TMZ Sports - Page 50

UFC rising star Khabib Nurmagomedov was hospitalized Thursday evening and will NOT fight at UFC 209.

UFC officials say Khabib was hospitalized for "weight management issues." Khabib was treated and has been released.

Khabib was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson on Saturday for the interim 155 pound title -- and Dana White had told us the winner would most likely face Conor McGregor.

But now, with Khabib out ... it's unclear what will happen next.

Gabby Douglas in full BOSS MODE -- telling TMZ Sports she doesn't want to follow the typical celebrity path and compete on "Dancing with the Stars" ... she wants to be a JUDGE!

The U.S. Olympic legend was at LAX when we asked about fellow gymnast Simone Biles entering the ballroom this season ... and that's when Gabby told us she'd rather dish out scores than take them.

Matt Barnes took a surprise shot to the stomach on his way into a NY courthouse Friday morning -- when a process server cut him off at the pass and smacked him with a lawsuit over his nightclub brawl.

The Golden State Warriors player had a scheduled hearing to take care of his misdemeanor assault citation from the Dec. 5 incident at Avenue nightclub ... in which he was accused of fighting two people in the V.I.P. section.

Barnes has said he only acted in self defense -- but the alleged victims filed a civil suit against Matt and DeMarcus Cousins demanding serious cash for their injuries.

The process server from PM Legal knew Barnes would be at court -- and came prepared. Barnes brushed off the documents and continued to walk into the courtroom.

Inside, Barnes went through a security check before facing the judge. His case was pushed back until June.

Remember the guy whose penis fell out of his pants at the NFL combine last year?

Yeah, he does too ... and now, Chris Jones has some solid dong advice for all the rookies at this year's event to make sure their genitals don't go viral too.

Jones -- who just wrapped up a solid rookie season with the K.C. Chiefs -- admits his big problem was that he wore boxers instead of tights while running the 40 yard dash ... and his junk got loose.

Silver lining, Jones got an underwear deal out of the incident ... and a bunch of porn stars followed him on Twitter.

So, maybe don't listen to his advice???

Shaq says the beef between him and JaVale McGee is 100% OVER ... vowing to never, ever, ever even mention McGee's name publicly again.

The Diesel made the declaration on Thursday night's episode of "Inside the NBA," admitting the entire thing had gotten outta hand when pressed by Ernie Johnson and the rest of the crew.

Sure, the beef is over ... but that didn't mean Shaq didn't throw a couple of parting shots McGee's way, noting that other players have been on "Shaqtin' A Fool" without getting all "sensitive" about it.

The college football running back accused of raping a female athletic trainer says the allegations are heinous and false ... and vows to fight the case with every possible resource.

As we previously reported, 21-year-old Kishawn Holmes -- reportedly considered one of the best junior college running backs in the country -- was arrested for rape on Feb. 22. It's the 2nd time he's been arrested for rape.

We spoke with Kishawn's father who says BOTH allegations are untrue -- saying, "We sat back 3 years ago and watched this nightmare unfold before and remained quiet. This time enough is enough."

"We are prepared to fight to the fullest extent to protect his promising future by any means necessary. Kishawn is very talented, loving, and caring. He's a stand up guy and very non-confrontational."

Kishawn's father says his legal team already has several witnesses to back up Kishawn's side of the story. Holmes says the accuser was infatuated with the RB "because of his status on the team."

Good news for Reggie Bush ... the NFL star's wife just revealed she's pregnant with their 3rd kid!

Lilit Bush broke the news on social media in a happy birthday post to Reggie ... complete with a bottle emoji to signify the bun in the oven.

Le'Veon Bell says he is working with the Steelers on a long-term deal ... and tells TMZ Sports he's confident something the two sides can work something out before the deadline.

Bell appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show on FS1 this week and admitted he has mixed feelings about being hit with the franchise tag ... but says he's hopeful he can strike a deal with his longtime team.

"We still going to work towards it," Bell said ... "Me and the Steelers want to work together. We're going to work towards a long-term deal leading up to the deadline (July 15th)."

"If it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done ... but I definitely think something will work and we'll see what happens."

Ronda Rousey chalked up a huge W on the set of "Blindspot" ... with the star of the show saying she crushed her guest role during filming this week and he's lobbying producers to BRING HER BACK!

NBA star Chandler Parsons has a big fan in Bella Thorne ... they're not only going to see movies together, they also shared a kiss in Mexico.

Forget Conor McGregor ... Floyd Mayweather could have a superfight with a BOXER -- because undefeated champ Danny Garcia says he wants a piece of Money May after he beats Keith Thurman this weekend.

Garcia -- the reigning WBC welterweight champion -- is 33-0 and says beating the also undefeated Thurman on Saturday night would help him get to the next level of big money fights.

He joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Thursday on FS1) and explained why he wants either Floyd or Manny Pacquiao next ... and says he's 100% confident he can beat 'em BOTH.

Would you recognize NFL superstar Adrian Peterson if he was walking down the street?

How about if you were a reporter interviewing him for a story about road rage?

That's the exact situation FOX 26's John Donnelly was in during a report from Houston ... and when he finally realized the giant, ripped dude answering his questions was THE Adrian Peterson, things get hilariously awkward.

Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins will soon make the NBA their bitches ... that's according to Stephen Jackson, who says it's just a matter of time before the duo takes over.

We got Jackson out at LAX, and asked him if the big deal that sent Cousins to New Orleans will end up paying off for the Pelicans ... 'cause right now, the guys are 1-3 since the trade.

Jackson has a message for the Crescent city ... RELAX ... saying Bougie & The 'Brow are gonna be the league's new David Robinson & Tim Duncan once they figure things out.

U.S. Bank Stadium is NOT the bird death trap it's being made out to be ... so says a rep for the place where the Minnesota Vikings play ... who claims it's IMPOSSIBLE to determine how dangerous the place is just yet.

You may have seen the report from the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis which says birds are fatally crashing into the stadium at an alarming rate due to confusion caused by the reflective glass.

The report said 60 birds died during the fall migration period (August 14 to November 7) and warns if the death trend continues, the stadium could be the deadliest building for birds in the entire state.

But U.S. Bank Stadium Director of Communications Jenn Hathaway tells TMZ Sports there's a flaw in the report.

"It is not possible to make this conclusion based on intermittent monitoring with no direct comparisons for the same time period at other buildings."

Hathaway says the Stadium, the Vikings and Audubon Minnesota (which is different than Audubon Minneapolis) are involved with a different study which she claims will be more thorough.

She says the report will be valid, credible and transparent.

"These efforts have been positive and collaborative. We will have more information when the study is finalized in 2019."

If the Shaq vs. Big Show supermatch at WrestleMania falls apart, The Miz says don't point the finger at Show.

With Shaq saying things are not looking good behind the scenes, everyone wants to know who to blame if the big men don't square off in April.

"I don't think Big Show would back out," Miz says ... "I don't see him backing out of anything ... especially WrestleMania. It's the biggest event of the year."

Simone Biles, Mr. T and Nancy Kerrigan better watch out (actually, Nancy should be watching out at all times) 'cause NFL player Rashad Jennings has a secret weapon to win 'DWTS' ... EMMITT SMITH!!

We got Rashad out in NYC and asked how he was preparing for his big chance as part of the new season ... and that's when he told us he actively picked the brain of Smith, a former winner.

It makes sense Jennings would be taking his dancing so seriously. When we got him a while back he told us being on the show was actually one of his dreams.

Still though, a Cowboy helping a guy most known as a Giant? Seems weird, right?