UFC

Michael Chandler is packing his bags for Quantico to train FBI agents ... and he joined "TMZ Live" ahead of the trip to give Kash Patel some comfort in case the director plans to be in attendance -- saying he's not looking to break anyone's bones.

The 13th-ranked UFC lightweight chopped it up with Harvey and Charles on Thursday ... and he hopes to take a "white belt mentality" to the FBI training facility when he gets boots on the ground this weekend.

You may ask, what's a white belt mentality? Well, in Chandler's own words, it's all about wanting to get better.

Cain Velasquez has finally broken his silence after nearly a year behind bars ... thanking everyone for their "love and support."

Velasquez shared the video on his Instagram Wednesday evening, saying he's been spending the last few weeks "getting used to the normal things."

"I just want to take this time here to thank everybody for the constant support," he said. "You have no idea what your words and your encouragement and your love has meant to me and my family. Just thank you."

The FBI and UFC collab is really happening -- months after Kash Patel said he'd enlist MMA fighters to help train special agents, some of combat sports' biggest names are making their way to Quantico to help recruits beef up their defense.

Patel spoke about the move ... saying it'll be a "historic seminar" at the Special Agent Academy -- with a card full of names like Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman, Justin Gaethje, Claudia Gadelha, Manel Kape and Michael Chandler slated to help out.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our FBI agents to learn and train with some of the greatest athletes on earth - helping the world’s premier law enforcement agency be even better prepared to protect the American people," Patel explained.

Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor could be coming to not just a boxing ring near you, but also an Octagon ... if Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian has his way, telling TMZ Sports it's the "perfect idea!"

Bidarian stopped by our studio for a sit-down with Babcock Tuesday afternoon, when he referenced what would surely be two of the most watched fights in the history of combat sports.

"Listen, I have the perfect idea," Nakisa said.

One of boxing’s most dangerous cruiserweights is stepping into Dana White’s new promotion -- and Jai Opetaia plans to make a statement.

The undefeated Australian star will make his Zuffa Boxing debut at The Apex in Las Vegas on Sunday against Brandon Glanton, with the inaugural cruiserweight title on the line.

Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) tells TMZ Sports he's looking to reaffirm his status as the best fighter in the 200-pound division.

“There was a lot of noise when I signed,” Opetaia said. “But to be the first to fight for a ZUFFA belt, I'm proud to do that.”

Despite the attention surrounding White’s new venture into boxing, Opetaia says the grind behind the scenes hasn’t changed.

After months of speculation, rumors, and fighters campaigning to be a part of the event … the UFC finally made it official Saturday night, announcing the promotion's "Freedom 250" card during UFC 326!

Ilia Topuria, lightweight champ, and Justin Gaethje, interim lightweight champ, got the top spot, main eventing the historic card ... which will go down Sunday, June 14 at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C.!

Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will serve as the co-main ... with the interim heavyweight belt on the line. Pereira will look to become the first fighter to be champion in three different divisions.

The rest of the main card rounds out like this ... "Suga" Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia.

Each fight, except for Pereira and Gane, features an American fighter.

The announcement puts an end to months of speculation surrounding the event

As for the setup, the event is expected to take place on the South Lawn, with a limited crowd in attendance.

Just 98 days until Freedom 250!

Max Holloway is gearing up for a massive lightweight showdown in the main event of UFC 326 against Charles Oliveira ... and while he isn't overlooking Do Bronxs in the BMF title fight -- he tells TMZ Sports he would love to run it back with Conor McGregor!!

Michael J. Babcock caught up with Holloway just days before the Octagon doors close behind him in Las Vegas, where he asked if a fight with McGregor, potentially at the White House, still appeals to him in 2026 -- and while Conor hasn't fought in nearly five years, that doesn't mean Max isn't interested.

"I think everybody in the UFC or anywhere, you'd be stupid as hell to not take that fight, man," Holloway said. "Anything with Conor's name attached to fight-wise, it's a huge fight."

TMZ locked in this week's "Cheek of the Week" at first glance -- these Paige VanZant hot bum shots will make you dance!

Paige busted onto the scene fighting in the UFC over a decade ago ... She's definitely known for her fighting style and mainstream appeal ...

Peak at the cheek and check out our gallery ... Then put the pieces of Page back together:

The UFC's event in Mexico City this Saturday is full steam ahead, despite unrest between the cartels and the government ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The promotion tells us the card "is proceeding as planned at this time" ... after questions about whether the anticipated event would be postponed, or even moved to another location.

Of course, chaos consumed the city of Puerto Vallarta beginning Sunday, following the killing of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel boss, head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes.

In the wake of the operation, a bunch of videos hit social media showing craziness on the ground ... with CJNG members setting fires to stores and buses while exchanging gunfire with Mexican security forces.

Anthony Hernandez says he's going to try and kill Sean Strickland, and the former champ's going to do the same thing to him ... as Fluffy prepares for the most important fight of his career!

32-year-old Hernandez chopped it up with Babcock this week before his clash with the 34-year-old fighter at UFC Fight Night on Saturday ... and, earmuffs, kids.

"I know we're both gonna try to kill each other and I'm okay with that," Fluffy said. "And I hope [fans] enjoy the show. That's all that matters, you know what I mean?"

Hernandez, the 4th-ranked fighter in the middleweight division, is in the midst of an 8-fight win streak ... last losing to Kevin Holland in 2020.

After nearly a decade away from the Octagon, Ronda Rousey will step into the cage once again ... as the former UFC superstar is set to make her MMA return against another legend, Gina Carano!

The shocking fight announcement dropped Tuesday morning, with Rousey saying, "Been waiting so long to announce this."

"Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest superfight in women’s combat sport history, and we’re partnering with the fighter-first promoter, MVP, as well as the baddest streamer on the planet, Netflix. This is for all MMA fans past, present, and future."

Nate Diaz has his sights set on kickin' ass on one of the most unexpected stages possible: the White House.

The MMA star tells TMZ Sports he’s all-in if talk of a potential fight card tied to the nation’s capital ever becomes reality … making it clear the idea of scrapping under a red, white and blue spotlight has his full attention.

“Yeah, that’d be dope, too,” Diaz said. “America gang, baby. You already know what’s popping.”

Cain Velasquez -- a former UFC heavyweight champion -- has been reunited with his family after spending 11 months locked up for allegedly attempting to shoot a man accused of molesting one of his family members.

In video shared to X, you see the moment Cain gets dropped off by a shuttle and greets his kids after leaving a California prison Sunday. A mariachi band launched into a festive tune upon his arrival, making it an all-out welcome home party for the retired mixed martial artist.

Cain was released on parole.

It's only a matter of time until Ilia Topuria's back in the Octagon ... 'cause TMZ Sports has confirmed the lightweight champ has struck a deal with his ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui, after previously claiming he was the victim of bogus domestic violence allegations.

The agreement, first reported by Marca in Spain, comes after Topuria posted a photo to Instagram on Thursday, showing him back in the gym training ... with a caption reading, "The Champ is back!!!"

We're told the 155 lb. champion went back to training "weeks ago."

It's still unclear when Ilia wishes to return to the cage, but it'll likely be sometime in the middle of 2026 ... and fans are pumped!

Jon Jones is opening up on his physical health after a conversation, intended to be private, went viral ... where the UFC legend said his hip was screwed up so bad that he needs a replacement.

"Looks like a private conversation I had at DBX 5 in Houston made its way out into the wild," Jones told TMZ Sports. "It happens. Like most fighters, we deal with injuries quietly sometimes and like in my case, for years. A lot of us walk around limping most days, paying the ultimate price for our health."

If you haven't seen it, the former two-time light heavyweight and heavyweight champ was at a combat sports event where he thought he was having a casual conversation with fellow MMA fighter Joaquin Buckley ... but it turns out someone was recording.

It's no secret that folks in Hollywood love their four-legged friends ... and can you guess who this dog mom is?

We caught up with this former UFC champion at LAX in Oct. 2017 ... right when she was adjusting to life with a new dog ... and she was excited about adding another member of the family!