Sports

More trouble for Mark Hunt -- one of the most beloved UFC fighters ever -- the heavy-hitting heavyweight was arrested after he was accused of threatening to kill a female acquaintance.

"I'm just going to murder you in the end anyway," the 52-year-old MMA legend allegedly texted the woman after a dispute this week in South Wales, Australia, which prompted cops to rush to the scene and take Hunt into custody Tuesday night.

He is facing one count of stalking or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm.

Hunt was initially refused bail before his first court appearance on Wednesday, but was ultimately allowed to bond out after agreeing to abide by a series of strict conditions.

The Super Samoan was a fan favorite during his run with the UFC, beloved for his devastating power, and his signature walk-offs.

In the Octagon, Mark mixed it up with some of the best heavyweights ever, including Stipe Miocic, Brock Lesnar, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Curtis Blaydes, and Derrick Lewis, among others.

Hunt last fought in December 2018 in a losing effort.

Mark has faced significant challenges since walking away from fighting, including health, financial, and legal troubles that have severely impacted his life.

While Hunt has not addressed the claim, his legal team disputed the charge in court.

Volleyball player Jordan Lucas took the internet by storm by serving skills and sass in his highlight reel ... and while not everyone in the sport is thrilled with his celebrations, he tells TMZ Sports it's all part of being in the heat of battle.

We caught up with the star Cal State Northridge athlete amid his viral fame ... and Lucas said the support he's gotten has been nothing short of amazing -- even Billy Porter hit him with a follow on social media!!

He added it's awesome to help put the spotlight on the school's program and the sport as a whole ... and the experience has been "surreal" and "overwhelming," but the love is much appreciated.

It's only mid-April, but it could've been October for Alex Vesia ... the Dodgers reliever was emotional on the mound after closing out the game in front of dozens of doctors and nurses who treated his late daughter, Sterling Sol, last year.

Tuesday night was the Dodgers' annual Healthcare Appreciation Night, and the 30-year-old pitcher invited almost 30 hospital workers who helped the family navigate the most difficult period of their lives in late 2025.

So, when Vesia entered the 2-1 game vs. the Mets in the 9th inning -- with closer Edwin Diaz unavailable -- Alex didn't squander the opportunity, striking out the side, getting the save, and sealing the win for Los Angeles.

LaMelo Ball is facing a ton of criticism for tripping and injuring Bam Adebayo in a Play-In Tournament matchup on Tuesday ... but the Charlotte Hornets star claims the incident was the result of getting hit in the head.

The play went down early in the second quarter of the elimination game ... when Heat forward Simone Fontecchio blocked Ball's shot, and Adebayo tried to save it from going out of bounds.

Ball found himself lying out on the hardwood during the sequence ... and he reached out and grabbed Adebayo's leg, forcing him to join him on the ground.

Age ain't nothing but a number as 41-year-old LeBron James enters the playoffs ... so says his former teammate, Channing Frye, who tells TMZ Sports the only thing on the King's mind right now is winning ... not Father Time.

All eyes will be on the four-time champion as L.A. prepares for its date with the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 postseason ... even more so now that Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are out with injuries.

Frye -- who won a title with James on the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers -- explained the superstar's mindset ahead of a showdown with Kevin Durant and Co. ... and he said it really is as simple as scraping together some victories.

Of course, James has had enough success for 10 NBA careers ... but it doesn't mean he's cool with mailing it in at all just 'cause his team's short-handed.

Red card for Lionel Messi ... who is at the center of a bombshell lawsuit in Florida, with a promoter claiming the soccer legend left them bleeding cash on a pair of hyped up friendlies that they claim he blew off.

VID, a Miami-based company that puts on large-scale music and sporting events, according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, filed a lawsuit against the 38-year-old footballer and the Argentine Football Association on Tuesday in South Florida, alleging fraud and breach of contract, saying they were burned out of millions of dollars.

In August, VID says they struck a deal and ultimately paid the AFA $7 million for the exclusive rights to two exhibition match-ups scheduled for October -- Argentina vs. Venezuela, and Argentina vs. Puerto Rico.

Dianna Russini -- the reporter spotted getting cozy with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in Arizona last month -- has resigned from her job with The Athletic.

The NFL insider submitted a letter to her employer on Tuesday ... saying she has handled her responsibilities with "professionalism and dedication" throughout her career ... and she stands by every story featuring her byline.

Russini -- who joined the outlet in 2023 after leaving ESPN -- said she's leaving not because she did anything wrong ... but because of the "self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts."

Sherrone Moore was facing 6 months in jail, but the former Michigan head football coach won't spend another minute behind bars ... he was just sentenced to probation, entirely avoiding jail.

The 40-year-old coach appeared before the honorable J. Cedric Simpson in a Washtenaw County courthouse on Tuesday afternoon, where he was sentenced after pleading no contest to two charges, malicious use of a telecommunication device in a domestic relationship and trespassing.

Ultimately, Moore, 40, will be on probation for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay around $1,000 in fines.

Pacman Jones can breathe a massive sigh of relief ... the former NFL star was sentenced to five years of probation in his officer assault case on Tuesday -- after staring a year and a half in prison right in the eyes.

Jones went before Judge Patricia Summe in Kenton County, Kentucky on Tuesday ... wearing a dark-colored suit for the occasion.

Jones shared a prepared statement in court -- apologizing for his actions in June 2025 and stating he didn't realize he had hit "rock bottom" until after the incident.

Jake Paul done with boxing after Anthony Joshua?! Hell no.

The Problem Child says he's targeting late 2026 or early 2027 for his return to the ring ... as he continues to heal from the brutal jaw injury he suffered against Anthony Joshua.

"I'm finally feeling healthy again," Paul told Babcock this week. "The jaw is definitely recovering."

Jake says he isn't there just yet -- he still has to undergo tests and see doctors before he's cleared -- but he's getting close, and he has a rough return date in mind.

Golf star Sergio Garcia is breaking his silence after smashing his driver at the Masters on Sunday ... saying actions like that have no place in the sport -- especially at Augusta.

Garcia -- who won a green jacket in 2017 -- went to social media to share his regret ... writing, "I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at The Masters tournament."

"I respect and value everything that The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn't reflect the respect and appreciation I have for The Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world."

J. Cole is reflecting on his impressively brief Chinese basketball experience ... explaining his time with the Nanjing Monkey Kings was cut short due to visa issues.

The rapper and part-time hooper played just eight minutes of action in one game for the pro team ... but the initial plan was to make three appearances before the paperwork hiccup got in the way.

Cole said he waited in Hong Kong to get cleared to play in mainland China ... a process he didn't predict would take so long.

Devastating health update from Dick Vitale ... the college hoops legend revealed he's been diagnosed with cancer in his lung and liver cavity -- but Dickie V says he'll again kick the disease's ass!

Vitale, 86, shared the bad news Monday afternoon through ESPN public relations.

"Today, my oncologist, Dr. Brown, informed me that my biopsy results confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in my lung and liver cavity. I will be starting immunotherapy shortly and I plan on winning this battle."

Dianna Russini might've been sidelined by her bosses, but it's quite literally "business as usual" in Foxborough for Mike Vrabel, according to the Patriots, who say the head coach is hard at work prepping for the NFL Draft.

Pats EVP of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf, met with the media in New England, and was asked about Vrabel's participation as the scandal involving him and The Athletic reporter continues to be the most talked about story in sports and media.

"[Mike is] very involved. Business as usual," Wolf said. "He's been in there with us probably this round of meetings a little bit more than last year."

Rueben Bain Jr. was the driver in a fatal accident in 2024, according to a new report ... as the University of Miami star prepares for the NFL Draft, where he's a near lock first-round draft pick.

Bain, now 21, was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV with three other passengers -- Canes teammates Nyjalik Kelly and Wesley Bissainthe, and a 22-year-old woman, Destiny Betts, on March 17, 2024.

Around 4 AM, Rueben rear-ended another vehicle, according to The Read Optional, sending his SUV careening into multiple concrete barriers.

MMA is in its comeback era ... but you can cross Michael Bisping off the list of fighters making huge returns in 2026 ... he tells TMZ Sports, while he can still whoop a ton of ass, he's staying retired.

That is, unless several Brinks trunks back into his driveway.

We caught up with The Count at LAX this week ... and asked with big names like Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano stepping back in the cage, could he be following suit??