one of the toughest guys on the planet -- fought ALL 3 ROUNDS with Perry Saturday night despite breaking his arm in round 1. He even threw spinning backfists AFTER the injury!

Felder says he was pretty numb to the pain during the fight -- but could hear the clicking of his broken forearm when he tried to make a fist!!!

Felder's manager posted a crazy video showing doctors stitching him up -- and dude DOESN'T FLINCH after getting his massive gash flushed out with a big ass needle.

Don't worry, Felder says he'll be okay -- though he doesn't know how long he'll be out.

He does dish out some solid advice though -- "Stay in school, kids. Stay in school."

UFC star Dominick Cruz tells TMZ Sports ... his broken arm is still not healed -- he's hit some bumps in the road during recovery -- but hopes to be cleared to fight before the end of the year.

The former bantamweight champ suffered the injury back in November while training for a fight with Jimmie Rivera ... but says he's had some medical setbacks while trying to heal up.

Now, Cruz says he's itching for a fight real bad -- and hopes to be cleared by a doctor in next few months so he can book a fight before the end of the year.

As for potential opponents, Cruz says he'd LOVE to get the winner of T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt ... but claims neither guy is man enough to take the fight!

There might not be anyone more qualified to pick the winner of the big Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic fight than Roy Nelson -- he fought 'em BOTH -- and he's putting his money on the underdog!

The heavyweight brawler battled both guys back in 2013 -- and lost both fights -- but tells TMZ Sports there was one big takeaway ... Cormier hits harder than Stipe!

There's more ... "Big Country" says Cormier is the smarter fighter, and that will pay off big time when they clash at UFC 226 in Vegas on Saturday.

"I think DC has probably the better game plan and I think he has the overall better skills," Roy says ... "If I'm a betting man, I go with the odds with DC."

UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley says he's already punched his ticket to be a UFC Hall of Famer ... but when it comes to Nate Diaz, the man from Stockton ain't exactly a lock.

Woodley broke it down on "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- explaining why he deserves to join MMA greats like Chuck Liddell, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Ronda Rousey.

So, why not Nate Diaz? Tyron says his resume ain't that impressive -- and if he wants to add "HOF" next to his name, he needs to chalk up a few more MAJOR wins.

Woodley also weighed in on the Hall of Fame chances for Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, Daniel Cormier and Nick Diaz.

There's more ... Woodley also reveals his favorite story about his old friend, Kimbo Slice, and why he's super excited for the upcoming movie about the late MMA star.

UFC star Max Holloway has broken his silence after the medical emergency that forced him to back out of his big fight at UFC 226 this weekend ... and he's vowing to return to the Octagon.

Holloway was hospitalized this week after presenting concussion-like symptoms in the days before he was set to fight Brian Ortega in Vegas. Unclear what caused Max's condition.

But now, Max is speaking out on Twitter ... saying simply, "It was what it was."

Holloway also had a message for fans -- saying he definitely plans to fight again as soon as possible.

"I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over."

Holloway also shouted out the UFC fighters who offered to fight Ortega in his place.

"Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to [Jeremy Stephens] and [Frankie Edgar] for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you."

Jeremy Stephens has a message for Brian Ortega after the UFC star wouldn't take him on in a replacement fight at UFC 226 this weekend: "F*ck you, bitch!"

Yeah, Jeremy ain't happy.

After Max Holloway pulled out of his bout with Ortega this weekend after presenting concussion-like symptoms, Dana White offered the fight to Stephens -- but, Brian turned it down because of the short notice.

That has Jeremy livid ... with the fighter saying Ortega cares more about his hair than actually getting in the Octagon.

"I keep telling this kid, man, if you want to make money, and you want to make a name for yourself and you want to be a champion ... you have to fight," Stephens says.

"Like shut the f*ck up and fight. Ain't nobody caring about your hair, ain't nobody caring about what type of flying moves you're doing. I don't give two sh*ts what you do, let's fight."

Ortega reportedly is holding out for Holloway to get better, so he can fight for the title -- but, Stephens says he's ready for the scrap anytime and anyplace.