UFC

Conor McGregor says he's officially back ... and he's here to "save fighting again."

The 37-year-old UFC superstar -- who hasn't fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021 -- went to social media to address recent chatter of a comeback ... telling his millions of followers "the rumours are true."

"Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again!" he said Tuesday night alongside a mirror selfie. "Call your grandma! Nanny we did it! Watch and pay me. F*** you pay me. You fat Irish p**** you don’t have my money I put your brain to sleep."

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria was NEVER close to happening on the White House card, despite claims to the contrary ... according to the welterweight champion's longtime manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

The highly anticipated White House card is only 81 days away ... and despite Topuria having his hands full with the interim lightweight champ, talk about Islam and Ilia hasn't subsided.

So, we went straight to the source, Ali ... and asked him to clear the air regarding the fight.

"I got called about Ilia fighting Islam. It was the middle of the day, Islam was sleeping, and I was excited about it," Abdelaziz told us.

If you thought the first showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao was massive … buckle up!!!

Jas Mathur -- CEO of Pacquiao’s promotion company and one of the key figures behind the rematch -- tells TMZ Sports the September 19 clash at Sphere in Las Vegas isn’t just big … it’s historic.

“I’d say huge is an understatement,” Mathur told us, pointing to the original fight’s eye-popping $600 million haul. “You’re talking about a spectacle.”

And this time, it’s not just boxing -- it’s a full sports-entertainment takeover inside one of the most high-tech venues on the planet … with Mathur promising a production that’ll leave fans not believing what they see.

UFC Freedom 250 has secured an organization to oversee the fights at the White House ... Dana White's promotion partnered with the Association of Boxing Commissions, which will officially license and regulate the bouts on the South Lawn.

The move allows the UFC to sidestep the local D.C. Sports Commission after the group voiced concerns over the event.

The UFC shared the news Thursday morning, announcing ABC "will serve as an independent third party to advise on the regulatory operations for the unprecedented UFC event scheduled for Sunday, June 14, on the grounds of the iconic White House."

Without a sanctioning body's involvement, the White House fights would not count as professional bouts.

Claressa Shields isn’t exactly sold on exhibition fights ... but if she had to do one, she'd love to square off with MMA legend Amanda "Lioness" Nunes!!

That's what the G.W.O.A.T. told TMZ Sports following her latest win against Franchon Crews Dezurn in a 10-round bout in Detroit.

She thought her next opponent was going to be 16-1 Shadasia Green, but that's not going to happen right now. So we asked if she'd consider an exhibition for the time being.

"I would fight against Amanda Nunes in boxing," Shields said. "Absolutely. That would be a good one."

Dirty Boxing heavyweight champion and former UFC fighter Jairzinho Rozenstruik can put his domestic violence arrest behind him -- TMZ Sports has learned officials have declined to pursue charges.

According to court records we obtained, the state filed its decision earlier this month -- formally dropping the case.

As for the reason why, the DA said "the victim refused to provide a sworn statement," adding that the "parties were engaged in mutual combat and provided conflicting accounts of the incident." The DA concluded that "[w]ithout the victim's cooperation there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction."

Jorge Masvidal hasn't fought in the UFC since 2023, but Gamebred tells TMZ Sports he's down for a comeback fight against Conor McGregor ... and he's got violence on his mind!

The star MMA fighter and Babcock were choppin' it up about his upcoming training session with FBI Agents in Quantico when the topic shifted to a potential return to the Octagon.

"I always keep that door open. I'm always training. I'm always keeping myself prepared," Jorge said.

"I wouldn't mind beating the f****** living s*** out of that, what's that little m***** Irish that sells whiskey? I wouldn't mind beating the s*** out of him or the other f****** dude from across the pond, Leon [Edwards]."

"Either one of those two dudes, you know, I wouldn't mind, man. I got a little bit of unfinished business."

The UFC's highly anticipated White House is three months away ... and Dana White has good news for fans hoping to pull up to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., announcing they're going to give out 85,000 FREE tickets!

White revealed the news Thursday night while running through some of the promotion's upcoming events, when he was asked about the ticketing situation for Freedom 250.

"We're gonna be ticketing 85,000 people in The Ellipse, and the tickets are free," White said. "We'll announce how we're giving them away soon, but you should plan on going to Washington, D.C. for this event."

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: