UFC

President Donald Trump will be tuned in to UFC 249 on Saturday to get some ideas on how to reopen the rest of the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, so says UFC honcho Dana White.

Of course, Dana and Donald are very close friends who go back decades -- and they talk all the time.

So, with Dana pushing forward with UFC 249 this weekend -- using teams of medical professionals to test all fighters and staffers -- we asked if Trump would be looking at the event as kind of a blueprint.

"Absolutely," White said Friday on "TMZ Live" ... "His whole philosophy was let's get sports back first, figure out how to do that safely. Then let's start figuring out how do you get people back in the office? How do you get people in cubicles? And, then how do you get kids back in school?"

"So, this is something we've been working on and yes, he's absolutely watching what we're doing this weekend."

White says his fighters, their teams and UFC staff have been undergoing multiple testing -- including swabs for COVID-19 -- and plans to keep it up during future events.

"Health and safety is something we worry about every single weekend ... there's gonna be a lot of testing going on here."

White says other sports should follow suit -- but they have to be willing to spend the money ... "it's really expensive."

As for the fights themselves, IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME!!!

Justin Gaethje is fighting Tony Ferguson. Henry Cejudo is fighting Dominick Cruz. And, soooo many more awesome fights!

Oscar De La Hoya said he can knock out Conor McGregor in 2 rounds ... and Conor McGregor says PROVE IT -- calling out the legend for a real-deal boxing match.

SO, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? LET'S DO THIS!!!!

Here's how it all got started ... 47-year-old ODLH was asked about his chances against the 31-year-old UFC superstar earlier this week ... saying it would be a cakewalk.

"2 rounds," the Golden Boy told "The State of Combat" podcast. "Because one thing about me ... I went for the kill always."

"And look, Conor McGregor is – I love him in the Octagon. I respect him. I watch him all the time."

"But, the boxing ring is a whole different story. It’s a whole different story."

Conor -- who's always wanted a second shot at a boxing match following his loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 -- heard what ODLH had to say ... and he wants the legend to put his money where his mouth is ... IN THE RING!!!

"I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya," Conor tweeted.

Now, Oscar (39-6) hasn't had a pro fight since losing to Manny Pacquiao in 2008 by a referee technical decision ... but the Golden Boy's confident he can shake off any ring rust against the 0-1 Conor.

Remember, ODLH made a similar threat to Conor back in 2017 ... saying he was in shape and ready to throw down with the Notorious.

There's only one way to find out -- PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

Henry Cejudo's belt is on the line against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 ... and one guy who fought BOTH dudes is telling us who will come away with the bantamweight title.

TMZ Sports spoke with T.J. Dillashaw -- who lost to Triple C via first-round TKO in 2019 and to Cruz via decision in 2016 -- and he says there's a clear favorite to win Saturday night.

"I like the fight, man I do, I'm intrigued in it," T.J. tells us. "But, if I'm a betting man, I'd bet on Dominick Cruz."

"I think that he's going to point-fight Cejudo and he's going to out-point him and he's going to win a decision. I'm interested in it, obviously, I've got some bad blood with both of these guys. So I like the fight."

Dillashaw says Cejudo is gonna struggle with Cruz's awkward style of fighting ... but would love the opportunity to take either fighter when he returns from his 2-year suspension for an anti-doping violation.

"I'm sure I've lost a lot of respect, a lot of fans for what I've done and I completely understand that."

"But, yeah I want that title shot, I don't want a tune-up fight. I want to get my belt back, I'm the best Bantamweight of all-time."

UFC star Justin Gaethje says he's PRAYING for a bloodbath main event with Tony Ferguson ... claiming he wants Tony to break his nose because he needs it fixed anyway!

Yo, Gaethje is a SAVAGE!!

Of course, Justin and Tony will throw down at UFC 249 on Saturday -- in what Justin calls "the biggest fight of my life."

And, man -- Justin is ready for war!!!!

"Tony’s used to people being scared of him. I’m not scared," Gaethje tells TMZ Sports.

"I hope he breaks my nose. I’ve been waiting to get it fixed. It hasn’t been right for like 12 years, so I’ve been waiting for a long time for someone to break my nose, so maybe he’ll plant an elbow on there."

"I might regret asking for that 'cause it’s a painful injury, but I do need to get it fixed."

Justin says when it comes to engaging with Ferguson, "I’m not scared to get hit. I’m not scared to get sliced up, knocked out, that comes with the territory and I’m content with all those situations."

So, how does Justin see the fight going?

"I’m 100% confident in my ability to put him to sleep."

"Tony has a brain. I just got to make it shake and then the natural course of the body takes place and he goes to sleep."

Henry Cejudo wants to fight Jose Aldo so badly -- he just offered to marry the guy to help him get into the country ... just so he can beat his ass!

"I will literally marry the dude to take the dude out," Triple C tells TMZ Sports.

Here's the backstory ... Cejudo was initially supposed to fight Aldo at UFC 250 in Brazil, but COVID-19 screwed up those plans.

Now, with the UFC is rebooking some of the fights in the U.S. -- Aldo is in trouble because he can't get into the country due to govt. travel restrictions.

Cejudo is now set to fight Dominick Cruz on May 9 instead -- but after that fight, Henry says he still wants a crack at Aldo ... and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

"I told Dana White, I said, ya know, I'll take this fight with Dominick Cruz ... but I still don't wanna leave Jose Aldo off the hook."

"I said if I have to marry him to fight him then I will do that. I will literally marry the dude to take the dude out."

"I will get on one knee to beat his ass."

In the meantime, Cejudo isn't taking Cruz lightly -- preparing for Dominick as if it's the biggest fight of his career.

"I got a kingdom to reign -- the Olympic champ, the flyweight champ and the bantamweight champion of the world."

How does he see the fight going?

"Knockout! Me on top of him, the ref pulling me off of Dominick Cruz. I want somebody else to save him from his own beating."

WANNA GET FIRED UP TO SMASH CORONAVIRUS!?

Well, UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer is here to help -- using that signature adrenaline-inducing voice to smack COVID-19 like the little bitch of a virus that it is!!!!

Buffer offered up his pipes -- and an awesome surprise pizza party -- to his pals at the Manhattan Beach PD ... to help keep morale up during these insane times.

Bruce tells us he wanted to show his support for the cops ... so he and his biz partner Kristen Greulach hit up Grimaldi's Pizzeria and had them whip up 10 pies, cannolis and cheesecake to thank the boys and girls in blue for everything they do.

But, the highlight is the ring call ... Bruce reached deep down in his soul for this one -- just like he was getting ready for a Conor vs. Khabib rematch ... and the cops loved every second of it!

UFC star Tyron Woodley says he's sick of talking -- if Israel Adesanya wants the smoke, "stop being a bitch" and let's scrap.

Tyron and Israel have been going back and forth on social media lately -- but Woodley wants to set the record straight ... he's down to fight, period.

It's actually more respectful than it sounds ... Woodley thinks Israel -- the reigning middleweight champ -- is a dope fighter. He's said so multiple times.

But, Tyron recently said he wants to jump up a weight class from welterweight to middleweight ... which could set up a showdown with Izzy.

Tyron thinks Adesanya took his comments as a threat -- which escalated the trash talk.

Now, Woodley says he senses "a little bitch in the blood" and is basically calling out Izzy.

"If you ever wanna do it, get in touch with me. I'm not hard to find."

There's more ... Tyron also tells us about his immediate fight plans and why he's itching to get back in the Octagon as soon as possible.

Plus, hear why he's saluting Halle Berry!

Gov. Ron DeSantis is bragging about opening up sports in FL -- and believes fans might be able to attend events as early as June!!

While speaking to the media about the state's plan to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis talked about how sports are a huge priority for him ... starting with pro wrestling.

"I helped recruit," DeSantis said ... "I wanted the wrestling to be filmed in Orlando. I’d like them to do WrestleMania. They were going to do WrestleMania in April. That was hundreds of millions of dollars. I want to keep that good relationship. I want them to invest in Florida."

DeSantis also mentioned UFC 249 taking place in Jacksonville on may 9 -- noting, "There's not going to be any fans but I think that's going to be a good event for people."

As for golf ... "I work with Phil Mickelson so they have what they need for that Tiger Woods match."

Event officials have not formally announced the venue for that match, but DeSantis is obviously lobbying hard for a course in FL.

As for baseball ... DeSantis says he's "hearing" it's coming back soon and obviously wants games in Florida.

"I think that's going to be exciting for a lot of people and I just think there are going to be a lot of possibilities. So, let's just be resourceful and creative."

And fans? DeSantis is optimistic fans will be able to watch live sports again in his state in a matter of months.

"I do think if the trends are good as you get into June-July. I think there is a window to have some fans. You’re not going to have everyone packed in."

"But man, in 90-degree weather in the state of Florida ... if you're out there and someone's 10 feet away from you and you want to watch a ball game or something? You may be able to do that."

Dana White is dead serious about allowing one lucky fan to pick the fighters for a real UFC bout ... which begs the question, is Conor McGregor on the table?!

It's all part of Dana's big All In Challenge fundraising mission -- he's teamed up with Halle Berry for one of the coolest UFC experiences EVER!

Not only will the winner get to hang with Halle -- a real, hardcore MMA fan -- but that person will also be invited to participate in the UFC matchmaking process with Dana and his team.

"They're gonna sit in with a matchmaking meeting and I'm gonna let them make a fight," Dana tells TMZ Sports.

As we've previously reported, the All In Challenge is raising cash to help feed people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It doesn't suck and for a fan to be able to win this package," Dana says.

As for the matchmaking ... Dana says the winner will join his top 3 execs in the war room to put together a real UFC fight.

"It's a process. We argue, we fight ... [the winner] will be part of the bickering and the arguing."

So, what if the winner wants to see Conor vs. Khabib? Or, Conor vs. Nate Diaz? Or, Jon Jones vs. Cormier?!?!

Greg Hardy isn't just down to fight during a global pandemic ... he literally wants to MOVE to "Fight Island" and take on every badass heavyweight from Francis Ngannou to Stipe Miocic.

TMZ Sports talked to the 31-year-old heavyweight ... who tells us his contract to fight at UFC 249 in Florida on May 9 is signed, sealed and delivered.

But, Hardy has bigger plans than just 1 fight against 33-year-old, 6-0 MMA fighter Yorgan De Castro.

"I'm saying it right now Dana, man, listen, if you got [living] quarters," Hardy says ... "If you have quarters, I'll stay on the island, bro. I'm not ashamed to move in. We can fight every couple of weeks, dude."

"With all seriousness. Let's run it."

Hardy says he'll shatter a record he set last year ... when he became the 1st heavyweight fighter to fight 5 times in a calendar year.

And, Greg's not looking to just fight tomato cans ... we asked him for his ideal matchup, and uhhh, he's goin' big game hunting.

"This is my dream scenario" ... Hardy says.

"After this fight, I come back, get this knockout [against De Castro]. Remind everybody who it is. I think the UFC [rankings] starts at top 15. I think we start with 15 and go down the line."

"15 fights later I knock out the guy holding the belt, whoever it is."

The names of some of the guys currently in the top 15?

Daniel Cormier. Derrick Lewis. Francis Ngannou. Stipe Miocic.

But, Hardy ain't shook ... "We do it the G. Hardy way. Eliminate everybody 1 by 1, on the island."

UFC star Nina Ansaroff told us pregnancy wouldn't stop her from training ... and here she is, 19 weeks preggo ... PUTTIN' IN THAT WORK, SON!

Nina is the 5th ranked UFC strawweight contender in a STACKED division that includes killers like Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Rose Namajunas and the champ Weili Zhang!

And since Nina plans on continuing her MMA career after she gives birth, she planned on staying in shape during the pregnancy to help expedite her return to the Octagon.

Take a look at the video ... Nina and her fetus are WRECKING those pads!

Of course, Nina is engaged to UFC champ Amanda Nunes -- and when they came into the TMZ office before the COVID pandemic, they spelled out their fight/baby plans!

"I’m gonna be training throughout my pregnancy," Nina told us ... "I’m gonna stay in shape. I’m not gonna, ya know, just like not do anything and jump in."

Nina said the plan is to take a year off -- but acknowledged, "I’ve never had a baby before. So, I don’t know what to expect."

As for Amanda, she obviously supports Nina -- but doesn't want her to rush back to the Octagon too soon ... a mistake she feels Mackenzie Dern made earlier this year.

The man suspected of killing the stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris is now accused of going ballistic in jail last month ... allegedly attacking and biting officers in a fit of rage.

According to court records obtained by multiple media outlets this week, officials say Ibraheem Yazeed -- who's been charged with capital murder in the death of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard -- acted out after he was being escorted back to his jail cell on March 23.

Officials say 3 corrections officers were handling Yazeed at the Lee County Detention Center in Alabama when he became combative.

Yazeed allegedly refused to enter his cell ... and when one of the officers attempted to tase the 30-year-old, he began swinging and kicking.

When other officers arrived to help subdue Yazeed ... he bit one of them in the leg, according to court docs.

Yazeed has now had a 2nd-degree assault charge added on to his case over the incident.

As we previously reported, Yazeed is accused of kidnapping Blanchard at an Auburn gas station in October and killing her.