Belal Muhammad was just as shocked as everyone else when he heard Ben Askrenwas returning to the mats ... and now the UFC star is walking TMZ Sportsthrough how the deal went down!
"[Real American Freestyle] hit me up, and they asked me if I was down again. It's close to Chicago in Milwaukee, and then they brought up his name, and I was like, 'Bro, is he healthy enough?' I care about him. I've seen his story," the 37-year-old MMA fighter told us.
"When they said, 'Yeah [he's healthy],' I said, 'Bro, it'd be an honor.' He's a legend. His story is legendary. To be a part of that, and to be his homecoming match, or even his end match, his last one, it's gonna be cool. I've trained with him. I've talked to him. He's a good guy, cool guy."
Damian Lillard's alleged baby mama isn't the homewrecker she's being made out to be ... 'cause TMZ has learned she and the NBA superstar didn't get romantic until AFTER his marriage was already over.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the 9-time NBA All-Star did NOT cheat on his ex-wife, Kay'la Lillard, with Justie Wolf. We're told the two had known each other for years through mutual friends, but their relationship didn't turn romantic until after Damian and Kay'la had separated.
We're also told Justie isn't the type of woman who would knowingly get involved with a married man or help break up a family ... and she would never be okay being a side chick.
6:17 PM 6/2/2026 -- Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … the suspect in custody is Sean’s neighbor.
Our Law Enforcement sources tell us that LAPD responded to a call at Sean's home for criminal threats around 10 AM Tuesday. The caller stated the suspect was a neighbor who had been harassing and threatening their contractors. The caller told officers this had been an ongoing issue.
Our LE sources tell us when officers arrived Tuesday morning, there was no indication of any threats made. No report was taken.
Sean Avery and his wife, Hilary Rhoda's Los Angeles home was the scene of a frightening shooting ... TMZ has learned.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the couple's contractor was working at their Hollywood Hills residence Tuesday when the shots rang out. We're told that during the shooting, a tire on the contractor's vehicle was struck.
As of now, our law enforcement sources say there are no known injuries. Our LE sources tell us one person is in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
We're told neither Avery or Rhoda was home at the time of the shooting.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Karlie scored an invite to Taylor's wedding to Travis Kelce in New York City on July 3, a major development considering the former BFFs haven't been spotted together in years following their widely rumored fallout.
We're told there were real issues between them, but it's all water under the bridge now ... the pals actually made up quite some time ago ... so, Taylor had no problem adding Karlie to the guest list for the celeb-packed ceremony.
In a snippet from a new song, Meg is living it up on a yacht rocking a skimpy bikini, twerking, and partying with her girls as she raps, "All that wifey s*** is dead/ Put that s*** to bed." She continues ... "I'mma make 'em beg/ When I want some head."
6/2/2026 3:19 PM -- Rep. Ogles has since deleted the X post.
Senator Ted Cruz is publicly pushing back on a member of his own party ... splitting with Rep. Andy Oglesover homosexuality's place in America, generally, and specifically, Pride Month celebrations.
Our guy Jacobgot Ted on Capitol Hill reacting to Congressman Ogles eyebrow-raising X post going after the LGBTQ community ... and he didn't hesitate to distance himself, saying, "the behavior of consenting adults is their business."
If ya missed Ogles' social media shot Tuesday morning, the U.S. Rep from Tennessee posted ... "Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month."
Rep. Ogles' X post comes on the second day of June, which is nationally recognized as Pride Month ... though governors in Tennessee and Indiana have alternately declared June as Nuclear Family Month.
Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett being teammates isn't all that far-fetched -- the retired NFL superstar just told Pat McAfee he's at least "thinking" about running it back with the Los Angeles Rams after Monday's blockbuster trade.
The former punter shot Donald a text on Tuesday's show ... and his response is quite interesting due to all the speculation surrounding a potential comeback.
According to McAfee, AD said the Garrett addition "for sure got me thinking" about a return ... but added he's 35 and two years removed from the game, so he'd have to "see if that fire can light back up."
UFC fighter Sean Strickland is clearly not over Dylan Mulvaney's Bud Light sponsorship three years later ... 'cause he just posted a fake ad featuring himself beating up a trans woman to celebrate Pride Month being "far less gay" now.
The incredibly controversial middleweight champ shared the edited video on social media Tuesday ... showing him punching and kicking an opponent in a pink dress until a referee steps in and calls the match.
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The clip then cuts to the end of a Bud Light ad ... which states it's the "official beer sponsor of UFC."
Taylor Swift's wedding guest list is slowly coming into focus ... 'cause we've learned Benson Boonehas been invited to the big day ... and he's gonna be there!!!
Sources familiar with the guest list tell TMZ ... Benson scored a RSVP to Taylor and Travis Kelce's wedding and is expected to attend .... though it's unclear if he was given a plus one or will bring one.
The timing certainly works ... the wedding is planned for July 3, and Benson's next scheduled performance isn't until July 7 in Pittsburgh, giving him a clear window to celebrate with the bride and groom.
Charlie caught up with the Rhode Island Senator on Tuesday in Washington D.C. and asked about the growing speculation that Taylor and Travis Kelcecould be tying the knot in Rhode Island, where she has a massive estate. While plenty of fans seem convinced, Whitehouse sounds far less certain.
Check out the clip ... Whitehouse almost sounds like he's trying to will a potential Rhode Island wedding into existence, but it might just be wishful thinking ... his comments suggest he thinks R.I. may already be out of the running.
Josh Jacobs is back practicing with the Green Bay Packers ... with head coach Matt LaFleur claiming it's been "business as usual," despite the star running back's recent arrest over domestic abuse allegations.
LaFleur met with the media on Tuesday ... and confirmed the 28-year-old will participate in OTAs. Sure enough, Jacobs was then spotted warming up with his teammates minutes later.
He didn't say much else about the matter ... which is expected, as he was super tight-lipped when reporters asked about the arrest last week. LaFleur did downplay the notion that Jacobs' situation could be a distraction in the locker room.
A.J. Brown is opening up on his relationship with former teammate Jalen Hurts ... finally admitting they aren't as tight anymore -- but he still has love for the guy.
Fresh off being traded to New England, the receiver sat down with Maria Taylor for an interview on "7PM in Brooklyn x Creative 7" ... with a Patriots "Man Cave" rug laying under their feet -- a purchase he says he made years ago, even though he was a member of the Eagles at the time.
The lifelong Pats fan shared his excitement to play for the team he worshipped growing up during the chat ... while also shedding light on his time in the City of Brotherly Love, specifically the apparent falling out with QB1.
Larry Fitzgerald is opening up after the death of his father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., paying homage in a heartfelt tribute that'll have you reaching for the box of tissues.
"My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement. He opened countless doors for me and my brother," the soon-to-be first ballot Hall of Famer wrote on social media.
"He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction, he was the rock of our family. He taught us that perseverance, hard work, and unwavering commitment are the foundations of a meaningful life and personal success."
A.J. Brown couldn't be happier to be a New England Patriot ... but the superstar receiver is seemingly attempting to rewrite history just a bit -- 'cause his childhood pics showing him in a Tom Brady jersey were made with A.I.
Brown -- who was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday -- went to Instagram to address his new move ... questionably using a Diddy song to get the message across that he's "Coming Home."
The post included two snaps of a young Brown in Patriots jerseys ... but the only problem is the only way he would have had those threads is if he had a time machine, given he's 28 years old now.
Justin Gaethje has some things in common with the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team -- he's a huge underdog like the boys were in Lake Placid -- and he's gunning to replicate that American Pride with his main event fight against Ilia Topuria at the White House!
"I get to control my destiny. What an opportunity. This is 'Miracle On Ice' type of energy that I'm trying to drive into this country," Gaethje told Babcock on Monday.
"I have an opportunity to do something special and I could not ask for anything better. I think 250 years ago, I think we were definitely bigger underdogs. And look where we are now. So I'm ready."
Justin says he understands he's an American fighting a man born across the Atlantic Ocean at an event celebrating the 250th birthday of the country ... and that brings extra pressure.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Keleigh and Taylor are not the BFFs they once were ... with mutuals of the two hopeful things will be reconciled before the wedding. The source described it as being a “sad time” for the friendship.
Another source said Taylor and Keleigh grew apart due to differences in their lifestyles. As for what that exactly means ... no one is willing to say. Not yet, anyway.
