UFC

UFC newcomer Mackenzie Dern is flattered by all the Ronda Rousey comparisons, but says she's her own woman ... and wants to accomplish EVEN MORE than Ronda in MMA!!

We talked to the jiu-jitsu phenom before her debut at UFC 222 ... and she laid out why labeling her Rousey 2.0 ain't right -- even though both women are known for ripping their opponents' arms off.

"It's nice that people think that, but I'm not the next Ronda Rousey," Dern told TMZ Sports. "We are two different people, different personalities, different histories, different obstacles ... it's a new era."

That said, Mackenzie told us she's gunnin' for it all -- and hopes to achieve "at least as much, if not more" than the UFC's first female trailblazer.

Gonna have to tune in Saturday to see if she passes her first test, 'TUF' alum Ashley Yoder, but one thing's for sure ... she's got the look.

LeBron better start knucklin' up ... 'cause the baller he's been beefin' with is getting boxing lessons from a UFC superstar!!

That superstar is former middleweight champ Chris Weidman -- who came through Knicks practice on Wednesday to chill with his hometown hoops squad ... including Bron's trash-talkin' rival, Enes Kanter.

Weidman shot around with Enes -- but it looks like they had more fun strappin' on the gloves to get the Turkish big man ready for a potential throwdown with the King.

"Hey @kingjames, I've been training my guy @eneskanter11. Best think twice before messing with the Orange and Blue again," Chris tweeted at LeBron.

FYI, Kanter called LBJ a "queen" and a "princess" after they got in each other's faces in November ... and trolled him after a game last month, too.

Stipe Miocic is from Cleveland, Bron -- might be time to reach out.

The baddest woman on the planet ain't afraid of taking on Floyd Mayweather inside an MMA cage ... and she's laying out exactly how she'd smash him.

We spoke with UFC champ Cris Cyborg ahead of her 2nd title defense this weekend at UFC 222 ... and had to ask how she thinks she'd fare against Floyd, who's talked to Dana White about potentially taking a fight for the UFC.

Cyborg didn't back down -- telling TMZ Sports all the tools she'd have to bust out to put Mayweather to sleep.

Of course, that's a fantasy matchup we're never gonna see (well, maybe in Japan) ... so if ya wanna catch Cyborg, you're gonna have to tune in this Saturday when she scraps with Yana Kunitskaya.

Jon Jones is officially BANNED from fighting in California ... at least for now ... after the California Athletic Commission revoked his fight license over a positive steroids test at UFC 214.

Jones is eligible to apply for reinstatement in August 2018 -- one year retroactive from his failed drug test.

Jones was also hit with a $205,000 fine -- 40% of his fight purse from the Daniel Cormier fight -- the largest fine the C.A.C. could levy.

The punishment was handed out after a terrible hearing for Jones -- who was grilled like a cheeseburger over the steroid test and other screw-ups in his life.

But, the worst moment for Jones undoubtedly came when he admitted he never completed USADA's anti-doping tutorials in 2015 ... despite the fact he signed paperwork saying he did.

Jon later said his management team took the tutorials for him and forged his signature.

As for the steroid test ... Jon testified that he had no idea how the the anabolic steroid Turinabol got into his system. Jones insisted he never knowingly took the substance and suggested it may have been planted in his workout supplements by an enemy.

"I have no clue how this happened," Jones told the panel. "My luck has been terrible when it comes to USADA."

And the worst could still be yet to come for Jones ... who will meet with USADA later this year.

Canelo Alvarez says he wouldn't be caught dead in an MMA cage 'cause he's got too much love and respect for boxing ... unlike Floyd Mayweather.

With all the buzz about Floyd possibly taking a UFC fight, we had to ask Canelo if he'd consider crossing over, too.

Canelo shut that down quick -- and shaded his former rival in the process.

"I respect boxing. Boxing's my sport. That's what I love. The other sport, that's something we'll never know," he told TMZ Sports.

As for Floyd -- "With him you never know ... but you know what? Whatever he does doesn't interest me."

Of course, Canelo's focus is on his May 5 rematch vs. GGG ... and both guys let us know why this one's a way bigger deal than their first matchup.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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).

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!

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 ...

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.

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.