UFC

Dana White says he will finally come face-to-face with Conor McGregor after the UFC star's bus attack hearing ... where they will presumably talk about Conor's next fight.

"He and I are meeting on the 18th of this month," Dana tells TMZ Sports. Unclear where the meeting will take place.

As for Conor's criminal case in New York City, Dana says he's had ZERO involvement in McGregor's defense and has no idea what will happen in court on Thursday.

Sources connected to the case tell us Conor has been working on a plea deal with prosecutors -- which is important for McGregor since he's facing up to 7 years in prison for the April attack which left several people injured.

But, White says he's completely in the dark on that -- "I don't know whats gonna happen. I don't know what Conor has planned. I don't know what Conor and his team have worked on."

Dana White was so impressed by Greg Hardy's 57-second knockout on Tuesday, he wants to get him back in the Octagon as soon as he can ... telling TMZ Sports he's shooting for August.

"He's got a lot of raw talent," White said from his gym ... "He looked good in his showing there."

White says he wants to get Hardy more experience before he puts the ex-NFL star on the main UFC stage -- and the ideal situation would be a second fight in his Tuesday Night Contender Series.

"In a perfect world what I'd love to do is turn him around and have him fight again in the last fight of the Contender Series."

FYI, the series finale is reportedly set for August 7 ... which would give Hardy exactly 8 weeks to prep.

White says if Hardy wins that fight, he'd still like to see him rack up a few more wins before he gets a major UFC fight.

As to the criticism that comes with signing Hardy -- who was convicted of domestic violence (which was later overturned when Hardy appealed) ... White says he's ready for it.

"What I respect about the guy is he did something really bad and horrible. He went through everything you need to go though after you do something disgusting like that. Then he hit rock bottom, picked himself back up, started to work his way up to become not only a better human being but a better athlete."

Conor McGregor has boarded a jet and is returning to the United States ... where he's scheduled to appear in an NYC courtroom to face charges for his attack on a UFC bus back in April.

McGregor is facing several criminal charges -- including felony criminal mischief -- for the April 5 incident at Barclay's Center when he threw a steel dolly at a UFC bus.

Several people were injured in the incident -- including multiple UFC fighters and staff.

Conor spent the night in jail and eventually flew back to Ireland.

But Tuesday, McGregor posted a photo in front of a private jet -- presumably the plane he'll take to return to the U.S.

McGregor is reportedly working on a plea deal with prosecutors -- and, since he's facing 7 years in prison if convicted, it's in his best interest to cut a deal.

Some real talk from UFC rising star Sean O'Malley ... who tells TMZ Sports he's a BIG fan of Wiz Khalifa, but knows the dude would get crushed if he took a real UFC fight.

Remember, Wiz has been training like crazy at Jay Glazer's Unbreakable gym -- and even UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he's been very impressed with the rapper's fighting skills.

In fact, Wiz told us he believes he could compete in a pro MMA fight -- but won't do it unless someone offers a TON of cash.

But, O'Malley says when push comes to shove ... Wiz has "no chance" in a real UFC fight and gives the hard truth about why Khalifa would get smoked for real.

It's not personal, O'Malley's just being honest ... and tells us he still REALLY wants to smoke with Wiz.

There's more ... O'Malley also updates us on his recovery from his foot injury and tells us why he's become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Fortnite.

Greg Hardy made one hell of an impression on Dana White -- knocking out his opponent 57 seconds into his UFC Contender Series fight.

Hardy was matched up against another former NFL lineman Austen Lane Tuesday night -- and the winner gets an opportunity to earn a UFC contract ... if White feels like the fighter has earned it.

Hardy -- who was undefeated in his previous 3 amateur MMA fights -- hit the Octagon like a violent tornado ... and rocked Lane -- who was 2-0 with 2 KOs in his previous pro fights -- with a couple of devastating haymakers.

Lane went down ... and the ref called it immediately for Hardy.

Tyron Woodley says he's gonna do way more than kick the hell outta Colby Covington ... telling TMZ Sports he's going to KILL CC in the Octagon ... and it doesn't sound like he was kidding.

Covinginton (again) called Woodley out this past Saturday after his victory over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 ... referring to Woodley as a "coward" and a "b**ch."

Well, he got through to Tyron ... because when Woodley came on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (full interview airs tonight at 9PM PT on FS1), he told the guys he was going to do the type of damage to Covington that can't be reversed.

"I want him never to fight again," T-Wood says, "I want to end his life."

Woodley says it's not just the call-out that's got him so pissed at Covington, it's the guy's whole EXISTENCE that ticks him off.

"When you disrespect my division, you disrespect the sport, you disrespect the team that I fight for, and also, just the HUMAN RACE, you're an embarrassment."

CM Punk should NEVER fight again ... according to Mike Jackson, who says if not for the mercy he showed, Punk could've been badly hurt Saturday night.

TMZ Sports talked to Jackson about his UFC 225 fight against Punk ... and, while MJ says Punk is a tough MF'er ... he also says real-life fighting ain't for him.

FYI -- CM went the distance in the fight ... but was thoroughly dominated.

"It's not even a knock on the man and his skills. It's all about his safety. We're in a sport where you're trying to incapacitate someone," Jackson says, "It's a dangerous sport. People's lives, health is on the line."

Jackson goes on to say ... "I never wanted to hurt the guy. I just wanted to beat him up a little bit, so he knows not to do this no more"

"The Truth" also sent a message to Dana White -- who was pissed 'cause he thought MJ was showboating during the fight.

Dana White says he believes Brock Lesnar's contract with WWE is up at the end of the summer ... and he KNOWS Brock wants to take another UFC fight.

In fact, White says the opponent he's gunning to match up with ... is Jon Jones.

"Jon Jones is very interested in Brock Lesnar and Brock is very interested in Jon Jones," White tells TMZ Sports.

The issue ... Jones is currently suspended for failing a drug test surrounding his 2017 fight against Daniel Cormier.

The suspension is provisional until USADA makes an official ruling -- and it seems that could happen pretty soon.

"I'll end up figuring that out in the next month," White says ... "I don't know how that's gonna play out. That's up to USADA."

If it doesn't work out with Jones, there's another big name who could face Lesnar -- Dana says that too could be a really fun fight.

Andre Berto isn't into the idea of a 48-year-old Chuck Liddell taking on a 43-year-old Tito Ortiz, telling TMZ Sports both men are at the age where they need to ride off into the MMA sunset.

Lidell & Ortiz are reportedly in deep talks for a bout this year as part of Oscar De La Hoya's new Golden Boy MMA promotion, which would be the 3rd fight between the two men.

We got Berto at LAX and he told our guy he's not a fan of geriatric brawling ... advising both guys to cool it before they break a hip.

"I been watching Tito, I been watching Chuck for years, man. With us fighters we need to understand, we have that beast in us for a certain period of time, and we need to know when to ease out and tap into some other things."

Berto also talked about the Internet wanting a Mike Tyson comeback ... it's true ... a Tyson highlight vid went viral now people wanna see Tyson vs Joshua ... with Mike at 51.

Andre is obviously against it ... but after watching the highlights video, we're not sure we'd count Mike out.

Floyd Mayweather isn't ALL smiles over his top rank on Forbes' highest paid athletes list this year ... telling TMZ Sports he shoulda been technically No. 1 AND No. 4!!

"Conor's at No. 4 because of me," Floyd said of the UFC superstar he boxed back in August.

"I'm No. 1, and the guy that's No. 4 is because of me."

The shade over the Irish fighter didn't stop there -- especially when we asked if he thinks Conor can ever get to his No. 1 spot.

"Absolutely not. Conor McGregor can never get to No. 1 without Floyd Mayweather."

For the record ... Forbes credited Floyd with making $285 mil the last 12 months, and Conor with $99 mil. Their respective purses from their monster summer fight were estimated to be around $200 mil and $70 mil ... so Floyd might have a point.

Greg Hardy is a changed man -- and has earned a 2nd chance to have a career as a pro athlete ... so says Dana White.

Of course, there have been plenty of critics who don't believe Hardy -- who was previously arrested for domestic violence -- deserves a chance to fight in Dana White's Contender series, including Jay Glazer.

For the record, Hardy was initially convicted -- but appealed the decision, and the verdict was later overturned after the alleged victim stopped cooperating with authorities.

White says Hardy has made mistakes in life -- including issues with drugs and alcohol -- but says he's confident Hardy has sobered up and turned his life around.

The former NFL star has racked up 3 impressive victories in his first 3 MMA fights -- and White believes the guy has real potential.

Hardy will be fighting Austen Lane on June 12 -- and if he wins, it's possible White could award him with a UFC contract.

Kanye West took us all for a crazy ride ... and brilliantly created that bizarre media firestorm as part of a diabolical plot to promote his new album -- so says Tyron Woodley.

The UFC champ had always been skeptical about Kanye's outbursts -- including the one during "TMZ Live" -- and had been adamant Yeezy was putting on an erratic front to grab headlines.

And after listening to Kanye's new album ... Tyron says he is CERTAIN he's right -- because he thinks it is the work of a pure genius.

Woodley spells the whole thing out in this week's "The Hollywood Beatdown With Tyron Woodley" -- where he also blasts hecklers and finally addresses UFC contender Colby Covington ... threatening to beat his ass.

Mike "The Truth" Jackson says he's already got his victory party planned if he beats CM Punk at UFC 225 this weekend ... FOOD AND HOT CHICKS!

"I'm knocking him out, man," Jackson tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm knocking him out."

Jackson knows Punk will be the fan favorite when they step in the Octagon since it's all going down in Punk's hometown of Chicago ... but Mike says all the fans in the world can't save CM.

"These people can't fight for him. He can't tag them in."

Afterward, Jackson says he ain't about to hit the clubs -- he wants some delicious Chicago-style pizza to go along with his W.

Bad news for Conor McGregor ... Floyd Mayweather's changed his mind about an MMA fight -- telling TMZ Sports he's way too busy to take a fight in the Octagon any time soon.

"I'm not thinking about fighting right now," Floyd told us while shopping with his crew in Beverly Hills.

Remember, Floyd was flirting with the idea of taking an MMA fight in 2018 -- with his eyes on McGregor -- and even reached out to UFC champ Tyron Woodley to set up a training program.

But Floyd says life has gotten in the way ... and he's been spending way too much time focusing on his family and growing his real estate business.

In fact, Floyd says he's a MAJOR investor in One Vanderbilt -- which he says will be the tallest skyscraper in New York.

Floyd says he's got more than $100,000,000 invested in NYC real estate projects -- and that's more important to him right now than learning a new combat sport.

The good news ... Floyd isn't completely closing the door on MMA, and insists he's keeping himself in shape just in case.

Stay tuned ...

UFC superstar Yoel Romero has a big rematch with Robert Whittaker this weekend ... but there's a MUCH bigger opponent he's already got his sights on -- SHAQ!!

TMZ Sports started asking The Cuban Missile about meeting The Big Aristotle at an event in Miami back in May ... and that's when Y.R. revealed he wants to get in the Octagon with the 7'1" giant to give him the whoopin' of a lifetime.

FYI, Yoel is 6'0" and 185 lbs.

Yoel might be teasing about the fight ... but one thing he's NOT joking about is what the outcome would be if he DID end up fighting the NBA legend.

As for Whittaker at UFC 225 ... Romero says he's gonna get his revenge on the loss at 213 and hints he's gonna make sure the outcome is indisputable this time around.

As for Shaq ... dude can fight -- he's been in the ring with both Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Shane Mosley and held his own!

CM Punk says he would LOVE to get back in the cage with Mickey Gall ever since he got destroyed in their tilt two years ago ... but Gall says Punk's a liar -- telling TMZ Sports, "HE DON'T WANT THAT!!"

Gall is convinced Punk's been talking about running it back knowin' damn well the UFC won't let the former WWE star back in the Octagon with him and let him get his ass kicked AGAIN.

"I think he's a liar. I think he's a liar. I don't think he actually wants that," Mickey told us.

"I don't think they'll let that happen to him again."

BUT ... Gall says there is a scenario where he WOULD give Punk a rematch -- and it involves CM's bout with Mike Jackson at UFC 225 this weekend.