TMZ Sports - Page 50

Brandon Marshall says he's changed his tune ... the ex-NFL star is now admitting to TMZ Sports he actually thinks the Dallas Cowboys will make a run to the Super Bowl this year!!!

We got the former Giants wideout at Catch in L.A. earlier this week with his "I AM ATHLETE" co-host Channing Crowder ... and the guy couldn't help but gush about Dallas despite his past feelings on the team.

"The last two months," Marshall said, "I've shifted. I think they're a true contender."

As for why he believes the Cowboys have gone from a 6-10 squad to now a true threat in the NFC?

"Dak Prescott healthy. Defense, middle of the road -- Super Bowl!" he said.

Crowder, though, ain't convinced ... the former Miami Dolphins linebacker said he believes it'll take Dak Prescott a full TWO YEARS to bounce back from his gruesome ankle injury.

"You recover from injury two years after the injury," Crowder said. "I don't think Dak's going to be back this year."

We also talked with the guys about Deshaun Watson ... and they told us they hate the idea of the quarterback currently being listed as the fourth string on Houston's depth chart.

The two agreed that if the NFL won't put Watson on paid leave amid sexual misconduct allegations ... the Texans should either start him or trade him to another team that will.

By the way, the dudes are KILLIN' IT with their "I AM ATHLETE" show ... and after talking ball with us, they promised big things are coming with the show and the brand in the near future!

The Rams lost their game Saturday, and at least one of the fans lost a considerable amount of blood watching it happen ... after an insane brawl broke out in the stands.

Fans squared off during the Rams/Chargers game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood during a preseason game.

The game was close and tension in the stands was palpable during the second quarter. You see two fans square off ... first just jawboning and then the fists start flying, leaving the face of one of the dudes bloodied.

It's unclear what security was doing, but it took them a LONG TIME to mosey over and break up the fight.

The guy in the white shirt -- the one throwing the punches -- was escorted out and the game continued.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka has stepped up in a big way to help victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti ... she's opening her wallet to provide badly-needed assistance.

Naomi has pledged to donate whatever prize money she wins at next week's Western & Southern Open to the Haitian relief effort.

Naomi, whose dad is Haitian, said, "Really hurts to see all the devastation that's going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can't catch a break," adding, "I'm about to play a tournament this week and I'll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti.  I know our ancestor's blood is strong we'll keep rising."

The massive, 7.2-magnitude quake rocked Haiti Saturday. The casualty numbers are not final, but more than 300 people have died, hundreds have been injured and an untolled numb er have been displaced from their homes.

Naomi has been a fierce advocate of various causes, including mental health and social justice. She wore masks with the names of victims of police violence at last year's U.S. Open.

Jake Paul says Tyron Woodley training with "The Best Ever" could be the worst thing ever for the UFC star ... telling TMZ Sports it'll be a HUGE "disadvantage" for their fight this month.

Paul and Woodley are set to face-off in the ring in Cleveland on Aug 29 ... and "The Chosen One" has been in the gym with Floyd leading up to the bout -- something Paul believes he'll regret.

"I think it's a disadvantage for him, actually," Paul says. "Him like hopping around with different coaches, trying to learn different styles. That's not how you progress in this sport."

"Floyd didn't even have a strategy to go in and beat my brother. So, how is he going to tell Tyron what to do?!?"

Paul says the only reason Mayweather's even training TW is because he still feels some type of way about the "gotcha hat" incident ... as well as his jealousy over the YouTube superstar's rising success in boxing.

"He sees what I'm doing in the sport and he wants to put an end to it."

"He's a very greedy guy. He doesn't want anyone to be more popular or more claim than him."

Paul added, "I think he wants to see me lose. He wants to see this whole train get stopped."

But, the 24-year-old says that ain't gonna happen with this fight -- telling us he's gonna give Woodley the Nate Robinson treatment.

"Tyron don't let your kids this man, you're gonna be in the unconscious on the canvas bleeding out!!!"

"I said the same thing to Nate Robinson and I'm gonna say the same thing to you!"

Don't count on Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva grabbin' a beer after their upcoming boxing match ... 'cause the UFC legend says he's lost ALL RESPECT for Spider after contentious contract negotiations.

46-year-old Ortiz broke down the beef when TMZ Sports talked to him at RVCA Training Centre in Costa Mesa, CA ... explaining how Silva demanded the fight go down at 195 pounds -- 10 pounds under the weight he last fought.

"He wants me down to 195. He's fought at 205 over 6 times in his career and he wants me down to 195. So, it shows that he's afraid of my power."

That's an issue 'cause it means Ortiz has to cut extra weight and deplete his body before the fight -- and frankly, that ticks Tito off.

"I lost respect for the guy man. He's one of the best in the world in mixed martial arts, but I have no respect to him."

The 2 legends are fighting September 11 on Triller ... a card that also includes Oscar de la Hoya and Vitor Belfort.

Silva is coming off a big time win in the ring over former boxing champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ... a fight that shocked many experts.

But, don't count on the impressive performance scaring Ortiz ... he's veryyyy confident he's gonna whoop Silva's ass.

"Am I the toughest fighter? I'm way tougher than him, 100%. Am I gonna make it vicious? Am I gonna make it just a blood fight? Yes. I hope he's ready for a dogfight. That's what it's gonna be. It's gonna be a dogfight."

"I ain't in here for an exhibition. I'm not here for pitter patter, you know, do a dance. I'm here to fight. I'm a fighter."

We also talked to Tito's boxing coach, Jason Parillo -- one of the best trainers in the sport -- who told us the key to beating Silva.

Vicente Luque is surging in the rankings ... and now the rising UFC star is going big name hunting -- calling out none other than Nate Diaz.

TMZ Sports talked to 29-year-old Luque -- fresh off his 1st round submission dub over top 5 fighter, Michael Chiesa -- and we asked, who's next!?!

"I do want to wait and see what's gonna happen with [Usman-Covington], with the title fight. Maybe I can get in there, maybe I can jump the line and fight for the title," Vicente says.

But, #4 ranked Luque knows that's likely a long shot ... so he's got some names in mind in the event he doesn't fight for the strap.

"Leon Edwards could be a guy, you know, a rematch against him could be something that would interest me. Also, a super fight against a guy like Nate Diaz, which I've called out a couple of times. That also would be a fight that would interest me."

Vicente lost to Leon via unanimous decision back in 2017 ... but has been on a tear of late -- coming off wins over Chiesa (submission), Tyron Woodley (submission), Randy Brown (KO), Niko Price (TKO).

Of course, Diaz just fought Edwards himself -- losing via unanimous decision -- but not before almost KO'ing Leon in the last round of the June fight.

There's another option ... serve as the backup fighter in case of injury or illness for Usman vs. Covington -- a fight that doesn't yet have a date.

"I think that would be something interesting. Even if I'm not, you know, officially a backup, I do plan to stay ready. And, possibly, you know if something, I hope nothing happens, but if something happens, I can step in there and save the day."

Bottom line ... Vicente Luques' a problem in the welterweight division.

The Clippers shouldn't have too hard of a time making another deep playoff run next season ... so says Serge Ibaka, who made it clear to TMZ Sports this week, he REALLY likes his squad!!!

We got the Clips center out at Highlight Room in L.A. ... and he ensured us the back injury that kept him out of most of L.A.'s playoff games in 2021 won't bother him next season.

Then, the dude told us he thinks his team has a legit shot at making a charge at the 2022 title!

"We have a good team," the 31-year-old said. "We have a good team. I'm going to be ready."

Serge added, "Man, we are a good team, man."

He ain't wrong ... L.A. did have a solid offseason, adding Jason Preston and keeping both Reggie Jackson and Kawhi Leonard in the fold with new contracts.

And, speaking of Leonard, we also asked Serge about his YouTube cooking show ... and he says to this day, the most memorable thing he's ever fed someone just happened to be to Kawhi.

Sha'Carri Richardson is getting a second shot at glory -- the U.S. track star will face-off against the Jamaican Olympics winners anew ... this after missing her shot at the games.

SCR is confirmed to be one of 9 competing in next weekend's Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field -- where she'll run against Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson in the women's 100-meter sprint.

It's the first professional race Sha'Carri has participated in since being suspended for marijuana use before this year's Tokyo Olympics -- which resulted in her not racing at all.

The above-mentioned Jamaican sprinters all took home the top 3 medals in the titular event that Sha'Carri would've otherwise competed in ... placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd among themselves. Sha'Carri beat 'em all out during the trials ... and, now, has the opportunity to do it again.

Of the forthcoming moment to prove she woulda kicked butt in Tokyo, her rep says ... "Sha'Carri is focused on running a good race since she last competed at the US Olympic Trials," adding ... "She will be focused on executing her race to the best of her ability regardless of who is in the race."

Another woman accused Trevor Bauer of physically assaulting her during sex, according to the Washington Post, who reports the accuser was granted a restraining order against the star pitcher in 2020.

However, Bauer claims the woman flat out lied ... and says her objective was to extort him out of millions of dollars.

On Saturday, The Washington Post reported a woman from Ohio previously accused the Cy Young award-winning pitcher of choking and punching her without consent while having sex with Bauer in 2017.

The Post also reported TB sent a threatening text to the woman, allegedly writing he didn't "feel like spending time in jail for killing someone" ... continuing, "And that's what would happen if I saw you again."

WaPo say court officials granted the woman a restraining order against Bauer in June 2020 -- after she received the menacing text.

The Post also says they've seen alleged injury photos the woman claims were sustained at the hands of Bauer. When shown the photos, the pitchers reps questioned the validity of the images, according to WP.

But, Bauer -- who himself has not addressed allegations of abuse since being accused in June 2021 -- finally broke his silence Saturday ... addressing accusations brought forth in the Post's story.

TB called the allegations "baseless" on social media, claiming he was the real victim of "a woman who has not only harassed and physically assaulted me but who also attempted to extort me for millions last year in exchange for her not coming forward with false claims."

Alex Rodriguez got back on the horse after being bucked off by his former fiancee ... and judging from the video, he hasn't lost his moves ... even though they're dad moves!!!

A-Rod was partying with a few women Friday night at Omnia nightclub in Vegas. He was there super late -- into the wee hours of Saturday, dancing with them, though he seemed to have his sights set on the blonde woman.

Eyewitnesses say he genuinely seemed to be having a great time ... chatting with 3 women in particular.

We're told his breakup with J Lo was rough on him, especially after finding out she and Ben Affleck had been texting up a storm as early as February, a couple months before they broke off their engagement.

As for J Lo ... she's clearly got A-Rod in her rearview ... she's already looking at mega-estates with Ben.

Kaley Cuoco is enraged at the trainer in the Olympics who hit her horse with her fist, calling the move "classless" and "abusive."

Kaley launched hard on Annika Schleu and Kim Raisner from Germany, who tried in vain to get Saint Boy to jump during the event. The coach, Kim Raisner, is also seen in video slapping the horse. She was disqualified for her misconduct.

Kaley said, "I feel it's my duty and heart to comment on this disgrace. This is not Olympic show jumping. This is a disgusting, classless, abusive representation of our sport in so many ways.  this team should be ashamed of themselves." She punctuated her comments with a photo of Schleu.

Kaley, who's an accomplished rider, is married to horse trainer Karl Cook.

And, Kaley wasn't done ... "You and your team did not do your country proud or this sport. You make us look bad. Shame on you and godspeed to any animal that comes in contact with you."

And, there's more ... "Pure classless behavior right here. Disgusting on all levels. This is not our sport. This does not represent our sport, This rider and her 'trainer' are a disgrace."

Kaley ended this way ... "I'll buy that horse outright and show it the life it should have. Name your price."

A fight between Aaron Carter and Lenny Dykstra is NOT gonna happen ... so says the singer himself, who tells TMZ Sports the ex-baseball star is too old and fragile to step in the ring with him.

As we previously reported, the former All-Star slugger called out the pop star earlier this week ... saying, "I'm gonna f***** take this mother f***** apart piece by piece, okay?"

But, Dykstra's not gonna get that shot ... 'cause AC says he has too big of a heart to fight a 58-year-old man.

"You’re a baseball player, you’re older, thank you, but no thank you, because I don’t want to hurt you permanently or badly," Carter tells us.

But, someone who ISN'T old and fragile?? Soulja Boy ... and AC is extending an official challenge to the rapper to an epic celebrity boxing match!!!

"Honestly, I would call out somebody, I would probably call out Soulja Boy, but I would rip him apart," he said.

"Here’s the thing -- he just won’t respond. Because a lot of these guys in the industry, that do the same thing I do, they almost like to pretend I don’t exist."

"And, that’s because my record sells, and my numbers, and my concerts, and 26 years of longevity scares them, it threatens them."

Remember, Carter lasted nearly 2 rounds against Lamar Odom earlier this year ... before the ex-NBA star KO'd the singer.

AC isn't holding his breath on getting his dream opponent, though ... he thinks Soulja would be too scared to agree to the bout.

"It would be embarrassing for him because he would do a lot of talk, and say a lot of s***, and then he would be rocked apart. Because I’m a solid 165 pound man and I’m 6 foot even."

Muhammad Ali's grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, is making his pro boxing debut Saturday ... a fight that never would've happened if Muhammad didn't stop his grandson from quitting the sport years ago, Nico tells TMZ Sports.

We talked to the 21-year-old, 0-0 fighter -- who's taking on 4-1 Jordan Weeks Saturday night in Oklahoma on ESPN+ -- and asked him about following in the footsteps of the most famous and beloved fighter of all-time.

"Everyone wants to compare me to my grandfather, I really appreciate it. I wish I looked like my grandfather, but nobody will look like him. I will not look like and nobody will ever look like him," Nico tells us.

Ali Walsh -- who was born in 2000 (19 years after Muhammad retired) -- says he almost quit the sport back in the day ... but Ali wouldn't let him.

"I would definitely not be boxing if I didn’t get [Muhammad's] blessing, so to speak. I asked him if I should be boxing, and you know, because at the time I wanted to quit boxing."

"It was getting a little tough, I was like 14. But, he didn’t let me quit. He kept pushing me to continue, continue, continue. And, I kept wanting him to tell me to quit, so I could. But, he didn’t let me."

FYI, Nico's mom is Rasheda Ali Walsh, Muhammad's daughter. The Ali Walsh family is (no surprise) athletically gifted. Nico's older brother, Biaggio, was one of the top high school football players in Nevada. He is currently on the UCLA football team.

Almost 61 years ago, a crowd of just over 6,000 fans showed up to an arena in Louisville to watch Ali, an unknown fighter at the time, make his pro debut.

He became arguably the most influential athlete of all-time.

U.S. skateboarding bronze medalist Jagger Eaton has Bieber Fever ... 'cause the Olympic hero tells TMZ Sports he wants to personally invite Justin Bieber to a skate sesh!!

Of course, Eaton became a sensation in Tokyo last month ... becoming the first American to medal in skateboarding -- and he did it with a BROKEN ANKLE!!!

TMZ Sports caught up with JE this week to check in on his health ... and he says things are really good!!

"Feeling good. Ankle’s alright, just hanging out with the boys, shredding a little bit. Got told yesterday I don’t need surgery, so we’re all good vibes here."

Eaton says he was skating on a broken ankle for 2 whole months ... and it was "harsh."

"It wasn’t the greatest situation, but again, Advil works magic ... you kind of need to tough it out. It was a situation I didn’t want to be in, but again it’s like, it is what it is."

Given his expertise in the sport, we had to ask who the best celebrity skater is ... and Beliebers will love his answer!!

"I’ve seen Justin Bieber skate a little bit. I heard he rips. I don’t know. We got to set up a skate sesh or something."

Of course, Bieber is known to be good at a TON of sports ... and has skated with guys like Nyjah Huston in the past.

So, JB ... whatcha think??

There's more ... we had to ask how Eaton's social media DMs have been looking now that he's an Olympic superstar, what his future holds and if he'll be suiting up for the 2024 Games ... and the dude couldn't have been nicer!!

Khetag Pliev literally had his FINGER TWISTED & RIPPED from the rest of his body 135 days ago during an MMA fight ... and now the crazy tough fighter is stepping back into the cage.

Remember, 37-year-old Pliev's fight against Devin Goodale was ruled a no contest after it was discovered that the digit had been severed sometime during the bout. For minutes, no one could locate Pliev's left ring finger.

Thankfully, the mangled finger was discovered tucked away in his glove ... and Khetag -- who has a 5-1 record -- was taken to a hospital where the finger was reattached.

And, good news, he says the finger is in working order.

So, MMA career dunzo, right? Nope.

Pliev is fighting Nah-Shon Burrell Saturday night at Cage Fury Fighting Championship 99 ... and when we talked to the 37-year-old fighter, it's clear he isn't the least bit concerned about the injury.

In fact, he promised a 1st round knockout.

"There's something bigger going on here that they're not telling you."

That's Michael Irvin clearly VERY concerned that Dak Prescott's shoulder strain is serious ... explaining on his podcast this week that he believes the Cowboys might be downplaying the injury to keep morale up at training camp.

Irvin broke it all down on "The Michael Irvin Podcast" on PodcastOne, saying everything he's seen from Dak since the injury has him worried about the quarterback's availability this season.

"When I was there at camp, he was throwing the ball back to the guy that was snapping it to him with his left hand," Irvin said.

"It only takes that little wave with the right hand to throw the ball two yards, and I was like, 'Oh, no. Oh, no.'"

Irvin said his contacts in the Cowboys have insisted they believe it's nothing to fret about ... but The Playmaker explained he thinks that might all be a façade at the moment.

Irvin said after Dak went down last year with his ankle injury, the team went into "the gutter" ... and he believes the Cowboys are now trying everything to avoid that same feeling in camp this summer.

"The worst thing in the world, right now, is to have everybody in camp saying, 'Oh, no, we're going to have to play this season without Dak.' Or, 'We're going to have to miss a considerable amount of time without Dak.'"

Irvin added, "You don't stay out this long with something this minor at that position when you had all of last year off."

Dak has resumed throwing this week after taking a week off ... and he's said he'd like to play in the Cowboys' preseason game next week.

But, if he doesn't go then, is it time to panic in Big D? Irvin certainly seems to think so.