TMZ Sports - Page 50

If Jon Jones wants a piece of Stipe Miocic ... he might have to wait -- because the former UFC heavyweight champ says his priority is a rematch with Daniel Cormier!

Remember, Stipe was on a 6-fight win streak (including 3 title defenses) when he lost to Cormier at UFC 226 back in July.

And, even though a superfight with Jon Jones could mean a much bigger paycheck -- Stipe says his focus is getting his belt back.

We spoke with Stipe's manager, Jim Walter, who tells us, "We will fight anyone, including Jones. But our priority is to rematch DC for the title."

"After carrying the torch in the heavyweight division for years, fighting 2-3 times per year and defending the belt more than any heavyweight ever I feel we have earned that right."

The hurdle for Stipe ... D.C. wants to fight Brock Lesnar -- a fight that's a priority for the UFC.

The Tune Squad is gonna need a coach ... and who better than LeBron James' coach in real life -- Luke Walton -- to lead the Looney Tunes to victory in the "Space Jam" sequel?!

TMZ Sports asked the Lakers coach if he's down to star alongside LBJ in the highly-anticipated follow-up to the 1996 classic starring Michael Jordan ... and L.W. says he's IN!!!

... as long as LeBron wants him.

It seems like a perfect fit -- after all, the dude had a cameo on "The Young and the Restless" in 2006 ... and Luke's tight with Hollywood big shot Jeffrey Katzenberg (they were leaving Craig's together when we shot Luke last night).

Khabib Nurmagomedov has landed in New York -- and says he's not worried about Conor McGregor going crazy at today's press conference ... Khabib's focused on going crazy on Oct. 6!!

The UFC superstar admits he's tired from the long flight to the U.S. but insists he's in fighting shape and ready to destroy Conor when they do battle at UFC 229 in Vegas.

"I'm gonna make him tired and make him look bad," Khabib says ... "This is my plan. He cannot fight all 25 minutes. Maybe he think he can knock me out, we will see."

Khabib has previously told TMZ Sports he believes Conor is a "tap machine" -- and it's clear he wants to wear down the Irishman and put that machine to work.

The Pride of Dagestan also sounded off on USADA -- claiming the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is "#1 Bulls**t" for reducing Jon Jones' suspension.

"USADA give my friends 2 years. 2 years. Their first time," Khabib says ... "Okay, what about Jon Jones? Second time problem and they give him one and half year!"

"And ... you know ... I think I think it's very bad. I think it's very bad."

Khabib also praises his friend Daniel Cormier for being a clean fighter -- and "the greatest champion inside the cage and outside the cage."

But, as for Jones ...

Colin Kaepernick and Tom Brady ... on the same team???

That seems to be the suggestion coming from Colin's attorney, Mark Geragos -- who's teasing to TMZ Sports that two NFL teams could be interested in signing the QB.

"I would just say, 'Stay tuned' ... that next week there may be some news."

Our guy pushed to get more information -- and Geragos started dropping hints about the 2 teams.

The first clue obviously points to the Oakland Raiders.

"I'll say this ... if Al Davis was still alive."

The interesting part of that comment -- Al's son, Mark Davis, took over the Raiders when his father passed away ... and Mark recently told us he thought it was a good idea for Nike to sign Kaep.

The other clue was a little more abstruse, but he suggests Patriots owner Robert Kraft could be interested in Colin.

There's more to the clip ... Geragos also says Colin and his girlfriend, Nessa, are NOT boycotting the NFL. They're watching games (they're fans) and they're supporting players like Kenny Stills.

Waka Flocka Flame is throwing penalty flags at the NFL for choosing Maroon 5 for the halftime performance at this year's Super Bowl in Atlanta, because he believes the performers should be black.

Waka tells TMZ Sports ... he's upset with the NFL's decision to shun the incredibly long list of Atlanta rappers in favor of a more mainstream performer.

Flocka tells us why Colin Kaepernick's movement could've influenced the halftime show ... and says the NFL is just plain tone-deaf ... disrespecting so many players and fans.

He's still got another month on the bench, but fighters are already trying to book a fight with Jon Jones -- starting with UFC star Alexander Gustafsson!

Some history ... Gustafsson had a title shot with Jones back in 2013 at UFC 165 -- and the fight was AWESOME!!!

AG lost in a unanimous decision -- but Jones was sent to the hospital for injuries after the fight and later called it the toughest fight of his career.

Both guys got a Fight of the Night bonus for the spectacular brawl.

Now, with Jones expected to be reinstated to fight again as early as October -- Alexander is making his pitch for a rematch!

"Congratulations [Jon Jones]," the #1 ranked lightweight contender wrote on social media ... "I'm really glad u are back!"

"[Daniel Cormier] is aiming for [Brock Lesnar] ... so let’s give the fans another legendary fight for the belt."

Gustafsson made sure to tag the UFC and Dana White.

As we previously reported, Jones is currently serving a suspension after testing positive for PEDs surrounding the Cormier fight at UFC 214.

America’s favorite jackass is back at it again … we’re getting the first look at how Steve-O is prepping for his new stunt tour … and it’s a miracle he has any brain cells left!!!

Steve-O is teaming up with Chuck Liddell to psych himself up for his upcoming Bucket List Tour ... and you gotta see what the "Jackass" star came up with!!!

Steve-O crams his dome into a makeshift helmet and uses his ear to tee up a golf ball as the MMA legend busts out a driver and takes a monster rip. That’s got to hurt -- fore sure!!!

Lucky for you, Steve-O suffered a better fate than the golf ball ... and he's starting his live multimedia tour this weekend.

Steve-O tells TMZ ... the tour includes explicit footage of him ejaculating as he falls out of an airplane, riding a bike under general anesthesia, a vasectomy world record and the stunt that left 15 percent of his body covered in 3rd degree burns!!!

Brett Favre frickin' LOVES Conor McGregor ... and says he's super pumped for the Khabib Nurmagomedov mega-fight.

Oh yeah ... and he told us who's gonna win too.

TMZ Sports recently spoke to Favre -- who just took a family vacay to Ireland -- about his UFC obsession ... particularly the Notorious.

"I like watching the guy fight. Love watching the guy fight. I think he's a hell of a fighter."

Favre says he's pumped for what some -- including Mark Wahlberg -- say is gonna be the biggest MMA fight ever ... and is pretty sure McGregor will have his hand raised.

"I gotta go with my guy, McGregor. I'm looking forward to it."

We say pretty sure 'cause, even though #4 is confident Conor will get it done, he's still leaving a little room for the bear-wrestling mauler to score what Favre thinks would be an upset.

"In the UFC, you never know. You never know."

6:25 PM PT -- Jones has responded to the news, saying ... "It’s difficult to express myself at this moment but I can definitely say my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation. I want to thank all of you who have stood by me during the toughest stretch of my life."

He added ... "now is the time to shift the focus front and center to the road ahead. Greatness is what I’m chasing and the path to reclaiming my throne is now officially open. Comeback Season begins now."

Jon Jones has finally received his punishment for testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid last year -- a 15-month suspension -- but the good news is ... he could return to the Octagon in just a little over a month.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced Jones' suspension Wednesday, but it's retroactive to the date of the test on July 28, 2017 ... which means he may be eligible to fight again by October 28.

As we reported ... Jones swore on God and his kids that he didn't use steroids before his fight with Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, but couldn't account for the banned substance in his system in his B test.

Due to the positive test, his knockout over Cormier was changed to a no-contest.

Jones was originally looking at a maximum of a 4-year ban, but the USADA changed its mind and only sought an 18-month suspension. However, an independent arbitrator ultimately reduced it to 15 months and said in his ruling ... "There was absolutely no intention to use prohibited substances on the part of the athlete."

Jones also got his license to fight revoked in California for the positive test, but he's also eligible for reinstatement now.

Chip Kelly's first three games at UCLA have been a disaster -- but it ain't time to panic in Westwood yet ... so says ex-Bruins star, Donovan Carter.

Carter -- a former DL and current star on HBO's "Ballers"-- joined the guys on "TMZ Sports" (weeknights on FS1) ... and preached patience when it came to the embarrassing 0-3 start his alma mater is off to under Chip.

"You just gotta be patient," Carter says. "Rome wasn't built in a day!"

Carter says there are plenty of explanations for why Kelly's team can't find a win -- and he tells us once Chip has the chance to recruit HIS guys to the roster ... W's will come.

Gilbert Arenas says the restraining order a woman got against him was based off straight-up manufactured bulls**t that cost him a boatload of money ... and he's fighting back in court.

Here's the deal ... a woman named Janelle Reeves -- who claims she dated Arenas -- got a restraining order against the NBA star in June.

Reeves claims Arenas took the breakup hard ... and harassed and tormented her -- and threatened to send explicit videos of her to her son.

The restraining order was eventually dismissed by the judge after Reeves was a no-show for court.

But, Arenas just ain't letting it go ... he's now filed a lawsuit against the woman claiming she fabricated the whole thing.

"Reeves created the false impression of supposedly having received threatening messages by making copies of various texts that she created and sent to herself."

As a result of the false allegations, Arenas says he was humiliated, lost his media gig at Yahoo Sports ... and suffered significant harm to his bottom line.

Caron Butler says LeBron James and Jimmy Butler would be a match made in heaven ... telling TMZ Sports the Lakers should try to make a trade for the All-Star.

FYI -- Jimmy reportedly asked Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau for a trade on Wednesday ... after just one season in Minnesota.

So, we asked Tuff Juice if the Purple & Gold should pick up the phone and call the Wolves ... and he thinks it's a no-brainer, saying Butler would perfectly complement King James.

Here's the catch -- Jimmy reportedly does NOT want to play for the Lake Show ... even though he'd be playing alongside one of the GOATs. His wishlist consists of the Knicks, Nets and Clippers.

Want a glimpse into what the NFL will look like in a few years??

Take a look at the Ravens when No. 8 is on the field ... 'cause Baltimore legend Jamal Lewis tells TMZ Sports Lamar Jackson IS THE FUTURE OF THE LEAGUE!!

"He's the future of offenses period," Jamal says.

"The stand-up, throwing quarterback I think is about to be a thing of old."

It's interesting ... considering the Ravens' current starter, Joe Flacco, is exactly that -- but the ex-Raven says it's only a matter of time before Joe's out and Lamar's in.

"You're going to have to have a more dynamic quarterback to be able to use his legs versus just standing up in the pocket," Lewis tells us.

Don't get it twisted ... Jamal loves Joe, saying he's a "great quarterback" -- but J-Lew clearly thinks it's inevitable.

Looney Tunes Land will have the power of Wakanda in the newest 'Space Jam' sequel starring LeBron James ... 'cause the director behind "Black Panther" is officially joining the project!!

The follow-up to the 1996 classic -- slated to begin production 2019 -- has added Ryan Coogler to the movie as a producer ... and Terence Nance will be the director.

LeBron's got a lot of irons in the Hollywood fire, but this has been by far the most anticipated project since it was announced in 2016.

If Coogler's name doesn't ring a bell, you've probably seen one of his movies. He's directed other movies like "Creed" and "Fruitvale Station" ... both starring Michael B. Jordan.

Floyd Mayweather isn't jumping right back into the ring with Manny Pacquiao ... instead, he's taking a tune-up fight in Tokyo, with the big money Pacman rematch to follow ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Mayweather called out Manny last weekend, telling Pacquiao and the world he wanted to run back the 2015 superfight in December.

It looks like Floyd is adjusting course a bit ... 'cause sources close to TBE tell us he's actually eyeing 2 comeback fights ... starting with a massive boxing event in Tokyo.

Couple of interesting points here ... we're told Floyd hasn't yet picked an opponent -- and he ain't just lookin' at boxers -- he's also checking out kickboxers and MMA fighters.

We're told Conor McGregor's name has not been mentioned.

Floyd knows a fight with Pacquiao would likely be more lucrative than a lesser-known opponent, but there's a long play in place ... give fans in Tokyo a big-time fight, and open up the Asian markets for a bevy of business interests -- including clothing and endorsements.

There's no date set in stone just yet ... but word is New Year's Eve is the target, if he can secure a swaggy enough venue.

If all goes according to Floyd's plan, the Pacquiao fight would then follow sometime in 2019.

52-0??

As if you needed another reason to love Larry Fitzgerald ... the NFL superstar hit up a local restaurant and spotted the bill for a HUGE crowd -- and the reason behind the good deed is awesome!!

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver hit up Casella's Italian Delicatessen in Scottsdale on Tuesday ... in an effort to raise money for the restaurant owner, who was diagnosed with cancer.

Fitzgerald told locals to show up from 12-5 PM for a meal on his dime ... while accepting donations for Joe Casella and his family.

Of course, Fitz drew a MASSIVE crowd ... and we're told so many people took Fitzgerald up on his offer, the line took more than 5 HOURS to get through.