UFC

Champ-champ status is about the only thing Kamaru Usman hasn't accomplished in the UFC, and that may not be the case for long ... if the former welterweight king has his way!

The Nigerian Nightmare -- who ruled the 170 lb. division for years -- is moving up to middleweight for a scrap with fellow former champ, Dricus Du Plessis, at UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City ... and Usman chopped it up with Babcock before the bout, and opened up about the prospects of fighting for the title, with a win.

"'It's a big guy. It's a big name. And that's kind of what I want. I understand that at this stage, it's a blessing for one, just to be able to compete and entertain the masses, but also to be in a position to still potentially get gold again," Usman told us.

Conor McGregor is clearing the air on his UFC 329 injury ... shutting down all the talk he was already dealing with something before the fight -- but once he's healthy, he wants to complete the trilogy with Max Holloway.

Notorious went on a bit of an X spree on Friday ... where he directly spoke with fans about a number of topics surrounding last weekend's devastating collapse.

The biggest takeaway?? McGregor denied he was already hurt before stepping into the Octagon ... and explained what happened in one video that has been dissected by the masses -- his apparent struggle to take his shoes off before the bout.

Dominick Cruz, newly minted UFC Hall of Famer, is sending a powerful message to Conor McGregor as the MMA superstar deals with the fallout from the devastating injury ... and it's not the usual BS "get well soon" pep talk.

Cruz, the former bantamweight champ, who himself suffered multiple serious injuries as he attempted to return to his championship form, spent a few minutes chatting with TMZ Sports ... and he put things into perspective for The Notorious.

"I think that at the end, he's going to learn that this happened for him, not to him. And it's going to make him a better man if he chooses the direction that God wants him to," Dom told us.

Conor McGregor didn't let his devastating UFC 329 injury ruin his birthday -- the MMA superstar spent it toasting with his wife and vowing (again) to return to the Octagon.

Notorious shared the video on Tuesday ... showing him testing out his Mac Energy product with Dee Devlin to commemorate his 38th trip around the sun.

It was a chill and calm affair -- no flashy gifts, antics, or yachts ... just soaking in the moment with his ride or die on a patio.

MGK is doing another victory lap after Conor McGregor's UFC 329 loss ... dissing the hell out of the UFC superstar for getting injured seconds into his bout with Max Holloway.

The rapper -- who had a highly publicized squabble with Notorious at the 2021 VMAs -- reignited the feud shortly after Saturday night's results ... saying, "knees weak of old age the real conor can’t stand up 🤡@thenotoriousmma" alongside a pic of their run-in on Instagram.

He clearly had no regrets ... 'cause a day later, he doubled down.

Conor McGregor is adamant he's not falling back on his old ways after UFC 329 didn't go as planned ... reaffirming his faith in the Man Upstairs and detailing his next steps in a heartfelt post.

Notorious spoke out on Monday following his devastating knee injury and loss to Max Holloway ... saying despite how his comeback played out, he will remain sin-free in Sin City.

"My lifestyle changes are permanent and not just until. I am thankful I get to prove it," McGregor said on Instagram.

Great news for Max Holloway -- Drake just placed a $1 million bet on Conor McGregor to win at UFC 329 on Saturday.

Champagne Papi revealed the eye-popping wager on Friday ... saying, "THE MAC IS BACK?!?!?? The proper twelve drinking, tailored suit wearing, Lambo Yacht riding man with the Dubai tan that once had both belts in both hands … Say less @stake."

So, what would he rake in if Notorious is victorious at T-Mobile Arena?? Not much ... just a whopping $1.85 MILLION profit!!!

Conor McGregor is itching to get busy Saturday night -- not just in the Octagon, but after his fight with Max Holloway too.

Mystic Mac spoke with the media ahead of his big UFC comeback five years in the making ... and revealed his new approach to this fight camp -- no sex.

McGregor was initially asked to address critics who might say he no longer has the same motivation he had earlier in his career ... and he shot it down with a passionate response.

"If I didn't have the fire or the hunger, yet I'm up against one of the most active bodies in the fight game in Max Holloway, I just think it's silly to say this," the former champ-champ said Wednesday night.

Sean Strickland is issuing a mea culpa to Dustin Poirier ... in a wild 180 that no one saw coming, with the UFC champ eating crow for doubting whether the retired fighter was actually battling depression before his recent viral arrest.

Stricland said, "I spoke to Dustin and he is legitimately messed up by his actions," Strickland wrote on social media. "I thought he was just doing PR clean up tbh.. I guess not everyone is a POS like me lol."

He continued, "So yeah I repent and I am sorry Dustin."

Conor McGregor's last fight was more than five years ago, but Max Holloway doesn't believe in ring rust ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports he's preparing for a "dangerous" Mystic Mac at UFC 329 on Saturday.

Holloway and McGregor first met in the Octagon way back in 2013 -- a scrap Conor won via unanimous decision. Not only did Holloway think a rematch would've gotten made a lot sooner, he wasn't expecting it to happen with McGregor coming off a lengthy hiatus.

All that being said, Blessed told us he's happy to be the guy to welcome Conor back in the cage ... but that's where the pleasantries end -- 'cause he "can't wait to punch the guy in the face."

Dustin Poirier is dealing with the fallout from his recent legal K.O. ... revealing he lost a "big" business deal over it all -- but he wants to connect with the responding officer and make amends.

The retired UFC superstar opened up on his public intoxication arrest on the "Diary of a CEO" podcast ... and explained he started drinking because it was Father's Day and he couldn't help but think about his own pops, which made him feel depressed.

Prior to getting to the airport, Poirier said it was a great day -- he spent time with his kids, and his daughter wrote him a letter ... but once he started traveling, he had a few glasses of champagne, which turned into more booze.

UFC star Paddy Pimblett is the co-main event for Conor McGregor's big return at UFC 329 ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's not satisfied with just that -- he wants a piece of Mystic Mac himself!!

We caught up with the Baddy ahead of his bout with Benoit Saint-Denis on July 11 ... and he explained he can't wait to get in the Octagon and back in the win column.

He's expecting a bloodbath -- they're both coming to scrap, not "sniff balls." Either that, or it'll be a quick finish with Pimblett's hand raised at the end, he said.

Donald Trump and Dana White walking out from the Oval Office before the UFC fight at the White House looked flawless ... but it almost didn't turn out that way ... according to new behind-the-scenes footage that just surfaced.

Fox Nation is releasing a two-part documentary series Thursday titled "UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History" ... and it captures the interaction between the two powerful men before they head out to the South Lawn for UFC Freedom 250.

Check out the clip ... a coordinator is explaining the timeframe to the pair and taking into account weather issues which nearly derailed the day.

Dana looks nervous before walking out ... while DJT looks calm and in control -- though the two do switch sides, possibly so photogs can catch the Prez on his good side.

Angel McCoughtry isn't buying Dana White's explanation for why the UFC doesn't hold Pride Nights ... calling the stance hypocritical and arguing the LGBTQ+ community deserves the same visibility other groups receive through major sports organizations.

The star WNBA player joined us on "TMZ Live" and said Dana's argument that sexuality is a personal matter, not a workplace issue, doesn't hold up. In her view, the same logic could be applied to other groups, such as the military, which sports leagues regularly choose to spotlight.

Angel argues that giving the LGBTQ+ community a platform wouldn't hurt anyone and could actually help closeted athletes feel more comfortable being themselves.