TMZ Sports - Page 50

Khabib Nurmagomedov will NOT screw over UFC 229 by missing weight -- so says his teammate, Daniel Cormier, who says his Dagestani pal is right on track.

Khabib has had issues with weight before -- he bailed out of UFC 209 (against Tony Ferguson) after issues with his weight cut went so poorly, he was hospitalized days before the fight.

He also had weight issues at UFC 160 -- when he was 3.5 pounds over the 155 limit when facing Abel Trujillo. They ultimately fought at a catch weight because Khabib couldn't shed the weight in time.

There are much bigger stakes for Saturday's fight against Conor McGregor -- the lightweight championship is on the line.

But, Cormier tells TMZ Sports there's nothing to worry about -- "He's looking great. Khabib's ready to go. His weight's looking good."

"Oh yeah, he'll make weight," Cormier added ... "He's like 11 pounds overweight as of [Tuesday]."

Sounds like a lot -- but Cormier insists it's right where Khabib needs to be.

The two will finally clash on October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in what many people are calling the biggest UFC fight of all time!!

Cormier says his friend, Khabib, will need to "fire on all cylinders" to beat Conor, who's mauled just about everyone he's faced in the UFC.

Khabib is no slouch -- "He's 26 and 0," Cormier points out.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for his Portugal national team in at least 2 upcoming games while he battles rape allegations in the United States.

Ronaldo -- arguably the best player in the world -- was left off the roster for an Oct. 11 match against Poland and an Oct. 14 game against Scotland.

The 33-year-old superstar reportedly met with Portugal coach Fernando Santos and Portuguese federation president Fernando Gomes and collectively agreed it was best for Ronaldo to step away for a few games.

While they have not released a statement specifically connecting the absence to the rape case -- it's pretty obvious.

As we previously reported, Ronaldo is being sued by Kathryn Mayorga -- who claims Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room back in 2009.

She had initially filed a police report describing the alleged crime -- but didn't identify Ronaldo by name.

In her lawsuit, Mayorga says she later accepted a $375,000 payment in exchange for her silence -- but now, she wants that agreement voided.

Sorry, Aaron Rodgers ... your reign as King in the NFC North is over -- 'cause the Bears are the best team there now -- so says Chicago legend Mike Singletary.

Da Bears just waxed the Bucs 48-10 ... and when the greatest LB in Chicago history spoke with TMZ Sports about the W -- he told us he's convinced they're better than the Packers AND the Vikings.

"At the end of the day, I think the Bears are the most COMPLETE team in that division," Mike says.

Of course ... Detroit's also in the North -- but after their loss to the Cowboys on Sunday ... Mike didn't even bother to mention them in the same conversation.

Talk about going out with a bang ... Daniel Cormier tells TMZ Sports his fight plan is to finish his UFC career with one final mega-brawl with Jon Jones!!!

The reigning champ champ (he's got both the heavyweight and light heavyweight title) has already set a ticking clock on his UFC career -- promising to retire for good on his 40th birthday, roughly 6 months from now.

First, Cormier says he wants Brock Lesnar in the heavyweight division ... followed by a light heavyweight fight with Jon Jones.

Dana White recently told us he would love to see Jones vs. Cormier III at heavyweight ... but D.C. says he ain't on board with that. He wants the fight at light heavyweight (205 pounds).

"I want to fight Jones at 205, because that's where he beat me," Cormier said ... "He beat me at 205, I want to beat him where he beat me."

In the meantime, D.C. says he'll most likely relinquish his light heavyweight title while he fights Brock at heavyweight ... clearing the way for Jones to fight Alexander Gustafsson for the LHW title.

After that, it's on ... one last battle for the ages.

Chicago Cubs star Addison Russell has been suspended 40 games for violating the MLB's domestic abuse policy ... after his ex-wife accused him of physically and verbally abusing her.

Melisa Reidy -- who has one child with Russell -- accused the shortstop of name calling, intimidating with personal force and putting his hands on her during their 2-year marriage.

The allegations initially went public last year ... but Reidy says she was not ready to cooperate with the league's investigation until after their divorce was finalized.

Russell was placed on administrative leave 2 weeks ago ... after Reidy published a blog post detailing the alleged abuse. The league claims to have been investigating the allegations since last June.

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the results of the league's investigation into Reidy's claims on Wednesday ... and said there was enough evidence to hand down the 40-game unpaid suspension, retroactive to September 21.

Russell released a statement on Wednesday ... saying, "After gaining a full understanding of the situation I have concluded it's in the best interest of my family to accept MLB's proposed resolution of this matter."

All the Internet detectives can put their magnifying glasses down ... Matt Barnes is ending the debate, telling TMZ Sports he DEFINITELY faked the ball RIGHT AT Kobe Bryant.

And, of course ... Kobe didn't flinch.

The debate over this 8-year-old NBA occurrence started when a Twitter user floated the theory that Kobe's all-time tough guy move wasn't that ... because Matt didn't put the ball directly in his face.

BTW -- If you don't remember the incident we're talking about ... you need NBA league pass ... BADLY.

We talked to Matt -- who was just thrilled to discuss it AGAIN -- and Barnes says he definitely faked the ball at Kobe's face and Mamba kept his cool.

"As far as I know that sh*t went in his face and he didn't flinch. I thought that was a dead story."

See ...

UFC star Tony Ferguson says he's a new, sober man -- telling TMZ Sports he's cut alcohol out of his life and has "completely turned my life around."

Tony says he made the life changes to expedite his recovery from the devastating knee injury he suffered back in April. Tony says doctors told him recovery could take up to a year ... but he was so focused, he was back in 4 months!!!

Now, Tony is facing Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 this weekend -- and has this message for his opponent, "Kiss my ass!"

As for the other fight on the card -- Conor vs. Khabib match -- Ferguson has some thoughts.

"Battle of the bullsh*ts. We got Tiramisu verse McNuggets. Both lost their sauce, and I got all the sauce."

Ferguson says neither guy's ever wanted smoke with him ... and ain't a damn thing changed.

"As far as Khabib is concerned, sh*t, the dude ducked me. He's been ducking me and so has Conor. Conor never says my name 'cause he's got 1 thing on his mind, loss, when he says my name."

Tony also picked a winner (kinda sorta).

"Double knockout. I see these motherf**kers knocking themselves out."

WHY IS NOAH SYNDERGAARD LETTING ANYONE NEAR THAT BEAUTIFUL HAIR WITH A RAZOR?!?!!

Because "Vikings." That's why.

The NY Mets pitcher -- who earned the nickname Thor because of that godlike blonde mane -- was offered a role on the insanely violent History Channel show but it came with a catch ... ya gotta tweak that 'do.

Don't worry, it's not all the way gone -- as Noah put it, "Party on top, business on the sides."

Noah says his character's name is "Thorbjorn" -- he's a badass -- and he'll be featured on season 6. Chances Thorbjorn meets a gruesome death? Very high (everyone dies on that show).

Producers must be stoked Noah actually showed up for the shoot -- as we previously reported, they've been screwed over by big celebrity guests in the past.

In fact, Katheryn Winnick -- who plays Lagertha on the show -- says Conor McGregor bailed on filming a scene at the last minute ... forcing Katheryn and her team to rewrite the episode.

UFC's Al Iaquinta says he's rooting for Khabib Nurmagomedov to beat the dog snot out of Conor McGregor in the 1st or 2nd round ... because it'll make his fight with Khabib look more impressive!

Remember, Al stepped in and fought Khabib back in April at UFC 223 on a day's notice ... and survived all 5 rounds with the Dagestani superstar.

Despite the loss, Al clearly respects Khabib -- and HATES Conor -- and tells TMZ Sports he's hoping his former opponent smashes Conor like a chump.

"I'm just hoping Khabib goes out there and whoops his ass, makes it look good, finishes him in like the 1st or 2nd round ... and makes me look like a superstar!"

Al says his goal is to get a rematch with Khabib to prove he can hang (and beat) the best fighters in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo is firing back against allegations he raped a woman at a Vegas hotel back in 2009 -- saying, "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."

The soccer superstar is being sued by Kathryn Mayorga -- who claims she met CR7 at Rain Nightclub in the Palms hotel in June 2009 and he invited her up to his penthouse suite to party and hot tub.

There are photos of Mayorga and Ronaldo hanging out at the nightclub together that evening.

While changing her clothing, Mayorga claims, "Ronaldo entered the bathroom, exposed his erect penis and asked [her] to perform fellatio."

Mayorga says she refused and wanted to leave -- but Ronaldo "pulled [her] into a bedroom and onto a bed and attempted to engage in sexual intercourse."

Mayorga claims she tried to fight Ronaldo off -- but he turned her onto her side and sodomized her while she screamed "no, no, no."

In her suit, Mayorga claims she reported the incident to the Las Vegas Metro Police Dept. -- but didn't identify Ronaldo by name out of fear of retaliation.

Mayorga claims immediately following the 2009 incident, Ronaldo and his team of "fixers" coerced her into signing a settlement and nondisclosure agreement -- in which she got $375k in exchange for her silence. She's seeking in her lawsuit to void the deal.

Now, Ronaldo is speaking out ... adamantly denying the allegations.

"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me," Ronaldo said.

"Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense."

"My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations."

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare won't have to worry about helmet hair when the NHL season kicks off Thursday night ... 'cause the Vegas Golden Knights star got a fresh bald haircut from some tough ladies battling cancer!!

The French winger joined a ferocious group of breast cancer patients for a head-shaving bash outside T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday ... as part of the beginning Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Not only does P.E.B. go all the way in with the fresh cut ... he returns the favor and puts his barber skills to use as well!!

Bellemare loved it. The women loved it. We're loving it.

And, if this gesture wasn't awesome enough for you ... the event raised $20,000 for the American Cancer Society (click here to donate).

The Rockies were the WORST houseguests Tuesday night ... 'cause after they booted the Cubs from the playoffs -- they SOAKED their Wrigley Field locker room in bubbly and beer!!!

Colorado scored in the top of the 13th in the NL Wild Card game and slammed the door on Chicago in the bottom of the frame ... and then it was time for champagne and Budweiser.

The team sprayed down the whole locker room -- although they were at least kind enough to put up the tarps beforehand.

There was an MVP chant for Charlie Blackmon ... Nolan Arenado made sure to bring the tunes ... and Tony Wolters (dude with the game-winning RBI) had a great dance. Good times were had by all.

It's the Brewers up next for the Rockies in the NLDS. Series starts Thursday.

Terrell Davis respectfully disagrees with the way Le'Veon Bell's dealing with the Steelers -- telling TMZ Sports, "If it were me, I woulda signed the franchise tag."

The Hall of Fame running back isn't trying to diss Bell ... and he understands why Le'Veon is holding out -- he just doesn't see eye to eye on the business side of it.

"I never thought he should've held out," Davis said at LAX ... "That's just me though. But, he's gotta do what he's gotta do."

"I can't fault anybody for trying to get more money and doing what they feel is right."

Bell is holding out for a longterm deal with guaranteed money -- despite the fact Pittsburgh hit him with the franchise tag which would have paid him roughly $15 mil this season.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury just got done spitting venom at each other ahead of their December world title clash -- and now the only question is ... who's the better crap talker?!

Fury started the pre-fight chatter off ... callin' Wilder his own personal puppet -- saying he can make Wilder do ANYTHING he wants.

"If I want him to stand up, he stands up," Fury tells TMZ Sports ... "If I want him to act a clown, he'll act a clown. I've got him. I'm living in his mind, running free."

Wilder then slipped in his jabs ... touting his own game rather than shading Tyson's.

Sooo ... who gets the nod?? We're not sure -- but it was really fun to watch.

BTW ... the two also got in a little bit of a dance-off at their news conference today -- which begs one more question ... WHO WON THAT?!?!

Magic Johnson will be honored in Las Vegas next week, but it wouldn't be like him to not give something back ... so he's putting on a concert.

The Lakers legend is set to receive a key to the city from Mayor Carolyn Goodman at a ceremony on October 9, but he's turning it into a 2-day event for the community.

We're told the "Magic Johnson Showtime Pop-Up Concert" at Mandalay Bay Beach will kick things off Tuesday, with performances by several big acts ... including Snoop Dogg. Our sources say Will Smith also recorded a congrats video that will air during the show.

MGM Properties is giving away 4,000 tickets for the event over the next few days to any sports or music fans interested in attending, and some of the recipients will be survivors of last year's mass shooting. But, that's not all -- we're told he has a special surprise for these guests.

To top it all off -- the Lakers take on the Warriors at nearby T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 10 for some NBA preseason action.

After obliterating ANOTHER opponent, Greg Hardy -- now 3-0 as a pro MMA fighter -- says he's ready for a major UFC card ... warning the heavyweight division he's a very "dangerous" man.

It only took the ex-NFL star 53 seconds to dispose of Ray Jones at XFN 352 over the weekend in another dominant performance.

Not one of Greg's pro fights has lasted more than 60 seconds.

Remember, Hardy earned a UFC development contract back in June when he crushed Austen Lane on "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series" ... but the big question -- when will Hardy get his shot to fight on a nationally televised stage?

"I'm hoping the top of next year," Hardy tells TMZ Sports ... while emphasizing that he wants to stay humble and earn his opportunity like every other fighter.

And, while confident, Hardy says he wants to log more Octagon time before squaring up with the top names in the sport ... guys like Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis.

"Dangerous names," Hardy says ... "real dangerous names right there."

Hardy knows those fights will come in time -- but for now, he's focused on smashing every opponent who steps in front of him.