TMZ Sports - Page 50

Great news for people who wanna see Jake Paul and Soulja Boy beat the snot outta each other ... Big Drako says their boxing match is 100% going down!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with Soulja about his back-and-forth with the YouTube megastar ... and he says he's dead serious about setting up the celeb fight.

"Jake Paul can't beat me in no fight, you know that," Soulja says. "It's really gonna happen though. It's for real."

Of course, both dudes have offered to put $20 MILLION on the fight ... and, although Jake told us he has serious doubts about Soulja being able to cough up all that dough ... the rapper doubles down.

We also asked Drako what he thinks of Jake's skills ... and he's got one message for him.

Jon Jones. Brock Lesnar. Stipe Miocic.

If Dana White gets his way ... Daniel Cormier will fight all three of those monsters before he rides off into the sunset.

Cormier has been adamant that he's gonna hang it up on his 40th birthday on March 20 -- but, White says DC would be crazy to quit while he's at the top of his game.

"Cormier shouldn't hang it up, Cormier's the best in the world right now," White says ... and points to the fact he's never been afraid to tell a fighter to retire.

Case in point ... Chuck Liddell.

Fact is ... Cormier is in his prime as an athlete and as a draw -- and he stands to make a FORTUNE if he's down to fight Jones, Lesnar and Stipe ...

... a fortune that Dana seems happy to pay out.

"I could see those being the last 3 fights of his career," Dana says, "He's going out with a bang."

Right now, Cormier is dealing with an injury -- but it's clear, White is hoping like hell Cormier will heal up and sign on the dotted line.

For his part, when we spoke with Cormier back in November, he insisted his mind was made up -- he's out at his 40th -- and said he was "at peace with it."

Then again, Dana can be very persuasive ...

Jaguars legend Marcedes Lewis says it'd be a mistake for his ex-team to trade Leonard Fournette ... telling TMZ Sports, "They should keep him."

Leonard caused some huge headaches in Jacksonville this season ... the superstar RB was often injured ... he was suspended for fighting ... and he sat on the bench, ignoring his teammates in the final game of the year.

In fact, things got SO sour with the star RB -- team exec Tom Coughlin publicly ripped the guy and reportedly voided all the guaranteed money remaining on his rookie deal.

All of it has led to wild trade speculation ... but Marcedes says his former team should NOT make the deal despite all the drama -- saying Leonard's just too good.

"The way they're structured, and the way they do their things, it's always about running the ball first and I think Fournette is an amazing running back."

As for Blake Bortles ... Marcedes thinks a change of scenery might be good for that guy -- telling us, "That's a different situation."

Marshmello. Skrillex. Dillon Francis. DJ DIESEL?!

The 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer could be the next big (literally) DJ in the music industry ... so says Diplo, who tells TMZ Sports, Shaquille O'Neal has what it takes to be a legit force in EDM.

"He's great, Shaq Diesel, man. He's killin' it right now. Very heavy music," Diplo says.

The Major Lazer contributor says he's been working with the NBA legend on a few "great records" ... and says Shaq's already won half the battle.

"Half of a DJ's life is the way they brand themselves ... and he has that down pat."

BTW -- Shaq's already well on his way after landing a gig at TomorrowWorld in 2015 ... and he's been touring ever since.

Chill out Lakers fans ... no matter what came out of LaVar Ball's mouth, he ain't wreckin' your season ... so says Kenny Smith.

Remember ... LaVar said Luke Walton was the worst coach Zo's ever had ... and that their relationship was beyond repair.

So, what's that mean for the Lake show? Absolutely nothing, according to The Jet.

"It's not about dads and uncles and cousins in the NBA. It's not like high school," Smith told us ... "The relationship is only your agent and player. As long as the agent and the player doesn't say anything, you're fine."

In other words, LaVar can say whatever the hell he wants in the media ... and it won't mean a damn thing for the Lakers on the court.

In fact, Kenny's guaranteeing they make the playoffs.

Tony Romo ... Romostrodamus ... Tiger Romo??!?!

It might just stick ... 'cause the ex-Dallas Cowboys QB-turned-superstar-broadcaster just hit the most INSANE golf shot you'll ever see an amateur hit!!!

Romo's playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week ... and smacked his tee shot Friday at the Par-4 15th hole into the course's hospitality tent.

Normally, players get relief -- take a drop ... and hit their shot from actual grass.

But, Romo had different ideas -- and decided to take his wedge out ... AND HIT THE SHOT FROM THE TENT'S CARPET!!!

What happened next was just absurd -- HE STUFFED THE BALL WITHIN A FOOT OF THE HOLE!!!

Romo tapped in for a birdie ... and NOBODY could believe what they just saw.

Imagine seeing a UFC fighter pull off a Stone Cold Stunner in a real fist fight?

Well, you might now have to imagine ... because Israel Adesanya says he's serious about trying to use a WWE finishing move in his scrap at UFC 234 this weekend.

Remember, Adesanya busted out the People's Elbow -- and some other moves from guys like Ric Flair and Booker T -- during his open workout in Australia.

But, Adesanya says those moves ain't just for fun -- he's actually EXECUTED a WWE move in a fight before ... and he's down to do it again.

"Sweet Chin Music, easy," Israel says ... referencing Shawn Michaels' famous boot-to-the-face attack.

Turns out, Adesanya used the move during kickboxing days -- and says he's thought about dusting it off against Anderson Silva on Feb. 9.

Sports broadcasting legend Warner Wolf -- who coined the phrase, "Let's go to the videotape" -- was arrested in Florida after officials say he ripped the word, "Plantation," off a sign at a private community.

Long story short ... Wolf lives in a gated community called "Classics Plantation Estates" in Naples, Florida (about 60 miles from Miami) ... but he thinks the word, "plantation," is offensive and wanted it removed.

According to the police report, Wolf had lobbied the homeowners association to drop it for months -- but on Nov. 30, the 81-year-old finally took matters into his own hands.

Cops say Warner drove to the main community sign -- located in a fancy fountain -- and used a tool to remove the word himself.

Officials say they have video showing Wolf defacing the sign -- and after a lengthy investigation, he finally surrendered to police on Feb. 7.

Also, cops say Warner returned the letters from the sign to the community security guard.

Wolf was booked for causing criminal mischief that resulted in more than $1,000 in damage -- a felony. He was released on $5,000 bond.

So far, no comment from Warner.

Wolf is a sports broadcasting legend -- he worked for ABC Sports and called Monday Night Baseball, football and the Olympics. He also had a cameo in "Rocky IV."

Move over, Patriots ... here's a team that's JACKED UP to visit Donald Trump's White House to celebrate their championship win -- the North Dakota State Bison!!!

NDSU football just won the FCS title for the 7th time in the last 8 years ... beating Eastern Washington 38-24 last month -- and they wanted a trip to 1600 Penn. Ave. to celebrate.

So, North Dakota state senator John Hoeven just got on the horn with No. 45 ... AND BOOM, THE WHITE HOUSE PARTY IS ON!!!

Hoeven says in a statement, a date for the celebration hasn't officially been set yet ... but it sure sounds like the squad is stoked for the invitation.

"With NDSU’s history of excellence, it is only fitting that they be honored at the White House," Hoeven says ... "and we look forward to working with the President to coordinate the visit.”

Remember, the last college football team to hit the White House for a championship dinner was treated to some fast food burgers and fries.

Floyd Mayweather says he could get a 10-FIGURE CHECK from the UFC ... if he told Dana White he wanted a deal to fight in the Octagon right now.

Yeah ... that's $1 BILLION.

The legendary boxer made the revelation to Kevin Hart on the latest episode of "Cold As Balls" -- saying if he agreed to a contract with the fight company ... he'd get PAID.

"I can go get a deal right now from the UFC. Probably 3-fight, 4-fight, billion-dollar deal if that's what I wanted."

Of course, Floyd's flirted heavily with the idea in the past ... remember, he teased a possible MMA fight with Conor McGregor just last year -- even stepping into an actual cage!!!

For his part ... Dana admitted he did have LEGIT interest in inking the boxer to a fight deal -- and said they were actually in talks in December 2017.

So ... will it ever go down????

Doesn't seem like it ... Floyd says there's just no need for the cash right now, "I'mma be honest. My life is great. Smart investments. I can buy whatever I want to buy, every month."

Jim Harbaugh wants a Tom Brady statue at Michigan ... and he wants it built NOW!!!

The UM coach was talking Super Bowl on his podcast, "Attack Each Day: The Harbaughs' Podcast," when he revealed TB12 is so great ... he needs a sculpture on campus.

In fact ... Jim says Tom has proved so much in his 19-year NFL career -- the university should now be OBLIGATED to immortalize him!!!

"Tom Brady -- greatest of all time -- and he's lapped the field in football. He's lapped the field."

"You're synonymous now with Babe Ruth, with Michael Jordan. The university that he attended should build a statue."

The only question left for Jim? Where to put it.

Harbaugh, his dad Jack and UM Director of Recruiting Matt Dudek had the debate ... and seems they're settling on somewhere near Michigan Stadium.

It's interesting ... 'cause when Tom was at Michigan -- a whole lotta fans thought Drew Henson shoulda been the starter during Brady's time as signal-caller.

But hey, nobody remembers that now, right?!?!

Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons took advantage of the NBA star's off day ... to spend some time all over each other on a romantic dinner date.

Bendall hit up Cipriani in New York City Thursday night. She was fully embracing him and kissing her boo's face as they snuggled up in a corner table.

As you know ... Kendall's been spending a lot of time with Ben lately, and even sat courtside with his mom at one of his Sixers games last month. They've been dating on and off since last May, or as Kendall put it to Ellen ... they've been official "for a bit now."

Rocky fought Drago in the Soviet Union ... and Kelvin Gastelum's fighting Robert Whittaker in Australia -- and just like "Rocky IV," Gastelum says he's gonna beat the hell outta the home-country hero.

TMZ Sports talked to Gastelum -- whose favorite boxer is Rocky Balboa (yes, we all know he's a fictional character) -- days before fighting Whittaker, the UFC middleweight champ ... in his home country.

Gastelum lives in California ... and traveled 8,000 miles for this fight. So, he's expecting everyone on the continent to be rooting against him.

Sounds a lot like "Rocky IV" ... but Kelvin says he ain't worried.

"It's all good. Look what happens at the end. Rocky turns everybody over on his side, and he wins the fight."

Gastelum says that's precisely what he's gonna do ... but instead of a crushing knockout blow, he's gonna "rip his head off" and take his belt.

"I plan on taking that 12 pounds of gold. It's a long flight home. I don't plan on going empty-handed."

Wanna see an NFL superstar get dominated by a bunch of kids in dodgeball??

Good ... 'cause Antonio Brown took on a park full of children Thursday -- AND GOT DESTROYED!!!

It all went down at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica ... where the Steelers receiver decided to pop by for some talks, laughs and competition.

AB spoke with the kids in a classroom -- one of his powerpoint slides read, "Shared Goals! Shared Victory!" -- and then he posed for some pics.

But then, they all went out to the blacktop ... and it was game on.

Brown decided to go one vs. everyone -- and seemed like he might hold his own.

But, the kids started firing away ... and yeah, it wasn't long before AB was relegated to the sidelines.

THE PLAYOFF BEARD IS GONE!!!

Julian Edelman parted with his legendary playoff face warmer this week -- and the person wielding the shears was none other than Ellen DeGeneres!

The New England Patriots superstar grabbed the Vince Lombardi Trophy and dropped by Ellen's show to talk about being named the MVP of the Super Bowl ... when things got a little hairy.

Ellen revealed a pop-up barbershop on her set, sat Jules in the chair and got her trim on ... and she actually did a pretty good job!

Edelman had been growing out the face fuzz as a thing pro athletes do in the playoffs -- and if you know anything about pro athletes, they're VERY into superstition.

In Edelman's case ... it worked (it also helped that his QB is Tom Brady).

Oh, also ... turns out Edelman's pretty good looking under all those whiskers.

Emiliano Sala -- an Argentinian soccer player -- has been confirmed dead ... coroner's ID'd a body that was pulled from a tragic plane crash as his, Dorset Police announced.

The 28-year-old had boarded a small plane in France with a pilot on Jan. 21 destined for Wales ... but it crashed in the English Channel shortly after takeoff.

The striker -- who was in the process of completing a transfer from FC Nantes to Cardiff City FC -- was reportedly concerned mid-flight, sending a cryptic audio message in Spanish to friends.

"I am now aboard a plane that seems like it is falling to pieces," Sala said [translated from Spanish] ... "I'm going to Cardiff now, crazy, and tomorrow we get going. I will train with my new team tomorrow."

"If you do not have any more news from [me] in an hour and a half, I don't know if they need to send someone to find me. I am getting scared!"

The plane disappeared from radar ... and after three days of trying to find it -- police called off the official search.

A private search was launched on Jan. 27 ... and the wreckage -- plus a body -- were found. Dorset Police announced Thursday the body had been ID'd as Sala's.

Sala was a star for Nantes before transferring to Cardiff City ... he led the team in goals the past three seasons.

His transfer fee was around $20 million ... a record signing for Cardiff City.

FC Nantes President, Waldemar Kita, said in a statement Friday [translated from French], "I do not have the words, it's a tragedy, I'm devastated."

"Emiliano left his mark, which is why, like many fans, I want to honor him again by retiring the number 9."