UFC

1-handed MMA star Nick Newell says his uphill battle to make the UFC ain't unlike the one Ronda Rousey and other female badasses faced back in the day ... and he's making his case for the same outcome.

We spoke to Nick after his dominant comeback fight at LFA 35 over the weekend, and he doubled down on his pitch for a UFC fight -- telling us he's done more than enough to scrap inside the Octagon.

"I'm gonna win fights there," Newell told TMZ Sports. "I'm ready to start snappin' some necks and cashin' some checks."

But Nick, who's 14-1 after his latest win, didn't sound too confident he'd get the call -- comparing his situation to the era of women's MMA before Rousey broke through.

Of course, women are now bigger in the UFC than arguably any major pro sports org. -- so "Notorious" is hoping Dana White changes his tune.

One of the frontrunners to fight CM Punk is making his case for the big-money bout ... saying he'll make it an unforgettable scrap -- by knocking Punk the hell out!!

We spoke with MMA fighter/personality Mike "The Truth" Jackson after confirming Punk was taking a 2nd fight at UFC 225... and he dropped some real talk about why he should get to knuckle up the former WWE superstar.

"It's styles, it's personalities, it's somebody who's gonna sell the fight," Jackson told TMZ Sports. "Let's make money, Dana!"

As for the likelihood of Mike getting the call ... he says he's already chatted with a UFC matchmaker and Punk's coach, but "nothing is set in stone."

That said, they're both 0-1 and got wrecked by the same fighter in their UFC debuts (Mickey Gall) ... plus, we found video proof he can cut a promo!

Ronda Rousey has essentially announced her retirement from MMA -- even though she won't officially say the words, "I'm retired."

It all went down on the 'Ellen' show (airs Tuesday) -- when Ellen asked Ronda if she'll ever go back to the UFC.

"I don't know," Ronda said ... "I think it's just as likely as me going back to another Olympics for judo."

FYI, Rousey won a bronze medal in judo in the 2008 Summer Olympics. She began her MMA fighting career in 2010. And let's face it, she ain't going back to judo.

"No one demanded a written resignation from me for judo and I don't really think the same thing is necessary for fighting."

"I'm just doing what I enjoy and WWE is what I enjoy right now."

CM Punk is finally returning to the Octagon, TMZ Sports has confirmed -- and this time, he vows to make up for that loss against Mickey Gall.

Punk was clapping back at trolls on Twitter when he broke the news ... responding to someone who asked, "When are we gonna see you cry again in the octagon?"

Punk's response ... "June nine, after I win and lock eyes with my beautiful wife, embrace my coaches and shout out my entire team."

June 9 is UFC 225 in Chicago -- Punk's hometown. For now, there's no word on who his opponent will be.

Punk hasn't fought since UFC 203 back in Sept. 2016 when he suffered a brutal submission loss in the 1st round to Gall.

Conor McGregor's a living legend to his Irish fans ... but Ireland's 2nd biggest UFC star says he is NOT cut out for a political career back home.

We asked "Irish" Joe Duffy about McGregor pulling a Trump when his fighting days are done -- something Conor teased when we got him out in NYC last month.

Joe -- who fought and beat Conor back in the day -- was super complimentary of McGregor as a fighter, but told us why a run for office wouldn't end well for him.

"In Ireland, people are quite humble," Duffy told TMZ Sports, "Cockiness isn't a trait they generally take to."

Joe also told us he couldn't see Conor campaigning for a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov -- the scariest dude in their division right now ... and he made some pretty good points.

Duffy ain't the only one who feels that way ... lightweight contender Justin Gaethje basically sang the same tune when we spoke to him recently.

Take a step back, Ronda Rousey haters -- Diamond Dallas Page says Rowdy's gonna be just fine ... even though her mic work for WWE's been sorta shaky thus far.

"Give the girl a break, man," DDP told TMZ Sports. "It's a lot of pressure going in, but that girl thrives on pressure."

DDP would know -- the pro wrestling legend says he faced the same acting issues coming into the biz ... but eventually settled in, just like he thinks Ronda will once she gets some more reps under her belt.

Of course, some athletes are born entertainers ... and DDP says Ronda's ex-UFC bro, Conor McGregor, definitely has that gift.

"If anyone really gets the showmanship, it's McGregor."

But, will WWE fans ever get to hear Conor slay the mic inside the squared circle? DDP ain't so sure about that ...

MMA's 1-handed killer is BACK -- and this time, he says he ain't stopping til he gets to the UFC.

We spoke with former XFC lightweight champ Nick Newell -- who retired back in 2015 -- before he returns to the cage Friday night at LFA 35 ... and when we asked if UFC was still the goal, he didn't mince words.

Specifically, Nick fired back at Dana White -- who previously said it was "craziness" to fight with 1 fist.

"I am crazy ... and I'll wipe out that (UFC lightweight) division," Newell told TMZ Sports.

"Gimme the opportunity, send me over the papers, and it's gonna happen."

Nick's always been gunnin' for the big show ... and with other 1-handed athletes like NFL prospect Shaquem Griffin showing out right now, he says there's never been a better time for him to make his case.

Floyd Mayweather will start his MMA training with a bona fide UFC champ -- with Tyron Woodley saying he's spoken with TBE and has agreed to get him ready for his debut in the ocatgon.

"Floyd Mayweather is interested in taking an MMA bout, maybe a few of 'em," Woodley said on "The Hollywood Beatdown."

"So, who better than The Chosen One to teach him the ropes on how we get off the ropes and get in the cage!"

Tyron and Floyd have been friendly for a while -- and when the two connected in L.A. during NBA All-Star weekend, Tyron says they decided to work together to get Floyd MMA-ready.

By the way, Tyron says Floyd can ABSOLUTELY WIN -- even if his opponent is Conor McGregor -- and he's got a real game plan to help Mayweather get that W.

There's more ... Tyron also weighs in on Canelo Alvarez's PED excuse (Mexican cow meat) and claps back at rapper Tekashi69.

Welp, that didn't take long -- Conor McGregor just fired back at 50 Cent for claiming black people have "superior genes" ... saying the rap star should pull out his old-man boobs to celebrate women's day.

"Get your tits out for the lads, ladies," McGregor said in a social media rant ... which he attached to a picture of a shirtless 50.

"I am made of granite. You need a bra."

Conor also told 50 to "f**k off" ... 'cause he's a 50-year-old fool (he's actually 42) who needs to stay in his lane.

Surprisingly, Conor also worked in a semi-compliment with his shots -- saying they still bump his old hits in Ireland ... and claiming he rocked out to one before UFC 205.

Jon Jones isn't gonna let the whole potential loss of his UFC career thing get him down ... and he's proving it -- raging onstage with Steve Aoki in New Mexico!!

It was just last week that Jones got his fighting license revoked by the California Athletic Commission, and the speculation is USADA could hit him with a multi-year ban.

Jon put his blues aside on Monday night, hitting up Aoki's Kolony Tour when it came through Albuquerque ... going shirtless and hopping onstage with Steve (who's kinda shredded).

Not sure what it means that Jon's partying -- his USADA hearing's upcoming -- but before you drill him for being out, check out what he did for a kid in the audience!

Savvy, Jon.

Arianny Celeste LOVES Floyd Mayweather -- and not just for his ass-kickin' abilities!

We got the UFC's baddest Octagon girl up in the Bev Hills, and hit her with some questions on the UFC rematch that's got everyone talking -- Floyd vs. Conor 2.

Going off her answers ... it's safe to say Arianny's on The Money Team!!

-- Would you wanna see Floyd in the UFC? "I'd love to see that happen."

-- Could Floyd beat Conor? "I'd give him a chance, yeah."

-- And the big one ... Who's hotter? "I'd have to go with Floyd ... Floyd's swag is on another level."

Celeste even let it slip that she'd be rooting for TBE -- even though he's the outsider.

If this won't motivate Floyd to step inside the Octagon ... we don't know what will.

It PAYS to work for MMA star Rampage Jackson -- just ask his manager, Tiki Ghosn, who just got a $100k Range Rover on the house!!

Rampage filmed the late bday surprise earlier today ... when Tiki pulled up on Rampage's fleet of whips -- including the Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic, which retails for over 6 figures after taxes and fees.

Tiki was already shocked to see more new cars in Rampage's collection ... but once he realized the Range was his, dude lost his mind.

"It's what? Shut the f**k up. Are you f**king serious? This is my car. Oh, f**k, are you kidding me?!"

Rampage said it was a gift for negotiating "the best fight contract I ever had" -- a deal he inked with Bellator back in November.

Congrats, Tiki! Ya lucky SOB ...

She's still nursing a broken arm -- but Paige VanZant says she'll be healed up and ready to knock people out again in 6 MONTHS.

"I know I'll have a fight in 6 months and that's guaranteed," Paige told us on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1).

Paige even showed off her scars from the surgery -- where she got a titanium plate and 7 screws -- to repair the broken arm she suffered in her UFC Fight Night 124 loss to Jessica-Rose Clark.

Paige says she doesn't have an opponent in mind for her comeback -- but feels she's still in a title contention spot in the 125-pound division.

"So, we'll just pick somebody from the list and take 'em out!"

Paige was joined on the show by her fiance, Austin Vanderford -- who's also a pro MMA fighter -- and the two explained what it's like to train (and trade punches) with your significant other!

UFC star Paige VanZant and her fiance spent their Tuesday punching each other in the face -- but don't worry, it was consensual.

Paige is engaged to undefeated welterweight MMA fighter Austin Vanderford -- and the two train together at a gym in Portland.

Tuesday was boxing day -- so they paired up, strapped on the gloves and let each other have it!

Paige was able to land a few shots -- so was Austin -- but when it was all said and done, there was no bad blood. In fact, PVZ suggests the workout helps them bond.

"Find someone who shares your passion and grow together ❤️ (we both signed waivers, were allowed to do this 😝)."

Cris Cyborg says she's changed her tune on rearranging Amanda Nunes' face ... and is now willing to rumble with the UFC's other Brazilian women's champ!

"If she's calling me out she has to prepare herself," Cyborg said. "[Nunes] should defend her (135-pound) belt, but if not, OK, we'll fight in July."

Remember, Cyborg was NOT about that life just a couple months ago ... telling us she needed to focus on the 145-pound division and give deserving contenders their shot.

But after wrecking Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222, she's game for a greater challenge -- beating the chick who KO'd Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate into retirement!!

Cris told us Nunes ain't ready for someone her size ... and after watching Cyborg DISMANTLE natural 135'ers like Yana and Holly Holm, ya gotta wonder if Amanda's having second thoughts.

The beef between Conor McGregor and 50 Cent is heating up again -- with the rapper once again blasting the UFC star ... and this time, it's personal.

Remember, these two have been trading shots since last year -- when Conor declared, "50 Cent's a bitch!" because he sided with Mayweather before their boxing match.

50 responded saying he could take Conor in a street fight ... and mocked him for getting choked out by Nate Diaz.

Fast forward to Monday when Conor went after 50 on social media ... saying, "[50 Cent] blocked me on [Instagram]. The mad 50 year old instagram blocker. Ahh don't block me 50 kid, I still like some of your songs. The older ones hahah."

Of course, 50 responded ... posting a video Tuesday morning mocking Conor's relationship with Rita Ora and suggesting Conor cheated with her behind his girlfriend Dee Devlin's back.

50 eventually deleted the video.