UFC

Here's Conor McGregor in the middle of a serious PR offensive ... because, hours after trying to show a judge he's not a violent monster, he took his adorable family out for a cute bike ride in the park!

Conor -- along with his girlfriend, Dee Devlin, and their adorable son, Conor Jr. -- peddled out into Central Park on Thursday afternoon ... flanked by Conor's security team and entourage.

One of the entourage members is Cian Cowley -- who also appeared in court with Conor on Thursday for participating in the attack on a UFC bus back in April.

After the hearing, Conor told the media he regrets his actions and he's taking the case seriously.

Conor's facing up to 7 years in prison for the attack -- but, c'mon, you think a judge is gonna look at pics like these and really throw this doting bike-riding family man behind bars??

McGregor is one of the most calculating people on the planet. He knows exactly what he's doing.

UFC star Derrick Lewis says he was genuinely impressed with Greg Hardy's 57-second knockout ... but tells TMZ Sports he's REALLY HAPPY that it means he's one step closer to fighting the ex-NFL star.

Remember, Lewis has previously told us he has real hatred toward Hardy because he believes Greg DID brutalize the ex-girlfriend he was accused of attacking back in 2014.

Hardy was initially convicted of domestic violence, but appealed -- and won -- and the conviction was overturned.

Lewis tells TMZ Sports his stepfather abused his mother -- and he still has a lot of built up anger he wants to take out on Hardy.

Conor McGregor just walked out of an NYC courtroom where he appeared for a hearing for his bus attack case ... and told the media, "I regret my actions that led me here today."

He continued, "I understand the seriousness of this matter and I'm hopeful that it gets resolved soon."

Inside the courtroom, Conor's attorney told the judge the UFC star is negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. They're due back in court July 26.

McGregor was hit with multiple charges -- including felony criminal mischief -- for attacking a UFC bus at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 5 ... injuring multiple people including some UFC fighters.

If convicted on all counts, Conor faces up to 7 YEARS in prison.

Conor was escorted inside the courtroom by armed police officers who were controlling the crowd and keeping the peace.

Conor looked stylish -- wearing a suit and tie. His demeanor was much different than the last time he was in court -- no billionaire strut this time. He was very reserved.

Conor was joined by his manager, Audie Attar.

Greg Hardy says he's feeling extremely "positive" after his impressive UFC performance on Tuesday -- and says he wants to prove to his haters that he's truly a changed man.

TMZ Sports spoke with the ex-NFL star after his 57-second knockout victory over Austen Lane on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series ... and you can tell he's excited about his MMA future.

"I'm feeling great. I'm feeling positive. I'm feeling excited. I'm ready to go ... ready to take this next step and see where it takes us."

Hardy knows his new UFC contract will come with scrutiny because of his troubled past -- including allegations of domestic violence -- but says he hopes people will give him a chance to prove he's not a monster.

"It would be best to meet me, give me an opportunity," Hardy said ... "I think I can win a lot of people back over to my side."

As we previously reported, Dana White wants Hardy to get a couple more fights under his belt before he matches up with a major UFC opponent ... but Hardy says he's already got his sights on Derrick Lewis.

Mark Wahlberg says his offer to give Conor McGregor a piece of his UFC ownership stake has expired ... telling TMZ Sports, the dude has already been compensated enough!

Mark -- along with a bunch of other big stars like Sylvester Stallone, Tom Brady and Ben Affleck -- got a piece of the UFC back in 2016.

And right after Conor had defeated Nate Diaz and Eddie Alvarez, Mark offered to sell him part of his ownership stake after McGregor had griped that he wasn't getting paid enough.

But that was BEFORE Conor made $100 MILLION fighting Floyd Mayweather in August 2017 ... and apparently, that has changed the circumstances for Wahlberg.

Don't feel bad for either guy ... they're both gonna be fine.

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.