MMA

Khabib Nurmagomedov rubbed elbows with another powerful political figure Thursday night -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ... a man who's been accused of some pretty horrible stuff.

The two hung out at a Russian MMA gym -- described as a fight club -- where they posed for pics, ate some food and celebrated Khabib's victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Khabib commented about the meeting saying, "Thank you very much to Ramzan and all brotherly Chechnya."

"The way I am grateful to your support in words not to describe and praise to god who made us all brothers through our religion. And thank you very much for such a generous gift and most importantly respect shown to me."

Kadyrov is a HUGE fan of combat sports -- and recently kicked it with Floyd Mayweather.

This issue surrounding Kadyrov ... dude has a very controversial past -- littered with accusations of human rights violations from kidnapping to torture and murder. He's denied all wrongdoing.

But, what's undeniable ... Kadyrov says he doesn't want gay people in his country and has said on the record he'd ship them all to Canada if he could.

The U.S. State Dept. issued a warning in April 2017 saying it was "increasingly concerned" about the anti-LGBT movement in Chechnya -- after "numerous credible reports" indicating gay people were being detained, tortured and even killed based on their sexual orientation.

Kadyrov's father was appointed to lead Chechnya in 2000 by Vladimir Putin. And, when his dad died, Putin tapped Ramzan to take his place in 2007.

Of course, Khabib just met with Putin earlier this week.

Don't expect Chuck Liddell to pull a Khabib and jump out of the cage when he fights Tito Ortiz -- The Iceman says Tito is simply too dumb to get under his skin with trash talk.

"I don't think he's smart enough to say something to get me pissed off," Chuck tells TMZ Sports.

The two clash for the 3rd time on Nov. 24 -- and 48-year-old Chuck says he's been training his ass off for the fight ... promising to take 43-year-old Tito's head clean off.

We also asked Chuck for his thoughts on the Conor McGregor vs. Khabib fight at UFC 229 -- and if he thinks Khabib should get punished for the melee after the victory.

Khabib just went NUCLEAR on the UFC ... calling them out as hypocrites and laying down a major threat -- saying if his team is punished for the melee after UFC 229 -- he'll quit the UFC FOREVER.

Dana White laid down the gauntlet ... saying the members of Khabib's team who jumped into the Octagon and attacked Conor will be kicked out of the UFC for good.

Khabib has responded on social media ... making it clear he thinks the UFC is acting unfairly and essentially saying the whole post-fight brawl is UFC's fault for letting Team Conor push things too far.

"Why didn't you fire anyone when their team attacked the bus and injured a couple of people? They could have killed someone there, why no one says anything about insulting my homeland, religion, nation, family?"

"Why do you have to punish my team, when both teams fought. If you say that I started it, then I do not agree, I finished what he had started."

Khabib then went on to specifically address UFC fighter Zubaira Tukhugov -- the guy who punched Conor after the fight -- saying, if Dana kicks him out of the UFC, he can say goodbye to Khabib as well.

"If you decide to fire him, you should know that you’ll lose me too. We never give up on our brothers in Russia and I will go to the end for my Brother."

"If you still decide to fire him, don’t forget to send me my broken contract, otherwise I'll break it myself."

Nurmagomedov also addressed his $2 million purse that's being held ... telling the athletic commission they can keep it.

"And one more thing, you can keep my money that you are withholding. You are pretty busy with that, I hope it won’t get stuck in your throat. We have defended our honor and this is the most important thing."

UFC, your move.

Ronda Rousey says she needs to take her WWE cues from Drake -- "No New Friends" -- after getting ambushed and beat up by the Bella Twins on 'Raw' ... but she's already plotting her revenge!

"Nikki Bella, Brie Bella ... they’re a bunch of untrustworthy bitches," Rousey told us while hanging with her husband, Travis Browne, in L.A.

Ronda is taking on Nikki at "WWE Evolution" later this month -- the first-ever all-women's Pay-Per-View event -- and Ronda says her plan is to make Nikki pay!!!

"The most respectful thing for me to do is to go out and beat her right away, right?" Ronda said.

"So, I’m not gonna be respectful."

Ronda says she'll be documenting her journey leading up to the fight on RondaRousey.com -- sharing everything from training plans to fight videos.

Good news for Khabib Nurmagomedov ... Vladimir Putin just told the UFC fighter's father to GIVE HIM A PASS for that post-fight brawl -- while praising his victory over Conor McGregor.

Khabib met with the Russian president at the "Russia -- Country of Sports" forum in the city of Ulyanovsk on Wednesday ... sitting down with the lightweight champ and his father, Abdulmanap.

They ate fruit, they sipped warm drinks and they DEFINITELY talked fighting -- as Putin is a huge fan of combat sports.

But, the funniest part of the meeting ... Putin brought up Khabib's comments that his father was upset with the post-fight brawl and would "smash" him for going after Conor's teammate, Dillon Danis, at UFC 229.

"I will ask your father not to punish you too strictly, because you achieved the main task, worthily and convincingly," Putin said to the Nurmagomedovs.

And, what Putin says ... goes.

So, congrats Khabib -- your father won't whoop your ass!!!

What's interesting is that Putin famously met with Conor McGregor during the World Cup in Russia -- and posed with him like they were buddies.

Guess that friendship is over ... at least, for now.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture says Daniel Cormier has his work cut out for him if he's gonna beat Derrick Lewis next month ... but fortunately for D.C., Randy's got a fight plan!

Couture was a 3-time UFC Heavyweight champ -- so, he knows a little bit when it comes to beating up the most dangerous men in the sport.

And, when it comes to Derrick Lewis ... Randy says the dude is as dangerous as it gets.

"D.C. has to be smart," Couture said ... "Obviously, [Lewis] has amazing power."

"Even if he looks like he's about to die in the cage, he manages to bring it up and knock a guy out -- so, D.C.'s gotta be smart."

So, what's the plan? GROUND GAME, BABY!

"If D.C. makes this kid wrestle him it probably won't go the distance, that's for sure."

By the way, Couture was leaving an event for Jay Glazer's Merging Vets and Players Organization -- which helps military vets transition from the battlefield to the civilian world.

Couture served in the U.S. Army for 6 years before becoming a UFC fighter -- and he explains why the organization is so important to him.

Derrick Lewis is REALLY excited for the opportunity to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 230 next month ... but tells TMZ Sports he's shocked Stipe Miocic didn't get first crack at the heavyweight champ.

The Black Beast was rockin' his The Money Team hat -- because "I'm getting that money now!" -- and told us he's super happy to sign his fight contract.

But, Lewis said he's not just there to get a check, he really believes he can win -- because he carried the more powerful punch and he's got more heart than D.C.

"I'm going there to win, especially at Madison Square Garden," Lewis told us.

That's when Lewis brought up Stipe -- the guy Cormier beat for the heavyweight title back in July -- and told us he was confused as to why Stipe didn't get a rematch with D.C. first.

"I believe that Stipe really deserved the shot since he was the champion for a while ... I don't know why they gave it to me before they gave it to Stipe."

When asked if he thought Stipe was more deserving of a title shot right now, Lewis replied, "Yes. For sure."

Luke Rockhold says Khabib obliterated Conor McGregor so easily -- the Irish superstar doesn't really deserve a rematch ... but he'll do it if the price is right!!!

Luke is Khabib's teammate -- and was in the cage to help restore order after all hell broke loose at UFC 229.

Rockhold explained that Conor and his team crossed a line with all of the offensive trash talk -- and the bus attack -- leading up to the fight ... and he understands why Khabib flipped out after his victory.

"I think some things aren't for fight promotion," Rockhold says ... "Conor traveled across the world with a gang of people and attacked and broke into an arena to attack Khabib with weapons."

"So, I think people are over-stepping their boundaries and attacking Khabib on this front. He jumped a cage. One of Conor's teammates was antagonizing him and yelling at him after a fight, which was, you know ... you beat your guy, it's pretty much time to shut your mouth."

As for rematch talk, that's where Luke really went in on Conor ...

"The funny thing ... a rematch is usually, they're close fights. It wasn't really a close fight."

"If people wanna see it, if the UFC wants to pay for it, I know Khabib will enjoy a record breaking number, like I said before. It's gotta be record breaking numbers if he wants a rematch."

McGregor has already said he wants a second crack at Khabib -- so, we're guessing the UFC will step up and make it happen.

Tyron Woodley had an interesting day -- he took his son to the doctor to fix his injured labrum and ended up going under the knife himself ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Woodley took his son to Pensacola, Florida to visit Dr. James Andrews -- widely regarded as one of the best in the world -- and while he was there, wanted to get his hand evaluated.

Woodley says he had torn some ligaments in his left thumb joint while smashing Darren Till at UFC 228 last month and the pain was so intense, he could barely shake anyone's hand.

Long story short ... the Doc told Tyron he had an opening in his schedule and could repair the injury TODAY -- so, Tyron did it.

Now, both Woodley men -- father and son -- are recovering in Florida and Tyron's mom is taking care of 'em.

Tyron says he should be able to fight as early as December or November and plans to destroy Colby Covington as soon as he heals up.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has returned to Dagestan -- and people filled a STADIUM to see their hero!!!

The UFC star was cheered by the masses Monday at Anzhi Arena after defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 229 and eventually took the mic to address his adoring crowd.

"One thing I am asking for is not to be remembered for that incident when i jumped out of the cage," Khabib said ... "I wanted to show the difference between my nation and his nation."

"Because we're all here to know what great history we have ... we know our ancestors and all the ordeals our nation had to go through and nothing can break us."

Khabib told his fans that he hoped he made them proud -- adding, "You can't keep an eagle in a cage!"

He continued, "The inspiration I have comes from here -- from Dagestan -- from all the people who were waiting for me here. Thank you very much."

"We are all Dagestani people. Let's stay united."

Conor McGregor's teammate, Dillon Danis, didn't let a swollen face and head injuries keep him from having a good time after UFC 229 ... in fact, he went to the nightclub after his scrap with Khabib!

And, how do we know? Because he ran into UFC star Brian Ortega!!

Brian tells us he was hanging at the club following Conor vs. Khabib when he saw Danis in a hoodie trying to stay low-key.

Ortega says one of Dillon's eyes was swollen and he claimed to have suffered a concussion -- but wanted to hang out and enjoy Vegas.

Remember, Danis was the guy Khabib jumped out of the Octagon and attacked after the fight. Witnesses tell us Danis had been hurling offensive slurs at Khabib all night long.

But, Ortega says he was chilled out by the time he hit the club -- and even talked about the incident later that night saying, "Sh*t got crazy."

Brian says he was concerned for Danis' safety because there were a bunch of Russian guys in the club -- so he got his crew to make sure Danis got out of the place safely.

As for Ortega's fighting future, he fights Max Holloway at UFC 231 in December -- but he's still interested in fighting Khabib one day!

Forget legacy, Conor McGregor should quit fighting and retire already ... so says UFC star Derrick Lewis.

The Black Beast joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1) and said Conor doesn't have anything to prove anymore and he's made so much money fighting, he should step away from the Octagon and enjoy the rest of his life.

"He made life-changing money," Lewis says ... "He really don't have to fight."

"I'm fighting just so I can take care of my family. I don't fight just because I love it just that much. I'm fighting because it's a job for me."

In fact, Lewis says if he made a $50 million payday for a fight like Conor, he'd cut off everyone and disappear.

"I'll probably even get a divorce then," Lewis joked.

Dana White says the Nevada State Athletic Commission is talking about keeping Khabib Nurmagomedov's entire fight purse from UFC 229 -- $2 MILLION -- over the post-fight brawl.

"They took his whole purse right now and they're talking about keeping his purse," the UFC honcho said on "TMZ Live."

"You should not be able to keep his whole purse."

Dana is referring to the post-fight melee at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas -- when Khabib choked out Conor McGregor and then jumped out of the Octagon to fight Conor's teammate, Dillon Danis.

A brawl ensued and cops rushed in to break things up.

Now, White says NSAC will undoubtedly hit Khabib with a fine -- but it should be closer to $250,000 ... not $2 MILLION.

White says he also thinks Khabib will get suspended -- and believes he deserves to be shelved for 4 to 6 months.

It's possible White could go around the Commission and book Khabib to fight outside the United States -- but Dana made it clear UFC will NOT do that. They will stand behind whatever suspension is doled out.

White also explains the difference between Conor's bus attack incident in New York and Khabib's crowd attack in Nevada -- and why it will be treated differently by the two governing boards.

As for Conor's fighting future -- Dana says he's still figuring that out ... but clearly likes the idea of Tony Ferguson being in the mix.

1:37 PM PT -- Dillon's team tells TMZ Sports ... Dillon absolutely did NOT fire the slur at Khabib -- saying the witness we spoke with is dead wrong.

For the record, we spoke with multiple groups of people who were sitting very close to Danis who insist they heard him shouting insults at Khabib.

But Dillon's is adamant the "f**king Muslim rat" line did not come from Danis.

Conor McGregor's teammate, Dillon Danis, called Khabib Nurmagomedov a "f**king Muslim rat" during the main event at UFC 229 -- and that's what set him off ... a ringside witness tells TMZ Sports.

We spoke with a fan who was sitting in spitting distance from Danis during the fight -- and we're told Danis was running his mouth throughout most of the fight.

There was a moment between the 2nd and 3rd rounds when Khabib shot a death stare right at Dillon, according to our witness who says it was obvious Khabib heard at least some of the insults.

But, we're told the final straw was the Muslim insult that Danis hurled toward the end of the fight.

Khabib threw his mouthpiece at Dillon and then jumped out of the cage to attack him in the stands.

Of course, Conor has been calling Khabib a "rat" for weeks -- and mocking Khabib's religion in public ... so, it was pretty much par for the course for Team McGregor.

Conor McGregor wants a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov ASAP ... and he's already hitting up Dana White to make it happen.

Just days after suffering a brutal loss at UFC 229, White says Conor called him to set up another fight with the Russian superstar -- but it doesn't sound promising.

"He has to go before the (Nevada State Athletic) Commission, we have to see what's gonna happen with Khabib with this whole mess," White told "First Take" on ESPN. "But, Conor McGregor has already called me wanting a rematch."

It probably won't happen until we find out if Khabib will be punished by the NSAC. But, it sounds like Dana's got his eyes on someone else for Nurmagomedov first.

Here's the clearest video we've seen so far of Conor McGregor getting socked hard in the face in the post-fight Octagon brawl at UFC 229 ... and the cage invader lands some pretty solid shots.

The dude in the red shirt has reportedly been identified as Zubaira Tukhugov -- a pro-MMA fighter who's a member of Khabib Nurmagomedov's team.

He's scheduled to fight Conor's teammate, Artem Lobov, on October 27.

In the footage, you can see Tukhugov attack Conor from behind -- connecting with a sucker punch to the side of McGregor's head.

He then pivots and cracks Conor from the front -- landing a barefisted blow to Conor's head.

Ultimately, security comes in and breaks the whole thing up.

Before Tukhugov's attack -- another dude from Khabib's camp sucker punched Conor too ... trying to land hammerfists from the top of the cage.