UFC

UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he LOVES that Nike signed Colin Kaepernick -- because it's inspiring and brave ... and he strongly believes the QB is continuing the legacy of Muhammad Ali.

"When Muhammad Ali died, I think [Kaepernick] took the torch."

Tyron says Kaep could have easily taken his NFL money and shut up somewhere -- ignoring the glaring issues when it comes to police brutality against minorities ... but he did the courageous thing and spoke out.

... just like Ali.

There's a lot more on this episode of 'The Hollywood Beatdown' -- including Tyron's weight cut for his UFC 228 fight against Darren Till.

Tyron tells us everything about all of his last minute preparations -- including final meals and what music he listens to right before walking into the Octagon.

It's great stuff.

Ex-UFC fighter Melvin Guillard -- who fought the likes of Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje -- brutally attacked and KO'd a man in a Colorado bar ... and now cops are on the hunt.

TMZ Sports has obtained surveillance footage which shows the 35-year-old getting into it with several people at Bar Standard in Denver around 2 AM on Monday morning.

After some pushing and shoving, you can see Guillard -- with his trademark bleach blonde hair -- cold-cock a bar patron in the face ... knocking the guy out cold before he hit the floor.

The victim was clearly unconscious and people ran to tend to him -- while a female patron tried to attack Guillard in retaliation. Guillard hit her too.

TMZ Sports spoke with a Denver Police Dept. spokesperson who told us several witnesses were able to identify the attacker as Guillard ... and now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Guillard was a pretty promising MMA fighter when he first started out -- appearing on "The Ultimate Fighter" season 2. He famously scored a victory against UFC stud Jeremy Stephens back in 2010.

But, he also got his ass kicked a lot ... chalking up Ls to guys like Nate Diaz, Israel Adesanya, Justin Gaethje, Michael Johnson and Donald Cerrone.

The UFC is the gift that keeps on giving, especially if you're one of the guys who sold it for max profit ... and later got some of the biggest names in music for your kid's wedding.

Frank Fertitta's daughter, Kelley, got hitched this weekend in Vegas to her man, Tyler, in what turned out to be one hell of a shindig -- 'cause they got guys like Bruno Mars, John Mayer and Seal to perform live. Needless to say ... that can't come cheap.

It all went down Saturday at the Red Rock Casino, with Bruno clearly being the biggest name on the bill. Based on video that was taken up close, it looks like he had close to a full band performing with him ... and belted out a few songs as part of his set.

John Mayer's performance from the rehearsal dinner appeared to be a bit more low-key and subtle (that's kinda his thing) ... but Seal's time on the mic day-of seemed to be the most intimate. He was on the dance floor singing to (and with, honestly) the crowd around him. Other notable guests of honor included EDM DJ Marshmello ... and none other than the king of UFC himself, Dana White.

In case you weren't familiar, Frank and his brother, Lorenzo, bought UFC back in 2001 for $2 million ... and sold it just a couple years ago for a reported $4 BILLION. So yeah ... the Fertatti family's set for life. It's no wonder they could snag such A-list talent -- they're freakin' loaded!!

Fresh off snatchin' James Vick's soul, Justin Gaethje's got a wish list of 3 of the baddest MF'ers in the UFC -- Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Gaethje joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (weeknights on FS1) just days after his devastating 87 second KO victory ... and he ain't lookin' to wait long before stepping back in the Octagon.

"Now, I needed this so bad. We're right back in the mix," Gaethje says ... "I'll even fight the loser of Khabib and Conor. Hell, I'm in."

Gaethje also says he's got work for Tony Ferguson -- who's fighting on the Conor-Khabib UFC 229 card in October.

"If something happens with Anthony Pettis. He stubs his toe, rolls an ankle. I'm in. I'll fight October 6th verse [Ferguson]. That's for damn sure."

"He's coming off a leg injury. I'll go in there and chop it off the rest of the way."

Mike Perry is hoping for a second shot at a first impression with Jon Jones ... 'cause the UFC fighter was HIGH AS BALLS when the two met earlier this month -- and he says Jon kinda hated him for it.

The hilarious tale all went down after Mike landed in Albuquerque to train at Jackson Wink MMA Academy ... when Perry decided eating a weed brownie before meeting one of the best ever would be a good idea.

"I had this f*cking brownie, and I was dead when Jon came through," Mike says.

"I didn't know it was going to be like that! So, Jon's like a little disappointed in me, because our first meeting the other day I was high as hell on some brownie!!"

Mike says he tried to mend the fences ... and he thinks he might have salvaged it -- 'cause he says Jon's agreed to grapple with him.

3:30PM PT -- Diaz released a statement addressing the case ...

"I'm grateful this case is finally over, I want to thank my team and my lawyer Ross Goodman for the excellent work. But most importantly, I want to thank the fans who stuck by me throughout this process. I'm happy to put this chapter of my life behind me and I'm looking forward to focusing on my return."

Nick Diaz is officially off the hook in his felony domestic violence case ... at least, according to the UFC star's attorney.

As we previously reported ... Diaz was arrested back in May after a woman claimed he slammed her to the ground and choked her in a Las Vegas home.

When cops arrived, officers say the woman had injuries -- she was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Diaz was facing 3 felony domestic violence charges and a misdemeanor -- serious business.

But now, Diaz's attorney Ross Goodman has told ESPN ... prosecutors have thrown out the case and Nick is in the clear.

"[Nick is] grateful the District Attorney's office was fair and thoughtful in reviewing this case based on the evidence," Goodman said to ESPN.

"Truth delayed is better than no truth at all and I trust that the ultimate dismissal of all charges with prejudice will be viewed as total vindication for Nick and clears his name from being associated with such horrific but false allegations."

We spoke with Nick after the incident -- and he joked that he was framed.

The biggest fight in UFC history will end in a loss for Conor McGregor -- 'cause he's NEVER fought a dude with strength like Khabib ... so says UFC star Kelvin Gastelum.

Kelvin tells TMZ Sports he's heard all about Khabib from other fighters ... and he sees no way McGregor will be able to overcome his power when they square off at UFC 229.

"Every time somebody speaks about Khabib, they tell me how strong he is and how he feels like a heavyweight once he gets a hold of you," Gastelum says.

"So, I feel like if he grabs a hold of Conor, he's never felt that kind of pressure and I think Khabib will get it done."

Kelvin's bold fight predictions didn't stop there ... 'cause he also tells us he's going to win his upcoming title bout with Robert Whittaker -- and he's even giving us the round it'll end in!!

By the way ... there's still no date set for that fight while Robert recovers from a broken hand.

Conor McGregor told Floyd Mayweather he can take that olive branch he offered and shove it ... saying, "There is no peace here, kid."

Remember ... Floyd gushed over McGregor to TMZ Sports on Monday, calling the Irish fighter a "warrior" and even inviting him to train for the Khabib fight at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Vegas.

But Conor clearly wants no part of that ... declining Floyd's offer on Tuesday with a fat middle finger.

"F*ck the Mayweathers, except Senior and Roger," Conor said.

"There is no peace here, kid. Step up or step down."

Floyd responded to Conor's tweet later Tuesday night by posting a pic from the fight ... saying "Easiest 9 figures I ever made!"

Obviously ... there's still bad blood on Conor's end from when the two fought in the boxing ring last August. McGregor lost ... and then had to deal with Floyd's trash talk over their Forbes List rankings (Floyd #1, Conor #4) a few months later.

Eryk Anders' opponent at UFC Fight Night really made an impression ... leaving his TEETH MARKS in Eryk's shin bone after he KO'd the dude with a leg strike to the face!!!

Anders was fighting Tim Williams on Saturday night -- and delivered the punishing blow with his left leg while Williams was trying to get up off the ground.

"His teeth marks are definitely in my shin," Anders said ... noting that his foot is fine and dandy after the fight.

By the way, Anders was a big college football star back in the day -- he was a linebacker on the 2009 Alabama BCS National Championship team and his sack in the 4th quarter sealed the game over Texas.

On top of that, Anders had a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns after his Bama days ... as well as stints in the CFL and Arena Football League before taking fighting seriously full-time.

Now, he's an MMA fighter -- and he's a good one, too. So far, the 31-year-old has already racked up an impressive 11-1 record with some violent finishes.

UFC knockout artist Justin Gaethje says his violent beatdown of James Vick this weekend felt "amazing" for him -- but for the other guy?

"It was the most terrifying night of that man's life."

Yeah, he ain't lyin'.

Gaethje joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) -- and said it was actually a "scary moment" for Vick ... 'cause getting KO'd is no joke.

"I've been there man. It's scary actually. His brain ... it's like a reset button on your forehead. It's like someone presses it every 30 seconds."

Gaethje was the #7 ranked lightweight fighter in the UFC going into the fight. Vick was ranked #10. The fight ended 90 seconds into the first round when Justin threw a crushing overhand right.

Gaethje says he actually felt bad for Vick -- a little bit -- but in the moment he was focusing on his accomplishment and "it feels f**king amazing."

Despite all the trash talk before the fight, Justin says there's no hard feelings anymore -- because it's way easier to squash beef after you almost knock your opponent's head off.

"It's a painful way to go out."

Floyd Mayweather has a warning for Khabib Nurmagomedov -- Conor McGregor is coming for your head!!

One year after Floyd and Conor faced off in the boxing ring, TBE says he learned firsthand McGregor is a "warrior" who's not afraid of anything ... and he's passing on a warning to his UFC 229 opponent.

"Conor's not gonna back down and he's not a scared fighter at all, win, lose or draw," Mayweather said at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City ... "Conor gonna come to fight."

Despite their rivalry, Floyd says he actually wants to HELP Conor this time around ... saying he'd love for CM to train at his home gym in Vegas.

"I know that UFC got a training facility but we'd like for him to work out at the Mayweather Boxing Club."

So, who's Floyd picking to win the fight?

"I don't really have a prediction because I've never seen the guy fight that's facing Conor McGregor -- from what I know he's a hell of a guy that's on the ground -- hell of a grappler -- and he can wrestle."

"But, the fans want to see you stand up and fight. That's what the fans like to see. But, Conor McGregor, he's a tough competitor, like I said before Conor McGregor's not gonna back down from anyone, he's not scared, he's a warrior."

UFC star Junior Dos Santos -- a former heavyweight champ -- claims he's been FALSELY identified as the violent maniac who knocked out several people in a nightclub rampage ... and he's pissed.

The video is insane -- showing a muscular dude dancing in a club on August 19 before another patron accidentally bumps into him. That's when it all goes to hell.

The man in the video explodes -- throwing haymakers at EVERYONE and sleeping dudes left and right. One of the men was knocked out cold and looked to be seriously injured.

The maniac continues brutalizing everyone in his path while onlookers try -- in vain -- to control him.

The security footage was posted online and identifies Junior by his nickname, "Cigano."

But, we spoke with Junior's attorney who is adamant the assailant is NOT her client -- claiming he was in Turks and Caicos with his family at the time and didn't set foot in a nightclub that evening.

We're told Junior's team has already reported the video to YouTube in the hopes of removing Junior's name from the title and description, claiming it's already hurting his reputation.

Nate Diaz says Bruce Buffer is OUT OF HIS MIND if he thinks he'll ever "bow" to Dana White and the UFC ... saying, "I bow down to no one ever!"

Diaz is reacting to comments Buffer made the other day when Bruce told TMZ Sports ... Nate should stop the complaining about the UFC since he's made MILLIONS fighting in the Octagon.

And instead of being bitter, Bruce said Nate should be "thanking the UFC and bowing to Dana White every time you see him."

We should note that Bruce explained he's a HUGE fan of Nate -- and wants to see Diaz have even more success.

But, Nate didn't take the comments well and fired back at Buffer -- saying, "Bruce Buffer wtf get off the Ufc nuts."

He continued, "[You're] bowing down right now tellling me to bow down? f*ck that u keep bowing down."

"I Bow down to no one ever for alll the money n the world."

Diaz added, "With all do respect @brucebuffer."

And get this ... Buffer has already responded.

"With all respect Nate that is not what I meant by saying the word 'bow,' I meant it as a sign of respect as in when greeting someone, not a sign of submission as I’d never expect you to do that for anyone."

Bruce is one of the nicest guys in the biz -- we're guessing the two will find a way to squash the beef.

As for Nate, he's upset with the UFC -- claiming Dana White and company hasn't promoted him the way he thinks he should be promoted.

White, on the other hand, has said he's offered Diaz several fights over the years but Nate has turned them all down for no good reason.

Diaz accepted a fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 in November -- but he's already threatened to pull out, claiming he's still pissed at the UFC.

The most famous Octagon announcer in MMA history is sick and tired of Nate Diaz's antics, telling the Stockton superstar to stop complaining and start fighting already.

We got Bruce Buffer out in L.A. and he didn't mince words ... saying Nate's public feud with Dana White and the UFC is ridiculous ... considering how much money he's made.

Diaz -- who's scheduled to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 in November -- recently told TMZ Sports he ain't interested in fighting ... and said he felt he'd been "under promoted" by the UFC.

So, when we saw the Buffer out in L.A. earlier this week ... we asked him about Diaz's beef with the UFC.

"Nate, I heard you made 7 or more million dollars on your last fight. I don't want to hear complaining about being under promoted by the UFC."

"You should be thanking the UFC and bowing to Dana White every time you see him."

If Cris Cyborg beats up Amanda Nunes ... there's a bad ass 2-time Olympic gold medalist who wants a piece of her ... and she ain't after a participation trophy.

Kayla Harrison -- who won gold in judo in London (2012) and Rio (2016) -- and is 2 and 0 in MMA ... told TMZ Sports she has her sights set on the most feared female fighter on the planet ... Cyborg.

"I want to be the best, and right now Cris Cyborg is considered the best probably pound for pound female ever."

Now, Kayla ain't saying she's ready for Cris -- who has 20 wins and only 1 loss -- just yet ... but she does have her eye set on the legendary champ ... and is determined to step in the cage with Cyborg.

Insane moment for ex-UFC fighter Dean Lister ... who pulled a firearm on a man who was robbing his house -- and the whole thing was captured on video.

42-year-old Lister -- who was 13-7 as an MMA fighter -- says he arrived to his San Diego home around 8 PM on Saturday when he saw a tatted up bald dude inside of his kitchen.

The man was super sketchy and told Lister he thought the home was a church -- but when Lister continued to press, the man picked up a hammer in a very threatening manner.

"Off camera, I drew a sidearm and he stopped advancing toward me," Lister said.

"I LET him escape with his life through a window. Cops said I was legally good if I killed him."

Lister says the man stole a bunch of cash out of the home and he published the video publicly in the hopes someone can identify the INTRUDER.

"Police are on it but if anyone knows who he is please help me,,, thank you very much."