TMZ Sports - Page 50

Lamar Odom's family and friends believe he's back on hard drugs -- and tell us they recently confronted the NBA star and questioned him about crack pipes in his home.

Odom's history with crack is well-documented -- but people close to him thought he'd been scared straight after he overdosed at a Nevada brothel back in October.

But multiple sources close to Odom -- hoping to get through to the NBA star -- tell us he's been acting very strange lately. His friends are convinced he's off the wagon, and for the last few weeks they've been trying to get through to him.

So, a group of people went to his home to convince him to enter rehab -- but Odom scoffed ... telling the group he doesn't need any help. It sounds just like the failed intervention attempt from 2013.

During the confrontation, which took place at Odom's home in Calabasas, we're told his friends noticed drug paraphernalia scattered all over the place ... including crack pipes, baggies and roaches.

We're told the fear is that Odom believes he's invincible -- as evidenced by the fact he's been hitting bars and drinking while still recovering from the damage he suffered from the overdose.

We reached out to Odom for comment -- so far, no word back.

Here's Chrissy Teigen taking selfies with her brand new baby, Luna, at Oracle Arena right before the Warriors game ... but don't worry, baby's ears weren't blown out by the 20,000 screaming fans.

More legitimately impressive displays of athleticism from Justin Bieber ... with special guest, Neymar.

The Brazilian soccer superstar touched down in L.A. Thursday -- and beelined it to Bieber's pad ... where the two hung out for a bit ... before busting out the soccer ball for a juggling session.

Of course, Neymar's skills are insane (as to be expected) ... but Bieber wasn't too bad either.

In fact, he's pretty good.

Urijah Faber says he won't be doing any horizontal wrestling with Paige VanZant outside the Octagon ... 'cause the almighty BRO CODE would stop him from ever, ever, dating his super cute UFC teammate.

We got Faber out in L.A. doing a little press for UFC 199 .... and asked about the smokin' hot ... and apparently single ... Miss VanZant.

Basically, we wanted to know if there was any chance he'd make a run for the 'DWTS' runner-up ... and become the first couple of the UFC.

Urijah makes it clear ... it's NOT HAPPENING ... saying the fact Paige dated his (and her) teammate, makes any extracurricular grappling a clear violation of the almighty bro code.

Bonus awesomeness? Faber also talks to us about his signature butt chin ... and tells us who he thinks has the most iconic booty face in the history of Hollywood.

UFC star Michael Bisping says the producers of of Vin Diesel's new "XXX" movie actually lucked out when Conor McGregor dropped out ... cause they got him instead, and he's a real deal thespian.

We got Bisping out in L.A. and asked him about filling in for Conor on the new flick, which McGregor was slated to star in but then dropped out of.

Bisping makes it clear to us ... he's no replacement ... saying a whole new part was written for the movie and he had to audition to get it.

As far as talking about McGregor's acting abilities ... Michael says there's not much to talk about -- saying Conor's never even done it before ... while he has over ten credits on the all-important IMDB.

We looked it up ... he ain't lying.

Sorry, ladies ... another multi-million dollar NFL player is off the market ... this time it's Broncos OL Russell Okung ... who just popped the question to his GF of 2-and-a-half years.

We spoke with Russell's new fiancee Samar Mekhail who tells us the big fella set a romantic mood for the proposal ... whisking her away to a tropical locale to ask for her hand.

“It was absolutely incredible. We went to Key Largo for the weekend and I had no clue he was going to propose. We both love the water so it was the perfect backdrop with the sun setting."

Turns out Samar was the only person who didn't know it was coming ... 'cause Okung went the traditional route ... seeking the approval of almost everyone she knew beforehand.

"He was the perfect gentleman and got my parents' blessing months before. He also told all my friends a few days before so they set up a surprise engagement party for me in Miami when we got back.”

And because we know you (ladies) were wondering ... the rock is spectacular. Now we know how he's spending that newly signed $53 million deal!

Luke Rockhold is a perfectionist ... especially when it comes to sculpting male genitalia.

The UFC superstar says he's mad at himself for the makeshift dong he created for a prank he pulled on his friend during training camp. And if you haven't seen it yet ... it's pretty hilarious.

Long story short ... Luke decided to mess with a friend who passed out while suntanning -- and cut out a silhouette of a penis to put on his back ... to create a penis-shaped sunburn. Hilarious.

Problem is ... Luke says he coulda done better.

Nothing but class from Holly Holm's camp after her upcoming opponent was involved in a violent robbery in Peru -- with Holm's reps telling TMZ Sports they're glad Valentina Shevchenko is safe.

Shevchenko -- who's set to fight Holm at UFC on FOX 20 in July -- wasn't harmed in the robbery but her trainer was shot in the stomach while exchanging gunfire with the robbers.

"We are glad [Shevchenko] is safe," Holm's rep tells us ... "We wish her coach well."

Dana White has said he's not sure if the fight will go on as planned -- considering the incident may have traumatized Shevchenko -- but Holm's camp tells us Holly is still training as if it will happen.

"The fight is on as far as we know."

This is pretty funny ... unless you're Jose Bautista.

MLB star Rougned Odor hit up the Dallas Mavericks practice facility ... and completely mocked the instantly-legendary K.O. moment with Bautista -- using Dirk Nowitzki as his punching bag.

Clearly, the fight is the most memorable thing Odor has ever done ... but it's interesting that he's already making light of it while STILL SERVING HIS SUSPENSION for the May 15th fight!

Chandler Parsons also joined in on the Odor fun ... posting a pic and captioning it, "Our new team security."

Muhammad Ali has been hospitalized for a respiratory issue ... and he's currently in fair condition, this according to the boxer's spokesperson.

Pro football is just "not fun" for Marshawn Lynch anymore ... so says his famous rap star cousin who's 100% positive Beast Mode is NOT returning to the NFL.

Marshawn's cuz Mistah F.A.B. sat down with with "The Breakfast Club" -- when Charlamagne Tha God asked about rumors that Lynch is thinking about coming back to the league.

"He's done. It's not fun to him no more," F.A.B. said.

Long story short ... F.A.B. says Marshawn is super wealthy (saved his NFL cash like a boss) and has been spending his time building schools and affordable housing across the world.

In fact, F.A.B. says Lynch wants to mentor young players so they can get to "mogul status" too. '

It's a good thing Jean-Claude Van Damme is flexible -- 'cause he put his entire foot in his mouth when he claimed UFC fighters don't know how to kick ... so says Chuck Liddell.

Liddell was flexin' out in Bev Hills Thursday when we asked what he thought about JCVD's criticisms -- when the movie legend told us the leg striking in the UFC is a "mess" because the fighters don't truly understand how to kick.

Chuck didn't take kindly to JCVD's opinion.

"He's ridiculous," Liddell said ... "He can say whatever he wants but he's never fought MMA."

"I kick pretty damn good."

In case you need video proof -- here's Chuck kicking the living crap out of people. Enjoy!

Khloe Kardashian should reconsider the whole 'not officially dating' Odell Beckham Jr. thing -- so says one of her "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" co-stars ... who says they'd be a damn good couple.

Fired Baylor head football coach Art Briles has broken his silence after getting the ax ... admitting he has "certainly made mistakes" during his coaching career ... and wishes he could get a do-over.

Briles -- along with several athletic dept. staffers -- was terminated in the wake of an investigation that proved Baylor was protecting football players in the wake of sexual assault allegations and in some cases retaliating against female students who dared to come forward.

Now, Briles has issues a statement ... and while he didn't specifically address the allegations -- he acknowledged he made mistakes during his coaching career.

"After 38 years of coaching, I have certainly made mistakes and, in hindsight, I would have done certain things differently. I always strive to be a better coach, a better father and husband, and a better person."

Briles says the report detailing the investigation into Baylor "has not been shared with me directly, despite my full cooperation with the investigation."

Briles also cryptically teases that he didn't know the full extent of the scandal:

"I can only assume that the report, which is not independent, supports the conclusions that the Board has already drawn. I hope to share with you what I was aware of as soon as I can so Baylor Nation can begin the healing process."

The takeaway is that Briles will say he was NOT the primary enabler. Still, he ends his statement by praising Baylor.

Two of the biggest superstars in the world came face-to-face in NYC Wednesday ... when Brazilian soccer phenom Neymar met with Michael Jordan ... and decided to show off his (not terrible) hoop skills.

6:23 AM PT -- We just spoke with Valentina Shevchenko who says she will NOT back out of UFC on FOX 20 ... telling us straight up, "I will fight Holly."

When asked about her health, she told us, "I am feeling good. No injuries. Just a few days was a very big stress to me. I’m just starting to feel better now.”

UFC honcho Dana White says he's not sure if Valentina Shevchenko will still fight Holly Holm in July -- after V.S. dodged bullets in a bloody shootout in Peru ... calling the incident "madness."

As we previously reported ... Shevchenko and her trainer were eating at a chicken restaurant when 3 masked gunmen barged in and began robbing the place.

Shevchenko's trainer pulled out a gun and began firing -- killing one of the robbers ... but he suffered a gunshot to the stomach in the process. Shevchenko escaped unharmed. Her trainer is being hospitalized and is expected to survive.

Wednesday night, White told us he's unsure if Shevchenko will fight Holm at UFC on Fox 20 in July -- but seemed to understand if she decides to pull out.

"When things like that happen, it puts you in touch with your mortality," White said.

Meantime, Shevchenko has issued a statement of her own -- calling her trainer a hero ... whose quick actions saved her life and the lives of the other patrons.