Sports

Justin Gaethje's a big underdog against Ilia Topuria at The White House ... so, what does the MMA star have to do to pull off the big upset?? Team USA hockey legend Mike Eruzione is sharing a few words of wisdom.

It all started when TMZ Sports talked to 37-year-old Gaethje last week, and he told us he was gunning to bring "Miracle on Ice" energy to his Freedom 250 fight against Topuria, who is a substantial betting favorite.

As UFC fans will know ... Justin's from 'Merica, while Ilia lives and fights out of Spain.

Stefon Diggs is being ordered to finally explain how he knows the man accusing him of sexual assault ... because a federal judge says calling him an "acquaintance" just isn't good enough.

According to new court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, the judge ruled on a series of discovery disputes last week in Diggs' ongoing legal battle with Christopher Blake Griffith ... the man who has accused the NFL star of drugging and sexually assaulting him in 2023 ... allegations Diggs has repeatedly denied.

One of the biggest rulings centers on how Stefon must answer a basic question: How did Diggs and Griffith know each other before the alleged incident?

Serena Williams returned to the tennis court after nearly four years away ... and even at 44 years old, the G.O.A.T. didn't miss a beat, winning in straight sets!

In her first competitive match since the 2022 US Open -- over 1,350 days ago -- Serena, along with her doubles partner, 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, upset the number 3-seeded team of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe at the HSBC Championship at the Queen's Club in London.

Serena received a huge ovation as she walked onto the grass court. Williams and Mboko, unseeded, weren't even pushed, winning in straight sets, 7-6, 6-2.

The Knicks' 13-game playoff win streak was snapped Monday night, and many fans are blaming President Trump ... but is that fair?? Charles Barkley says hell no!

"No, s*** no. That had nothing to do with it. I thought the Spurs outplayed them," the Hall of Famer told Adam Glyn in New York City, shortly after Game 3 ended.

Of course, Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, pulling up to the Garden for the highly anticipated game, watching with his friend, Knicks owner James Dolan, as the team lost 115-111, with the Spurs pulling within one game of New York.

POTUS's presence meant hella increased security around the World's Most Famous Arena. Fans were told to arrive hours before the game, and were subjected to airport-like security. Barriers were also installed around MSG to keep fans away from the building perimeter, and watch parties were banned.

Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams' starting left tackle, was arrested for felony domestic battery Monday night ... and booked into an LAPD jail, where he remains behind bars.

Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a home in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley on Monday around 11 PM after cops were called to the scene.

Police determined, according to NBC L.A., which broke the story, Jackson was initially in a verbal argument with a woman over her allegedly filming him with her phone.

Charles Barkley wasn't exactly breaking down pick-and-roll coverage during Game 3 of the NBA Finals ... because once Cardi B hit the floor for halftime, Chuck's scouting report took a very different turn ... and it was sexual.

Check out the clip ... while Cardi brought the house down at Madison Square Garden, Chuck and the "Inside the NBA" crew seemed just as entertained as the fans in the arena. And let's just say Chuck had a particular observation about Cardi's boobs that immediately sent the desk into hysterics.

As cameras showed Cardi performing, Ernie Johnson joked the crew had been "competing with Cardi B" for viewers' attention. Chuck quickly waved the white flag ... cracking that Cardi's famous nickname might need a slight alphabet upgrade.

Chuck joked ... "I don't know if those B's. They might be Cardi D's. I'm pretty sure those aren't B's. She has the wrong initials."

Josh Hokit's fighting Derrick Lewis at the White House in just a few days, but you wouldn't know it listening to the up-and-coming UFC heavyweight ... who stayed mocking Alex Pereira during a recent, albeit brief, conversation with TMZ Sports!

"Chama," the 28-year-old said when Babcock spoke to the 28-year-old fighter earlier this week ... using a faux-translator to seemingly jab Pereira.

Of course, Alex is from Brazil, and English is not his first language. Hokit, meanwhile, is from Bakersfield -- about 100 miles outside Los Angeles -- and very much does.

The NY Knicks are two games from their first NBA title in 53 years, but President Trump's presence at Madison Square Garden has dominated much of the conversation... begging the question, will it distract the hometown team?!

No, not at all ... according to former NBA star Zach Randolph, who TMZ Sports ran into at LAX on Monday.

"At this stage where these guys are playing for a championship, I don't think that's going to distract [the Knicks] because it's more important things than, you know, getting distracted by the president," the 2x NBA All-Star said.

Further proof a massive scandal can't rock the Vrabels -- Mike and Jen were a united front while celebrating their son's engagement over the weekend.

The New England Patriots head coach's son, Tyler, and Mariah Romano shared the big relationship news on Sunday ... with the new fiancée gushing over the moment.

"The most perfect engagement surrounded by the people I love most," Romano said alongside some snaps from the day.

Spike Lee had the legendary West 4th Street courts lookin' like a Knicks block party on Monday ... just hours before tip-off of the most anticipated basketball game in NYC in decades!

The Academy Award winner and NYK superfan pulled up to The Cage in a royal blue and orange wrapped bus, the Fanatics Fan Wagon, around noon -- as scores of fans surrounded the bus to chop it up with Spike, before he heads to the Garden for tonight's game.

Lee and Fanatics hooked fans up with autographed memorabilia, including a signed Karl-Anthony Towns jersey.

The UFC's iconic Octagon Girls are getting a new look ahead of the White House card -- their Freedom 250 outfits were revealed on Monday ... and they're patriotic from head to toe!!

The full attire lineup features plenty of Red, White and Blue options ... some similar to what Wonder Woman would wear, while others are more formal with flowy stars and stripes patterns, as if Betsy Ross herself stitched them together.

Red Dela Cruz and Chrissy Blair modeled all the 'fits ... which will be worn during the ceremonial weigh-ins and actual fight night on the White House South Lawn, where four different sets of threads will be put on display for all in attendance and watching from home.

A private jet slated to fly MLB great Yadier Molina to Puerto Rico crashed shortly after takeoff in the Dominican Republic on Sunday ... resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot.

The 43-year-old St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer mourned the tragedy on his social media accounts ... revealing the Gulfstream G200 Galaxy aircraft was actually heading for Texas to pick up his family and friends.

The horrific accident was captured on video ... showing the jet attempting an emergency return to the airport after the staffers experienced complications on board.

Kurt Busch is breaking his silence on his younger brother Kyle Busch's tragic death ... saying it's crushed him.

47-year-old Kurt -- who was nearly seven years older than Kyle -- addressed the devastating loss in a statement posted on social media on Monday ... and it's heartfelt.

“Kyle, your passion, determination, and love for your family inspired everyone who knew you. No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others. I will forever be grateful for the memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the brotherhood we shared. My heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me,” Kurt wrote on Instagram.

Denver Broncos star Jonathon Cooper went before a judge to address his recent arrest ... with his attorney entering a not guilty plea and requesting a prompt resolution in the case.

Cooper -- who was expressionless in a black shirt and pants -- was present in a Douglas County courtroom on Monday ... where his lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, emphasized the importance of getting the matter taken care of so the linebacker can get back to his day job.

Cooper did not speak during the brief appearance. A motion hearing is set for early next month.

Floyd Mayweather's former manager, Jona Rechnitz, is clapping back after the legendary boxer filed a $175 million lawsuit claiming he was the victim of widespread fraud, but his ex-friend turned foe says he's got receipts that show the allegations are pure nonsense.

Rechnitz recently sat down with YouTuber Spencer Cornelia ... and responded to many of Mayweather's allegations, in a video that's been reposted by 50 Cent.

One of Mayweather's claims centers around $100 million in jewelry, which the undefeated fighter alleges Rechnitz used as collateral for a $13 million loan, unbeknownst to the star athlete. Floyd says he never received any of the money.