UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov wrestles bears, mauls human beings and is by all rights the scariest fighter on the planet.

But the 145-pound UFC champ, Max Holloway, ain't even a little intimidated -- telling TMZ Sports he'd be happy to move up a weight class to throw down with the Russian monster.

"That’s the kind of guy you want to fight to cement your legacy," Max said. "If you wanna be the best you gotta beat the best."

Even Tyron Woodley -- the UFC 170-pound champ -- doesn't want anything to do with Khabib ... so props to Max for being a badass.

Move over, Floyd Mayweather ... Oscar De La Hoya says he's the guy to partner with Dana White to book "the biggest fights" in boxing -- if the UFC prez will give him a damn call!

You've probably heard -- Dana says he's gonna promote boxing in 2018 ... and told us he's meeting with the sport's more powerful people (including Floyd) to make it happen.

But one guy he hasn't hit up is Oscar -- and De La Hoya doesn't seem too happy about it.

"It's surprising he wants to get into boxing and hasn't gotten a hold of the biggest promoter in the sport," DLH told TMZ Sports out in L.A., where he was promoting his Casa Mexico tequila.

But Oscar -- who we shot earlier this week -- says he's still open to doing business ... unless White wants to play hardball.

"It's gonna be very hard to try and do what he did with the UFC because there's a little company by the name of Golden Boy Promotions is in the way."

UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens just hit Conor McGregor with the trash-talkin' KO of the century -- saying he's ready to turn up the heat with the Irishman's "hot" mom!!

You remember how the beef began -- after Jeremy called out Conor at a news conference for UFC 205, Conor whipped around and famously said, "Who da fook is dat guy?!"

About a year later, Stephens shot back ... with a little help from Mama McGregor.

And now, Jeremy's taking it all the way.

"Maybe his dad can pick us up with the cab he used to drive and then take me and his mom out on a date," he told the guys on TMZ Sports (full interview airs tonight on FS1).

Ronda Rousey may be an all-time great inside the Octagon -- but WWE superstar Enzo Amore says it's gonna be a painful transition for her if and when she steps into the ring.

"She's in for a rude awakening," Enzo told TMZ Sports.

"You ever been put through a table, slammed on concrete? It's a different ball game."

Don't get it twisted -- Enzo respects the hell outta Ronda ... and even told us she's got the tools to be a kick-ass pro wrestler.

That said, when we told him about Rousey's private meeting with Triple H -- a sign that a deal might be close -- he wanted to make it clear that crossing over to wrestling is no joke.

He ain't lying ...

Conor McGregor just had his most epic face-off to date -- a shirtless staredown with Sir Richard Branson!!

For real.

It all went down at the Pendulum Summit for business leaders in Dublin, Ireland ... where Conor was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his BIG money moves.

Branson joined McGregor onstage -- and after some back-and-forth, convinced the UFC mega-star to bro out.

Not to be outdone, Rich ripped off his top too ... and we gotta say, dude looks pretty frickin' jacked for a 67-year-old gazillionaire.

Ronda Rousey had a VERY interesting dinner date Tuesday night -- Triple H ... and it seems like the two sides are one step closer to hammering out a deal to get Ronda in the WWE.

Triple H snuck out of Republique restaurant in L.A. first. Ronda followed with her agent in tow and was in a pretty great mood.

She wouldn't spill the beans on whether a deal was done -- but interesting that Triple H would come to L.A. at the same time the "WWE SmackDown Live" was going down in Alabama.

One WWE source tells us it's unusual for Triple H to miss a TV event -- he's usually on hand for everything ... so, you know if he's gonna fly out west, it's not just for a good meal!

What did Tua Tagovailoa's championship game heroics mean to the people of Hawaii?

UFC champ Max Holloway -- one of Hawaii's biggest sports stars -- told us it was "HUGE" ... and says the 'Bama QB should expect the VIP treatment when he comes home.

"Hawaii has a lot of pride," Max told TMZ Sports. "A parade is probably gonna happen down here and it’s gonna be insane."

But Max says the best is yet to come for Tua -- and even compared him to an NFL legend!

Speaking of 'Bama heroes, we also talked to Eryk Anders -- a linebacker-turned-UFC fighter who sealed the 2009 title game for the Tide -- and he couldn't say enough good things about Nick Saban AND Kirby Smart!!

Tyron Woodley says UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov scares the living hell outta him ... and he ain't too happy his TMZ co-host's trying to play matchmaker with 'em.

On this week's episode of "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- the UFC welterweight champ reveals his very real fear of Khabib ... who absolutely mauled Edson Barboza at UFC 219.

So once Tyron found out we asked Khabib about a potential throw-down, his reaction was pretty much what you'd expect.

"Why you gonna stick this maniac on me?! Don't try to throw me in there with a dude who's fighting bears!!!"

That's not a joke. A young Khabib REALLY WRESTLED BEARS.

Also on the Beatdown, Woodley reveals a huge NFL star he's bringing to the big screen ... and explains why Logan Paul should get smacked.

Cris Cyborg says she's 100% down to annihilate Amanda Nunes when the time is right ... but tells TMZ Sports it ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

Earlier today, UFC honcho Dana White said Amanda is itching to scrap with Cris ... adding that it's "the fight to make."

But when we spoke with Cyborg, she pumped the brakes on the super fight -- "I want beat her, I want kick her ass, but I need to focus on my division."

Cyborg (the champ at 145 lbs.) told us she wants to fight the "best girls" who've been climbing the ladder at featherweight ... and Amanda (the champ at 135 lbs.) has been fighting at bantamweight her entire UFC career.

So, Nunes can get it ... but not right now.

Cyborg also told us whether or not she forgives the photog who called her a "dude," and if she's satisfied with the UFC's punishment.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was an emotional wreck after accidentally kicking UFC star Cody Garbrandt in the mouth during an MMA training session ... so says Urijah Faber, who was there!

It all went down back in November -- when JCVD flew up to NorCal to give some leg striking lessons to the fighters at Team Alpha Male.

Faber says Van Damme accidentally kicked Cody in the teeth -- and Cody was PISSED. Van Damme "dropped down and got real emotional" and desperately tried to apologize to the former champ.

Faber explains how the two guys eventually smoothed things over -- and the whole interview will be featured Thursday night on the "TMZ Sports" TV show on FS1.

Don't miss it!

Now, Logan Paul has pissed off a UFC fighter ...

Tyron Woodley -- the reigning welterweight champ -- says he saw Logan's dead body video and has BANNED his kids from watching Logan in his home.

Woodley weighed in on "The Hollywood Beatdown" (full episode drops Friday on the TMZ Sports YouTube channel) ... saying Logan was stupidly insensitive when dealing with a VERY serious topic.

Listen up, LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball -- now that you're official residents of Lithuania, we're hookin' you up with a superstar athlete who can tell you all about your new country!

UFC champ Rose Namajunas has been out there a bunch to visit her Mom's Lithuanian fam ... and told TMZ Sports exactly what they gotta do.

Avoid -- all the booze and partying.

Enjoy -- a) the basketball-loving Lithuanian fans b) the fact that people speak English pretty well and c) the smokin' hot chicks.

The holidays are over for us normies, but not for UFC star Anthony Pettis and his smokin' hot fiancee ... who are out in sunny Aruba getting their safari on!

It ain’t just any average trip -- Anthony popped the question on NYE at the Aruba Ritz-Carlton ... and Lisette said yes!!

Since then, the future Mr. and Mrs. “Showtime” have been living it up on the island -- exploring ancient ruins, off-roading at a safari and hitting the beach with flamingos are just a few of the activities they've been getting into.

Not like Anthony really cares -- anything with Lisette is winning.

Congrats!!

The UFC has Cris Cyborg's back in a big way -- banning an MMA photog (who works for the gym where Holly Holm trains) after the guy referred to Cyborg as a "dude."

The man behind the offensive comments is Mark Aragon -- who handles photography and social media for the famous Jackson Wink MMA Academy in New Mexico.

After UFC 219, Aragon posted a photo of Cyborg on Instagram and wrote, "This dude is tough as hell" ... adding, "Holly was the first one to make his nose bleed."

Cyborg saw the post and wasn't happy -- calling for the UFC to take action against Aragon.

"It is not acceptable for an official representative of (Holly's gym) to call me transgender ... I expect an apology or their ability to get credentials for future UFC events to be affected by these actions."

UFC heard Cyborg loud and clear ... issuing a statement saying the org is "aware and troubled" by the comments and Aragon "will not be granted access for future events."

Aragon did issue an apology ... but it looks like it was too little too late.

Another round in the Dana White vs. Bob Arum mega-feud ... this time, it's the legendary boxing promoter throwing major shade at White for his plans to get into boxing in 2018.

Arum tells TMZ Sports he welcomes the UFC honcho into the boxing community ... but then he fires this shot ...

"By coming in the business, he is really admitting that boxing is the more popular sport. And in order to keep his company alive, he has to go into the boxing business."

Of course, White hates Arum's guts -- and has been ripping him apart for years ... previously calling Bob the "biggest dirtbag in all of sports." So, no love lost here.

Still, Bob says he thinks Dana could be successful in the boxing business -- and gives him a real chance to make the Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder fight happen.

"If he puts up enough money, he certainly will land the fight," Arum said. "It's all a question of the money ... particularly in the heavyweight division."

You might remember -- Dana spoke with TMZ Sports last week, and told us Joshua was his #1 target ... and he's meeting with major players like Floyd Mayweather to help his cause.

How tough is Holly Holm?? Her eye was essentially SWOLLEN SHUT after her fight with Cris Cyborg ... and she was still all smiles!

Don't get it twisted -- Holly put up a hell of a fight against Cyborg at UFC 219 ... but she got hit with some huge haymakers in their 25-minute title bout.

The result is what you see here -- a MASSIVE shiner, swelling all over her face and what looks like a broken pinky.

UFC octagon announcer Bruce Buffer shared this pic after the fight -- giving mad props to her for being a "warrior in victory and defeat."

True that.