UFC

Ronda Rousey told the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline activists at Standing Rock that she WOULD return to the front lines of the protest and "get pepper sprayed alongside everyone else."

We spoke with Linda Black Elk -- one of the leaders of the activist group -- who praised Ronda for visiting the protest camps in North Dakota last week and delivering much needed food and supplies.

"She's an incredible person and just so humble," Black Elk said ... noting Ronda's visit was an incredible "moral booster" to the people fighting against the 1,000 mile oil pipeline.

Black Elk says Ronda mentioned that she "still felt like a disappointment" after her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 and that "everyone was upset with her."

Linda says she told Rousey that she's just the opposite -- "It was very important for me to let her know just how important she is for the Native community in particular."

No word on when Rousey plans to return -- but it's clear she'll be welcomed back with open arms.

Ronda Rousey got political last week -- with a secret run to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to help protesters fighting against the Dakota Access Pipeline project.

The UFC star teamed up with fellow Olympic judo athlete Pauline Macias and went to the protest site in North Dakota to deliver supplies.

We're told Ronda's group brought fresh fruit, veggies, bread, tents and wood-burning stoves. One source says Ronda didn't want recognition and tried to stay under the radar.

By the way, Ronda was SMILING again -- which is great because we haven't seen a lot of that lately.

As for the protest, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe has led the charge against the 1,000 mile oil pipeline claiming a possible spill could damage important Native American cultural sites and pollute drinking water.

Pauline Instagrammed about the experience with Rousey saying, "I had one of the best road trips of my life with @rondarousey to deliver supplies to the protesters at Standing Rock!"

"This was such an incredible experience, & I can't thank my friend enough for allowing me to be a part of it! #NODAPL #StandWithStandingRock"

Ronda Rousey has come out of hiding with a bang -- surfacing at a Las Vegas gun store where she applied for a concealed carry permit ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The UFC superstar and her boyfriend, Travis Browne, hit up The Range 702 gun store on Sunday where our gun enthusiast witnesses at the store say Ronda took a special course required to get a concealed carry permit.

Once Ronda applies for the permit, it usually takes around 90 days before she'll get her card in the mail.

We're told Ronda did some shooting at the range -- which is also required for the test -- using a blue Glock 43 9mm pistol.

It's the first time we've seen Ronda out in public since her big loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207.

You fancy, huh?

Nick and Nate Diaz took their weed game to a whole new level Thursday night when they blazed up a custom $2,000 gold joint ... in the shape of UFC fight gloves.

The guys were hanging at the California Herbal Remedies pot shop in L.A. when they were presented with the special bud.

Of course, they smoked the hell out of it ... 'cause that's how they do.

Amanda Nunes says she's hoping Holly Holm wins the 1st ever UFC featherweight title fight at UFC 208 ... so she can beat her ass and take the belt right away from her.

Nunes is the reigning bantamweight champ at 135 lbs ... and says she wants to go up in weight to the 145 class and take that belt too!

Holm is fighting Germaine de Randamie for the 1st ever featherweight belt on Feb. 11th -- but Nunes says since she already beat Germaine once in her career, she wants a crack at the only other person to beat Ronda Rousey.

Here's a taste of how things would go down if UFC star Jon Jones and his NFL star brother, Arthur Jones, decided to throw down in the street ... awesome, right?!

The Joneses have been hanging out as a family this week in NY -- even Cardinals star Chandler Jones is there -- and there's a lot of combat going on.

Besides the punches, kicks and elbows ... the 3 multi-millionaires also went out to breakfast -- and compared jewelry.

By the way, Arthur has previously told us he's considering an MMA career after he hangs up his cleats. So, don't count him out.

Tyron Woodley says he's beaten some of the best fighters in the world ... and tells TMZ Sports the way his career's going, he's a lock for the Hall of Fame.

The UFC's reigning welterweight champ is clearly upset he isn't getting the respect he believes he deserves and told ESPN on Wednesday his race is a factor.

"Let's put the cards on the table ... real is real. If I was a different complexion, I think people and fans would treat me a different way."

Despite his reception, Woodley says you can't argue with his record ... with huge wins over guys like Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler and Josh Koscheck.

The guy who kicked BJ Penn's ass this weekend ain't satisfied with potentially putting a UFC legend out to pasture ... he wants to be champion.

Yair Rodrioguez -- who dominated Penn at UFC Fight Night 103 -- joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Wednesday night on FS1) to break down his fight with BJ ... and talk about his future in the UFC.

So, the big question is, who does Yair wanna square off against next in the Octagon?

Conor McGregor is going balls out to promote the Pegasus World Cup horse race ... well, ALMOST balls out.

The UFC superstar stripped down to his nude-colored skivvies for a new spot to promote the January 28th race for a comedic bit with Jon Lovitz.

Just glad Conor didn't hurt himself ... he's got a big boxing match to prep for.

MMA legend Chael Sonnen says Ronda Rousey should DEFINITELY take Floyd Mayweather's offer and work with the boxing legend on her striking ... cause hey, she might actually learn something!

As we previously reported, Mayweather says he's down to help Ronda out if she'd give him a chance ... despite the fact they've publicly feuded for years.

Sonnen joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Tuesday night on FS1) and explained why Ronda should forget the war and get in the ring with Floyd.

He does issue this warning ... just because Floyd's a great boxer doesn't mean he'll be a great coach.

But hell, at this point it couldn't hurt.

Bob Arum is calling major BS on Floyd Mayweather, Dana White, and Conor McGregor ... saying all this talk about boxing vs MMA superfight is "absolute nonsense."

Great video of UFC superstar Amanda Nunes ... strollin' through the airport with her 2 favorite things -- her girlfriend and her CHAMPIONSHIP BELT!!!

Amanda and Nina Ansaroff landed at LAX following Nina's big victory at "UFC Fight Night" in Phoenix on Sunday ... and they were both still riding high off the win.

Nunes also told us she believes she can continue to destroy people like she did Ronda Rousey ... and prove to be even more dominant than Conor McGregor.

As for Ronda ... Nunes says she doesn't feel bad at all for the beatdown she put on the UFC superstar -- but says if Rousey wanted to talk things out, she's down to have a conversation.

BJ Penn should hang 'em up 'cause he's a shell of the dominant fighter he once was ... so says former UFC champion Frankie Edgar.

Penn, 38 years old, returned to the Octagon Sunday night after a 3 year layoff ... and was absolutely DESTROYED by up-and-coming star Yair Rodriguez ... igniting the debate, should BJ retire?

TMZ Sports talked to Edgar -- who fought and beat BJ 3 times -- about Penn's future in fighting.

Floyd Mayweather is spitting more venom at Dana White -- calling him a "small boss" who used to carry his bags back in the day.

Mayweather went off on the UFC honcho at the Barclays Center this weekend -- once again trashing Dana's $25 MILLION offer to fight Conor McGregor ... this time, he took a stroll down memory lane.

"Dana White ... he was a player. He was a boss ... but he was a small boss."

"I can remember Dana White used to hang around me and Jeff Mayweather and carry my bags."

Mayweather says he used to be cool with White until ... "all the sudden he cut his head bald and he's such a tough guy. He's such a tough guy."

Just a few days ago, Dana told TMZ Sports why Floyd would be a fool to shoot down the offer.

Hope Amanda Nunes hasn't gotten too attached to the UFC women's bantamweight title ... 'cause another female fighter says she's 100% taking it in 2017.

TMZ Sports talked to former 'Ultimate Fighter' winner Julianna Pena, who's currently ranked #3 in the division and set to face Valentina Shevchenko on Fox later this month.

It's clear Pena has more than just Valentina on her mind though, saying she's gonna conquer not only her next opponent, but the entire 135 class this year ... and that includes champ Amanda Nunes.

Ronda Rousey could have a golden opportunity to improve her stand-up fighting game -- because Floyd Mayweather says he's willing to work with her ... if she'll give him a chance.

We got Floyd leaving Pristine Jewelers in NYC (he dropped roughly $200k on gifts for family and friends) -- when he told us he has nothing against Ronda and would love to help her out.

"I'll work with her if she's willing to work with me," Floyd said.

Ronda has blasted Floyd in the past over his domestic violence conviction. Floyd fired back by saying he makes way more money than she does.

But now, Mayweather says it's water under the bridge for him ... and it's her call.