Kayla Harrison Signs W/ UFC Fighting Holly Holm At 300

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UPDATE

10:26 AM PT -- Kayla Harrison's opening up about her move to the UFC.

"When I started competing, my goal was to be the best…the Olympic champion of #MMA. The @UFC presents me with the opportunity to be just that. It’s been an amazing journey to reach this point, and I’m grateful for every step along the path," Harrison wrote on social media.

"The highs and lows have all shaped me and made me an even better version of myself. God’s timing is perfect, and I am sure of one thing: My time is now. Let’s goooooo! 🦄"

Kayla Harrison is on the move ... one of the most accomplished women in combat sports history is signing with Dana White's promotion, and will fight fellow legend Holly Holm at UFC 300!

White made the big announcement late Tuesday night, explaining 33-year-old Harrison, a 2x Olympic gold medalist and 2x PFL champion, to an exclusive deal ... ending 16-1 KH's tenure with Professional Fighters League -- where she was one of the promotions faces since her signing in 2018.

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TWO OF THE BADDEST

As for the details of the fight with 42-year-old Holm -- a former UFC and boxing champ -- it'll go down on the highly anticipated April 13 card in Las Vegas.

FYI, UFC 300, a milestone event for the promotion, will also feature Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway ... with more big fights surely on the way.

Holly's no stranger to big fights ... she was the first to beat Ronda Rousey (KO, 2015), and has faced everyone from Amanda Nunes to Valentina Shevchenko.

The Harrison-Holm fight will be contested at 135 lbs. ... significantly lighter than the 155 lb. division where Kayla has primarily fought.

The winner of the Harrison-Holm fight will almost certainly thrust themselves into the title picture. Holm is already the 5th-ranked bantamweight, and she's beaten the (newly crowned) champ Raquel Pennington twice, in 2015 and 2020.

Harrison's signing could also set up the long-talked-about super fight with Nunes ... who seems open to the possibility of returning to the Octagon after retiring last year.

But, first things first ... "The Preacher's Daughter" at UFC 300!

Originally Published -- 7:22 AM PT

Dwayne Johnson Consigue la propiedad de "La Roca" y se une a la junta de la WWE

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Definitivamente, podemos asegurar que La Roca estaba tramando algo, pues ahora está en la nueva junta de la WWE y tiene los derechos exclusivos de su nombre artístico.

Dwayne Johnson fue anunciado como el nuevo miembro de la junta directiva de TKO, que ahora posee la WWE y la UFC. Como uno de los directivos de la organización, no solo obtendrá algún poder ejecutivo en la toma de decisiones, sino otros beneficios también.

Para empezar, él está recibiendo algunas opciones sobre acciones, que están valoradas en $30 millones, y que se devengan con el tiempo. Y lo que es más importante, se le concederá la marca registrada "The Rock", que ha utilizado durante toda su carrera, desde que estaba en el ring.

Como parte de este nuevo movimiento, Dwayne podrá capitalizar su apodo, en concreto, en lo que respecta a merchandising y regalías de la WWE con el uso de 'The Rock'.

THR informa que parte del acuerdo entre Dwayne y TKO con respecto a los derechos de 'The Rock' implican que TKO obtendrá un acuerdo de licencia exclusiva durante 10 años para utilizar la marca para ciertos productos, y durante ese tiempo, Dwayne no puede licenciarlo a otras empresas que sean competencia de ellos. En otras palabras, recibe la marca, pero la WWE obtendrá una década para llevarse los beneficios.

En la noticia, La Roca dijo: "Mi abuelo, el Alto Jefe Peter Maivia, y mi padre, Rocky 'Soulman' Johnson, nunca habrían pensado que llegaría este día".

Y añade: "Por eso siento mucha humildad de tener un asiento en la mesa que tiene décadas de historia y legado familiar para mí. Una mesa que mi familia ayudó a construir. Estar en el Consejo de Administración de TKO y asumir la plena propiedad de mi nombre, 'The Rock', no solo no tiene precedentes, sino que es increíblemente inspirador, ya que mi alocada vida está cerrando el círculo".

Dwayne Johnson Joins New WWE Board Gets Ownership of 'The Rock'

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We can definitely smell what The Rock is cooking now -- dude's whipped up a mogul souffle ... 'cause he's now on the new WWE board, and he's got exclusive rights to his stage name.

Dwayne Johnson was announced as the newest board of directors member for TKO -- which now owns WWE and UFC as a new one-stop shop entity. As one of the shot-callers of the org, DJ will not only get some executive decision-making power ... but other perks too.

For starters, he's getting some stock options -- which are valued at $30 million, and which will vest over time. More importantly, he's being granted the full trademark to 'The Rock' ... which he has pretty much gone by his entire career, dating back to when he was in the ring.

As part of this new move, Dwayne will get to capitalize on his moniker -- specifically, as it pertains to merchandising/royalties the WWE might make by using 'The Rock' in business.

THR reports that part of the deal between DJ and TKO regarding 'The Rock' rights sees that TKO gets an exclusive licensing deal for 10 years to use the brand for certain products ... and during that time, Dwayne can't go and license it to other companies competitive with them. In other words, he receives the trademark ... but WWE gets a decade to milk it.

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TMZ INVESTIGATES

The Rock said of the news ... "My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come."

He adds, "Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle."

UFC's Cowboy Cerrone Crazy Training For Dana White's Twisted Steel ... I'm On My Bull S***!!

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Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone is living up to his nickname ... explaining how and why he's the one to conquer Dana White's 1,400 lb. bull, Twisted Steel!

The retired MMA fighter joined the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1) this week where he revealed his insane training regimen ... as he preps for the UFC honcho's 5-year-old beast, which he'll attempt to ride at an upcoming show.

"Next Monday, I'm getting on eight bulls," the 40-year-old said. "We're just gonna go, go, go, go."

"It's gonna be wild and crazy!"

Of course, Dana and Donald recently made a bet ... with a total of $100k on the line, if Cerrone can stay right side up on Twisted Steel for 8 seconds.

Sounds easy? Not so fast ... just three riders have managed the feat in a total of 34 runs -- and those guys were pros.

Here's hoping Cerrone is the fourth 'cause the money will go to charity.

"All the money donations will go straight to kid's camp," Cerrone said. "We're riding for a cause, if you will."

Let's see if he can hang -- literally!

Junior dos Santos Ngannou Proved MMA Fighters Can Hang W/ Best Boxers!

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Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou once shared the Octagon (albeit for not very long), but that doesn't mean the MMA legend isn't impressed with The Predator's success in the boxing ring!

Cigano's thrilled for his former opponent ... and as a matter of fact, he wouldn't mind a rematch in the squared circle sometime down the road.

TMZ Sports talked to 39-year-old dos Santos earlier this week ahead of his fight with Alan Belcher (more on that soon) ... when we asked Junior about Francis' move to the boxing ring.

"I'm so happy for [Ngannou]," Junior told us, explaining ... "All the boxing guys are always talking, saying on the striking side we are not able to go there and put on a good performance against them."

Junior believes Francis proved the opposite against Tyson Fury ... MMA fighters can hang with the very best when it comes to striking with just hands.

"Francis Ngannou was fighting probably the biggest heavyweight in the history who never lost a fight," JDS explained, adding, "and he did what he did. I was there. That was so amazing to see that. And, it showed what kind of work we [MMA fighters] do."

Now, Francis has another massive challenge in front of him in the form of Anthony Joshua next month ... and Junior is clearly cautioning folks not to count him out.

FYI, JDS is well aware of what Francis can do. The two stars fought back in June 2019 ... but after a flurry of punches, the fight was stopped just 1:11 seconds into the first round, with Ngannou winning by TKO.

Junior wouldn't mind running things back!

"That would be amazing, too! I think actually that would be something very good, not just for me, but for him, as well."

For dos Santos, any fight with Ngannou would be down the line. First, he's got a big-time matchup with 39-year-old Belcher, who is coming off a decision win over Roy Nelson at Gamebred Fighting Championship 6, Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA promotion.

Junior and Alan are slated to scrap on March 2 in Orlando -- with the inaugural heavyweight championship on the line -- and JDS had a lot to say about the matchup!

Israel Adesanya Hit With 6-Month Driving Ban, Fine ... In New Zealand DUI Case

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Israel Adesanya was just punished for his DUI in New Zealand ... but he left the courtroom apparently in a good mood -- 'cause things could've been a whole lot worse for the UFC star.

The 34-year-old fighter appeared in Auckland District Court on Wednesday morning regarding allegations that he had driven drunk in the city back on Aug. 19.

Police said that after stopping Adesanya, he told them he had two cocktails before getting behind the wheel. Cops added he had a blood alcohol reading of 87 milligrams per 100 millilitres -- well over the legal limit of 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres.

He was facing a punishment of up to three months behind bars for it. But, he and his attorney asked for a lighter sentence.

Adesanya's lawyer claimed a conviction in the case would affect his sponsorship deals -- potentially costing him six figures. He also argued that a conviction could prevent Adesanya from traveling to Canada for UFC 297 later this month.

Fortunately for Adesanya, the judge did appear to go easy on him -- as according to Stuff.co.nz, he opted not to convict the former champ. But, he did hit The Stylebender with a six-month driving ban and a $1,500 fine.

Adesanya had previously apologized for his role in the case ... saying in a statement, "I am disappointed with my decision to drive. It was wrong. I know that people might follow me and I want them to know I do not think this behaviour is acceptable."

Adesanya is now expected to be free and clear to be Octagon-side when Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis fight on Jan. 20 in Toronto.

FRANCIS NGANNOU DEMANDA REVANCHA CON FURY TRAS A.J. ... ¡Tyson me debe una pelea!

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Vuelve a intentarlo, Tyson

¡Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury II puede estar en camino!

El Predator se unió a Babcock en el programa de televisión TMZ Sports (transmitido de lunes a viernes en FS1) el lunes, donde hablamos con la superestrella del boxeo y MMA sobre su ENORME y próximo choque con Anthony Joshua, de 34 años, el 8 de marzo, así como sus planes a futuro.

Por supuesto, Ngannou, de 37 años, tiene las manos ocupadas con AJ, uno de los atletas más físicamente imponentes en el mundo (al igual que Ngannou)… pero eso no significa que no sepa lo que quiere después de enfrentarse a Joshua.

Por el contrario, sí lo sabe… y no necesariamente es el ganador entre Tyson Fury y Oleksandr Usyk, quienes pelearán por los cinturones de peso pesado en febrero, semanas antes de que lo hagan Francis y Anthony.

“No estoy buscando al ganador de Tyson Fury. Estoy buscando a Tyson”, comentó el ex campeón de peso pesado de la UFC.

"Tyson me debe una pelea. Me importa una m*** el ganador de Usyk y Tyson. Voy tras Tyson. Voy por Tyson. Gane o pierda, quiero a Tyson".

Fury tiene un récord de 34-0 con 24 KO, y una de esas victorias fue contra Ngannou. Sin embargo, muchos en el mundo del boxeo creen que Tyson realmente perdió la pelea de octubre, que ganó oficialmente por decisión dividida.

Pero, primero lo primero, Ngannou-Joshua.

A pesar del éxito contra Tyson, Francis es un underdog bastante sustancial (arriesgar $100 para ganar $500), una línea de apuestas que afirma entender.

“Me enfrento a un ex campeón y a tipos que han estado en el juego durante mucho tiempo, ganando y demás”, dijo Ngannou.

“Creo que él tiene 30 y algo, yo soy cero y uno. Vamos, hombre. ¿Cómo me hacen favorito?” Vamos hombre. ¿Cómo me haces el favorito?”

“Él ya me ha visto boxear, así que sabe lo que le espera, a diferencia de Tyson Fury, que fue sorpresa, no sabía qué esperar”, dijo Ngannou.

Incluso con su inexperiencia en el boxeo, Ngannou espera que Joshua estudie su pelea con Fury y haga ajustes. Francis está decidido a demostrar que la pelea con Tyson no fue una casualidad.

“Esta vez necesito esforzarme aún más para hacer el trabajo.

¡Marzo no puede llegar tan pronto! Hazlo de nuevo, Tyson”.

Francis Ngannou Demands Rematch W/ Fury After A.J. ... Tyson Owes Me A fight!

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RUN IT BACK, TYSON

Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury II could be on deck!

The Predator joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) on Monday ... where we talked to the boxing and MMA superstar about his HUGE upcoming clash with 34-year-old Anthony Joshua on March 8, as well as his plans for the future.

Of course, 37-year-old Ngannou has his hands full with AJ, one of the most physically imposing athletes in the world (as is Ngannou) ... but that's not to say he doesn't know what he wants after he scraps with Joshua.

To the contrary, he does ... and it's not necessarily the victor of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who are fighting for the heavyweight belts in February, weeks before Francis and Anthony.

"I'm not looking for the winner of Tyson Fury. I'm looking for Tyson!" the former UFC heavyweight champ told us.

"Tyson owes me a fight. I don't give a s*** about the winner of Usyk and Tyson. I'm coming after Tyson. Win or lose, I want Tyson!"

FYI, Fury is 34-0 with 24 KOs ... with one of those wins coming against Ngannou. However, many people around boxing believe Tyson actually lost their October fight, which he officially won by split decision.

But, first things first, Ngannou-Joshua.

Despite the success against Tyson, Francis is a fairly substantial underdog (risk $100 to win $500) ... a betting line he says he understands.

"I'm going in against a former champion and getting guys that have been in the game for so long, winning, and all this stuff," Ngannou said.

"I think he's 30-something and I'm zero and one. C'mon man. How do you make me a favorite?"

"He's seen me box already so he knows a little bit what he's coming after unlike Tyson Fury that was out of the blue, didn't know what to expect," Ngannou said.

Even with his inexperience in the boxing ring, Ngannou says he still expects Joshua to study his fight with Fury, and make adjustments. Francis is intent on showing the Tyson fight was no fluke.

"I think this time I need to put it up even more to get the job done."

March can't come soon enough!

Michael Chandler Talks Conor McGregor Fight ... No Issues w/ 185 Lbs!

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The contract isn't yet signed, but Michael Chandler says he's fighting Conor McGregor on June 29 in Las Vegas ... and he's totally cool with the scrap going down at 185 lbs!

37-year-old Chandler joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... where he broke his silence on the highly anticipated fight, days after The Notorious broke the news on social media.

"The last year has been a nice little hiatus and it looks like we're finally gonna be getting this fight moving forward," Chandler said.

"Now it looks like we got ourselves a date, we got ourselves an opponent, and seemingly a weight class a little bit above what we thought it was gonna be!" ... Mike added with a big smile.

Of course, Chandler's referring to the fight going down at 185 pounds -- technically a middleweight fight -- a full 30 pounds over the lightweight limit where both men have been two of the best in the world.

FYI, Sean Strickland (6'1"), Israel Adesanya (6'4"), and Alex Pereira (6'4") are the last three MW champs ... and those guys are huge.

We asked him about fighting at a much heavier weight.

"I'm cool with whatever weight. The way I see it, Conor and I are within a couple of pounds of each other. So it doesn't matter if we cut weight all the way down to 155, we fight at 170, or we fight at 185."

"We're the same size guys. I don't need to bulk up to 200-something fans to get down to 185, it's just not how I would operate in this training camp. So I'm excited about it if it is 185."

Fans are excited, too.

After all, it's a fight that's been in the works forever ... since Mike and Conor served as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter."

There's a bunch more with Chandler ... including whether he'll return to the lightweight division after the Conor fight.

We also asked him if he was concerned Conor was clean ... as many people have speculated 35-year-old McGregor might be taking something to bulk up (the former champ-champ has never failed a drug test).

Check out the clip!

Ryan Garcia Defends New Friendship W/ Mayweather ... 'I Love & Respect Him'

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Ryan Garcia is blockin' all jabs when it comes to his friendship with Floyd Mayweather ... saying the boxing legend is mentoring him and he "loves and respects him."

The 24-1 (20 KOs) fighter took to social media on Thursday to defend his new bond with Mayweather after receiving backlash for hanging out with Floyd on several occasions, including their infamous 3 AM jog in Las Vegas.

"Floyd is mentoring me, And I love and respect him, he is so authentic so stop judging him," Garcia said to the haters.

"Judging a book by its cover will stop you from reading but Derrick James is my coach, and I love him too."

Some boxing fans have been confused by the relationship ... as Ryan is still in business with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. ODLH is a rival of TBE.

For what it's worth, not even De La Hoya seems too bothered. He told FightHype he was okay with Ryan and Floyd linkin' up, though he did add the situation would've been seen as a "conflict of interest" back in the day.

Other people have complained that Garcia lost at the hands of Gervonta Davis, whom Floyd is close with. Mayweather even celebrated with Tank in the ring after he beat Garcia.

But, Ryan doesn't want to hear it.

"You guys don’t know him and most of you will never. But he is authentic has a good heart and extremely generous," Ryan said.

"HES 50-0 and he’s almost half a 100 lmao but Love him and I respect him so put respect on his name. He may be Money Mayweather but he really tries to be as authentic as possible."

Devin Haney also came for Garcia ... sending him this Instagram DM: Floyd can't save or help u..

Garcia's reply ... "CRY ME A RIVER"

Ryan García Defiende su nueva amistad con Mayweather ... 'Lo quiero y lo respeto'

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Ryan García está tapando la boca a todos los críticos cuando se trata de su amistad con Floyd Mayweather, diciendo que la leyenda del boxeo es su mentor y "lo ama y respeta".

El boxeador 24-1 (20 KOs) usó sus redes sociales el jueves para defender su nuevo vínculo con Mayweather después de recibir críticas por salir con Floyd en varias ocasiones, incluyendo su infame trote a las 3 AM en Las Vegas.

"Floyd es mi mentor, y lo amo y respeto, él es muy auténtico, así que dejen de juzgarlo", le dijo García a los haters.

"Juzgar un libro por su portada puede restringirte de leer, pero Derrick James es mi entrenador y yo también lo amo".

Algunos aficionados al boxeo se han mostrado confusos por la relación, ya que Ryan sigue en el negocio con Oscar De La Hoya y Golden Boy Promotions. ODLH es un rival de TBE.

Por lo que vale, ni siquiera De La Hoya parece demasiado molesto. Dijo a FightHype que estaba de acuerdo con que Ryan y Floyd se relacionaran, aunque añadió que la situación habría sido visto como un "conflicto de intereses" en su momento.

Otras personas se han quejado de que García perdiera a manos de Gervonta Davis, con quien Floyd mantiene una estrecha relación. Mayweather incluso celebró con Tank en el ring tras vencer a García.

Pero, Ryan no quiere oírlo.

"Ustedes no lo conocen y la mayoría nunca lo conocerá. Pero es auténtico, tiene buen corazón y es extremadamente generoso", dijo Ryan.

Devin Haney también criticó a García, con un DM en Instagram que decía: Floyd no puede salvar o ayudarte...

La respuesta de García, "CRY ME A RIVER" (vaya lloriqueo).

UFC's Bryce Mitchell Self-Imposes 6 Mo. 'Concussion Protocol' ... After Scary KO Loss

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Bryce Mitchell was on the wrong end of one of the most frightening and brutal knockouts in MMA history, and now the UFC fighter has been banned from sparring or fighting for six months ... a restriction he imposed on himself.

If you watched the UFC 296 bout between Josh Emmett and Mitchell on December 12, it's a scene you're unlikely to forget. Just minutes into the fight, JE, a heavy hitter, landed a crushing right to Bryce's head, sending him crumbling to the Octagon floor. Mitchell began to convulse in what was an incredibly scary incident to witness.

Thankfully, after some time passed, Bryce was able to walk off under his own power.

The knockout immediately went viral.

In the aftermath, Mitchell is taking his health seriously, telling ESPN he's in his "own concussion protocol."

"I'll consult with my coaches, too, and we're basically just saying, 'You know, don't spar for six months,'" Mitchell said.

The 29-year-old fighter, who stepped up on short notice to fight Emmett after Giga Chikadze was forced to pull out, also pointed out he's got a lot going on in his personal life ... including the upcoming birth of his first baby. He's also building a house.

It's a hectic time that the featherweight will use to fully heal up.

But, when mid-2024 rolls around, it's right back on the horse for Bryce.

“I’m right into my next training after that. The good thing is I don’t have to rush into it.”

As for the knockout, Mitchell said the hardest part for him was dealing with everyone else worrying.

“The worst part is dealing with everybody afterwards, 'cause they all thought I was dead.”

Bryce, though, did find a silver lining.

"On the bright side, that was the easiest fight for me. I've never had a fight where I've come out feeling so great. I just woke up in the ambulance and barely remembered what happened. There's no pain, I'm telling you."

Despite the loss, Mitchell is still the number 10-ranked 145 lb. fighter in the promotion.

Tyron Woodley Offered St-Pierre Millions To Fight ... But He Said No

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Tyron Woodley has been open about wanting to fight Georges St-Pierre for years, going back to their UFC days ... and even though the guys are no longer with Dana White's organization, T-Wood still wants smoke with GSP!

In fact, TMZ Sports was talking to 41-year-old Woodley this week when he revealed that he has not only launched his own fight promotion (more on that coming), but he offered St-Pierre a crapload of money to scrap.

"Like Georges St-Pierre, I offered him a dumb bag, he said 'No. I'm not in that world anymore,'" Woodley revealed.

Tyron added ... "When I say dumb, I'm talking pushing the eight figures, a lot of money."

Eight figures indicates $10,000,000 ... a lot of money by any standard.

GSP last fought in 2017 ... when he returned after a four-year layoff to fight Michael Bisping. He won by submission (rear-naked choke) in the third round.

As for the promotion ... Tyron says it's not just about fighting.

"It's called The Realest International Promotion, TRIP. We're promoting all things art, we're not just doing mixed martial arts," Tyron explained, adding, "We're doing music, concerts, festivals, cryptocurrency, e-sporting events, boxing, and then we just doing a lot of crossovers."

There's a bunch more with Tyron ... including the former longtime welterweight champ's revelation that he, not John Gotti III, was originally scheduled to fight Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition boxing match earlier this year.

Check out the clip!

UFC's Belal Muhammad Unloads On Leon Edwards, Team Makes Case For Title Shot

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Neither Leon Edwards, nor his coach, believes Belal Muhammad deserves the next title shot. Belal has a message for the champ and his people.

"Leon's coach goes on the interviews today and says 'I think Gilbert Burns deserves it.' And I'm looking at these guys like, 'I really think their whole team is dumb blondes.' Like they're not smart," Belal told TMZ Sports.

He continued ... "I'm looking at these guys like ... Gilbert Burns, who I just beat, deserves it more than me? Even Leon Edwards after the fight, I don't think that Belal should skip the line. I'm number 2 in the world you moron, skip what line? There's nobody ahead of me. I'm the guy that's next. What are you talking about?"

If you're looking at the rankings, Belal's right ... he's the number 2 ranked contender, behind only Kamaru Usman. And right now, Usman isn't in play for a title shot. He recently fought Khamzat Chimaev on short notice across the world. He's also lost twice to Leon in the last 18 months.

After Belal, Shavkat Rakhmonov is the third-ranked contender ... after beating Stephen Thompson at UFC 296, where he jumped up two places. Burns is 4th ... but is coming back from an injury he sustained while fighting Muhammad. Colby Covington is fifth.

We asked Belal about Shavkat, and while he was very complimentary, calling him an "amazing fighter," he added, "he should not be skipping me."

Muhammad also addressed the idea that Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champ, could move up to face Leon.

"Islam, you have plenty of fights at 155. Oliveria rematch. Justin Gaethje. And if I'm the UFC, Leon didn't earn a double champ fight or a huge fight cause that fight was so lackluster, what are we gonna reward you with a Sean Strickland fight when you didn't even do nothing? [Performance vs. Colby] was terrible."

Dana White hasn't yet indicated what's next for Leon.

If they do fight ... it'll be a rematch of their March 2021 fight that ended in a no-contest after an accidental eye poke.

Safe to say the guys have unfinished business.

Tyron Woodley Hey, Jake Paul ... Lets Fight MMA!!

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IF YOU FIGHT ANYONE, FIGHT ME!

What's next for Jake Paul?!

That's the question many fans are asking after The Problem Child dispatched Andre August with a vicious uppercut less than 3 minutes into their boxing match on Friday in Orlando.

TMZ Sports asked Tyron Woodley, who was behind the microphone for Paul's scrap with August last week, who the YouTuber-turned-combat sports star should challenge next.

"I think if you're gonna fight anyone in MMA, you fight me MMA. I'm the one that did the numbers with you. I'm the one that did the millions and millions of views in the press conference. I'm the one that was a 5x champion. I'm the one who took the fight on 2 weeks' notice," Woodley told us.

The UFC legend continued ... "I was doing Cobra Kai for 14 hours straight. I trained at 3 AM and I saved that card. That card was not going to happen. People would not have been buying Christmas gifts had I not stepped up to the plate. So to talk about fighting anyone in MMA outside of me is disrespect."

Tyron added ... "If you really, really wanna prove that you can do it in my world, you fight the number one guy in that world."

Of course, 26-year-old Paul signed with PFL earlier this year, and he hasn't been shy about his desire to fight MMA.

Jake and Tyron fought twice previously ... but in a boxing ring.

The first bout in August 2021 went to the judges ... and Paul won by split decision. Later that year, T-Wood stepped up on short notice in place of Tommy Fury, saving the event. The former longtime UFC welterweight champion lost by 6th round knockout.

As for how 8-1 (5 KOs) Jake looked against August -- billed as the first true boxer he faced -- Woodley was impressed with the performance.

"I thought he did a great job."

"I literally said, 'Hey man, Andre better watch ducking his head 'cause he's gonna get hit with an up, I couldn't even say uppercut. I just got the U-P off and then he was sending him to the moon."

Tyron also talked about the experience of being on the losing side of things against Jake.

"I know how it is to be on both sides of it, thinking I won the fight, and then two judges thought it went the other way, and also being in there winning the fight every millisecond of the fight, and then all of the sudden you drop your hands one time, he got enough power to get the job done," Woodley said.

"I just respect the fact that he can do all the media, all that press, all that shenanigans, all that pressure, all that promoting the fight and fighting on the fight, and then go out there and put on a performance."

Donald Trump toquetea a la chica del ring en UFC 296

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Donald Trump se presentó a ver uno de los nocauts más violentos en la historia de la UFC, pero su atención se desvió por una chica del ring en bikini.

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trump sale a divertirse

Trump estaba allí para apoyar a uno de sus fans más acérrimos, el luchador de la UFC Colby Covington, que terminó perdiendo por decisión en el evento principal ante Leon Edwards.

Covington, al más puro estilo Trump, arremetió contra los resultados, diciendo que recordaban a las elecciones "amañadas" de 2020. Luego se puso político sin más, diciendo: "Pueden retrasarnos, pero no pueden negarnos. Él va a hacer que América vuelva a ser grande. Necesitamos fronteras seguras, necesitamos que baje la inflación y necesitamos que América vuelva a ser lo primero. Donald Trump es el único que va a hacer eso de nuevo, ¡Trump 2024!"

Un montón de celebridades estuvieron presentes, incluyendo a Mark Wahlberg, Jared Leto, Mario López, Theo Von, Jack Black, Kyle Gass y Zac Brown.

Todos vieron cómo Josh Emmett destrozaba a Bryce Mitchell con un puñetazo que sonó como si hubieran golpeado a alguien con un bate de béisbol.

En definitiva, una velada memorable.