TMZ Sports - Page 50

Alex Volkanovski says he isn't the greatest featherweight fighter of all-time ... but damnit he's close, telling TMZ Sports he plans to be active this year, and will be considered the best by the end of this year.

"I'm not expecting people to give me that GOAT status straight away. You need to work for that," Volkanovski says, adding, "I don't believe I'm there yet."

But, Alex, the champion, is headlining UFC 273 against "Korean Zombie" (Chan Sung Jung) ... and plans to fight several times in 2022 -- and when the ball drops, bringing in '23, he'll be considered the greatest.

"I plan on having a busy year, staying active. I'll definitely be taking that G.O.A.T. status of the division before the year is up."

FYI, Jose Aldo and Max Holloway (Max did beat Jose twice) are widely considered the two best MMA featherweights (145 lbs.) ever. Volkanovski has beaten both men ... Holloway twice (UFC 245, UFC 251), and Aldo (UFC 237), too.

Alex has only lost one fight in his professional career (23-1) ... and that fight was in 2013, nearly a decade ago, and wasn't even in the UFC.

Since taking the L, Volkanovski's won 20 straight ... including wins over Brian Ortega and Chad Mendes, in addition to future Hall of Famers, Aldo and Holloway.

We also talked to Alex about a possible trilogy fight with Max ... the #1 ranked contender. Both their fights were very close ... and many believe Holloway actually won the 2nd fight.

Darren Waller is clearly buying the hype around the Raiders following the team's trade for Davante Adams ... telling TMZ Sports he's looking for Vegas to have a "special year" this season.

We got Waller out at LAX earlier this week -- just about a month after the Raiders landed Adams in a blockbuster trade with the Packers -- and the star TE sure sounded fired up for his team heading into 2022.

Waller said he believed the Raiders are "going to be a really good team" following the Adams acquisition -- and then told fans to expect something "special."

"It feels like it has the makings of a special year," Waller said. "For sure."

We also asked Waller about his quarterback and the criticism that he faces ... and Darren says he's paying no attention to the Derek Carr haters.

In fact, Darren told us he loves playing with the veteran signal-caller -- adding, "He's a great player."

UFC star Marlon "Chito" Vera guarantees he's going to knockout Rob Font in their main event match on April 30 ... and then, after that, the brash fighter says he has his sights set on a title shot -- something he feels he would have earned by then.

TMZ Sports spoke to the 29-year-old at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica as he was preparing for his upcoming fight against 34-year-old Font ... and he said he's excited for the opportunity to prove himself.

"I'm happy for the opportunity, and feel that my time is coming," Vera said. "Everything is getting together, and it's about time before I get a title shot."

We asked Chito if he thinks the winner of his match -- which pits two of the best fighters in UFC's Bantamweight division against each other -- will receive a title shot ... and he told us it's possible, depending on how their fight ends.

"I think if somebody makes something cool," Vera said, "something flashy, and I feel the way I've been coming my last couple of wins, if I finish him the way I expecting to finish him, I'ma get a title shot."

"I'ma finish him 100%!!"

We also asked the Ecuadorian fighter if he'll be paying attention to who wins the fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling -- and he told us, absolutely, and that he's down to fight the winner -- if the UFC made it happen, of course.

"I would love to," Vera said. "I would say what the UFC say. At the end of the day, it's how things are, how you made it happen and the fans also get involved. I'm a guy who brings it and I'm a guy that has never been in a bad fight so I think my time is coming."

As for Jose Aldo, the man who put Chito down in December of 2020, Vera told us he would fight Jose in a rematch tomorrow, if it meant he could get his hands on him.

"I would f***ing fight Aldo tomorrow," Vera said. "Just because the way the fight went. Just because he declined to fight me five rounds. People don't know that. December 19 we fought. They offered us a spot, December 5, in the beginning of the month, he declined it because he didn't have enough time to cut weight. I guess he's a fat f***, but it is what it is."

Vera tells us he learned a lot from his loss against Aldo, but he wants a 5-rounder with Jose tomorrow, but this time around he promises "to put him down."

"I learned a lot from it, I took experience from it, but I just ran out of time. But, props on him. He was able to hold me down in that position. It is what it is. I don't put excuses, never. So, if we met him again, I'm stopping him."

Finally, Vera tells us he's willing to give Sean O'Malley (who suffered his only loss to Chito) a rematch, but the grudge match between the two never happened 'cause of failed communication.

"The UFC already called me last July, 'Hey, you wanna fight O'Malley in the McGregor card?'" "I said 'cool,' but I say, 'my coach actually say this,' 'don't say nothing. Have them call him first and you will see what happen.'" "They never called back so it's not up to me."

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins tragically passed away early Saturday morning ... after being hit by a car. He was just 24 years old.

Law enforcement in Florida released a statement this morning announcing they were investigating a deadly crash in the area where Haskins was tragically hit and killed.

"Florida Highway Patrol is working a fatal vehicle vs pedestrian crash on westbound I-595 at I-95. Westbound lanes of I-595 will remain closed during this investigation."

Haskins was a star at Ohio State ... leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl victory in the 2018 season.

Dwayne went on to be the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft to Washington, where he spent two seasons. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

Haskins was in Boca Raton, Florida training with his Pittsburgh teammates -- including Najee Harris, Chase Claypool and Mitchell Trubisky -- this week ... and several players posted video of the workout session.

Haskins proposed to Kalabrya Gondrezick, a former Michigan State basketball player, in 2021 ... and the couple got married several months later.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin released a statement ... saying, "I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins. He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community."

"Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time."

The NFL also released a statement ... saying, "The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Dwayne Haskins and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Haskins' Buckeye teammate, Joe Burrow, shared his condolences on Twitter ... saying, "Tough to find the words ... you will be missed."

Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt also shared memories of his former teammate ... saying, "The world lost a great person today. When Dwayne first walked into the locker room I could tell he was an upbeat guy. He was always making people smile, never taking life for granted. His impact on me will last a forever."

Ron Rivera, who coached Haskins in Washington, added ... "I am absolutely heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of Dwayne Haskins Jr. Dwayne was a talented young man who had a long life ahead of him."

"This is a very sad time and I am honestly at a loss for words. I know I speak for the rest of our team in saying he will be sorely missed. Our entire team is sending our heartfelt condolences and thoughts and prayers to the Haskins family at this time."

Boris Becker has been convicted by a jury of his peers who believed he committed bankruptcy fraud, and he could spend years behind bars as a result.

The 54-year-old tennis great was convicted on multiple charges, including concealing assets and debts, and we're talking about more than a million bucks in debt.

It wasn't a total loss ... Becker was acquitted on 20 additional charges, including allegations he failed to turn over his Olympic gold medal and Wimbledon awards to the bankruptcy trustee.

Boris now faces 7 years in prison. He's free on bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for later this month.

Becker was mum on the verdict. As you probably know ... he was an unstoppable force in tennis, winning 6 Grand Slams.

During the trial, Becker admitted he squandered his fortune -- $50 mil -- on his first divorce, child support and an extravagant lifestyle.

HBO's "Winning Time" hit the nail on the head (literally) when addressing Spencer Haywood's infamous self-circumcision ... 'cause the Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports everything is 100% true!!

In case you haven't tuned in to last week's episode of the hit series about the Showtime Lakers, Haywood's teammates gossip about how he was known for, uh, taking matters into his own hands and putting a razor to his junk when he was a kid.

While some folks featured have criticized the validity of events on the show, we spoke with Haywood about Wood Harris' portrayal of his character ... and he says straight-up -- "It's the truth."

The 4-time All-Star says he has no issue with the show doing a deep dive into his life ... saying, "I'm fine with it because I'm fine with Wood Harris playing me in this role and he's a good person and a great actor."

"I'm okay with it and I did some bad s***."

Haywood -- who famously fought to allow players to jump straight to the NBA -- says he's come to terms with all he's done in the past ... he's 34 years sober and has a loving family and a podcast (rightfully titled The Spencer Haywood Rule).

The ex-hooper says he knows his life adventures make for great TV ... including the circumcision.

"Yeah, but let me explain it to you," Haywood says. "In this small town in Silver City in Mississippi, it ain't no silver and it ain't no city. It's population of like 370 people and you had no doctors, you had no anything, so my mother was doing it in a biblical standpoint that you gotta be circumcised."

Haywood says he had help from his brothers during the procedure ... and has a perfectly logical explanation for taking care of business himself.

"We did it to the hogs so why not do it to the humans? It's country!! It's country-folk!!"

While Haywood prides himself in the job he did, he admits he later went to a doctor to get it "cleaned up."

Dana White says he absolutely hated the sight of Jorge Masvidal allegedly attacking Colby Covington outside a restaurant in Miami ... but he tells TMZ Sports Chaos had it coming when he brought up Gamebred's family.

"Obviously, I don't condone guys getting into fights in the street and I hate everything about it," White tells us.

"But again, this is a business where I'm gonna fight you and there's a certain level of what I believe is man code where you don't talk about people's families, you don't talk bout the kids and you don't talk bout their wives."

White says Covington should've known Masvidal would (allegedly) come for Covington in the streets ... saying that's what happens when people cross the line.

"Especially with a guy like Jorge Masvidal. If you do that to Jorge Masvidal, you better watch yourself when you're coming out of restaurants."

Masvidal was arrested and hit with two felony charges -- aggravated battery with a mask and criminal mischief -- after allegedly punching Covington twice, breaking his tooth in the process.

Masvidal has pled not guilty to the charges ... and is due back in court for a hearing in the case later this month.

Oscar De La Hoya wants to sign Gervonta "Tank" Davis to Golden Boy -- if the boxing star is truly a free agent. And, his pitch?? Let's make big checks and big fights ... like one with Ryan Garcia!

"I'll sign him! Absolutely," De La Hoya told us this week in Beverly Hills, alongside GF Holly Sonders. "Then make him fight Ryan. Biggest fight in the last decade."

Of course, boxing fans have been wanting this lightweight battle for the longest time ... featuring two of the best and brightest young boxers in the world. Ryan and Tank have been rivals for years, and occasionally engage in some good ol' fashion trash talk.

But, the fight hasn't yet come to fruition ... in part, because Ryan was promoted by Oscar, and Tank, Floyd Mayweather (TBE and ODLH ain't exactly friends). But, now that Gervonta's contract with Mayweather Promotions is reportedly up, De La Hoya wants to lock up the undefeated knockout artist.

"I wouldn't mind making a three-fight deal with him just to make the Ryan fight happen," De La Hoya said.

"Tank, give me a call! Get a hold of me whenever you are free, if you are free."

ODLH added, "I respect Mayweather. Great career with Mayweather, he promoted you amazingly but if you're free, I'm here. Let's make the fight happen with Ryan Garcia."

And, along with the big fights would come big paychecks.

"We'll make him a lot of money. I've been in this business for 22 years, so I've promoted the biggest fighters, including Mayweather. So I'll get him a s***load of money."

Garcia is set to return to the ring against 32-1 Ghanaian boxer Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

It'll be King Ry's (21-0m 18 KOs) first bout since January 2021 ... and first return after taking a break to work on his mental health.

"Yeah, it's been 15 months, man, since he's been off so he's looking great," De La Hoya said.

"Hopefully, he'll knock out Tagoe and then we can go straight to Tank Davis."

We also asked De La Hoya if Garcia -- who signed with Golden Boy Promotions in Nov. 2016 -- is on the path to becoming one of the greatest Mexican fighters ever ... like himself and Canelo Alvarez.

Luke Rockhold has a message for Paulo Costa ... fight me, or stop running your mouth once-and-for-all -- and oh, stop being a bitch.

TMZ Sports talked to the 37-year-old former UFC champ at Churchill Boxing Club -- director Peter Berg's club -- in Santa Monica ... and we asked the MMA star about Costa's nonstop trash talk.

"July 2nd, international fight week. [A Costa fight is] what the UFC offered. I'm ready to sign the contract, you're making excuses. You're bitching about weight, you're bitching about the fight. Look, I'm right here," Rockhold says, adding, "Whatever the f*** you wanna do, come and step up. It should be an easy win, get yourself back in the limelight. Otherwise, you'd be a bitch running your mouth and walk away."

Of course, 30-year-old Costa, the #4 ranked UFC middleweight (though, he may have to move up to light heavyweight) has been trashing Luke, calling him everything from a guy with a fragile chin to "Luke RockOLD"

"If it's that fragile, come test it. Come and step up. I mean, [Costa] has no clout right now, he has nothing to stand on. He needs a win, he needs to get back in the favorite. He ain't in no f***ing contender ship,  f***in' fighting for the title."

"The motherf***er needs a fight, he needs a name and if he wants to f***in' do it, then let's do it. Otherwise, you're scared and you're a bitch and making excuses. I don't make excuses. I just come and fight."

FYI, Luke, who has beaten everyone from Chris Weidman to Michael Bisping, hasn't fought since losing to Jan Błachowicz in July 2019. It's not that Rockhold hasn't wanted to fight ... but he's dealt with several serious injuries.

But, now Luke is back, and ready to rock with Costa ... who has lost his last two fights (Marvin Vettori and Israel Adesanya).

He also weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev's meteoric rise to UFC stardom ... something Luke says he didn't necessarily deserve, 'cause he hasn't beaten anyone with a name.

"Who the f*** knows what Chimaev is capable of until he fights a real fighter?! He hasn't fought anybody either. I mean, he's talented for sure, but if he can withstand Gilbert [Burns] and get off his ass, get off his back, but I mean he's talkin' [205 lbs.], I mean c'mon. They offered you the fight versus me and you didn't take that fight so don't talk about 205 and [185 lbs.]."

Regardless, a fight with Khamzat would be down the line.

Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev will likely fight Colby Covington ... IF he can get past Gilbert Burns -- the #2 ranked contender -- at UFC 273 Saturday night.

The UFC honcho joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) ... and was asked if Chimaev, the #11 ranked welterweight, would get a title shot against Kamaru Usman if he were to beat Burns.

The short answer is no ... but the fight fans can expect is equally as awesome.

"In a perfect world, you know, I have a fight coming up on ABC," White tells us, adding ... "If Khamzat Chimaev should win, I would love to do a fight with him and Colby."

Covington is coming off a win against former-best-friend-turned-enemy, Jorge Masvidal.

Obviously, a lot has to happen (agreeing to date, money, etc.) ... and beating Burns is a monumental task (Durinho's beaten Tyron Woodley and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson), but it'd be a massively popular matchup.

As for the actual fight between Khamzat and Gilbert, the excitement from fans is off the charts.

"Anything to do with Chimaev and Burns is outperforming the main or co-main by six to seven times. It's an interesting card."

FYI, the main and co-main events are both title fights ... featuring Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs. "The Korean Zombie" and Aljamain Sterling (C) vs. Petr Yan.

Chimaev hasn't lost a fight, ever (10-0 overall, 4-0 in the UFC) ... and has literally only been hit two times in four UFC fights. TWICE. Only one of the matches went past the first round.

But, Burns is the toughest test (though, Chimaev says it's MMA fighter Ikram Aliskerov) of his young career. Does Khamzat beat Burns and set himself up for a mega-fight with Covington ... and a possible title fight with Usman to follow?

Or, does Gilbert derail the very fast-moving hype train?

We find out Saturday night at UFC 273.

South Korean figure skating superstar Kim Ye-lim just took her talents to the grass ... pulling off an incredible spin during her first pitch at a baseball game!!

The 19-year old dropped the skating maneuver during the SSG Landers' home opener against KIA Tigers on Friday ... when she received the honor of the ceremonial toss.

You can see Ye-lim -- who just won the bronze medal at the 2022 Four Continents Skating Championship -- decked out in a Landers 'fit next to the mascot on the field as she preps for the throw.

But, before she shows off her arm, she leaps into the air for an amazing spiral spin ... just like she does at the skating rink!!

What makes it even more impressive -- besides the move being on grass vs. ice -- is that it didn't make her dizzy at all ... and she managed to throw a nice right-handed strike to the catcher.

The crowd and broadcasters were in complete awe and gave her a round of applause  ... which was well deserved, especially since there's a long list of awful first pitches by athletes/celebs who HAVEN'T done crazy stunts before their throw.

Megan Rapinoe clearly believes Dwayne Johnson jacked her fiancée's company's logo for his new XFL brand -- and now, she's demanding the actor changes it before lawyers get involved.

The soccer superstar explained her beef with The Rock on social media on Thursday -- just one day after Dwayne revealed his football org.'s new "X" logo -- saying she thinks his new logo looks a bit too much like Sue Bird's Togethxr's.

And, Rapinoe said if he doesn't change things quickly -- Bird's team will be sending over a cease and desist letter.

"Welp. This is awkward," Rapinoe said. "Only thing @TheRock and @XFL2023 are gonna be cookin up is a response to the Cease and Desist and an ENTIRE new brand ID. @togethxr got this on [lock] boys."

If you're unfamiliar, Bird and other star female athletes started Togethxr -- a company designed to promote equality in the media and highlight the achievement of women in sports -- several years ago, and used a unique "X" as part of their logo.

Rapinoe and Bird clearly believe The Rock's "X" logo too closely resembles Togethxr's -- and they made it apparent, they're not going to let it slide.

"Well," Bird said of The Rock's new design, "doesn’t this look familiar."

No word yet on if The Rock is aware of the two athletes' gripe, or if he has any plans to change the image going forward.

Jovan Vavic -- a former USC water polo coach -- was found guilty by a federal jury on Friday for his part in the "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal ... the same bribery case that put Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli behind bars.

As we previously reported, Vavic, USC senior associate athletic director Dr. Donna Heinel, ex-USC women's head soccer coach Ali Khosroshahin and ex-assistant soccer coach Laura Janke were all indicted in 2019 for taking money from rich parents to get their kids admitted into prestigious schools.

Vavic was accused of getting two fake recruits into USC, taking $250k and getting other coaches involved in the "Operation Varsity Blues" scandal.

The 13-time national coach of the year was arrested on March 12, 2019 and charged with fraud and bribery -- the only coach to stand trial rather than taking a plea deal.

His trial began three years later ... and on Friday, the Boston federal jury found the 60-year-old guilty of conspiracy to commit mail, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery.

We might as well start giving Tyreek Hill speeding tickets at this point -- the former Chiefs wideout dusted an entire women's flag football team this week ... and the whole thing was caught on video.

Hill -- who recently inked a 4-year, $120 million ($72.2 million is guaranteed) contract with the Dolphins -- is by far one of the fastest players in the NFL ... and has even called out Usain Bolt for a race.

"Cheetah" is living up to his rep ... 'cause he outran the entire Lady Warriors Flag Football team at Hebrew Academy Miami Beach Middle School.

In the wild clip, Hill waits for the entire squad to get as close as possible before he suddenly plants in the ground and makes a cut up the field -- and then it's off to the races.

At the end, Hill even slowed down to give the ladies a chance to catch up to him and pull his flags ... but no dice.

Now in fairness, Hill -- who ran a 4.29 40-yard dash when he participated in the NFL combine -- clearly has the wheels to beat pretty much anyone in a race ... so the Lady Warriors shouldn't hang their heads at all.

Ben Roethlisberger spent most of his career beating the Cincinnati Bengals -- but it turns out, The Tiger King is still a huge fan!!!

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... Joe Exotic has written a letter to Big Ben from prison, asking the Pittsburgh Steelers star for his autograph.

Exotic's lawyer, John M. Phillips, tells us the 59-year-old penned the note just recently.

In his letter, Exotic told the future Hall of Famer that he needed a signature from Ben so he could gift it to his stepson for a birthday present.

"I promised him an autographed jersey by you because he thinks you are the s*** and he holds you on a pretty big pedestal," said Joe, who's been in prison since 2019 after he allegedly tried to hire men to kill his rival, Carole Baskin.

"There is one on eBay, but I don't have the $600 to buy it for his birthday. My fans helped get everything else he wanted. I'm just missing your jersey."

Joe ended his note by pleading for Ben to honor his request -- saying, "Can you help a man out that is fighting for his own freedom? Every kid needs a hero and you are his!"

WWE Superstar Carmella and WWE commentator Corey Graves tied the knot, getting married in front of friends and fellow wrestling stars -- and the ceremony looked amazing!!

Carmella and Corey said their "I dos" together in Florida on Thursday ... after the couple got engaged last year.

Carmella shared a photo of her and Graves from the ceremony ... where she was wearing an all-white dress, while Corey rocked an all-black suit.

"The best day of my life," Carmella captioned the pic of her and Graves.

The lovebirds jumped the broom in front of a star-studded group including some of WWE and AEW's biggest names.

On tap to witness the matrimony was a slate of wrestling VIPs -- AEW star Jon Moxley and his wife, Renee Paquette, were there ... as well as WWE Superstars Natalya, Tamina, Bayley, Liv Morgan, Sonya Deville, and Happy Corbin.

In vintage Moxley fashion, "The Lunatic Fringe" showed up wearing an all-black get-up -- black leather jacket, black pants, black boots -- and a black Cincinnati Bengals shirt underneath it all.

Glad to see Jon dressed for the occasion. 😅

But, in all seriousness, the guests looked awesome, and everybody was all smiles as they celebrated the couple's momentous occasion.

Now, word is the couple is headed to Hawaii for their honeymoon.