UFC

The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight was so bad, it actively HURT the sport of boxing ... but it was GREAT for the UFC ... so says UFC octagon announcer Bruce Buffer.

Buffer -- the voice of the UFC -- was brutally honest about the fallout from the bout that was supposed to be the fight of the century ... saying it was a HUGE flop.

"When you create something with so much hype, you have to deliver. And if you don't deliver, then instead of getting a shot in the arm, you get a shot in the leg."

"That night was really a shot in the leg for boxing in my opinion and a shot in the arm for UFC."

So, why was it so great for the UFC? Check out the clip.

BONUS -- Buffer also addressed criticisms from people who say UFC fighters are underpaid ... saying Dana White has done a helluva lot to make sure the checks are bigger than ever.

Buffer also mentions how much Rampage Jackson got paid for his first fight back in the day ... and the number is pretty shocking!!!

Ronda Rousey doesn't want her pal David Spade worrying about her getting into WWE, and took a few moments to let him -- and all her fans -- know why she's determined to wrestle, and why it's low risk ... for her.

Ronda was leaving a book signing Thursday night when we asked her about Spade's comment that she should quit pining for pro wrestling ... because she might get hurt and screw up her UFC career.

Watch ... Ronda not only explains why she's still determined to return to the WWE, but also smacks down Spade's concerns. As she puts it ... she's more likely to stub a toe at home, than get injured while wrestling.

David Spade thinks Ronda Rousey should say buh-bye to all WWE action for the sake of her career -- but he's got a theory about why she keeps pushing to be a pro wrestler.

Spade -- who's a big fan of the UFC and Ronda -- was out in L.A. when he told us what he thought about Ronda saying she's down to be the next big thing in turnbuckle tussling.

FYI -- the WWE has a long history of having MASSIVE stars from the combat fighting world throw down with them, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali himself.

David says Ronda would be taking a "backwards" move if she followed in those footsteps. As for why she wants to do it -- he thinks it has a lot to do with how much ass she's kicking in the Octagon.

He just had surgery to repair his busted elbow last week, but UFC badass Anthony Pettis refused to let some stupid cast stop him from doing what he loves ... FIGHTING WRINKLES!!

Turns out, Pettis is a partner in a skin care company called Seacret -- which sells products infused with Dead Sea minerals that "help reduce fine lines and other imperfections on your face."

And Anthony is so passionate about the stuff, he hit up a seminar in Phoenix, AZ to promote the line ... just one week after reportedly having surgery to fix a torn muscle and ligaments in his right elbow.

One person who was at the seminar tells us ... Pettis told the group he vows to come back stronger than ever and battle his way back to the top of the fight game.

At the very least ... his skin will probably look good.

Ronda Rousey eats chicken wings. Boxer Danny Garcia immediately has sex. But Daniel Cormier says he has a different post-fight ritual planned for UFC 187 ... he's going to Mariah!!!

Since the UFC star is set to take on Rumble Johnson in Vegas this weekend ... Cormier says he plans on taking in a local show the night after the fight -- and he picked Mariah over Britney and Celine!

But Cormier says he's not usually a "Diva" kind of guy -- admitting he's OBSESSED with Boyz II Men ... and has basically become a regular at their shows!!!

Cormier's not joking ... he's a bona fide B2M'er ... and he's damn proud of it.

Check out the clip.

UFC superstar Anderson Silva tells TMZ Sports ... Jon Jones should NOT return to the Octagon ... instead, saying Bones needs to focus on fixing his life outside the ring.

The Spider explained that he LOVES Jones (the two have been friends for years) but says he has a message for the embattled fighter -- "You need to change everything in your life."

It's been a rough year for Jon ... he's been suspended by the UFC indefinitely after being charged with felony hit and run ... just months after testing positive for cocaine.

Meantime, Silva is also currently suspended .... after testing positive for PEDs before his UFC 183 victory over Nick Diaz.

But Anderson says he is already putting together some post-fight career plans ... plans that could have him working with Sylvester Stallone.

UFC stud Anthony "Rumble" Johnson says he was "disappointed" when Jon Jones got himself axed from their scheduled fight ... but says he wants the first crack at JJ when he's finally reinstated.

Of course, Jones was yanked from UFC 187 and suspended indefinitely in the wake of his felony hit and run arrest in New Mexico. Rumble will fight Daniel Cormier in his place on May 23rd.

So, how does Rumble feel about the situation? "I'm excited ... I still get to fight somebody and I'm still getting paid."

As for Jones, Rumble says he fully expects Jones to return to the UFC -- and wants to be his FIRST OPPONENT when Dana White gives JJ the green light to get back into the octagon.

Johnson says he expects Jones to be bigger, faster, stronger and better than ever when he comes back -- "He'll definitely be motivated to come back and try and destroy everybody."

Former UFC fighter Corey Hill passed away Friday ... after he was hospitalized for a devastating illness, his wife tells TMZ Sports.

Hill had been sick for days ... and family members and close friends were told he passed away on Thursday.

But Lauran Hill says he was still battling ... until Friday afternoon, when he was pronounced dead.

"Corey was a loving husband and devoted father," Hill says ... "He was such a strong role model for our children, and would do anything to keep them safe and happy and healthy."

"[He was] a fighter til the end."

Hill was 36.

Corey made his UFC debut in 2008 after appearing on "The Ultimate Fighter 5" ... and was most notably remembered for snapping his right leg in a gruesome injury suffered during a televised fight.

The wife of former UFC fighter Corey Hill tells TMZ Sports ... her husband is still alive and fighting for his life ... despite statements from family, friends and the UFC saying he passed away this morning.

Hill's close friends and family members had told the media earlier today that Hill died after a bout with pneumonia.

But Lauran Hill says Corey is "resting and still alive" and they're praying he makes a full recovery.

"My husband is a strong fighter. Please everyone pray for him."

Forget oysters ... did you know CHICKEN WINGS could also serve as an aphrodisiac?!??

Well, according to UFC superstar Ronda Rousey ... it's all about HOW you stuff 'em in your mouth.

As you may know, Rousey is a bit of a wing-aholic ... she eats plate loads of the stuff after every one of her fights.

So, when our photog Adam told her he finds female wing eaters super hot, Rousey took it even further ... giving a step-by-step guide on the sexiest way a person can take down poultry parts.

There wasn't just weed and a pipe in the car Jon Jones allegedly crashed in New Mexico ... cops say they also found a pack of Trojan Magnum condoms.

The Albuquerque Police Department just released new footage from the crash scene ... which shows officers going through the vehicle after the UFC star ran from the accident.

In the video, you can see dirty clothes all over the car ... loose change ... and the pack of Magnums.

You can also hear officers reacting once they realize the suspect is famous -- saying, "Well, he's f**ked."

Jones has been charged with felony hit and run stemming from the April 26th crash -- in which a pregnant woman was hospitalized with a broken arm.

UFC announcer Bruce Buffer and his famous bro don't joke about protecting the 5 most famous words in pro fighting -- but says "Saturday Night Live" is getting a funny pass ... a very pricey one.

The 'Veteran Voice of the Octagon' was outside Gold's Gym in Venice, and told us why "SNL's" Mayweather/Pacquiao skit -- which included Michael Buffer's "Let's get ready to rumble" -- isn't costing NBC a cent.

Normally, Bruce and Michael charge handsomely -- at least 5 figures -- for an individual or production to use the famous catchphrase.

Bottom line in this case -- Bruce gives Taran Killam's version a thumbs up, but it's far from open season on "rumble." If you want MB at your next birthday party ... get ready to payyyyyy!

Travis Barker has decided to enter the UFC ... sorta ... 'cause he's dating the league's most famous ring girl, Arianny Celeste.

Sources close to the couple tell us ... the two have been dating for several months. We're told they met at one of Travis' concerts and the sparks flew from there.

Ever since, we're told they've been "inseparable" ... and Travis is telling friends he thinks she could be "the one."

In fact, Travis recently introduced Arianny to his kids -- which is a pretty HUGE step.

Mazel!

Before UFC stud Paige VanZant mopped the floor with the competition ... she mopped the floor with actual mops -- for her role in a cheesy TV commercial.

TMZ Sports spoke with the undefeated UFC phenom ... who revealed she was a child actor back in the day -- and actually scored a lead role for a Bissell steam mop ad.

Good news ... we found the commercial!

By the way, Paige says she'd love to do even MORE commercials in the future -- so we had to ask, are you worried about damaging your face in the Octagon? Her answer is awesome.

Jon Jones is OUT at Reebok -- with reps for the sports apparel company telling us they're 86'ing the UFC star over his recent arrest in New Mexico.

A rep for Reebok tells TMZ Sports ... 'In light of recent events, we have made the decision to terminate our contract with Jon Jones, effective immediately.'

Jones has been with Reebok since December -- when the company signed both Jon and Ronda Rousey to big sponsorship deals.

8:55 PM PT -- Jones has just been suspended indefinitely by the UFC -- which has also decided to strip Jones of the light heavyweight title due the felony charge he's facing in New Mexico..

The UFC issued a statement saying, "As a result of the charge and other violations of the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy, the organization believes it is best to allow Jones time to focus on his pending legal matters."

"While there is disappointment in the recent charges, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process."

Jones is now officially OUT of UFC 187 -- and Rumble Johnson will now fight Daniel Cormier instead of Jon Jones on May 23rd.

Jon Jones has finally broken his silence about his arrest in New Mexico -- seemingly admitting to the hit and run crash ... and apologizing to everyone he's let down.

The UFC star went to Twitter moments ago and wrote, "Got a lot of soul searching to do. Sorry to everyone I've let down."

It's the first time Jones has spoken publicly since allegedly running a red light and smashing into another car in Albuquerque on Sunday. The victim, a pregnant woman, was hospitalized for a broken arm. Cops say they found weed in Jon's car.

Jones -- who allegedly ran from the scene -- was arrested and charged with felony hit and run.