UFC

Bellator star Roy Nelson says Greg Hardy can beat up Alex Volkov -- the 6'7" Russian badass -- on only 18 days notice ... as long as he can hit his inhaler between rounds!! 😂💀

Last week, TMZ Sports asked Nelson -- who fought Frank Mir this weekend at Bellator 231 -- if Hardy has a snowballs chance in hell of beating the 7th ranked heavyweight when they fight November 9 ... and the big man threw major shade at the Pro Bowler turned fighter.

"Sure he does," Nelson told us ... "I mean as long as he gets his inhalers, he can puff those between rounds. He should be good."

Remember, Greg fought October 18 -- and won on the scorecards -- before the W was stripped and the fight ruled a no contest 'cause Hardy was seen using an inhaler between rounds (a big no-no).

After the fight, The Prince of War told us he takes full responsibility for the inhaler screw up ... and was super pumped to finally get in the Octagon with a "real monster."

It's a huge challenge for Greg -- who's never fought anyone like Volkov -- so we asked Big Country if he had any advice for Hardy.

Cue more shade.

Randy Couture is so damn tough ... HE WALKED HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER SUFFERING A HEART ATTACK!!!

Just 2 days after the 56-year-old UFC Hall of Famer suffered a heart attack and underwent an emergency procedure ... Couture walked out of Cedars Sinai under his own power.

Couture, clutching an adorable oversized stuffed animal, was surrounded by his family and friends as he walked home Friday ... and told TMZ Sports all about the experience.

"Feeling good, way better obviously," Couture said ... admitting the health scare was a reality check about mortality.

"At some level, you think you're invincible and then you find out you're not."

The good news, Couture says doctors have identified the problem and he'll be following up with specialists to make sure this never happens again!!!

Couture says he's already itching to get back in the gym and resume training with his MMA pals ... but knows he should take it slow. Good luck stopping this man.

Oh, and he's already planning to get back to work in Hollywood -- telling TMZ Sports he's got a shoot for a new movie with Michael Jai White on Tuesday and he ain't missing it!!!

There's more ... Couture says he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from close friends and old rivals ... including Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, who both reached out.

The kids who mercilessly attacked a 12-year-old autistic boy in videos that went viral are facing "swift and prompt" discipline from their Oklahoma school, so says MMA star Justin Wren.

Wren befriended Rayden Overbay when he saw the disturbing footage of students repeatedly mocking and beating the kid because of his disabilities ... and he's leading the charge to make things right.

Wren appeared on "TMZ Live" on Friday and said the school has made it clear to Rayden's family that they will NOT tolerate violent bullying.

"Thankfully, Rayden's dad says the school has taken swift and prompt action," Wren said.

"I can't speak about whats happened with the kids because they're minors, but they are taking action and they are being held accountable."

Wren says despite what we've all seen in the videos, the school has rallied around Rayden -- same with a local church youth group, which has embraced the 12-year-old.

As we previously reported, Rayden -- who's autistic, diabetic and deaf in his right ear -- was so distraught from the repeated beatings, he was writing suicidal messages on his arm.

Wren says the most important thing to him now is to continue to introduce Rayden to people who will love and support him ... and stand up to anyone who tries to bully him.

Wren has also facilitated meetings with some of Rayden's sports heroes -- from WWE star Mick Foley to the L.A. Chargers.

In the 3 weeks Wren has spent with Rayden, he's changed his life -- getting Rayden medical help for concussions he suffered from the attacks ... and introducing him to fun new foods like cotton candy grapes!!!

Even Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield reached out to offer his love and support.

Conor McGregor doesn't REALLY want to fight Justin Gaethje ... it's all smoke and mirrors ... so says Tyron Woodley who thinks JG would bust him up!

Of course, Conor just announced he's fighting on Jan. 18 -- but wouldn't reveal the name of his opponent. Most people think the front-runners are Justin Gaethje or Cowboy Cerrone.

But, Tyron says his money's on Cowboy ... simply because he thinks Justin poses a much bigger threat that Conor doesn't really want!!!

"If I was him, Gaethje ain't the fight he want. Gaethje punch too hard. His chin is too crazy. He's gonna come forward with all that pressure. I don't think that's the fight."

Tyron says Cowboy is a "safe fight" for McGregor ... and thus, the more likely match-up.

"I think the Gaethje sh*t is just him just talking smoke and mirrors. I don't think he really want that noise. He don't wanna fight guys like me."

There's A LOT more -- Tyron sends a message to his pal Randy Couture, explains why Israel Adesanya is the next UFC superstar and daps up Tony Hawk!

Conor McGregor was attacked by a pissed off Dagestani man in Russia on Friday who threw a water bottle at the UFC star as retaliation for trashing Dagestan.

You gotta see the video ... it's intense.

The man went to a media event in Moscow on Friday specifically to get answers from Conor about why he's been trashing Dagestan lately.

Remember, just Thursday ... Conor said he "wouldn't go to Dagestan to take a s**t" in a tirade bashing his UFC rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who hails from Dagestan.

Clearly, people in Dagestan -- a part of Russia -- heard the insult and the man who crashed the media event Friday decided to take matters into his own hands.

He pressed Conor about the statement and demanded answers about why he "hates" Dagestan so much.

Conor tried to justify his hatred saying people in Dagestan have been mean to him (boo-hoo) -- but the answer wasn't satisfactory to the Dagestani, so he fired off a water bottle.

The man shouted at Conor, "All the people? My father, my brother ... you think are all cowards?"

Conor replied, "Yes, yes, yes."

The man shot back, "My father?! What did he do to you?! My brother, what did he do to you?!"

Conor managed to duck out of the way and shouted back, "Shut up, you fool." The man was escorted out by security.

McGregor didn't seem fazed -- he just stood there.

Great news ... Randy Couture is doing REALLY WELL after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday -- and he's already cracking jokes!!!

"Contrary to recent rumors I have not kicked the bucket yet. I am alive and well," the 56-year-old UFC Hall of Famer said in a statement to TMZ Sports.

"Special thanks to the amazing staff at Cedars Sinai Hospital. From the ER to cardiac ICU thanks for taking care of me."

"I’m one of those people that has crazy thick blood and nominally high bad cholesterol. Unfortunately, those 2 factors combined to create a nice clot occluding my Diagonal artery."

Couture continued, "The Cath lab at Cedars got right on it, cleared it out and placed a stint in its place."

Couture is thanking his fans for the love and support -- and dropped these words of wisdom -- "Live your lives to the fullest. You never know when you’ll draw that last breath in!"

As for Randy's health, his rep tells TMZ Sports ... the UFC legend had emergency surgery after being admitted to the hospital.

Here's the whole story ...

"During a workout at Randy’s LA training home Unbreakable Performance in West Hollywood, CA, Randy experienced discomfort in what he initially thought was an offset rib or vertebrae."

"He tried working on a roller to relieve the problem -- but that was not successful.  Incredibly, Randy finished the entire workout while likely having the beginnings of a heart attack. Shortly thereafter, he drove home and attempted to rest. When the radiating chest pain did not cease, he recognized something was wrong."

"He proceeded to walk multiple blocks to a nearby emergency room rather than battle Los Angeles traffic. Upon his arrival, after an EKG, the medical staff informed Randy he had a heart attack, and would require immediate surgery to resolve the issue."

UFC stud Walt Harris' 19-year-old daughter is missing in Alabama ... and the heavyweight fighter is pleading for the public's help to find her.

According to the Auburn Police Department ... Aniah Haley Blanchard was reported missing on Thursday after she was last heard from just before midnight on Wednesday.

The police say they're currently investigating, but add they do not believe foul play is involved.

According to the cops, she was last seen in a black dress, tan boots and black stockings ... and her black 2017 Honda CR-V is missing as well.

"Please help!!!!" Harris wrote on his social media pages Thursday. "Any info message me on here or call the Auburn police (334) 501-3140 Please!!!"

36-year-old Harris is one of the top UFC contenders in the heavyweight division ... having just beaten Aleksei Oleinik back in July.

UFC rising star Maycee Barber says Paige VanZant needs to put up or shut up ... because if Paige REALLY wants to fight, Barber's ready to sign a contract RIGHT NOW.

Barber is 8-0 and destroying people in the Octagon -- and she clearly wants a crack at Paige.

What's interesting ... VanZant recently appeared on TMZ Sports and said she's been begging Dana White and the UFC to find her an opponent. Paige also posted on IG and tagged essentially every woman in the 115 and 125 division asking to bring it on ... except Maycee.

But, in this brand new video, Barber spells it all out for Paige -- she's ready, willing and able to fight ... unless PVZ is just too scared to accept the challenge.

There are reports VanZant has refused to fight Barber because she feels Maycee has disrespected her in the past ... and Paige doesn't want to reward bad behavior with a big money fight.

But, Barber says it's the fight game -- not the friend game -- and they need to settle things with their fists.

"Listen Paige, I'm not looking to go out there and fight you out of respect. I'm looking to go out there and sign a contact with another girl and have her actually show up."

"I saw your thing on TMZ about begging Dana for a fight, and listen ... Dana White, TMZ, Paige VanZant ... I'm right here. I've been waiting."

"So, either sign the contract or show up, otherwise gimme a contract with someone [else] with the last name of VanZant."

And, just for clarification ... that last dig seems to be a reference to rumors that Maycee slid into Paige's husband's DMs.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture suffered a heart attack on Wednesday and is currently in intensive care at an L.A. hospital, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 56-year-old legend -- a 3-time UFC Heavyweight champ -- walked himself to the hospital on Wednesday after feeling something was off after a workout at the Unbreakable MMA gym in L.A. He was admitted and treated immediately. The good news, sources close to Randy tell us he's expected Randy to make a full recovery.

Couture is widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time with victories over guys like Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort and more.

In fact, Couture fought competitively late into his 40s ... taking on Lyoto Machida for the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2011 when Randy was 46 years old. Couture lost that fight, but still, amazing.

Couture also built a career as an actor starting with a cameo on the CBS show, "The Unit" which snowballed into bigger roles in bigger projects.

Couture went on to appear in a bunch of 'The Expendables' movies alongside Sylvester Stallone ... and later starred in the 2011 movie, "Setup," with Bruce Willis and 50 Cent.

In 2014, Couture competed on "Dancing with the Stars" with his pro dancer partner, Karina Smirnoff. He wasn't the greatest dancer in the world, but he was a fan favorite.

Couture is a regular at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable Gym in L.A., where he still trains alongside MMA legends like Chuck Liddell.

Back in the day, Couture was a high school wrestling phenom and won a state championship in Washington. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1988 and made Sergeant in the 101st Airborne.

After the Army, Couture made the U.S. Olympic team as an alternate for the '88, '92 and '96 Games.

Couture was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006, only the 4th fighter to be enshrined. Couture had retired at the time but came back to fight several more times.

Couture has 3 children including son Ryan Couture, an MMA fighter who competes for Bellator.

MMA fighter Justin Wren was sick to his stomach when he saw video of kids repeatedly beating up a 12-year-old boy with special needs ... so he decided to do something about it!

The horrifying footage of Rayden -- who's autistic, diabetic and deaf in his right ear -- is going viral ... showing a bunch of kids mercilessly beating and mocking him. It got so bad, Rayden began scribbling suicidal messages on his arm.

Wren's blood began to boil when he heard about the story -- so he got in contact with Rayden's family to see if he could help out and they gladly accepted the offer.

Besides rallying celebrities, pro fighters and the public to show support for Rayden, Wren -- who runs Fight For The Forgotten -- also brought him to a hyperbaric treatment center to help Rayden recover from his injuries.

"Been with Rayden over 20 days now. Taking him to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy because he was diagnosed with a concussion," Justin tells us.

"We are organizing something to help him and his family with medical bills and maybe something else really amazing!"

WWE legend Mick Foley also sent a video message to Rayden -- saying, "I am standing with you."

"If there is anything I can do to help you and make your day a little better, I sure will."

Foley added, "I am the father of a child on the autism spectrum, so you are a part of my extended family. I'll do anything in my power to help you."

Bellator champ Rafael Lovato Jr. also met up with Rayden -- and let him wear the championship belt!!!

Conor McGregor just announced his return to the Octagon -- saying he WILL fight on Jan. 18 in Las Vegas ... but his opponent is still shrouded in mystery.

The UFC star just held a media event in Russia, where he's promoting his Irish whiskey, and of course the conversation turned to his fighting career.

After trashing Khabib Nurmagomedov and telling reporters he would NOT wait around for Khabib to agree to a rematch, Conor said he's ready to move forward with his career.

"I would like to announce the return of The Notorious Conor McGregor will take place on January 18 in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada,” McGregor said.

"That is my comeback fight. It’s 12 weeks this Saturday. I’m in prime physical condition. I have agreed the date with the company. As far as the opponent, I have the opponent’s name, but for me, the game I am in and from experience, if I was to give you people the name, which I would love to do, I know the UFC would flip it because they’re a crafty company."

Conor says to ask the UFC to reveal the opponent because "I don't give a f**k who the opponent is."

McGregor says the Jan. 18 fight will be "the beginning of my season" ... as he teased more fights in 2020.

"I will then look to compete against the winner of Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal for the Bad MotherF**ker title. Obviously, I have history with Nate Diaz, we are set to make the trilogy bout, so we will see how that goes."

"Then I will seek [a] Moscow bout and it will be against the winner of Tony Ferguson and .  Khabib Nurmagomedov."

Conor botched the pronunciation of Khabib's name ... but told reporters, "I can't even say the guy's name. Who gives a f**k what the guy's name is."

Conor adds of a possible fight with Khabib -- "The people of the world deserve this bout to take place. It is an inevitable rematch. It is a rematch that I will come in sharp, fresh, I will have no injuries, I will have no alcohol, I will have no outside influences, I will be fully focused -- exactly what the people deserve. Exactly what the fans deserve, and we will settle it once for all."

If Jon Jones really wants a piece of Francis Ngannou, The Predator tells TMZ Sports he's 1 million percent down to clash with the UFC superstar!!!

Of course, it's not that simple ... Jon's the light heavyweight champ and currently fights at 205 lbs. Francis is the #2 ranked heavyweight ... and negotiations haven't even gotten started yet.

But, Ngannou says the bottom line is that he's game ... IF Jon's serious about moving up a weight class and actually signing on the dotted line.

"Listen, let's be clear about something. If that's what you want to know, if I would fight Jon Jones if he goes up to heavyweight, of course. I would say the same thing as he says, it's inevitable if Jon Jones goes to heavyweight. I'm gonna fight him."

Francis is referring to a tweet Jones sent Tuesday night ... when a fan asked him if he could ever imagine himself fighting Ngannou.

Jones -- who recently said none of the light heavyweight contenders excite him -- responded ... "I feel like that fight is inevitable."

During our conversation with Ngannou, he also revealed the UFC offered him a crack at Alexander Volkov on November 9 -- with only 18 days notice -- but says he rejected the fight 'cause he didn't have time to prep and fighting a lower-ranked guy didn't make sense.

Greg Hardy -- who we spoke to about the match on Tuesday -- ultimately accepted the fight.

While he waits, Ngannou -- coming off KO's of Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos -- is clearly frustrated with the UFC ... 'cause he thinks they're dragging their feet booking him a fight.

"I just want to tell the UFC to pay me some respect and give me a damn fight, that's what I'm asking for. I was expecting to have a fight by December to make my Christmas and New Year for my family," Francis tells us.

"Hey, man ... I need a fight. I need to make money."

Cash ... well, a Jon Jones fight would make hella money.

Ben Askren says there's a ZERO percent chance his next UFC fight ends after 5 seconds with a knee to the head. And, why's he so confident?

"I don’t think [Demian Maia] can jump that high!"

Ben's actually got a pretty great attitude going into Saturday's bout with Maia considering his last outing ... well it didn't go so well.

Askren was KO'd with a flying knee from Jorge Masvidal -- setting the record for fastest KO in UFC history.

"I think the best way to deal with adversity is obviously to hop right back in there so that’s what I did," Askren said.

"The UFC gave me the call pretty quickly after the Jorge Masvidal fight, and said ‘Hey would you want a main event in Singapore?’ And, I said 'Yeah, let’s go.' And, I thought that was a good time for me to hop back into the cage, so I’m excited."

Maia is currently the #10 ranked welterweight. Askren is #11 ... and Ben knows if he wins this fight, a title shot could be right around the corner.

"Obviously, I have to get the win on Saturday, and then once I do that, I can go to work calling people out and see where that can take me, but I don’t feel like I’m too far away from the top."

One of those guys at the top is Masvidal (ranked #3) ... and Ben says he's open for a rematch if the UFC is down.

"Yeah obviously that would be nice, and I think it would be an easy fight for me to get because the story’s so easy to tell."

Greg Hardy says he's fired up to fight an "actual monster" in Alexander Volkov -- telling TMZ Sports, "It's time to make a statement."

Hardy just agreed to fight the #7 ranked UFC heavyweight on Nov. 9 in Moscow -- replacing his training teammate Junior Dos Santos, who suffered an injury.

The former NFL star hasn't been beat in his pro career -- though he was DQ'd for an illegal knee against Allen Crowder ... and his victory over Ben Sosoli this past weekend was overturned because Greg used an inhaler between rounds.

Still, Hardy has been fairly dominant in the Octagon and when the opportunity came to fight a top-ranked opponent, the 30-year-old says he jumped at the chance.

"I'm excited, man," Hardy tells us ... "This is a a big-time fight, high-level competition. This is what any Prince of War or future King of War could ever hope for."

Hardy says he respects Volkov but believes he can knock out the Russian in under 3 rounds ... just like Derrick Lewis did in 2018.

"If 'Pillow Hands' Lewis can do it, I can go in there and compete," Hardy says.

Hardy says he plans to use this opportunity to show UFC fans he's the real deal.

"It's time to make a statement. It's time to step up and put my mettle to the test ... put my hands up and fight with an actual monster, fight with a top-ranked elite assassin."

We also spoke with Hardy about the inhaler controversy and he took full responsibility for the infraction -- vowing to make sure he's more educated on the rules for his next fight.

Hardy says he's not mad at his coaches and fight team for allowing him to use the inhaler -- saying they've done so much for him over the years, he can't get upset over one stupid mistake.

"This is the best team in the country, best team in the world ... two years ago I was a football player who couldn't throw a punch."

Ronda Rousey absolutely DESTROYED her real-life husband, Travis Browne, in an underground fight club on Monday ... and it was all for an episode of the show, "9-1-1."

Ronda is a regular cast member on the FOX hit -- and this week Ronda's character, Lena, brought her firefighter coworker, Eddie, (played by Ryan Guzman) to a parking lot fight club to work out his anger issues.

But, Ronda wasn't a spectator, she was there to fight -- and her opponent is a giant, bearded tattooed man ... whose face you never really see.

But, when we slowed down the tape, it was obvious that dude is Browne -- a 6'7", 250-pound former UFC fighter!!!

The fight doesn't go too well for Browne ... Ronda's character easily ducked a few punches before hitting him with a flying knee.

She followed up with a superman punch, slammed his head against a truck, hit him with a judo throw and then obliterated his face with some elbow strikes from the top position.

All in all ... pretty good stuff!!!

Remember, it ain't all glitz and glamour for Rousey ... who seriously JACKED UP her finger in real life while shooting a scene for the show earlier this year.

As for Browne, he was 18-7 as a pro-MMA fighter -- with wins over guys like Matt Mitrione, Fabrício Werdum, Brendan Schaub and Alistair Overeem.

You gotta watch this video ... UFC fighter Dominick Reyes passionately explaining why he's convinced he's the guy who will finally beat Jon Jones -- and he's FIRED UP!!!

"I got these hands. I got this heart. I'm Mexican. He's never fought a Mexican. I'm tough as s**t and I'm never gonna stop!"

Reyes is coming off a 1st-round highlight-reel knockout of ex-UFC champ Chris Weidman -- and he tells TMZ Sports he's sick of waiting for his crack at the G.O.A.T.

"I've taken out 6 guys in a row in my division. I'm undefeated, nobody's ever beat me. I don't have quit in me. I don't know how to lose. That's not what I do. I'm here to win fights, and I'm here to win 'em emphatically."

When asked if his team has had official talks with the UFC or Jones to get a fight on the books, Reyes broke it down this way ...

"We're working on it right now but it almost feels like he's hiding behind his managers at this point."

"His managers are trying to tell me what I need, telling me I need another fight. Don't tell me what I need dude. How 'bout you worry about your boy! I know he's scared to fight me!"

Reyes also told us why he's different from Daniel Cormier, Anthony Smith and other UFC stars who have vowed to beat Jones only to come up short.

Ya gotta listen to what Reyes has to say ... he wants this fight BAD!!!