TMZ Sports - Page 50

Paige VanZant didn't hold a grudge after Michelle Waterson choked her out at UFC on FOX 22 this weekend -- and graciously congratulated her opponent backstage ... so says Michelle herself.

The Karate Hottie say she has the ultimate respect for Paige -- and thought it was classy when VanZant spoke with her after the fight. "She's a really sweet girl."

Waterson says she has 2 opponents in mind moving forward -- and also wants to capitalize on her high profile victory ... maybe even taking Paige's place on "Dancing with the Stars."

Check out the clip ... Michelle's awesome.

Here's Paulina Gretzky's son,Tatum, proving that not every kid is looking forward to a visit from ol' St. Nick ... hilariously and adorably panicking at the sight of Santa Claus.

Paulina posted the videos of Tatum onto her Instagram stories ... because parents for some reason always find it amusing when their kids are terrified (c'mon, it's funny).

No word on whether Tatum was naughty or nice this year ... but it's clear he and Santa have a little trust building to do.

2-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova suffered stab wounds to her hand Tuesday morning during a terrifying home invasion attack in the Czech Republic -- and says she's "fortunate to be alive."

Arian Foster -- along with his brother and father -- was involved in a heated standoff at a hot dog stand in Houston this weekend ... and it all started with shoe smack talk.

TMZ Sports has footage of Arian, his brother Abdul and father Carl at Yoyo's Hot Dog around 3 AM on Sunday ... and at first, it seems the ex-NFL star is having fun with some local college kids. Foster says the other man's shoes are "awful."

But things quickly took a turn -- witnesses tell us the college students felt Arian took the insults too far, so they began shouting back at him. Someone shouted at Arian, "You're not even relevant anymore, n***a."

Abdul was pissed -- and tried to confront the insult hurler (who we're told is black). Adbul then got physical with 2 people and that's when Arian and Carl rushed in to break the whole thing up.

At one point, Arian says to one of the students, "F**k you, n***a."

Witnesses told us someone threw a hot dog in the melee ... but it was broken up before things escalated into a brawl and everyone left when someone threatened to call police.

More insults, more fun!

This time it's UFC star Cody "No Love" Garbrandt taking aim at Dominick Cruz's facial hair ... saying his newly sported stubble won't save his chin when they face off at UFC 207 on Dec. 30.

These two guys have been going back and forth for months ... and it ain't gonna stop until they get in the Octagon.

Question is ... can these two ever be friends when it's all said and done? You might be surprised at the answer.

Breaking news ... Cam Newton found a tie!

After the infamous "dress code violation" that landed him on the bench earlier this month, the Carolina Panthers QB arrived to FedExField in Maryland to play the Redskins in a hat that screams ... "What??"

Panthers coach Ron Rivera hasn't seemed to mind Cam's crazy hats before ... so this one shouldn't be a problem.

... as long as he's rockin' that necktie.

Some good news for Brock Osweiler ... he's gonna be a dad!!

TMZ Sports has learned Brock's wife, Erin, is pregnant with a little girl due in April!

It's the couple's first child and we're told Brock and Erin's families are super excited.

Brock and Erin got married back in 2015 -- before he signed his massive $72 million contract with the Houston Texans. So, someone's gonna get one helluva push present!

Leonard Fournette is getting major support from another LSU football great -- Jacob Hester -- who says the RB has WAYYYY too much at stake to play in the Citrus Bowl.

Hester was a stud for the Tigers back in the day -- leading the team to a national championship in 2007.

And even though Hester still bleeds Purple and Gold, he says the entire LSU family should be understanding and supportive of Leonard skipping the bowl game because he can't risk a potentially "life-changing" NFL contract.

The Harlem Globetrotters are back ... nailing a ridiculous and terrifying shot from 300 FEET IN THE AIR ... off the top of the Houston Texans stadium ... and we have the video.

The man -- Trotters forward Thunder Law (who's held 3 world records for crazy trick shots) -- climbed to the top of NRG Stadium (where the Texans play) and nailed the shot.

FYI -- Law's so high up ... it takes the ball over 4 seconds to reach the hoop.

Check out the shot!

New England Patriots wide receiver Michael Floyd was just hit with 4 misdemeanor criminal charges stemming from last week's DUI ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, the 27-year-old was arrested in Scottsdale, AZ after cops say they witnessed him asleep at the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade ... at a traffic light.

Monday morning, prosecutors officially charged Floyd with 2 counts of DUI, 1 count of failure to obey a cop and obstructing traffic.

He was also cited for failing to obey the traffic light.

The DUI charges carry up to 6 months in jail each ... though it's unlikely he'll get the max punishment.

Floyd was cut by the Arizona Cardinals 2 days after his arrest and was picked up by the Patriots almost immediately.

He's one of the biggest free agents in baseball ... but Jose Bautista is still doing big things in Toronto!

Bautista -- who just became a free agent after 8 years with the Blue Jays -- surprised a bunch of young fans at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto this weekend ... to spread some holiday cheer.

We're told Jose was in town to hit some holiday parties -- but felt it was important to carve some time out of his schedule to kick it with some of his biggest supporters.

Jose spent about an hour in the ward visiting with some brave kids fighting cancer who also happened to be HUGE Blue Jays fans (maybe some of them tried to convince him to re-sign with Toronto!)

Good stuff.

50 Cent believes in tough love -- so he strapped on his boxing gloves and went toe-to-toe with the 11-year-old boy he's raising for a fighting lesson ... complete with some pretty stiff head shots.

The two threw hands in what appears to be 50's living room -- and the rapper connected with some shots that sent Davian flying back into the wall.

Leonard Fournette is following in Dez Bryant's footsteps ... he just signed with Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports to rep him as he prepares for the NFL Draft.

The LSU running back is widely considered to be a 1st round pick -- and was one of the most coveted players by agents looking to sign NFL prospects.

But Jay did it again ... and the two made it official on social media moments ago.

"Excited to be apart of my new family, let's get it #BugaNation ❌ @rocnation."

Ezekiel Elliott's kettle stunt has been VERY good for the Salvation Army -- resulting in a 61% increase in giving since the Cowboys star's TD celebration ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke with Salvation Army spokesperson Lt. Colonel Ron Busroe who says the entire organization was pleasantly surprised by Zeke's stunt -- everyone at the office has been talking about it nonstop!

As for the donation boom, Lt. Colonel Busroe says, "From 8:10pm to 10:30am this morning there was a 61% increase in online giving from the same time frame last Sunday night."

In fact, we're told a bunch of people have been making $21 donations -- a clear tip of the cap to Elliott.

Bryce Harper is officially a married man ... after tying the knot at one of the most famous Mormon temples in the world!

The Washington Nationals superstar traded "I Dos" with his longtime girlfriend Kayla Varner -- a former BYU soccer player -- at the San Diego California Temple ... the 3rd LDS temple ever built in California.

It rained on the wedding day ... but it only made for cooler photos!

Congrats!

Good news for the Salvation Army ... Ezekiel Elliott says he WILL be donating to the charity despite the fact he won't be fined by the NFL.

After EE jumped into a Salvation Army kettle to celebrate a TD Sunday night, he assumed he'd be fined by the NFL -- and vowed to match the fine and donate the money to the S.A.

But Monday morning, the league announced they wouldn't take further action against the Dallas Cowboys star ... begging the question -- what's up with Zeke's donation pledge?

Moments ago he answered ... "Even though I will not be fined I still will be making a donation to the @SalvationArmyUS."

No word on the amount -- we're guessing it'll be substantial.