TMZ Sports - Page 50

Here's a painful lesson on why you should NEVER get in a street fight -- courtesy of UFC star "Platinum" Mike Perry.

We asked Platinum -- who fights this weekend at UFC on FOX 26 -- to give us the lowdown on if he's ever had to throw down outside the Octagon ... and the story he hit us with was Oscar-worthy.

It all went down on a New Year's Eve in DT Orlando ... when Mike and his GF, "Platinum Princess" Danielle Nickerson, were out celebrating on the streets.

Perry says a random guy was dumb enough to hit on Danielle when they were clearly together ... and fire on Platinum after he told him to step off!

Mike says he fired back with a left hook from hell ... and you can guess how that turned out.

The whole thing's pretty hilarious. Also, kinda terrifying.

UFC champ Tyron Woodley dropped bombs on Keaton Jones' parents in the newest episode of "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- explaining why they're even worse for him than his bullies at school.

Woodley says Keaton's dad needs to "get the hell slapped outta him" for being a white supremacist ... and his mom should take a seat after allegedly trying to parlay Keaton's fame into a cash grab.

"Why do you need money to fight bullying? You need mentors ... you don't need money."

The champ says he's still got Keaton's back -- but advises him to cut out his folks, so he can become a better person.

Talk about a rough day at the office ...

A Muay Thai fighter took a brutal elbow to the face during a fight in Thailand this week -- requiring emergency surgery ... but don't worry, HE'S OKAY!!!!

Pro fighter Jonny Betts was at the Patong Stadium in Thailand on Monday night -- when his friend, "Jeremy," suffered a skull fracture in the ring.

Betts says Jeremy was out of the hospital in just a few days after undergoing a procedure to "fix up the fracture with a titanium plate."

"No brain injury and he was never dizzy."

Get well soon, man.

From Hollywood to the NFL ... now a powerful NFL owner is being investigated for alleged misconduct in the workplace.

The Carolina Panthers have confirmed they have "commenced an internal investigation" into 81-year-old Jerry Richardson. Details of the allegations have not been made public.

"The Carolina Panthers and Mr. Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct," the team said in a statement.

"The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally. We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it."

As for the NFL ... our sources tell us the Panthers made the league aware this afternoon that they'd launched an investigation.

Jerry Rice better watch his back ... 'cause there's one current NFL superstar who's on pace to take the crown from the 49ers legend ... this according to ex-Pro Bowler Chad Johnson.

TMZ Sports spoke with Ochocinco about Antonio Brown dominating today's game ... and asked straight-up whether it's possible AB84 can end up at the top of the all-time receiving yards list.

Johnson completely believes Brown can eventually pass Rice's record of 22,895 career yards ... and explains exactly what needs to happen in order to actually get those numbers.

FYI -- Brown is currently at 9,886 through almost 8 seasons in the league ... getting nervous yet, Jerry??

Joe Mixon was so confident he was gonna sign a big NFL contract before the 2017 Draft -- he dropped nearly $200,000 on some insane jewelry ... this according to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports.

Remember, before the Bengals selected the RB with the 48th pick -- there were serious questions on whether a team would pull the trigger based on his violent 2014 incident with a female Oklahoma student.

But Mixon wasn't questioning himself ... and allegedly made at least 3 major purchases in February, March and early April which included the following items:

-- Custom diamond Rolex ($25,000)

-- Custom diamond necklace ($20,000)

-- Second Rolex watch ($16,000)

-- Men's gold and diamond tennis bracelet ($35,000)

-- Gold and diamond dog chain ($22,000)

Problem is ... when it came to pay the $190k bill, Mixon only ponied up around $100k, according to the jewelry broker, Eleow Hunt.

Hunt says he's been pestering Mixon for the $85k balance -- but he keeps getting crickets.

Of course, Mixon ended up signing a 4-year $5.45 million contract -- so, he's got the money.

The man who accused Ray Allen of making violent threats against him after their alleged relationship went sour is backing off -- he's dropped his case against the NBA star, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Bryant Coleman got a temporary restraining order against Allen in Florida after telling the court Ray sent men after him and made violent threats over the phone.

Coleman had previously told TMZ Sports he believed his life was in danger.

Ray had always maintained the allegations were B.S. -- and that Coleman is the real bad guy ... who catfished him in a scheme to get private information from the NBA star.

Now, we've obtained court documents which show Coleman has voluntarily dropped his restraining order -- though he doesn't explain why the change of heart.

Ray's attorney, David Markus, tells us, "We are pleased Coleman voluntarily dismissed the injunction and false claims he made against Ray Allen."

"Ray has never met Coleman. Ray Allen has never spoken with Coleman. Ray has never threatened him or anyone. He wants nothing to do with him and is looking forward to putting this matter behind him."

Here's a video the NFL should show at the 2018 Rookie Symposium -- NY Giants WR Brandon Marshall being cussed at in NYC by a heckler ... and he handles it like a champ.

It all started when an NYPD officer approached Brandon's Rolls-Royce and started to write him a parking ticket. Like anyone, the WR wasn't happy about it.

A fan spotted the incident and started recording. He then asked Brandon for a selfie, but the NFL star wasn't in the mood (obviously) and declined.

The fan turned on Marshall and yelled at him, "That's why your team sucks, man. That's why your team sucks!"

He added, "What's y'all record?! F*cking bum!"

But, Marshall smartly kept his cool and walked away ... only saying one thing to the heckler, "Go to work." He left the situation without incident.

This had all the makings of a situation that could have gone very south ... and it didn't.

WWE superstar Enzo Amore is telling the state of Delaware to stick it -- 'cause there ain't a chance they're getting his penis-ish signature scrubbed from his driver's license!!

Enzo WENT OFF on his DMV beef -- claiming he's been getting calls from reps demanding he change his license ASAP due to the suggestive signature.

Let's be real ... it definitely looks like a dong.

But, Enzo says there's no way in hell he's rejiggering his John Hancock -- and he's willing to go to war over it.

"There ain't no way the state of Delaware is gonna tell me how to sign my own license!! I've been signing this signature since grade school!!"

LeBron James might just be Nostradamus ... because he predicted Lonzo Ball would run from the wrath of a royal thunder dunk ... and in Thursday night's game, Ball did just that.

LBJ made the prognostication while visiting kids at the Cleveland Clinic (awesome guy) earlier this week when a brave young man named Andrew asked him to dunk on Lonzo.

"He might not be in my way! Once he sees I'm about to take off, he might move out the way."

Fast forward to the 2nd quarter of the Lakers vs. Cavs game on Thursday night -- 'Bron gets a pass from J.R. Smith and barrels towards the basket ... and this happens.

To be fair to Lonzo -- lets be real, he made a smart decision.

Packers fans are still pissed about Anthony Barr laying out Aaron Rodgers ... but one Cheesehead took it WAY too far in a disturbing hate letter for the Vikings star.

The violent threats were masked as a piece of fan mail -- wishing for Barr to get put in a wheelchair when the Vikes come to Lambeau Field next weekend.

"Proud of yourself? You're a piece of sh*t. You didn't have to throw him to the ground and purposely come down on top of him. Did you jump for joy when heard his (collarbone) crack?"

"SOB bastard. Come 12/23, hope you get your neck snapped. Remember Darryl Stingley? Your payback is coming. Piece of sh*t. Packers."

FYI, Stingley's an ex-NFLer who had his career (and life) cut short by a spinal cord injury.

Barr's tackle was kinda sketch, but with Rodgers ready to come back ... aggro, much??

This clip with Joel McHale sums up the NFL's problem with Thursday Night Football in a nutshell -- he knows it's dangerous for the players ... but he loves the sport too much to stop watching.

McHale is a footballaholic -- but with huge names like Drew Brees and Richie Incognito calling for an end to the mid-week game due to a spike in injuries, we asked Joel if he would support one less day of the NFL.

The short answer ... no.

McHale was a tight end for the Washington Huskies back in college -- so, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the risks of the sport.

Cardi B twerked like her life depended on it at HOT 97's Hot for the Holidays concert on Thursday -- and got rewarded for her efforts with a Colin Kaepernick meet-and-greet after the show!

You might've heard ... Cardi's been backing Kaep ever since she blew up with "Bodak Yellow" -- saying she was gonna boycott the NFL if no team signed him back in September.

Fast-forward a few months ... and the hip-hop star finally got to meet her favorite football player and his GF, Nessa -- a HOT 97 radio host -- backstage at the Prudential Center.

Nessa even congratulated Cardi for "being the sweetest and for poppin' that booty onstage!!!"

You're welcome:

You guys give up or ya thirsty for more?!!?!

Macaulay Culkin channeled his inner-Randy Savage -- and dominated a pro wrestling match in L.A. on Thursday, culminating in a move where the actor FLEW OFF THE TOP ROPE!

Culkin was ringside at Bar Wrestling ... during a match between Joey Ryan, Candace Larae and Dick Justice VS. Peter Avalon, Ray Rosas and Swoggle.

In footage captured by ProWrestlingSheet, you can see Culkin -- in a Rowdy Roddy Piper shirt -- interfere with the match by using a trick from "Home Alone" ... rolling marbles into the ring!!

He then zeroes in on Swoggle and hits him with a splash from the top rope while the crowd chants, "Home Alone!"

It's awesome!

Soooo ... bring on the Wet Bandits?!?

Ronda Rousey and the WWE have been circling each other for months ... but sources close to both sides tell TMZ Sports Ronda has NOT put pen to paper -- not yet, at least.

It's no secret that there's serious interest -- Rousey's teased the move and even appeared in a backstage WWE promo ... and company honchos Triple H and Stephanie McMahon have both gone on record saying they'd love to have her.

But, multiple independent sources from all sides of the deal have told us contract talks have NOT gotten off the ground.

As one source bluntly put it, "[Ronda's team] hasn't begun any negotiations with the WWE."

Doesn't mean they won't hit the negotiation table in the future ... but as far as what's cookin' right now -- no deal.

FYI, we're told Rousey is still working out hard (unclear if she's doing specific wrestling training). She's also shooting for her role in Mark Wahlberg's movie, "Mile 22."

Busy lady.

LeBron James' stats might end up beatin' Michael Jordan's ... but when it comes to the GOAT debate, Chauncey Billups says it ain't even close.

"I think Jordan’s the best, hands down," Billups told TMZ Sports out on Rodeo Drive. "There's nothing that LeBron can do -- and I’m a HUGE LeBron James fan."

FYI, Scottie Pippen reignited the Jordan vs. LeBron debate on Thursday ... when he said King James was "probably ahead" of Jordan on the stat sheet.

Chauncey says that's all good and well ... but when you're talking about who's the best player, numbers can only take LBJ so far.