TMZ Sports - Page 50

"The Ultimate Fighter" winner Julianna Pena says being a famous UFC fighter comes with a target -- telling TMZ Sports men have tried to pick fights with her in bars to prove their toughness.

Pena's not the first fighter to have this problem ... Cody Gibson and Michael Bisping have had similar issues -- though Bisping let the guy punch him in the stomach multiple times and made a joke out of it.

Pena, however, says guys with "beer muscles" are a real issue -- but says she's learned to deal with it.

BTW, in case you haven't seen that Bisping video, here you go ... and warning -- DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!!!

This is no "Punk'd" ... Ashton Kutcher is a LEGIT jiu-jitsu fighter -- and his legendary trainer tells us he truly believes AK could beat up Conor McGregor in a ground fight.

Kutcher's been training with Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Rigan Machado -- an 8th degree black belt -- who tells TMZ Sports the actor is a natural ... "He is my #1 student."

Not only is Kutcher tough as nails, but Machado says the 38-year-old could be one of the top BJJ fighters in the world if he wanted to go pro.

If the walls of Kenny Rogers' old estate could talk, they'd be screaming about the time the Gambler sunk a jump shot on Michael Jordan -- and they'd also say the place is up for auction.

The estate, known as Beaver Dam Farms, features a 12,000 sq. foot mansion on 973 acres outside Athens, GA. It's got 5 separate guest houses, 2 pools, 2 tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course! Unclear if there is an actual island in an actual stream on the premises.

Kenny knew when to fold 'em -- he sold the place back in 2003, but he's helping the current owners promote a July 9 auction ... where the opening bid is an absolute steal at $3.5 million.

Back in the '80s, Kenny held an annual charity event with pro athletes and celebs -- and legendarily faked MJ out of his Jordans. Luckily for Michael, the basketball court's been replaced by an equestrian center.

Here's UGA alum Todd Gurley talking some smack about LSU -- claiming when it comes to producing running backs, Georgia leaves the Tigers in the dust.

We were talking to Gurley about Evander Holyfield's son Elijah -- an incoming freshman who's been hailed as the next great Georgia running back -- when he put the crosshairs on his SEC rival.

"That's what we do at Georgia, we breed running backs. We're 'Running Back U,'" Gurley declared.

"LSU might think they're 'Running Back U' ... y'all after us ... and then maybe Bama."

FYI, UGA has kicked out a bunch of NFL backs, from Herschel Walker to Garrison Hearst and current RB Nick Chubb is a 2016 Heisman contender.

LSU, on the other hand ... Leonard Fournette is the Heisman FAVORITE in 2016 -- plus, they've kicked out NFL guys like Jeremy Hill, Alfred Blue and Kevin Faulk.

He hasn't even begun the job yet, but Lynn Swann -- the man who will take over the USC Athletic Director job -- is already getting hit with the tough questions.

Swann tried to artfully sidestep when he was asked if college athletes should get paid -- but we're guessing it won't be the last time he'll have to face the topic.

We also asked questions about the football program, but Swann wanted to make it clear, Clay Helton is still in charge. Sure he is.

DeMar DeRozan's days in the six might be numbered ... that's according to his best friend and former teammate, Romeo Miller, who says he knows where DeRozan is headed ... and he strongly suggests it's L.A.

We got Romeo out at The Grove and asked him about DeMar ... who will be one of the most coveted free agents of the NBA off-season.

Romeo would be the guy to ask ... he and DeRozan have been best friends for years, growing up together and playing college ball at USC.

Check out the clip ... it's been reported DeMar wants to bolt the north for L.A. and Romeo adds to that fire ... hinting STRONGLY that he knows the Lakers are the right spot for his best pal.

Cris 'Cyborg' Justino is usually the one drawing blood ... but the UFC star made an exception last week ... hitting up a Brazilian hospital to donate some of her own.

TMZ Sports has learned Cyborg visited Our Lady Of Grace Hospital in Curitiba (her hometown) ... and spent time hanging out with pediatric cancer patients and children with autism.

A spokesperson for the hospital says Justino "chatted and took pictures with our patients." She also "donated a pair of autographed gloves" ... and gave a pint of blood at the blood bank.

"The visit went great and our patients were really happy with the surprise."

Ex-NBA All-Star Kermit Washington faces 45 YEARS in prison for allegedly running a scheme where he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars that were SUPPOSED to help needy people in Africa ... officials say.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 64-year-old was arrested at an L.A. supermarket on Tuesday for running a scheme to steal from an African charity he started to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Long story short ... officials say Washington would induce people, including several former pro athletes, to donate to Project Contact Africa, telling them 100% of the money would benefit a clinic in Africa for needy families.

Instead, the Dept. of Justice says he stole "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to pay for everything from rent to vacations, jewelry and entertainment.

Translation -- what a scumbag (allegedly).

He's been charged with several crimes including corrupt interference with tax laws, conspiring to commit wire fraud, obstruction and aggravated ID theft.

If convicted on all charges, Washington is looking at 45 years in prison -- though it's more likely he'd strike a plea deal and serve significantly less time (if any at all).

T-Pain's a serious gamer, but totally bows down to Lil Wayne and Birdman, who used to turn gaming into hardcore gambling ... according to the singer.

T-Pain was live streaming his own game of 'Doom' on Twitch ... when he spilled some tea about Weezy and Birdman's days playing 'Madden' when they were all in the studio.

He claims they'd wager $10,000 per game -- and that wasn't even the bizarre part. Check out his description of HOW they played the games. It's good to be rich.

Ironic that they used to throw around that kinda cash -- on a video game -- considering the current state of their financial relationship.

Jose Canseco's biggest contribution to humanity continues to astonish us ... his daughter, Josie, who's turning up the hotness once again ... this time with a semi-nude Playboy photo spread.

MVP meets CMT.

J.J. Watt has officially been tapped to co-host the CMT Music Awards next month -- after impressing producers as a presenter during last year's show.

CMT announced Watt will join Erin Andrews -- who hosted the show last year along with Brittany Snow. But Snow's out -- and Watt's in.

"I am very excited to be involved in a much larger capacity this year as co-host,” Watt said.

"I can’t wait to host the awards with Erin and be part of such a great night, honoring the biggest stars in country music.”

Mike Tyson just locked up another movie role -- signing on for the new 'Kickboxer' movie ... where he'll be playing a violent convict.

Tyson will join UFC superstar Paige VanZant and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson -- the guy who plays The Mountain on “Game of Thrones.”

As for his role, Tyson will portray a tough convict forced into a world of fighting behind bars ... according to Variety, which broke the story.

Eddie Lacy went all Rocky Balboa (from "Rocky IV") in his off-season workout -- training in the snow TWICE A DAY with his P90X trainer Tony Horton.

Horton -- who created P90X -- spent months helping the Green Bay Packers running back trim down for the season ... and judging by the last video we shot of Lacy, it worked. Dude's pretty ripped now.

So, we asked Horton how he got Lacy back to form -- and the training regimen he revealed is pretty hardcore ... including some snow shoveling sessions in Jackson Hole.

Horton says Lacy was a natural when it came to working out -- but there was ONE exercise the guy couldn't stand.

Nate Diaz got an official award from the People of California Tuesday night ... recognizing his bad assness for his "upset" victory over Conor McGregor back in March.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper signed a resolution ... declaring "the exploits of Nathan Diaz, a successful American mixed martial artist from Stockton, have been a source of great joy and pride to the people of the State of California."

The award also describes Nate's victory over Conor as "one of the biggest upsets in UFC history."

Diaz is also hailed for his work with children, teens and adults at the jiu-jitsu center he runs in Lodi, CA -- saying he instills the values of respect, sportsmanship and responsibility to his students.

So, the question ... if he fights McGregor again -- and wins again -- does he get another award?

Van Damme approves VanZant ... at least when it comes to starring in the new 'Kickboxer' movie.

In case you haven't heard, Paige VanZant has already signed on to star in "Kickboxer Retaliation" -- the 3rd installment of the franchise JCVD made famous back in the day.

In fact, producers say they wrote Paige's role especially for her after they saw the UFC superstar on "Dancing with the Stars."

Derek Fisher and his ex-wife, Candace, have decided to destroy the embryos they had frozen during their marriage as part of their divorce settlement ... this according to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports.