TMZ Sports - Page 50

All good things must come to an end ... and Michael Chiesa's signature mullet is no exception ... and the UFC fighter is telling TMZ Sports he chopped off his hair at his girlfriend's request!!!

Chiesa has been rockin' the "business in the front, party in the back" look for years ... but the welterweight cleaned up his look and got rid of the mullet recently ... and now we know why.

"It's just time for me to grow up. I've had a mullet the better half of my whole life. I've always just been this hairy, wild man," Chiesa says.

"I have a girlfriend now, and as she's gotten more comfortable in the relationship, she wants a civilized looking boyfriend ... it's good for me, man."

Maverick -- who is fighting Diego Sanchez at UFC 239 next weekend -- says although he doesn't care what people think about him, it's about time he looked the part of being a professional.

Is it possible the greatest skateboarder of all time doesn't get ENOUGH love??? That's what skate superstar Ryan Sheckler thinks ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks Tony Hawk isn't appreciated enough by the younger generation.

Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of Hawk completing the first ever 900 at the X Games .. so we asked Shecks to weigh in on the impact the accomplishment that had on the skate community.

"That was the big deal ... and it's still a big deal," Sheckler said at his Skate For a Cause event in NYC.

"This generation doesn't give him as much credit as he deserves. Tony's the main reason a lot of us can make money skateboarding. He paved the way."

Sheckler says Hawk's accomplishments gave him a platform to help the community ... his Foundation donated $10k to the Harold Hunter Foundation to help keep kids skating and out of trouble.

"Now, this is the product of what they created."

Legendary WWE referee Charles Robinson -- AKA Little Naitch -- had $55k worth of his prized possessions stolen from his storage unit last month ... and now he's on the hunt for the scumbag who took his stuff.

Robinson is a hardcore collector of Hollywood memorabilia and wrestling collectibles ... he's been socking away some VERY cool movie and TV items for decades. 

Problem is ... when Robinson went to check on his storage unit in Charlotte on May 28 -- he saw someone had broken into the unit and jacked all of his stuff.

Some of the stuff that was taken includes ultra-rare Evel Knievel stunt cycle toys, collectible "Chucky" dolls, "Friday the 13th" action figures, "Planet of the Apes" lunchboxes and WWF keepsakes. 

Robinson went to police and filed a report -- but so far, officials haven't been able to track down the culprit.

The crazy part -- one of Robinson's items -- a "Jaws" statue (valued at $2,400) popped up on eBay on Thursday night ... but the seller's post and username were taken down before he noticed.

As for the storage company ... Robinson tells us security cameras didn't catch the act. Plus, he feels the company doesn't really seem concerned about helping him out. 

G-strings ain't just for chicks ... just ask golf superstar Brooks Koepka! 

The #1 ranked PGA player in the world decided to thong out for a friend's birthday party in Florida on Friday -- and it's clear ... dude ain't shy about it!!!

The 29-year-old butt-flossed up and bared his bod while drinking beer on a PonTiki boat in South Florida ... and tested the thong durability when he jumped off into the water.

The theme of the party seemed to be some sort of redneck vibe -- at one point, Brooks was rockin' a shirt that read, "Save a Horse, Ride a Cousin."

BK's hot girlfriend, Jena Sims, got in on the costume fun -- sporting a bathing suit inspired by that neon green man-thong from "Borat."

Dallas Keuchel has ZERO regrets about signing with the Braves over the Yankees this month ... the star pitcher tells TMZ Sports, "So far, so good!!"

Of course, Keuchel was an ace for the Houston Astros for years ... but remained unsigned throughout the beginning of this season because of his free agency demands.

But at the beginning of the month ... teams ramped up their offers for the former Cy Young winner -- and it reportedly came down to the Braves and Yankees.

But Keuchel -- who ended up choosing Atlanta -- told us out in NYC on Friday he has NO regrets yet about his pick!!!

"So far, so good!" he said.

Keuchel -- who's already started 2 games for the Braves since signing on June 7 -- did say he has been going through a bit of an adjustment period, telling us, "I think we're always adjusting, no matter what time it is."

Nancy Grace thinks O.J. Simpson's apparent attempt to become a pro fantasy football analyst is disgusting -- because throat-slitting maniacs like him don't deserve a second chance. 

With O.J. posting fantasy football advice on Twitter, the guys on "TMZ Live" asked Grace if she thinks he has a real chance at getting an endorsement deal.

"I think it's absolutely a possibility," Grace said ... "I guarantee people will tune in to see O.J. Simpson out of prurient interest knowing that he beat [Nicole Brown] black and blue. Knowing that he sliced her neck so severely, her head was hanging on by the skin, by the back of her spine."

Nancy, whose new show "Injustice with Nancy Grace" debuts July 13 on Oxygen, added this about O.J. possibly getting on the air -- "Yeah, people will tune in and watch that ... [but] it will not be me!"

For his part, Simpson has been getting killed on social media for his fantasy football post ... with people taking ferocious shots at the ex-NFL star -- and there ain't signs of it slowing down. 

@CenterStageDS -- "Baker Mayfield might be risky, but it wouldn’t be the first time you took a stab at a Brown."

@jamfan40 -- "What about Joe Flacco?  Thought you were a fan of white Broncos?"

Jeff Francoeur says he was JUST KIDDING when he said he wished he had punched Willson Contreras in the face ... telling TMZ Sports, "I actually said it more joking!"

If ya missed it ... the Cubs and Braves nearly got in an all-out brawl earlier this week after Contreras hit a massive home run and chirped about it after.

Francoeur -- a former Braves star who now broadcasts games -- said he actually got into a scuffle with the Cubs catcher back in 2016 ... and said on TV after the dustup he now wishes he had punched the guy in the face back then!!!

"Quite frankly, I wish I had just thrown a haymaker and been done with it," Francoeur said ... “If I knew that was my last year, I would have."

But, when we got Jeff out in NYC on Friday ... he backpedaled off those comments, telling us he was just playin' around!!!

"If you go listen to it, I actually said it more joking! I laughed while I said it. It was fun."

In fact, Francoeur had nothing but praise for Willson ... telling us, "He's a hell of a player."

As for fighting in baseball in general, Jeff tells us he doesn't think knuckle-chucking should ever be allowed in the sport ... saying fights should NEVER escalate from a casual dust-up.

Big statement from Megan Rapinoe ... who just let her FEET do the talking after criticism from Donald Trump -- scoring a goal in the first 5 minutes of Team USA's big game against France. 

Remember, Trump told Rapinoe to focus on winning rather than criticizing the President -- after Rapinoe was quoted saying she would not go to the "f*cking White House" if Team USA wins the World Cup. 

Fast Forward to Friday's game against France ... where Rapinoe hit a brilliant goal during a free kick from outside the box (and deep in traffic) to take a 1-0 lead over France. 

Rapinoe has scored the last 3 goals for the U.S. in the World Cup tournament. She has 48 goals in international play. 

#Beast!

Story developing ...

Cops found a credit card holder they suspected was used to conceal cocaine during Robert Nkemdiche's arrest earlier this month ... and they asked the NFL stud straight-up, "What's the white stuff in there?"

It's all in police video obtained by TMZ Sports ... which shows a cop pulling over Nkemdiche on June 6 in Arizona for speeding -- and then finding the Cardinals DL had a warrant out for his arrest stemming from a previous traffic violation.

When the cop gets Robert out of the car to cuff him ... he realizes the 6-foot-4, 314-pounder's wrists are too big for handcuffs ... so he and another officer removed the jewelry from Nkemdiche's left wrist.

When one of the cops goes to put the bracelets in the car's center console, he notices a credit card holder flipped open -- and says to another cop, "Tell me if that looks like a little cocaine hitter."

The cop dives into the car and takes the credit card holder to Robert himself to ask him straight-up if he knows what the white substance is on the mirror.

"Nothing," Nkemdiche says ... "I just leave my wallet in there and stuff like that. It's just old so it gets used a lot."

"It's not anything," Robert adds ... "I leave it in the restroom, so I just always have my card in there and stuff like that."

Doesn't seem the cop believes him ... because in a later conversation with officers, the cop says, "It's probably cocaine in there."

Good news for Robert ... the cops decided not to pursue testing of the credit card holder -- and instead, they elected to have it impounded so they could destroy it later.

As for the rest of the stop, Nkemdiche was booked for having an outstanding warrant -- and he was also hit with citations for speeding and driving while suspended.

The Cardinals issued a statement following the arrest, saying, "We are aware of the June 6th incident involving Robert Nkemdiche."

"We have alerted the NFL office in accordance with the league's personal conduct policy and will comment further when appropriate."

But, the incidents with Nkemdiche didn't stop there ... turns out, the 2016 first-round draft pick was pulled over YET AGAIN just days later on June 12.

Cops say this stop was for driving on a suspended license ... but Nkemdiche was issued a citation without incident and was advised to get his driving situation figured out with the DMV.

The only pink thing missing from Khloe Kardashian's birthday bash was a panther.

From grilled cheese to donuts ... it was all pink all the time at Khloe's 35th bday shindig Thursday night. Kim, Kylie, Kourtney and Kendall, of course, were all front and center ... as was Sofia Richie.

Guests were greeted by a neon "Khlo Money" sign ... again, pink. The elegant setup included a gaggle of pink roses ...even pink-themed treadmill and weights.

"Koko's Drink Menu" offered up Casamigos tequila and Grey Goose vodka themed drinks, which they dubbed, "I'm in love with the KoKo" and "Khlo Money Moves." 

For those who imbibed, the libations cups were embossed with Khloe quotes ... "The bigger the hoop, the bigger the ho." As you know ... Khloe loves her some huge loop earrings.

Khloe's kid, True, dressed in a soft pink dress to match her mama's hot-pink top. As the night came to a close ... Khloe & the gang grabbed life by the horns ... as in a mechanical bull.

The mastermind behind the David Ortiz shooting has been arrested in the Dominican Republic, officials say. 

Victor Hugo Gomez is the man who allegedly put the wheels in motion for a team of hitmen to roll up to a popular lounge with murderous intent on June 9.

Of course, Dominican officials have now said they don't believe Ortiz was the intended target that night -- insisting the shooter mistook the MLB legend for a friend who was sitting nearby. 

Ortiz was hit in the back -- but the bullet caused serious damage to several organs including his intestines and liver. After the initial life-saving surgery, Ortiz was flown to Boston where he's been receiving treatment ever since. 

As for Gomez, officials say he put out the hit on Ortiz's friend while Gomez was inside the United States. Officials say Gomez has a criminal record and possible ties to a drug cartel. 

So far, at least 10 people have been arrested in the investigation -- including the shooter Rolfi Ferreira Cruz, who has said on the record that Ortiz was not his target. 

The gang's back together again ... with some of the biggest stars in New England Patriots history (minus 1 G.O.A.T.) reuniting at the premiere of Julian Edelman's new documentary. 

It all went down in Foxboro on Thursday ... where Edelman was screening his new SHOWTIME flick, "100% Julian Edelman" ... which follows the Super Bowl MVP's life on and off the field. 

Among the stars who showed up for the event -- Pats owner Robert Kraft and newly-retired future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski!

Snoop Dogg also hit the red carpet ... strange considering he's a die-hard Steelers fan (but he really loves ALL football) ... along with former Pats WR Danny Amendola and Gronk's bikini model girlfriend, Camille Kostek. 

It's not a scene from a terrifying horror movie about bees taking over the planet ... it's the Cricket World Cup ... and it's scary as hell.

A massive swarm of bees invaded the South Africa vs. Sri Lanka match at Chester-le-Street in England on Friday ... forcing all the players to hit the deck to avoid getting stung.

The invasion took place in the middle of the game -- so the players had to wait out the swarm before getting back to action. 

No word on whether any players or umpires got stung .. but they clearly weren't taking any chances.

A group of groundsmen were able to eliminate the invaders with fire extinguishers ... and the match was able to resume.

Crazy part about all of this? The fans in the stands were completely unaffected while the invasion took place ... so they got an extra bit of entertainment while everyone frantically took cover.

How did Brian Dozier get pumped up for the Nationals game against the Marlins on Thursday??

TWERK! TWERK! TWERK! TWERK! TWERK!

The Washington second baseman was clearly feeling a little frisky in Miami before the final game of the Nats-Marlins series ... so he decided to back that thang up on a Nats staffer!!

Unclear why ... but the video is hilarious -- Dozier does a secret handshake and dance with Victor Robles, then turns his hat backward and decides to twerk it out!!

The best part? Washington's staffer plays along ... and slaps a big ole' handful of booty!!!

Seems the pregame twerkfest worked out for Dozier and the squad ... he went 2-for-4 and the Nats beat the Marlins, 8-5.

"Kike, my grandmother's bigger than you!"

Dodgers stud Kike Hernandez was hit with that and more by hecklers when he stepped into the batter's box Thursday night ... but he had the best response EVER to it ...

A MOONSHOT HOME RUN AND SOME BLOWN KISSES!!!

Here's the deal, the Dodgers had just taken a 9-8 lead in the 9th inning against the Rockies in Colorado when Hernandez was asked to pinch hit with two runners on.

Some fans immediately began to ride him ... with one saying, "Kike, you're small as sh*t! Boom."

Of course, Hernandez immediately proceeded to pump a Wade Davis fastball 400-plus feet to dead center of Coors Field ... and when he got back to home plate -- he made sure the hecklers knew about it.

Twitter user @Jomboy_ has the hilarious breakdown of it all ... for real, it's a must watch.

Nothing like a good ol' fashioned street fight -- with a hint of MMA action -- to top off a night out on the town ... and this one even has a hype man and a very distressed damsel!

The "Clash in the Crosswalk" (every great fight needs a title) went down Thursday night outside Poppy in West Hollywood. Two dudes, one with his shirt off -- 'cause why not -- squared up for some bare-knuckle boxing.

Here's what we know from the bearded hype man who repeatedly shouted things like, "Welcome to L.A." and "WEST SIDE!!!!" ... the shirt-off dude started the fight, or at least wanted the fight initially.

But, after one shot to the face, the topless tough guy went down ... and the other guy unleashed his ground and pound game, including an attempted rear naked choke. Attempted.