UFC

Kofi Kingston, Chavo Guerrero, Chuck Liddell -- just some of the stars who gathered in Venice, CA on Thursday to remember their friend, Shad Gaspard.

Pro wrestlers like Shelton Benjamin, Lilian Garcia, Chris Masters, Mickie James, John Morrison and Montel Vontavious Porter (aka MVP) stood side by side with MMA stars like Chuck and Josh Barnett.

The event appeared to be a celebration of Shad's life -- the attendees were smiling and flexing afterward.

Of course, Shad passed away on March 17 when he was caught in a riptide while swimming with his 10-year-old son.

Lifeguards rushed out to help them -- but Shad directed them to rescue his son first. Moments later, a giant wave crashed on Gaspard, pulling him under.

Shad has been praised as a hero by superstars like The Rock and Arnold Schwarzenegger ... and a makeshift memorial was erected at the Gold's Gym in Venice where Shad often worked out.

RIP.

Mackenzie Dern refuses to blame her first UFC loss on the fact she fought just 4 MONTHS after giving birth ... telling TMZ Sports, "I don't regret coming back."

Dern gave birth to her daughter, Moa, on June 9, 2019 -- and somehow managed to get back into fighting shape to take on Amanda Ribas on October 12.

27-year-old Dern (7-1) ultimately lost the fight via unanimous decision -- but now that she's had time to reflect, we asked if she thinks she came back too soon.

"No, definitely not," Dern says ... "I felt good for the fight. I was prepared."

"I lost but ya know I don't think it was because it was too soon. I think Amanda was just better than me that night and she came out with the win and I came out with the loss and that's it."

"I don't regret coming back at that time ... I wish it was a win because then I could of maybe fought sooner again but I'm just happy to be able to be fighting now."

Now, Dern is focusing her energy on Hannah Cifers (10-4) -- they face off Saturday in Las Vegas at UFC Fight Night.

Dern -- one of the top-ranked Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world -- says her goal is to take the fight to the ground and submit Cifers quickly, "and get home to go see my daughter with no cuts or bruises!"

Conor McGregor vs. Anderson Silva???

Maybe.

The Irishman says he "accepts" a fight challenge from Spider -- but that doesn't mean you'll see them in the Octagon anytime soon.

Here's the deal ... Anderson posted a statement on social media late Wednesday night calling for a superfight with Conor at a 176-pound catchweight.

"I have immense admiration for the great athlete that Conor is and I believe that a super fight would go down in the history of the sport," Silva said ... "neither of us need to prove anything to anyone."

"I believe that fans of the UFC and of this sport would like to watch this great martial arts spectacle, it would be fantastic to test my martial arts skills against him!!"

McGregor saw the post and commented -- "I accept."

It's a good start -- but obviously, the UFC would also need to get on board ... and Dana White has previously said there are other fights for Conor that are higher on the priority list.

Conor vs. Khabib. Conor vs. Nate Diaz. Conor vs. Justin Gaethje. Conor vs. Tony Ferguson.

Everything seems to be on the table -- then again, Conor vs. Spider could be great too!

In fact,. Silva's been angling for McGregor since 2019 -- telling TMZ Sports on video he was pushing the UFC to get a deal done.

Earlier this week, Conor explained why he thinks Silva should go down as the greatest UFC fighter ever ... above stars like Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo, Khabib and even himself, (he ranked himself at #2).

45-year-old Silva is obviously a legend -- but he's lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

So, will it happen?

Insane scene in the squared circle Wednesday ... Mike Tyson kicked off a benches-clearing brawl by shoving Chris Jericho -- and UFC star Henry Cejudo was in the middle of it all!!

The fracas all went down toward the end of AEW Dynamite in Jacksonville, Fla. ... when Jericho called out Iron Mike for betraying him during a WWE match back in 2010.

Chris demanded Tyson apologize ... but Mike -- whose in-ring entourage included Cejudo and other MMA stars Vitor Belfort and Rashad Evans -- was having none of it.

Tyson straight up mocked Jericho ... ripped off his shirt, and taunted the guy right to his face!!

Then, Mike shoved Chris ... Chris pushed back -- AND ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!!!

We know ... it's scripted ... BUT IT'S AWESOME!!!

Check out the footage, the melee featured damn near every wrestler in the building -- with Cejudo, Evans and Belfort all mixing it up too!!

Eventually, Tyson and Jericho were restrained ... with the help of Cejudo and the other MMA stars -- but it all begs the question, is this the return to the ring Tyson's been teasing?!

As we previously reported, Mike's been training like a mad man and has said he wants to return to boxing for charity ... and is even open to a rematch with Evander Holyfield.

But, Iron Mike's now played a role in TWO AEW storylines the last few days -- remember, he got on the mat Saturday night for a Pay-per-view event -- so, could this be a legit future for the boxing legend as well???

As for Cejudo ... he retired from the UFC this month -- and a TON of MMA stars like Ronda Rousey and Ken Shamrock have made the leap to pro wrestling in their post-fight careers.

The UFC has been cleared to host fights in Vegas again -- starting this weekend -- and Dana White is fired up!!!

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has formally approved two upcoming events -- May 30 and June 6 -- to go down at the UFC's APEX facility in Sin City.

Of course, the UFC hosted 3 back-to-back-to-back events in Jacksonville, Florida earlier this month while Nevada was still shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now, NV is opening up -- and the UFC has the green light.

We spoke with Dana White who tells us, "I am so excited to be back in Vegas!!!"

"Our APEX arena is incredible and the production value we can provide to fans is next level and it’s a safe environment for my fighters and my staff."

White says fighters, coaches, staffers and everyone else involved will all be thoroughly screened and tested -- just like in Jacksonville.

The May 30 card is huge -- Tyron Woodley takes on Gilbert Burns ... and Mackenzie Dern fights Hannah Cifers.

IT'S TIIIIIME ... to bang?!

An adult motel in Brazil has created an MMA-themed room for role-playing couples ... with a full octagon bed and a training dummy -- if you're looking for an extra sparring partner!

It's called the Pousada Gurupi -- located in Teresina, a city in the northeastern part of the country.

No, it's not affiliated with UFC or Bellator in any way -- but it's clearly trying to capitalize on the popularity of the sport in Brazil ... where apparently, couples fantasize about getting freaky while fighting.

Here's the Google translation from the hotel's IG:

"The MMA Suite at Pousada Gurupi brings up the whole concept of wrestling, with an environment geared to this practice, opening the imagination of the couple who chooses it."

The hotel even offers 3 reasons to rent the suite ...
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1. INCREASING COMPLIANCE⠀
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"Realizing a different fantasy in sex makes the couple much more confident and complicit in each other, after all, this is a right time to indulge in a new experience."⠀
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2. BRING IMAGINATION TO REALITY
⠀
"The MMA Suite is a true copy of the octagon, with a sensational bed inside the ring. The couple can really imagine themselves in that environment and let their imagination blossom. "⠀
⠀
3. CREATE MEMORIES
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"Having new and different experiences like these ends up creating memories and moments to be remembered by both, increasing the couple's partnership. After all, it's not every day that you indulge in an octagon, is it?"

No, it's not.

UFC superstar Jon Jones is FURIOUS over the killing of George Floyd -- saying the police officer used a move called a "blood choke" ... and it's worse than torture.

"Anyone who has practiced the very basics of jujitsu recognizes a [blood choke] when they see this," Jones said.

"That was as clear as day murder, torture."

FYI, a blood choke is a stranglehold in which key arteries and jugular veins are constricted, cutting off blood flow to the brain ... as opposed to an air choke, which restricts breathing.

Jones -- who's been a top mixed martial artist for decades -- didn't stop there.

"That whole if you can talk you can breathe crap is bullsh*t. What that man went through was worse than drowning."

"I wouldn't wish the way George Floyd was murdered on my worst enemy. That officer applied just enough pressure to keep him alive for almost six minutes in that chokehold."

"In all my years of fighting I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything close to that level of torture."

"There needs to be a nationwide policy change. When a man is in handcuffs and is screaming that he cannot breathe. Get the f*ck off his chest and/or neck. If you can't hold a man who is in handcuffs down by his feet you’re a p*ssy and probably shouldn’t be wearing that badge."

George Floyd was killed on May 25 when 4 police officers resounded to a "forgery in progress" call in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

During the incident, one of the officers put his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 MINUTES, despite his pleas that he couldn't breathe.

Tito Ortiz says he's been contacted by someone connected to Mike Tyson to set up a fight ... and tells TMZ Sports straight-up, "I'm in!"

The 45-year-old UFC Hall of Famer says he got the call recently after watching some of the new Tyson training videos and believes a tilt with Iron Mike could be "the opportunity of my life."

Ortiz -- an MMA legend -- says he doesn't know if Mike is interested in boxing or a mixed martial arts fight ... but he's down either way.

Tito says he's been boxing for 20 years as part of his MMA training and thinks at this point in their lives, he's better in the ring than Mike who hasn't been in a pro fight since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.

Of course, if you've seen the new Tyson training videos ... he looks damn good for a 53-year-old.

"Has Tyson been punched in the face in the last 15 years? No he hasn't. And I have and I've been able to subdue everyone I've competed against over the past 4 years."

It's true ... Tito's on a 3-fight win streak with victories over Chuck Liddell, Chael Sonnen and Alberto Del Rio.

Tito says thinks a Tyson vs. Ortiz fight could DOUBLE the numbers Mayweather vs. McGregor did ... calling it "an amazing opportunity for both of our brands."

We spoke with Mike about the possibility of a Tito fight recently -- and he said he's down to fight everyone as long as the money goes to charity ... but it's clear nothing is in stone yet.

Conor McGregor was chased by alligators, before he went on the attack against a runner, people in a crowd and then, of all people, Dana White -- but obviously, there's a catch.

The UFC honcho posted the parody, and it's hilarious!!! Conor glides across a river as a gator gives chase, but the UFC star is unfazed.

Cut to Conor going on a tear ... attacking runners, spectators and even a bullfighter, before turning on Dana himself and opening a can of whup-ass.

It's a little life imitating art ... what with Conor's past hijinks where he threw dollies into tour buses, smashed cell phones and even punched an old guy who didn't want to drink his whiskey.

UFC star Edson Barboza says he deserved the W in that controversial loss to Dan Ige ... and now he's gonna get another shot to prove it -- 'cause Ige tells TMZ Sports he's down to run it back!!!

Of course, Ige (14-2) and Barboza (20-9) had an epic featherweight bout at Fight Night 176 last weekend ... with Fifty K coming away with the decision after 3 rounds.

Barboza has been adamant he believes he won the fight -- and claims Dana White even admitted his hand shoulda been raised.

We spoke with Ige -- who took the fight on short notice -- about Barboza's comments ... and he says Junior needs to check his facts and watch the fight again ... 'cause there's NO WAY he won.

"I just feel kinda bad for him," Ige says. "The guy's a legend, the guy's been around. He's been in the top 10, top 5 of the world for the past 10 years."

Ige says despite all Edson's talk, he still hasn't called for a rematch ... but tells us he'll grant Barboza one if he wants.

"I understand how bad he wants to win, but you know what ... the guy, for how much he's saying he won the fight, not one person from his team has asked for a rematch."

"I'll give him a rematch. I beat him on 2 weeks notice, give me 8 weeks and see what I can do to him."

Tyron Woodley says he's not just looking for a win on May 30 -- he wants to make a violent statement to the UFC that he's ready for his title shot.

The former welterweight champ is taking on Gilbert Burns at UFC Fight Night ... and says he's in a very "violent headspace."

"I'm willing to do some sh**ty stuff to people, put them in compromising positions, hurt them -- like literally hurt them."

"I don't know if I've ever been this focused," Woodley said this week on "The Hollywood Beatdown."

Tyron says he considers his fight with Burns to be a "real war" -- one that Gilbert will wish he never asked for in the first place.

"This is going to be a clear case of someone asking for something they didn't really know what they were asking for."

You gotta watch the clip ... Tyron says he can't wait to fight in an empty arena so the fans at home can hear him "talk sh*t" to Burns while he beats his ass.

"People are gonna feel bad for him."

Burns is on a 5-fight win streak -- including a win over Demian Maia back in March.

Is UFC star Henry Cejudo -- a 33-year-old champion in his prime -- actually retiring?!

The answer is a big hell no ... if you listen to his friend and manager -- Ali Abdelaziz -- who tells TMZ Sports there's no way he can see Triple C hangin' up his gloves.

"Do I think Henry's gonna retire? Absolutely not. I don't think Henry's gonna retire."

Remember, Cejudo TKO'd Dominick Cruz -- considered the greatest bantamweight of all-time -- at the end of the 2nd round at UFC 249 last weekend. During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Cejudo announced he was retiring from the sport.

But, Abdelaziz says a lot of fighters have the urge to walk away right after going to war in the Octagon ... but that quickly fades.

"Khabib, every time he fights, 'I think I'm done,'" Ali says ... "2 weeks later, 'Who you think I should fight next?' Because these guys are at their prime. Henry's coming into his prime. How you gonna retire in your prime?"

Matter of fact, Ali believes Cejudo will not only fight again ... but it'll happen sometime over the next 3-4 months.

"Henry has everybody on their knees right now. I don't think he's gonna retire. You're gonna see him fight by the summer."

Question is, who will Cejudo take on next?

Triple C and boxer Ryan Garcia recently beefed online, and T.J. Dillashaw -- who comes off his drug suspension early next year -- has been crystal clear in his desire to avenge his Jan. 2019 loss to Cejudo.

But, Ali says that ain't happening ... ever.

"Henry will never fight T.J. I don't think any clean athlete should ever fight T.J. Dillashaw. The man cheated for a long time."

Abdelaziz continued ... "If you cheated this long, you think you're gonna come back and get a title shot? It doesn't even make sense."

"Henry for sure will never fight him. I know that for sure. Cause he beat the man while he was on the juice. Why's he gonna fight him?

Justin Gaethje loves how the tables have turned with Conor McGregor ... telling TMZ Sports it's the Irishman's turn to wait in line for a fight.

"I get to pick between Conor and [Khabib Nurmagomedov] right now," Gaethje says.

"I can pick whichever one I want. That’s a spot every single person in the sport, I don’t care what weight class you’re in, would love to be in the spot that I am in right now."

"Timing is everything. To have Conor on his knees begging for a fight, it’s a testament for the hard work and believing in my ability to show up and perform."

As we previously reported, Gaethje had been calling for a fight with Conor for YEARS -- but the guy wouldn't sign a contract.

Now, it's McGregor who's been trying to bait Justin ... and JG loves it.

Justin says right now he's laser-focused on fighting Khabib to "prove that I'm the best"... but he isn't ruling out a brawl with Conor after that.

"I could fight those two fights and retire", Gaethje says. "Monetarily, that's huge for me."

"So, yeah, it's a great spot to be in."

As for Khabib, Justin shares a manager with the Dagestani superstar -- and they're all very cordial.

Still, Gaethje has a message for Khabib -- "When we fight, it's going to be huge."

"It’s going to be the two best in the world figuring out who's the best on that night for 25 minutes.”

As for where the fight could take place, Justin says he's down to have the scrap anywhere on the planet ... "Sh*t, I'll fight him somewhere in the heart of Dagestan or Russia."

UFC star Anthony Smith says he's "good" in the wake of a violent loss to Glover Teixeira -- and recovering with the help of his loving family.

"Everyone is arguing about good stop, bad stop, bad corner, good corner...blah blah blah," Smith said.

"I’m still winning. I’m good, and I’m exactly where i need to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing."

As we previously reported -- Smith suffered intense injuries during his fight on May 13 -- a broken nose, fractured eye socket, a gash under his right eye and had 2 teeth knocked out.

Some high-profile UFC stars like Chael Sonnen have criticized Smith's coaching staff ... saying they should've thrown in the towel instead of allowing him to fight in the 5th round, where he sustained even more damage.

"All that time spent worrying about me needs to be spent somewhere a little more productive," Smith said on social media.

"I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it."

That's Conor McGregor telling Mike Tyson he WILL defeat Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match ... if it's the last thing he ever does!

So, why the renewed interest in a rematch with Floyd?

Tyson was sitting down with Francis Ngannou and the UFC star's manager for an episode if his "Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson" podcast when Mike began raving about McGregor's foray into boxing back in 2017.

"He’s never really had a boxing match in his life, right? He went 10 rounds with the greatest boxer in the land, in 100 years of boxing."

Tyson continued, "He went 10 rounds, scored punches on the greatest fighter in the last 20, 100 years."

"Imagine a guy who’s never had a boxing match and he’s fighting me? He goes 10 rounds and we’re fighting?"

"We go 10 rounds, that’s a bad motherfu**er," Tyson said.

Well, Conor McGregor saw the clip ... and issued a strongly worded statement of his own.

"Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it."

McGregor added, "It is great to see you back Iron Mike."

As we previously reported, Conor has been TRYING to lock up a rematch with Floyd for a while ... but Floyd hasn't signed a contract yet.