Jon Jones Hearing for Steroid Punishment

Published | Updated

12:42 PM PT -- Andy Foster is recommending a $205,000 fine -- 40-percent of Jones’ purse and $5,000 in additional fines ... and recommends his license is revoked until USADA determines its punishment.

12:06 PM PT -- Jon says he never completed USADA anti-doping tutorials ... despite the fact he signed paperwork saying he did.

Jones says his management team took the tutorials for him and then forged his signature.

11:53 AM PT -- When asked about his use of sex enhancement supplements, Jones said, "I've had quite a bit of experience with Cialis and Viagra over the years."

11:49 AM PT -- Jones was asked what assurances he can give the commission that this won't happen again. Jones says he doesn't know how to answer the question because he didn't intentionally cheat in the first place.

Jones says, "My luck has been terrible when it comes to USADA."

11:48 AM PT -- Jon says he still wants to fight Daniel Cormier again. "I want to get that belt from Cormier."

11:44 AM PT -- "I've really tried everything in my power to get my life together."

Jon also says he's not a "screw up" and understands he's a role model for kids. He says he might be a knucklehead, but he's NOT a cheater.

11:41 AM PT -- "I have no clue how this happened."

11:40 AM PT -- Jon says he thought about who could have intentionally contaminated his supplements ... suggesting an enemy may have tried to take him down.

11:38 AM PT -- Jon says his nutritionist worked hard to make sure everything he took was clean and USADA approved.

11:34 AM PT -- Jon is testifying. He says he was very confused by the positive steroid test. Says he had to take a close look at the people around him to see if anyone would have contaminated his workout supplements.

10:24 AM PT -- Jon's attorney says the UFC fighter is not fighting the positive test, but he thinks the heavy $200,000 fine and revocation of his license is too harsh of a penalty.

Jon's attorney said, "He did not knowingly take the substance. He does not know where it came from."

The revocation would essentially last 1 year -- with Jones being able to reapply after 1 year has passed. The CA Athletic Commission would then decide to continue the suspension for another year or lift it.

Jon Jones is about to find out if he'll be SUSPENDED from fighting in the state of California over a failed UFC 214 steroid test.

He's about to face the California State Athletic Commission ... and we're livestreaming the whole thing.

TMZ Sports broke the news ... Jones tested positive for the anabolic steroid Turinabol in a test administered in July -- the day before he beat Daniel Cormier in Anaheim to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight championship.

Of course, Jones was stripped of his title -- and now he's facing up to $200,000 in fines (40% of his fight purse) and a possible suspension from the CSAC.

If the CSAC suspends Jones' license, he can't reapply until one year has passed from the date of revocation.

Jones is also facing punishment from another agency -- USADA -- which could hit him with a possible 4-year suspension. Jones is expected to meet with USADA later this year. There's no guarantee USADA's punishment will match the CSAC punishment.

The complication for Jones ... this is his 2nd offense. He tested positive for 2 banned substances prior to UFC 200 in Las Vegas in 2016 ... resulting in a 1-year suspension from USADA and the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The CSAC meeting is set to begin at 10 AM PT ... with Jones' hearing 5th on the agenda.

UFC's Kamaru Usman Colby Covington Has 'P***y-itis' ... And I Got the Cure!!

Published | Updated

UFC's rising star Kamaru Usman is sick and tired of Colby Covington duckin' him -- so he's callin' a spade a spade.

Or, in his words, a "p***y" a "p***y."

"Colby's not f**kin' with me," Usman told TMZ Sports. "Classic case of p***y-itis."

Covington hasn't been making any friends since joining the UFC -- dropping 'Star Wars' spoilers on social media, calling Brazilians "filthy animals" ... and, most recently, going WAY overboard to diss "Platinum" Mike Perry.

Kamaru says he's had enough -- and tells us literally THOUSANDS of UFC fans told him to "knock (Colby) the f*ck out" at UFC Fight Night: Orlando over the weekend.

Usman's a few spots lower than Covington in the welterweight rankings ... but he's 7-0 in the UFC and is expected to get a top opponent next.

Fingers crossed ...

Frankie Edgar to Conor: I'll Fight You Anytime, Anywhere

Published | Updated

If Conor McGregor REALLY offered to step in and fight Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 in March -- it's news to Frankie, who tells TMZ Sports he never heard Conor was throwing his hat in the ring.

As we previously reported ... Conor says he reached out to the UFC to replace Max Holloway in the March 3 main event after Holloway suffered an injury in early February.

Conor claims the UFC shut him down, saying there wasn't enough time to properly promote the fight.

Edgar has a new opponent -- Brian Ortega -- and tells TMZ Sports he's currently focused on beating his ass.

But if he gets through Ortega ... Edgar says he's MORE than happy to step in the Octagon with Conor -- if his offer was REAL.

Nate Diaz Scores Victory Against Ex-Agents ... At Least, In Texas

Published | Updated

Nate Diaz chalked up a victory in his battle with his former agents -- the same people who claim Nate refused to pay them for the cash he got to fight Conor McGregor -- but the war might not be over.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Diaz was sued by the Ballengee Group, which claimed they negotiated a fat deal for Nate to fight Conor at UFC 202 back in 2016.

Ballengee claims Nate unexpectedly fired them before the fight (after the deal was done) -- and Nate never paid them their cut.

They filed suit in Texas seeking more than $1 MILLION in damages.

But, according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, the judge threw out the case against Diaz -- claiming the agents really had no reason to file in Texas ... it's not the right jurisdiction.

"The Court ruled the case should have not have been filed in Texas because Nate has not fought in Texas and dismissed the case," Nate's attorney Jeremiah Reynolds tells us.

It's technically a victory for Diaz -- but Ballengee can still take the case and file it in another jurisdiction ... if Ballengee is up for a rematch.

UFC's Brendan Schaub Floyd's Done ... But 'I Guarantee' Conor Fights Nate

Published | Updated

Dana White says a Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather rematch in the UFC is MORE likely than Conor vs. Nate Diaz 3 ... but ex-UFC star Brendan Schaub is calling BS.

We got Brendan -- an analyst on the MayMac media tour -- to break down what's next for the biggest names in fighting, starting with the rumors that Floyd might step inside the Octagon.

"I don't see Floyd doing that with his ego and his legacy -- it'd be a terrible idea," Schaub told TMZ Sports. "Only one of those guys is gonna fight again, and that's Conor McGregor."

So ... what's next for McGregor?

"Conor's waiting to see what happens with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson ... he's gonna see who wins and how it goes and he'll decide either that, or Nate Diaz."

But no matter which fight Conor takes first -- "I can guarantee you he fights Nate Diaz at some point."

If ya want more proof, Brendan's talk show "Below the Belt" launches next week on Showtime ... and Floyd's gonna be one of his first guests!!

Sugar Ray Leonard: Floyd's Got a Shot vs. Conor in UFC Bruce Buffer: Hell No!!

Published | Updated

Here's video of Sugar Ray Leonard and Bruce Buffer giving daps at LAX ... then giving waaay different takes on how Floyd Mayweather would do against Conor McGregor in the UFC!

The meet-up happened courtesy of our photog -- who spotted the 2 legends randomly crossing paths. (Only in L.A., right??)

Sugar, of course, wasn't about to throw his fellow pugilist under the bus -- saying Floyd's "always" got a shot.

Bruce, on the other hand, was happy to -- telling us why it'd be "a very quick night" for Mayweather inside the Octagon.

But no matter who ya side with, we can all agree on one thing -- Buff and Sugar bro'ing out is pretty great.

'Platinum' Mike Perry I Could Kill Someone For Real ... in a UFC Fight

Published | Updated
022318_mike_perry_kal
HE DON'T DESERVE ME!

UFC stars claim they're gonna "kill" their opponents all the time ... but "Platinum" Mike Perry says he's the only guy who actually could -- and he's dead serious.

"People freak out when I go on social media and say, 'I'm gonna kill you' ... because they believe what I say," Platinum told TMZ Sports.

"They get upset when I say it because they think it might be a reality."

All of Mike's 11 wins have come by KO -- 12 if you count his New Year's Eve street fight -- so we ain't gonna second-guess him.

Perry says that's the plan for when he fights Max Griffin at UFC Fight Night Orlando this weekend ... saying Max might be in for "an early retirement" after they're done.

OK ... we're officially terrified.

Dana White Conor vs. Floyd in UFC Is More Likely ... Than Conor vs. Nate 3

Published | Updated
022118_dana_white_woodley_diaz_kal FEBRUARY 2018
JUST FIGHT!!!

Nate Diaz ain't even close to a UFC comeback -- so says Dana White, who tells TMZ Sports it's clear to him that Nate "doesn't wanna fight."

Dana's so sure ... he says it's MORE likely we see Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather inside the Octagon than a trilogy fight between Conor and Nate!!

"We've been hitting him up since the last time he fought [UFC 202], offering him fights, and he's not interested in fighting," White told us earlier this week.

FYI, the UFC honcho also told us he's talked with Floyd's camp, but isn't "in active negotiations."

One guy who Dana says IS interested in throwing down right now -- Nate's older brother, Nick Diaz, who hasn't fought in over 3 years!!!

There's more -- Dana confirmed who Tyron Woodley's next title challenger is gonna be (and if ya haven't already guessed ... it ain't Nate).

Tekashi69 Fights Like a Bitch ... Says UFC Champ

Published | Updated

If Tekashi69 wants more static in the streets, dude's gotta learn how to REALLY fight -- because UFC champ Tyron Woodley says the brawl at LAX was straight-up "embarrassing."

Woodley broke down the fight on "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- with special guest Raquel ... a self-described "International Hood Captain" ... and they're telling everyone why Tekashi should quit brawling while he's ahead.

There's more ... Tyron -- a proud gun owner -- also gets into it with Evan about why the government better not come for his AR-15. Does he have a point?

Also, Tyron reveals the CRAZY monster truck stunt he pulled at the Daytona 500 -- and why he almost got arrested after the race!

Check out "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- which drops every Friday on the TMZ Sports YouTube channel.

Floyd Mayweather: Check Out My New $2 Million Fleet!

Published | Updated
022318_floyd_mayweather_kal
BLEW A CHECK ON MY WRIST

Floyd Mayweather rolled out $2 MILLION in cars, jewelry and cash to dominate the Rodeo Drive shopping scene in Bev Hills ... and gave TMZ Sports a private tour of his new toys.

First off, our guy tried like hell to press Floyd on the possible Conor McGregor rematch -- but the dude bobbed and weaved like ... well, like he's Floyd Mayweather.

Instead, Floyd bragged about his upcoming 41st birthday celebration -- and showed us the new $600,000 Rolls-Royce and $1.3 MILLION Bugatti he's using to drive him around L.A.

Oh, he also bought a new $100,000 Rolex and showed off about $100,000 (maybe more?) in cash he had on him the entire time.

The video is an embarrassment of riches -- so, naturally, we had to ask what's next for the boxer?

What he says actually makes a lot of sense ...

022318_floyd_mayweather_cars_kal
BIRTHDAY SWAG

Dana White I Finally Spoke to Jon Jones ... Talked Comeback

Published | Updated

Dana White says he and Jon Jones are finally back on speaking terms after Jones' failed steroid tests ... and he's revealing what Jon told him, including his thoughts on a comeback.

Remember ... Jones failed two separate drug tests administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency -- one before he was supposed to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 200, and one after he fought Cormier at UFC 214.

Naturally, Dana was pissed ... telling the guys on "TMZ Sports" they still hadn't spoken since the first time Jon popped -- way back in July, 2016.

082417_dana_white_kal_3 8/24/17
SO MUCH PROMISE

But now, it seems the UFC honcho and former pound-for-pound king are turning over a new leaf ... 'cause they caught up, and Jon told Dana he "absolutely wants to come back."

As for the when ... White says that's up to USADA, who still hasn't made a decision on how long Jones will be banned (he's facing up to 4 years).

In the meantime, Dana says Jon's "just focusing on training" and "looking to positive things" in his life.

The UFC prez also weighed in on Anderson Silva telling us "contaminated supplements" are to blame for his most recent drug-test failure ... and he didn't exactly sound convinced.

022018_anderson_silva_kal 2/20/18
I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!

Conor McGregor Blasted By Frankie Edgar's Manager ... 'He'll Beat Your Ass'

Published | Updated
022218_ali_abdelaziz_kla
ALL BARK, NO BITE

Conor McGregor has been ducking Frankie Edgar for years and never REALLY wanted to fight him at UFC 222 in March ... this according to Frankie's manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

And by the way ... that's putting it mildly.

Ali just WENT OFF on Conor -- comparing him to a prostitute and guaranteeing Frankie would "Beat the sh*t out of him and the entire nation of Ireland."

It's all over Conor's new comments in which the Irish superstar claimed he offered to step in and fight Frankie at UFC 222 on March 3 but the UFC shut it down claiming there wasn't enough time to promote it properly.

Ali says if Conor was serious about fighting Frankie -- he's had PLENTY of time to come to terms on a deal over the years. Instead, Ali says, "He's scared."

Conor McGregor Offered to Fight at UFC 222

Published | Updated

Conor McGregor says he's ALREADY reached out to the UFC to fight in the Octagon again -- insisting, "I put my name forward to step in at UFC 222 to face Frankie Edgar when Max Holloway pulled out."

McGregor has seemingly just responded to Dana White's comments to TMZ Sports ... in which White said he didn't know if Conor would ever fight again because he's got sooo much money now.

"I am fighting again. Period," Conor says.

"I am the best at this. I put my name forward to step in at UFC 222 to face Frankie Edgar when Max Holloway pulled out, but I was told there wasn't enough time to generate the money that the UFC would need."

"I was excited about bouncing in last minute and taking out the final featherweight, without all the rest of the stuff that comes with this game. Please respect the insane amount of work outside the fight game that I have put in."

"On top of the fighting. I am here. It is on them to come and get me. Because I am here. Yours sincerely, The Champ Champ."

UFC 222 is scheduled for March 3 in Vegas. Max Holloway pulled out of the main event against Edgar on February 3 after suffering an injury.

022118_dana_white_kal
TIME FOR A NEW CHAMP

WWE's Brock Lesnar Primed for UFC Comeback ... Says His Advocate

Published | Updated
022118_paul_heyman_kal
I GOTTA FULL PLATE

Brock Lesnar's tearin' it up as WWE Universal Champion right now, but there's a very real possibility he goes back to the UFC -- so says the guy closest to Brock in WWE.

We asked Lesnar's advocate, Paul Heyman, about his client potentially stepping back inside the Octagon after WrestleMania (when his WWE contract runs up) ... and he told us why the Beast is ready as ever.

"The time away (from UFC) actually makes him better because his body gets a chance to heal," Heyman told TMZ Sports.

"Brock Lesnar's probably the healthiest fighter to enter UFC if he decides to do that."

The timing's pretty interesting -- Dana White recently said he wouldn't be surprised if Brock gives it another shot.

FYI, there were also rumors of Brock wanting to come back to fight Jon Jones ... before Jones' positive steroids test in August.

Of course, we had to ask Paul about the possibility of him becoming the mouthpiece for Ronda Rousey, who's basically expected to be the Brock of WWE's women's division ... and he didn't rule it out.

Dana White Yes, I'm Stripping Conor's Belt ... No Deal with Floyd Yet

Published | Updated
022118_dana_white_kal
TIME FOR A NEW CHAMP

It's official ... Dana White tells TMZ Sports he's definitely stripping Conor McGregor's lightweight title, so Khabib and Tony Ferguson can fight for the "real" belt.

So, what does that mean for a possible Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor rematch?

Don't worry ... we talked about that, too.

"The only way a rematch makes sense in that fight is in the UFC," White says. He also confirms the two sides are talking.

White says he doesn't think Floyd needs the money -- but if he's serious about an MMA fight against one of the baddest combat sports athletes on the planet ... "he absolutely should be worried about his skills."

White insists there is NO deal done right now -- but says, "Anything is possible."

As for Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson ... Dana says Conor understands that he must strip the belt so the two guys can fight for the title.

He hopes Conor returns to the octagon in August or Sept. to fight the winner of that match.

Then again, with the kind of money Conor made in his last fight ... Dana says, "Conor might never come back."

Chuck Liddell to Tito Ortiz: I Got Proof UFC Docs Will Clear Me ... To Kick Your Ass AGAIN

Published | Updated
022118_chuck_liddell_kal
A LITTLE SKEPTICAL
TMZSports.com

Chuck Liddell says he's got legit evidence his health ain't an issue, so if Tito Ortiz wants it like he claims, he can absolutely get it!!

The Iceman fired back at Ortiz when we got him out in Calabasas, telling TMZ Sports he'd be "shocked" if UFC doctors didn't clear him for an Octagon return ... to smash Tito for the 3rd time in his career.

Chuck's proof -- he recently set out to scale a 20,000-FOOT mountain for a YouTube Red special ... and the 48-year-old says their docs gave him a clean bill of health for the grueling climb.

Guessing their medical tests are a little different ... but Chuck told us the UFC's cleared fighters in way worse shape than him, anyway.

So, Liddell says he's praying Tito puts pen to paper ... but explains why he has real doubts Ortiz will do it.