UFC

Mackenzie Dern's UFC champion, but she hasn't come close to accomplishing all her goals ... 'cause the MMA star says she wants to be the greatest ever in her division!

The strawweight champ stopped by the TMZ Sports office for a chat with Babcock ahead of her UFC 330 scrap with Gillian Robertson.

Dern made it clear she’s aiming way higher than just a successful title defense.

UFC fighter Allan Nascimento, who just fought in June, is dead ... the promotion announced Monday afternoon, shocking fans.

He was only 34 years old.

The UFC says Nascimento was located after suffering a medical emergency overnight ... and despite the best efforts of first responders, Allan couldn't be saved.

"This morning, Monday, August 3rd, our beloved flyweight fighter, Allan Nascimento, was found unresponsive after suffering an apparent heart attack in his sleep," the official statement reads.

Anthony Smith allegedly threatened to kill his wife, forced her into his car, and later tried to run her over with it after a heated argument at a Nebraska bar, according to prosecutors.

The Sarpy County Attorney's Office detailed the claims hours after the 38-year-old former UFC star went before a judge, and the allegations are explosive.

It all started when Smith, who was released on $500K bond (he only had to put up 10%) on Wednesday, allegedly got into an altercation at a Gretna, NE bar on July 26. Prosecutors say Lionheart threatened to kill his wife, Mikhala, if she didn't go home with him.

Anthony Smith is still behind bars at a county jail, but the former UFC star may soon be walking free, 'cause a judge set bond at $500K ... a day and a half after he was arrested on three felonies.

The 38-year-old appeared before a judge for the first time in Sarpy County, Nebraska, on Wednesday morning, where bond was granted. Once Smith comes up with the cash, he'll be released pending trial.

But he won't be free and clear to do whatever he wants.

Smith cannot have any contact with his wife, Mikhala Smith, as a condition of his bond. Anthony is also prohibited from leaving the state without permission. He also must steer clear of any trouble.

12:32 AM PT ... John W. Reisz, Chief Deputy Sarpy County Attorney, tells TMZ ... Smith was arrested on 3 felonies, namely attempted first degree domestic violence (punishable by 1-50 years in prison), terroristic threats (punishable by 0-3 years behind bars, a $10,000 fine and 9-18 months of post release supervision) and first degree false imprisonment.

Reisz also said Smith has a bond hearing set for 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Sarpy County Correctional Center.

Ex-UFC star Anthony Smith is behind bars in Nebraska after he was busted on three felony charges, TMZ Sports has learned.

Smith, 38, a former light heavyweight title contender, was booked into a local county jail Monday evening shortly before 9PM ... and is facing charges for terroristic threats, false imprisonment (1st degree), and domestic violence causing serious bodily injury.

It's unclear what led up to the arrest, but the charges are serious.

Bruce Buffer has announced some of the biggest events on the planet -- from The White House to the World Cup (and that's just this summer) -- but there’s still one missing from his résumé.

The legendary "Veteran Voice of the Octagon" stopped by TMZ on Wednesday ... and told Michael J. Babcock the one gig he's still dying to land.

"I think the bucket list now is, I've had the Super Bowl commercial. I did the Budweiser Super Bowl commercial. I did Super Bowl week introducing the 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs a couple years ago in Vegas at the big event they had at Allegiant [Stadium], but I haven't been on the field for the Super Bowl yet."

Ex-UFC star Rampage Jackson went back into fighter mode during a tense altercation on Tuesday ... when he punched a streamer in the face for allegedly touching his privates.

The shocking moment went down during Jackson's "TaKO Tuesday" party ... which was streamed live on his Kick account.

At one point in the night, he crossed paths with a guy named SweaterGxd. During the interaction, Jackson accused the internet personality of grabbing his junk ... and responded by hitting him in the face twice.

Bud Light didn't find anything humorous in Dustin Poirier's arrest last month ... 'cause the fighter just revealed the beer giant wasted no time firing him from his lucrative sponsorship deal after the incident.

"They terminated my contract immediately. It's all good, man. I don't need that f****** poison in my life," Poirier told Ariel Helwani during an interview on Tuesday.

"It sucks that my family is missing out on the money I had left on the deal with them, which was a few hundred thousand dollars, but also if I'm representing something I'm not gonna be taking part in, promoting stuff, it is what it is."

Dana White says Conor McGregor will have to go through surgery and extensive physical therapy because of his knee injury ... which will at least give him time to think about his future.

We caught up with the UFC President and CEO at Fanatics Fest 2026 in New York City Saturday ... and we had to ask him about Conor's recent loss by TKO to Max Holloway after a knee injury ended the brawl.

Dana says he's talked to Conor recently ... and the fighter is obviously sad and frustrated about how his comeback ended.

Champ-champ status is about the only thing Kamaru Usman hasn't accomplished in the UFC, and that may not be the case for long ... if the former welterweight king has his way!

The Nigerian Nightmare -- who ruled the 170 lb. division for years -- is moving up to middleweight for a scrap with fellow former champ, Dricus Du Plessis, at UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City ... and Usman chopped it up with Babcock before the bout, and opened up about the prospects of fighting for the title, with a win.

"'It's a big guy. It's a big name. And that's kind of what I want. I understand that at this stage, it's a blessing for one, just to be able to compete and entertain the masses, but also to be in a position to still potentially get gold again," Usman told us.

Conor McGregor is clearing the air on his UFC 329 injury ... shutting down all the talk he was already dealing with something before the fight -- but once he's healthy, he wants to complete the trilogy with Max Holloway.

Notorious went on a bit of an X spree on Friday ... where he directly spoke with fans about a number of topics surrounding last weekend's devastating collapse.

The biggest takeaway?? McGregor denied he was already hurt before stepping into the Octagon ... and explained what happened in one video that has been dissected by the masses -- his apparent struggle to take his shoes off before the bout.

Dominick Cruz, newly minted UFC Hall of Famer, is sending a powerful message to Conor McGregor as the MMA superstar deals with the fallout from the devastating injury ... and it's not the usual BS "get well soon" pep talk.

Cruz, the former bantamweight champ, who himself suffered multiple serious injuries as he attempted to return to his championship form, spent a few minutes chatting with TMZ Sports ... and he put things into perspective for The Notorious.

"I think that at the end, he's going to learn that this happened for him, not to him. And it's going to make him a better man if he chooses the direction that God wants him to," Dom told us.

Conor McGregor didn't let his devastating UFC 329 injury ruin his birthday -- the MMA superstar spent it toasting with his wife and vowing (again) to return to the Octagon.

Notorious shared the video on Tuesday ... showing him testing out his Mac Energy product with Dee Devlin to commemorate his 38th trip around the sun.

It was a chill and calm affair -- no flashy gifts, antics, or yachts ... just soaking in the moment with his ride or die on a patio.

MGK is doing another victory lap after Conor McGregor's UFC 329 loss ... dissing the hell out of the UFC superstar for getting injured seconds into his bout with Max Holloway.

The rapper -- who had a highly publicized squabble with Notorious at the 2021 VMAs -- reignited the feud shortly after Saturday night's results ... saying, "knees weak of old age the real conor can’t stand up 🤡@thenotoriousmma" alongside a pic of their run-in on Instagram.

He clearly had no regrets ... 'cause a day later, he doubled down.

Conor McGregor is adamant he's not falling back on his old ways after UFC 329 didn't go as planned ... reaffirming his faith in the Man Upstairs and detailing his next steps in a heartfelt post.

Notorious spoke out on Monday following his devastating knee injury and loss to Max Holloway ... saying despite how his comeback played out, he will remain sin-free in Sin City.

"My lifestyle changes are permanent and not just until. I am thankful I get to prove it," McGregor said on Instagram.

Great news for Max Holloway -- Drake just placed a $1 million bet on Conor McGregor to win at UFC 329 on Saturday.

Champagne Papi revealed the eye-popping wager on Friday ... saying, "THE MAC IS BACK?!?!?? The proper twelve drinking, tailored suit wearing, Lambo Yacht riding man with the Dubai tan that once had both belts in both hands … Say less @stake."

So, what would he rake in if Notorious is victorious at T-Mobile Arena?? Not much ... just a whopping $1.85 MILLION profit!!!