TMZ Sports - Page 50

Conor McGregor says he's absolutely crushing his leg rehab ... telling TMZ Sports he's three weeks ahead of schedule!!!

The UFC superstar shared the great news following a visit to the doc's office in L.A. on Thursday ... giddily explaining that he's been cleared to ride a bike nearly a month earlier than medical experts initially expected.

"Five weeks, five days since the surgery and they told me I wouldn't be able to cycle until eight weeks," Conor said. "And, he just told me just here today that I can cycle again!"

It's a very positive update from the 33-year-old ... 'cause back on July 10, he snapped his leg in gruesome fashion in his fight against Dustin Poirier that many believed could alter his life permanently.

You'll recall ... the leg bent in a way no leg every should -- and he needed hours of surgery just days later to repair the damage.

But, Conor's been in great spirits ever since going under the knife ... and he showed us again Thursday that he's genuinely pleased with how the injury is progressing.

"I can cycle again, my man!" Conor said before driving off from his doctor appointment. "Three weeks ahead of schedule!"

As for who he wants to fight when ultimately makes his return ... Conor clearly ain't ahead of schedule in that department -- telling us, "we'll see what happens."

Gable Steveson could be one step closer to signing with the UFC ... 'cause Dana White tells TMZ Sports he's planning to meet with the Olympic wrestling superstar this weekend in Vegas.

21-year-old Steveson was one of the breakout stars at the 2020 Olympics ... and has expressed interest in everything from the NFL, to WWE, to the UFC.

So, we asked the UFC prez if he had interest in Steveson ... and that's when White revealed he planned to link up with the gold medalist.

"[Gable] will be in town this weekend, and I think we're gonna hook up and talk."

Steveson -- who recently got an offer to train from WWE superstar Seth Rollins -- is gonna be in Sin City for SummerSlam.

FYI, Gable is a BEAST on the mats. He won the NCAA title this year at the University of Minnesota, as well as the championship at the Pan American Games. Gable hasn't lost a single match in 2 years.

But, just 'cause Dana's meeting Gable, doesn't mean a signing is guaranteed.

"Obviously there's a lot of work for him to do before he could make it to the UFC, but we'll see what happens."

If Steveson does ultimately sign a deal with the UFC ... fellow Olympic gold medalist turned UFC double champ Henry Cejudo recently told us he believes Gable -- with 2 or 3 years training -- could beat top heavyweights like Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.

Either of those fights would be HUGE. But, first step is White and Steveson's Vegas meeting.

Kyle Kuzma will now certainly never forget his Univ. of Utah roots ... 'cause he just got a mountain range back tat to pay homage to his alma mater -- and it is MASSIVE!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Washington Wizards new star wanted to get ink to represent his 2014 to 2017 days as a Ute, so he hit up celeb tat artist Herchell L. Carrasco.

We're told the 26-year-old headed out to Carrasco's Pachuco Tattoo shop in Orange, Calif. ... and sat like a rock for the huge scenery piece.

Carrasco said it all took about six hours ... with the mountain range scene ultimately ending up covering 1/3 of Kuzma's upper back.

Carrasco says the artwork isn't of one specific part of Utah ... but rather a mixture of mountains in the state -- and also represents "power, obstacles and overcoming them."

Carrasco added the NBA player might add more to it down the road.

The mountain scene wasn't the only work Kuz got done this week ... he also got a hand tat of the NBA championship trophy he won with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

A judge just ruled the woman accusing Trevor Bauer of sexual assault will NOT be allowed to have a permanent restraining order against the MLB star.

The decision came down Thursday morning in an L.A. courtroom after three-plus days of proceedings ... with a judge ordering the temporary restraining order against Bauer must be dissolved.

In announcing her order ... the judge said Bauer "did not exceed limits" that his accuser had set before their two sexual encounters in April and May.

"If she set limits and he exceeded them, this case would be clear," the judge said in the courtroom, according to L.A. Times reporter Steve Henson. "But he did not exceed limits she set."

The judge added, according to Henson, that the injuries the woman suffered during the sexual encounters were "not the result of anything she told [Bauer] she objected to."

The judge also said, per Henson, that Bauer did not pose any potential future threat to the woman.

The decision is obviously a huge win for Bauer -- who's been away from the Dodgers on administrative leave since the temporary restraining order was granted back in June -- though it remains unclear what it means for his potential future in the MLB.

Despite Thursday's ruling, Bauer is still being investigated by the Pasadena Police Dept. to see if he committed any criminal offenses during his encounters with his accuser.

Meek Mill's diving skills need some work. Check that, lots of work.

We're told the "Dreams and Nightmares" rapper took the plunge Wednesday night after he rented out DreamWorks Water Park ... the biggest indoor waterpark in the U.S., located at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ. Meek's clearly not ready to take his talents even to a high school swim meet.

All good though ... 'cause Meek flashed a grin ear to ear after coming up to the surface ... laughing off his attempt at gracefully diving into the massive pool.

Meek rented out the space to celebrate rapper Vory's 24th birthday. He's currently signed to Meek's label DreamChasers and Vory's one of the featured artists on Kanye West's "Donda."

Fred Goldman is still looking to collect on his massive judgment against O.J. Simpson ... 'cause the father of Ron Goldman just got a judge to order the former football star to answer some questions from Fred's lawyers about his assets.

It's all in new court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, which show a Nevada judge has ordered Simpson to meet with Fred's attorneys to discuss the ex-Heisman Trophy winner's employment, property and funds.

The docs show Simpson is required to appear at the lawyers' offices on Sept. 16 ... and if he blows it off, a bench warrant for his arrest could be issued.

Of course, all of this appears to be another step by Fred to try to collect on the money Simpson still owes the Goldman family.

As we previously reported, 74-year-old O.J. was ordered in 1997 to pay $33.5 million after he was found liable in the civil case over the killing of Ron ... and due to interest, that figure has reportedly since ballooned to over $70 MILLION.

Fred has argued that after O.J. was released from prison in 2018 after being locked up for a 2007 armed robbery, he's resumed making dough ... but still isn't coughing up enough to satisfy the judgment.

Seems clear Fred's hoping to gain info about O.J.'s cash and other assets so he can collect on the judgment.

Antonio Brown was NOT making friends at the Buccaneers' joint practice with Tennessee on Thursday ... throwing punches and ripping a Titans player's helmet off in a wild brawl!!

Here's how it went down -- the 33-year-old Super Bowl champ was going up against 2nd-year cornerback Chris Jackson during some one-on-one drills ... when things got out of hand QUICK.

No word on what exactly sparked the altercation, but it had to have been serious.

Check out the pics ... AB is seen connecting on a wild punch that lands on Jackson's jaw before grabbing at his helmet and tearing it off CJ's noggin.

AB was immediately ejected from the practice ... but it doesn't seem like a big deal to his coach, Bruce Arians, who joked he thought his receiver was just swatting at flies.

Of course, AB has been trying to keep out of trouble after a controversial past few years ... even shacking up with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay when he first joined the Bucs.

But, if Arians is laughing off the sitch, then everything must be okay with the team.

Alex Rodriguez struck a pose in front of a red Porsche that looks just like the one he gifted Jennifer Lopez for her 50th birthday, which raises so many questions.

A-Rod posed for, and posted, the pic Wednesday with the caption, "I'm super down to earth," which ya know ... is a joke because along with the Porsche there are 2 more luxury cars behind it.

But, nobody cares about his caption, and instead, everyone's focused on the red sports car ... which appears to be the same 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 he gifted J Lo for her birthday 2 years ago.

So, does this mean A-Rod took the ride back when they broke off their engagement ... or did J Lo give it back?

Colin Kaepernick hasn't played a single snap in the NFL since January 2017, but he's still a better QB than half the starters in the league ... this, according to the new Madden 22 ratings.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... the 33-year-old ex-San Francisco 49ers star-turned-social justice icon is featured in the newest edition of the uber-popular EA Sports franchise ... and comes with an eye-popping 81 overall rating.

To compare, that's a higher rating than Los Angeles Chargers star signal-caller Justin Herbert, who just won Offensive Rookie of the Year with 4,336 passing yards, 31 TDs, 10 INTs and 230 rushing yards.

In Kap's best statistical year -- 2014 -- he threw for 3,369 yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs and 639 rushing yards.

Kap's 81 rating is above Herbert (80), Kirk Cousins (79), Trevor Lawrence 78, Ben Roethlisberger (78), Joe Burrow (77) and Jared Goff (77).

While Kap's speed rating is NOT good -- he's at an 83, which is the same as Baker Mayfield-- he's in the top 10 for QB awareness with 87 ... ahead of guys like Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford and Kyler Murray.

Of course, there's a touchy history between Madden and Kap -- remember, his name was removed from Big Sean's "Big Bank" verse on the game's soundtrack in 2018 ... but EA Sports apologized and chalked it up to a mistake by a member of their team.

Kap was also featured in Madden 21 ... with a better rating than guys like Baker Mayfield and Cam Newton.

Kaepernick -- who first started his national anthem demonstration in August 2016 -- has accused the NFL of blackballing him ... and commissioner Roger Goodell later admitted the league mishandled the player protests.

Shohei Ohtani says he was unbothered by the accent Jack Morris used on the broadcast during one of his at-bats Tuesday ... saying, "I'm not offended and I didn’t take anything personally."

"He is a Hall of Famer," the Angels superstar said of Morris through an interpreter on Wednesday night. "He has a big influence in the baseball world. It's kind of a tough spot."

If you missed it ... Morris -- a Detroit Tigers analyst -- was suspended indefinitely Wednesday after he made offensive comments during Detroit's tilt with L.A. on Tuesday.

Just before Ohtani -- who is Japanese -- stepped to the plate in the 6th inning, Morris used an accent that many felt was mocking Asians.

"Be very, very careful," Morris said on the broadcast.

Morris eventually apologized three innings later ... but Bally Sports Detroit ultimately still decided to suspend him, calling the remarks "insensitive."

The Tigers, for their part, backed the decision, saying, "We are deeply disappointed by the comments made by Jack Morris during the broadcast."

Scary news from legendary hoops announcer Dick Vitale ... who's opening up on his battle with melanoma this year -- but thankfully, he caught it early and is cancer free!!

82-year-old Dickie V revealed he first heard the news this summer after having a growth removed from above his nose ... which later came back positive for skin cancer.

"My heart sank," Vitale said.

But fortunately, the timing couldn't have been better ... with Vitale explaining, "It helped that we caught it early, and I was thrilled to learn it hadn’t spread."

"The bottom line is they removed all cancer cells, and I was relieved, big time, to be cancer clear."

As Vitale would say ... IT'S AWESOME NEWS, BABY!!!

Dickie V says he underwent 4 procedures to help clean up the area above his nose ... but jokes, "We all know I’m never going to look like Tom Cruise. I’ve got no hair on my dome and I’ve got a body by linguini."

"Fortunately, I continue to heal from those cosmetic surgeries and it’s working out fine."

Vitale gives credit to the V Foundation for getting checked early ... saying, "Because of early detection, something the V Foundation constantly emphasizes, thankfully we were more prepared."

The college hoops legend says he continues to heal, but will be back calling NCAA games for his 43rd(!!!) season -- and hopes this story inspires folks to get checked!

"Luckily, I took care of it when I did and I can’t stress enough that you all should do the same!"

"That’s how I’m going to achieve my goal of sitting courtside calling a game when I’m 100 years old!"

Devin Booker's offseason of love is still going strong ... 'cause after a romantic lake trip with Kendall Jenner, he sipped booze with the model at a lunch in NY -- and, yeah, the NBA star sure looks smitten.

The attractive couple hit up a party for Jenner's 818 Tequila brand at Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island on Wednesday ... with Booker playing the role of proud BF as he watched Jenner celebrate the success of her alcohol.

Booker was seen smiling, laughing and schmoozing with Jenner's friends ... and we're told Kendall couldn't have been happier to have her tequila with her man by her side.

Of course, Booker and KJ have been inseparable since his triumphant return from the Tokyo Olympics ... they were just spotted enjoying other's company on a lake earlier this week.

In fact, Jenner proudly displayed her BF's new gold medal while rockin' a tiny bikini on their boat.

The two have been dating for over a year now ... and sure have been hot and heavy through the last few months -- with Jenner even hitting the road to see most of his playoff games.

Begs the question ... even though Booker didn't get an NBA championship bling this year -- is a wedding ring in the cards??

White Sox ace Lance Lynn was thrown out of a game Wednesday night ... after he hurled his belt at an umpire during a foreign substance check.

The bizarre scene all went down after the fourth inning of Chicago's tilt with the Oakland A's, when third-base ump Nic Lentz attempted to check Lynn's gear for sticky stuff.

Lynn, clearly upset that Lentz didn't make a quicker effort to get to him before he got to the dugout, left his hat and his glove at the steps for Lentz to check.

When Lentz asked to see Lynn's belt too ... that's when the 34-year-old pitcher took it off and straight-up tossed it at the guy.

Immediately, Lynn was ejected ... and both the right-hander and Sox manager Tony La Russa came out of the dugout to argue.

Alas, Lynn's ejection was upheld ... and after the game, he was NOT a happy man over it all.

"[Lentz] was late getting over," Lynn said, "so I left my glove and my hat, and then while I was going down in the dugout, trying to see the trainers because I'm dealing with something, he yells at me that he needs to see my belt."

"So I toss it up and then he throws me out."

Lynn continued, "Obviously, I hurt his feelings ... he threw me out because I tossed my belt, and I said, 'Well, if you were on time, we wouldn't have this problem.'"

For his part, La Russa didn't necessarily disagree with the call ... saying players shouldn't be throwing equipment at umps.

Terrell Owens says he's "100 percent" sure he can still play in the NFL ... telling TMZ Sports he wants a team to sign him and give him a chance to play ASAP!!!

"There's no doubt, 100 percent, that I can play in the National Football League today," Owens says.

The 47-year-old Hall of Famer tells us he's still in amazing shape -- claiming to have run a 4.4 40-yard dash just days ago -- and says if a team signs him, it won't be disappointed.

"I'm not washed up," Owens tells us ... adding, "Once you know how to ride a bike, you know, you don't forget how to ride that bike."

Of course, T.O. hasn't played a regular-season down in the league since the 2010 season, but he was effective that year ... piling up 983 yards and 9 TDs on 72 catches.

And, Owens says he really hasn't stopped training since ... despite being a free agent for more than a decade.

"I've been on the track, and, honestly, I just ran probably like a week ago," Owens tells us. "I was clocked at like a 4.4. Faster than I probably ever have in probably in a while."

In fact, Owens says he's actually drawn interest from at least one "individual" in the NFL this summer ... who the wideout says told him to stay in shape for the possibility of a signing this year.

"With that conversation that I had, they asked me to keep myself in shape -- anything can happen," Owens tells us. "And, so, that's what I'm doing."

In the meantime, while Owens waits for a possible call, the receiver is launching a new season of his "Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. and Hatch" show on Fubo Sports Network.

Dana White says The Ultimate Fighter 29 finalist, Tresean Gore -- the man many expected to win the show AND a UFC contract -- is OUT of the finale fight after suffering a knee injury.

The UFC prez broke the news while talking to TMZ Sports ... announcing 27-year-old Gore was recently injured, forcing him out of the scrap.

"Bryan Battle versus Tresean Gore. Nobody knows this yet, TMZ is breaking it. Tresean Gore is injured. It looks like his meniscus," White says.

Gore, a 3-0 fighter out of Georgia, arrived at the show unbeaten ... and has been super impressive ever since.

In fact, many thought Tresean was going to win the finale fight vs. Battle on August 28 at UFC Vegas 35 ... and the UFC deal that comes along with winning the show.

"I think a lot of people figured that this kid could win it. You know, obviously a great fight with him and Bryan Battle. Gore is out, probably gonna be out for 6 months. Now, Bryan Battle will be facing Gilbert Urbina."

FYI, 25-year-old, 6-1 Urbina lost to Tresean in the semifinals ... via a 2nd-round knockout.

Bad news for Gore ... but there's a silver lining.

Dana says Tresean will "100%" get a shot on a future UFC card ... once his knee heals.

"Brutal for this poor kid, you know? But, what we’ll do is when Tresean Gore is healthy, does he fight Bryan Battle if Bryan wins the fighter? You know, I don’t know. We’ll see how this thing plays out. But, yeah, Gore is out."

Speaking of middleweights and TUF, we also talked to Dana about Kelvin Gastelum's fight with Jared Cannonier Saturday night at UFC Fight Night ... a matchup White predicts will be a "badass fight."

Brett Favre is calling for a ban on youth tackle football ... saying he believes no child should participate in live, full-contact games until at least the age of 14.

The Hall of Fame QB explained his stance to Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live" ... saying he believes the ban could help prevent concussions and long-term brain issues.

"What I was told basically is the human head is completely developed by age 15 to 18," Favre said. "And I may be wrong or off a little bit, but that's what I remember."

"And, so, even though the brain will continue to move around at impact at 30 or at 18, you give yourself more of a fighting chance by your head being more developed."

Favre is so passionate about the cause ... the 51-year-old participated in a PSA this month urging parents to keep their kids out of the tackling game until their 14th birthday.

Favre emphasized he is by no means calling for an end to the sport ... saying he believes the removal of the hitting game at the youth level could actually make football better down the road.

"You'd probably do the kids a lot more justice," Favre said. "Teach them the fundamentals."

Favre added his 3 young grandchildren have yet to compete in the tackling game at the youth level ... something he says he has zero issues with at the moment.