UFC

UFC rising star Mackenzie Dern just revealed she's PREGNANT -- but assures her fans she'll get back in the Octagon to fight again after the baby is born.

The 25-year-old is 7-0 as a pro MMA fighter -- with 2 of those wins in the UFC -- and she's been hailed as "the next Ronda Rousey" because of her dominant ground game.

But, her career will be put on hold for a while because Dern -- who's dating Brazilian pro surfer Wesley Santos -- is now with child.

"God makes everything so perfect! I am so happy to be able to share this news! I’m going to be a Mom," Mackenzie posted.

"I love so much our family and now I have one more HUGE motivation for inside and outside the ring!! Thank you God for this blessing."

As for her fighting future, Dern says ... "I can’t wait to be back in the ring!"

Congrats!

Dern is considered one of the top female jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world. She famously defeated Gabi Garcia at the 2015 World Pro Open.

Dern made her UFC debut in March 2018 -- defeating Ashley Yoder at UFC 222. She fought again in May 2018, beating Amanda Cooper in the 1st round at UFC 224.

During her May fight, Dern weighed in 7 pounds over the strawweight limit of 116 and she was fined 30% of her purse.

Unclear when the baby is due and when Dern expects to return to the Octagon.

UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he tried like hell to get a fight deal done with Georges St-Pierre behind-the-scenes FOR YEARS -- but the Canadian superstar just wouldn't sign a contract.

Woodley says he has tremendous respect for GSP -- and is congratulating him on an incredible run in the UFC ... but Tyron admits he's sad he never got an opportunity to test his mettle against one of the greatest of all time.

Tyron says he initiated the talks with the UFC -- and they went to Georges to try and make a deal -- but GSP ultimately felt like there was too much risk and not enough reward to accept the challenge.

Remember, Tyron had GSP as a guest on 'The Hollywood Beatdown' in 2017 and asked Georges straight-up to agree to a fight ... but GSP wouldn't commit.

Woodley says he completely understands why GSP ultimately never gave him the fight -- and tells us he's not even mad at the guy.

It's over ... UFC legend Georges St-Pierre just officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts -- saying, "It takes a lot of discipline, though, to retire on top."

The 37-year-old is widely considered one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time -- some say the best -- racking up a 26-2 record and 3 UFC titles in his 17-year career in the Octagon.

GSP has signature victories over stars like Nick Diaz, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, Carlos Condit, B.J. Penn (twice)... and most recently Michael Bisping.

During his press conference, GSP thanked Dana White, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and other key UFC people.

He also thanked UFC legend Royce Gracie for inspiring him to start MMA back in the day, and thanked Wayne Gretzky for being such an influential Canadian role model.

"I always wanted to be like Wayne Gretzky."

GSP says he's not sad about retiring -- "No tears, I'm very happy to do it."

"It takes a lot of discipline to retire on top ... you should retire on top and that is very hard to do."

As for one final fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges said he started negotiating with Khabib's camp but "the UFC had other plans."

"I wish Khabib the best of luck. I think he's the best fighter right now ... he's a great guy. I love to watch him fight and I can't wait to see what's next for him."

Khabib Nurmagomedov ain't happy with reports about Georges St-Pierre retiring from MMA on Thursday -- and wants the UFC legend to enter the Octagon one last time ... so they can finally fight!!!

ESPN's Ariel Helwani says GSP has made up his mind and will end his 15-year run with the UFC -- during which he racked up an amazing 26-2 record while winning multiple titles.

But, Khabib wants him to reconsider -- saying, "Let’s do it in November. After this fight you can retire."

Khabib added, "I grow up on your fights, and have nothing but respect for you, and I believe showed that to you George when you were in Moscow."

"But, it would be honor for me to share Octagon with one of the greatest fighters of all time."

"Let’s do it 155 lbs, or I give away 5lbs to you, cause you newer done 155. Well, it’s your choice 155 or 160, Montreal, NYC, Moscow or Abu Dhabi. Send me location my Friend."

Helwani says GSP had hoped to get a fight deal done with Khabib -- but it never materialized. And, instead of looking for another opponent, Georges decided to retire.

Normally, UFC fighter Vicente Luque wouldn't give two craps how his face looked after going to war in the Octagon -- but this time it's different, he's getting MARRIED next month!

Luque was the winner of that INSANE 3-round brawl with Bryan Barberena on "UFC on ESPN 1" on Sunday night ... a fight that was so violent, each guy won a $50,000 fight of the night bonus!

Luque tells TMZ Sports ... he was in A LOT of pain after getting home Sunday night and could barely fall asleep because his face hurt so much.

"I was in a lot of pain, man. So, I would sleep like 10 minutes on one side and then my face was hurting and I would move!"

The 27-year-old -- who born in New Jersey -- says his fiancee has been encouraging him to ice his face in the hopes that his bruising and swelling will go away by the time he's got to pose for wedding pics ... but we think the damage will make the pics look that much cooler!!!

"I'm not gonna have the best face for the wedding, but we're gonna have a good time."

Despite the damage, Luque says he had a BLAST during the fight and can't wait to get back in the Octagon again as soon as possible.

We asked if he'd be down for a rematch with Barberena -- but he told us he wants to get a shot at a Top 10 fighter first ... and then maybe a rematch down the line.

He's got a ton of respect for Barberena -- telling us no one has hit him as hard as that guy -- but his main focus is climbing the ranks and getting a title shot.

Good luck!

Conor McGregor vs. Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone is NOT a done deal, as some reports have indicated -- Dana White tells TMZ Sports, "Not true. Not even close."

Both Conor and Cowboy have publicly shown interest in the fight -- and White recently said he's down to make it happen. Fans are excited.

In fact, UFC announcer Joe Rogan was talking about the matchup on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast Sunday night ... and said, "It's a done deal, as far as I know."

But, White tells TMZ Sports ... that's just not the case, "It's not even close to being done."

McGregor hasn't fought since October 6 when he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Conor has been posting photos and videos showing himself training in his MMA gym while everyone anxiously awaits the UFC to officially announce his next opponent.

White has previously told TMZ Sports he expects Conor and Khabib to rematch in 2019 -- after they each fight other opponents.

White has suggested Khabib's next fight could be Tony Ferguson, who's an absolute monster in the Octagon.

Conor has previously talked about fighting Anderson Silva -- but it seems he's on a collision course with Cowboy first.

He hasn't fought since 2016 ... but Cain Velasquez says he's still a BEAST in the Octagon -- and after he runs through Francis Ngannou, he's confident he could take Jon Jones.

36-year-old Cain is squaring off with Francis on Feb. 17 -- his first fight since defeating Travis Browne at UFC 200 in July 2016. After that fight, Cain was sidelined with bone spurs in his back.

But now, the former 2-time UFC heavyweight champ says he's been training like a maniac and feels like his old self -- and he's ready to compete with the best in the world ... including Jones.

"I think I could beat him," Cain told us ... "I think I'm good enough."

"Jon Jones is an amazing athlete. I've watched him in all his fights. I know what he's capable of. Every guy poses a great challenge. I think he does as well."

Of course, he's gotta get through Ngannou first ... which ain't gonna be easy. That dude's a monster.

MMA fighter Josh Copeland -- who just fought (and lost) in the $1 MILLION match at PFL 11 -- was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly punching his wife so hard in the face, he left her bloodied and bruised.

It's all detailed in the police report obtained by TMZ Sports ... law enforcement in Adams County, Colorado raced to the couple's home on Feb. 2 after reports of an attack.

When they arrived at the home, Copeland's wife had "an obvious bruise on her left eye, a cut and was bleeding. There was blood down the front of her face and neck."

Copeland's wife said the two had been arguing -- when 36-year-old Josh pushed her so she pushed him back.

The two continued to attack each other -- with Copeland's wife admitting she slapped him in the face multiple times.

Finally, Copeland's wife said the 6'1", 265-pound fighter "then punched her in the face" and threw her on the bed. She says Copeland also took her phone so she couldn't call for help. Cops say they later found her phone in Josh's pocket.

Cops say Josh had redness and blood on his face -- but did not remember punching his wife.

Copeland's wife was transported to a nearby hospital. Josh was arrested and booked for second-degree assault, obstruction and child abuse ... since the whole incident allegedly took place in front of their child.

Copeland is due back in court next week.

Copeland is 18 and 6 as a pro-MMA fighter -- and even had a stint in the UFC in 2014 and 2015.

Imagine seeing a UFC fighter pull off a Stone Cold Stunner in a real fist fight?

Well, you might now have to imagine ... because Israel Adesanya says he's serious about trying to use a WWE finishing move in his scrap at UFC 234 this weekend.

Remember, Adesanya busted out the People's Elbow -- and some other moves from guys like Ric Flair and Booker T -- during his open workout in Australia.

But, Adesanya says those moves ain't just for fun -- he's actually EXECUTED a WWE move in a fight before ... and he's down to do it again.

"Sweet Chin Music, easy," Israel says ... referencing Shawn Michaels' famous boot-to-the-face attack.

Turns out, Adesanya used the move during kickboxing days -- and says he's thought about dusting it off against Anderson Silva on Feb. 9.

Floyd Mayweather says he could get a 10-FIGURE CHECK from the UFC ... if he told Dana White he wanted a deal to fight in the Octagon right now.

Yeah ... that's $1 BILLION.

The legendary boxer made the revelation to Kevin Hart on the latest episode of "Cold As Balls" -- saying if he agreed to a contract with the fight company ... he'd get PAID.

"I can go get a deal right now from the UFC. Probably 3-fight, 4-fight, billion-dollar deal if that's what I wanted."

Of course, Floyd's flirted heavily with the idea in the past ... remember, he teased a possible MMA fight with Conor McGregor just last year -- even stepping into an actual cage!!!

For his part ... Dana admitted he did have LEGIT interest in inking the boxer to a fight deal -- and said they were actually in talks in December 2017.

So ... will it ever go down????

Doesn't seem like it ... Floyd says there's just no need for the cash right now, "I'mma be honest. My life is great. Smart investments. I can buy whatever I want to buy, every month."

Rocky fought Drago in the Soviet Union ... and Kelvin Gastelum's fighting Robert Whittaker in Australia -- and just like "Rocky IV," Gastelum says he's gonna beat the hell outta the home-country hero.

TMZ Sports talked to Gastelum -- whose favorite boxer is Rocky Balboa (yes, we all know he's a fictional character) -- days before fighting Whittaker, the UFC middleweight champ ... in his home country.

Gastelum lives in California ... and traveled 8,000 miles for this fight. So, he's expecting everyone on the continent to be rooting against him.

Sounds a lot like "Rocky IV" ... but Kelvin says he ain't worried.

"It's all good. Look what happens at the end. Rocky turns everybody over on his side, and he wins the fight."

Gastelum says that's precisely what he's gonna do ... but instead of a crushing knockout blow, he's gonna "rip his head off" and take his belt.

"I plan on taking that 12 pounds of gold. It's a long flight home. I don't plan on going empty-handed."

They want it?! They're gonna get it -- with Dana White saying he's 100% down to greenlight a Conor McGregor vs. Cowboy Cerrone fight in 2019.

In fact, Dana tells TMZ Sports ... that fight would probably happen before the Conor vs. Khabib rematch.

We spoke with the UFC honcho as he was gearing up for UFC 234 in Australia -- and asked about plans for Conor and Khabib now that they've been disciplined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

And, with Conor and Cowboy calling each other out on social media, we asked Dana if that's a fight he wants to make.

"If these two want to fight each other, they both deserve it. They've both earned it. Let's do it!"

White says he was VERY impressed with Cowboy's big victory last month over Alexander Hernandez and thinks Conor is the perfect reward.

As for Khabib ... Dana says he thinks the likely fight is with Tony Ferguson -- and if he gets through T-Ferg, it's POSSIBLE he could go up in weight and fight Tyron Woodley. MAYBE.

Do you like UFC star Israel Adesanya!?!?!

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU LIKE HIM ... because he busted out The Rock's legendary PEOPLE'S ELBOW during his open workout on Wednesday -- and it's fantastic!!

Adesanya was getting the crowd in Australia hyped up for his big fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 234 on Saturday ... and put on a little tribute to his favorite WWE superstars in the process.

First, he busted out Stone Cold Steve Austin's famous Stone Cold Stunner -- then after laying the smackdown on his training partner, gave the crowd a little People's Elbow.

CAN YOU SMELLLLLLLLALALALALALA ... WHAT ISRAEL ADESANYA IS COOKING?!!!

Smells like awesome.

When Anderson Silva steps into the Octagon to fight Israel Adesanya this weekend ... it could be the end of his legendary career if he gets knocked out ... so says Dana White.

The two UFC stars are facing off at UFC 234 in Australia on Saturday -- and with Silva about to turn 44 years old, we asked White if a violent loss would essentially mark the end for the Spider.

"I don't know. I would probably imagine [it would be the end]," White said ... noting, "But, who knows with this guy."

White explained that Silva is such a fierce competitor and fitness-aholic, that it's possible he would take another fight ... but either way, he's a lock for the UFC Hall of Fame.

Silva has been suspended for testing positive for PEDs in his career, but White says despite his mistakes, the guy is one of the best fighters in MMA history ... and deserves to be enshrined.

The twist ... if Silva BEATS Adesanya, White says he'll likely get a shot at the middleweight title.

Of course, the man who holds that belt is Robert Whittaker -- who's fighting Kelvin Gastelum in the main event at UFC 234. So, winner gets winner.

Here's the most disgusting thing you'll see all day ... UFC's Travis Browne posted the result of his bone spur surgery Wednesday -- and it's NASTY.

Browne -- who's Ronda Rousey's hubby -- went under the knife this week to fix some issues with his ankle and foot ... and clearly, he needed A LOT of work done.

The UFC heavyweight posted pics of what the doctors cut out of him ... and it's a grip of little pieces of meat, fat, muscle and all-around grossness.

For his part, Browne seemed to be in good spirits after the operation ... writing, "Damn I got some fugly feet! But this ankle feels a lot better with those bone spurs out."

"Thank you @UFC for getting it taken care of! You guys are awesome!"

Not a great look for UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov ... who posed for a picture with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov just weeks after reports of another "gay purge" in Chechnya.

Khabib posted a caption along with the friendly photo which says, "Thank you for the hospitality of [Ramzan Kadyrov]. May the Almighty protect you and the entire Chechen people."

The issue ... just last month, multiple media outlets, including the BBC, reported that Chechen officials rounded up gay people and tortured them. At least 2 people died, according to the reports.

For his part, Kadyrov has denied the "gay purge" as "complete lies" -- mostly because he does not believe there are any gay people in Chechnya.

Seriously. He has said it multiple times on the record.

In fact, when asked specifically about the "gay purge," Kadyrov told a reporter -- "all those who defend human rights groups and the gays we supposedly have in the Chechen Republic are foreign agents. They've sold out their country, their people, their religion, everything."

Khabib isn't the first huge star to pose with Ramzan, who happens to be a huge combat sports fan -- he's also hung out with Floyd Mayweather.