UFC

UFC honcho Dana White is a hardcore supporter of Donald Trump and he can't wait to get to the ballot box.

Dana -- one of the most powerful people in sports -- made no bones about it ... he's Trump all the way, and he has his reasons.

Paige VanZant was in pretty good spirits Thursday night ... despite the beating she took from Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night -- smiling and laughing through the pain at her news conference.

The UFC star fought her ass off ... but in the end, Rose was just too much for the 21-year-old.

Afterward, VanZant kept a positive attitude -- though admitted," I wanted to win ... I'm sad, but I'm fine."

As for the winner, Rose was also smiling after the fight ... with barely a scratch on her body.

Trump may hate her guts ... but Bernie Sanders says he's still got Ronda Rousey's back -- telling TMZ Sports he's rooting for her to get back to DOMINATING people ASAP!!!

The presidential candidate was out in D.C. when we asked if he had any advice for the UFC star -- who happens to be one of Bernie's biggest fans.

Finally, Ronda Rousey is SMILING AGAIN!!!

For the first time since the beatdown in Australia, the UFC superstar was out in public looking like her old self -- happy and care free ... walking her dog at a park in L.A.

But did you notice the guy she was talking to? That's Nick Cassavetes -- a Hollywood heavyweight who's also directing Ronda's next movie, "Road House."

The Iceman says he's officially throwing his support behind Jose Aldo in the big UFC war this weekend ... kinda.

To be honest, Chuck Liddell sounded a bit conflicted when we talked to him about UFC 194 -- telling TMZ Sports he loves the way Conor McGregor fights ... but says he's an Aldo fan at heart.

We asked if he thought McGregor is overrated -- and Chuck shot that down too ... saying, "Every time someone says that he comes out and shows 'em wrong."

Ronda Rousey says she's still "really f**king sad" about her loss to Holly Holm -- and says her mouth is so messed up from the beating, she still can't eat an apple.

The UFC legend is finally breaking her silence about the shocking defeat at UFC 193 -- and told ESPN (via People) that her teeth are still very unstable from all of the shots she took to the mouth.

When asked specifically about when she'll fight again, Ronda said ... "It might be three to six months before I can eat an apple, let alone take an impact."

UFC honcho Dana White says when Ronda can get back in the octagon, she'll definitely rematch with Holm.

As we previously reported, Rousey got medical attention in the hours after the fight -- and White says her busted lip already "looks awesome" after undergoing surgery.

Holly Holm got a huge welcome from her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico ... with an all out parade and tribute to the new UFC Women's champ.

Thousands of Abq locals packed the streets Sunday to honor Holm with a procession that included floats with the mayor, city officials and of course, the champ herself riding on a trolley.

After the parade, fans packed the city square where Holm spoke to the crowd.

You'll remember, she delivered a knock out kick to the previously undefeated Ronda Rousey Nov. 15.

It's pretty cool being #1.

If basketball doesn't work out, Jahlil Okafor could always bring his talents to the octagon ... so says UFC star Frankie Edgar who tells TMZ Sports he was impressed by Okafor's fighting ability.

Edgar -- who's gearing up to fight Chad Mendes at "The Ultimate Fighter" finale on Dec. 11 -- says he watched the footage of the 76ers star fighting in Boston ... and says dude's got real talent.

"He's gotta use that range a little more, poke that jab a little better," Edgar says ... adding," He's got a future in it."

Check out the clip ... Edgar also says he's keeping a close eye on the McGregor vs. Aldo fight next weekend -- because he champing at the bit to fight the winner.

If Jesus Christ was an MMA fighter, Conor McGregor says he would "whoop his ass."

The UFC superstar was in L.A. gearing up for his big fight with Jose Aldo at UFC 194 on Dec. 12th -- when he told us he fears NO MAN ... alive or dead.

So, what about Jesus then? We asked, Conor answered.

Ronda Rousey is back, and appears fully-healed from the beating she took at the hands of Holly Holm.

Rousey went walking with a little girl on Thanksgiving day ... and she didn't look the worse for wear. She went out again Friday in L.A. with her pit bull and BF Travis Browne.

It's been two weeks since her fight with Holm, where Rousey suffered some serious mug damage.

The aftermath was apparently pretty brutal ... when she arrived back in the states from the fight, she was in full cover-up mode.

Ronda Rousey didn't just have a lot on her plate when she was gearing up to fight Holly Holm -- she had a "full table" with movies, a book and endless PR work ... so says UFC announcer Bruce Buffer.

Bruce -- the voice of the UFC -- wouldn't go as far to blame Ronda's loss on all of the distractions ... but he admits you can't give 100% of your focus to the Octagon with so much going outside of it.

So, what'll happen if Ronda cuts out all of the other stuff and dedicates ALL OF HER LIFE to beating up Holly in the rematch?

Holly Holm says she's down to be post beatdown pals with Ronda Rousey ... but as far as Christmas is concerned ... the Rowdy one shouldn't be expecting anything under the tree from the new UFC queen.

Holly was out in NYC -- still glowing with victory -- when our guy got in some questions about the post fight relationship between her and Rousey ... basically, will there be one?

The two ladies seemed cool during the promotion for the fight ... but things got a little testy those last couple days following a scuffle at the pre-fight weigh in.

Check out the clip -- Holly leaves the door open for her and Ronda to pal around in the future ... but as for this holiday season ... it looks like she's going to skip being Rousey's Secret Santa.

It's okay, Ronda ... Holly's given you so much already ... feet, elbows, defeats ...

Donald Trump has been warned -- pop off again about Ronda Rousey, and you just might have to deal with UFC champ Conor McGregor!

The featherweight title holder was at LAX Monday, talking about a Ronda comeback -- whether she can get her title back from Holly Holm when they inevitably square off in a rematch.

Conor has some good advice for Rousey, but he really got his ire up when the camera guy asked about Trump taking potshots at Ronda. After the loss, the candidate said she's "not a nice person."

The ass-handing Holly Holm gave Ronda Rousey will NOT crush her budding acting career ... not in the eyes of mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer, anyway.

We got Bruckheimer on his way out of Craig's, and while Ronda has 2 films set for 2016 -- we wondered if the loss might signal the beginning of the end for her in Hollywood.

Of course, Bruckheimer -- Mr. "Top Gun," "Beverly Hills Cop," and "Pirates of the Caribbean" -- has a lot to say about who makes it in this town.

The good news for Ronda ... Jerry says she's still bankable, but would he personally hire her? Maybe for "Bad Boys 3" -- c'mon ... Smith, Lawrence AND Rousey???

Holly Holm's insane week just got better -- 'cause she's been nominated to be inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke with NMSHOF president Marty Saiz who tells us Holm will be named NM's Pro Athlete of the Year for her meteoric rise to UFC champ.

"She will also be nominated to be in the Hall of Fame when candidates are announced in December."

If voted in, Holly will join the ranks of other NM sports legends like Brian Urlacher, Michael Cooper, Ralph Kiner and both Al Unser!

"Holly is not just a hero but a great role model for athletes," Saiz says.

Ronda Rousey doesn't want anyone to see the damage Holly Holm did to her face -- taking drastic measures to cover up as she arrived back in L.A. moments ago.