TMZ Sports - Page 50

A Clemson football fan may have to make a trip to the Mayo Clinic after scarfing down a container of mayonnaise during a game.

The fan was amped for Saturday night's Duke's Mayo Classic -- Clemson vs. Georgia. The dude showed up with an enormous tub of mayo and proceeded to scarf as much down as he could stomach.

The condiment-loving fan was splashed all over TV during the game, which was broadcast by ESPN. We're guessing viewers swore off mayo with their game snacks.

Mind you ... this type of stunt also went down in the A.M., not that an afternoon or evening display would have been less stomach-turning.

Another fan slathered himself with a gallon of mayo ... it's as disgusting as it is hilarious.

The condition of the dudes who inhaled the condiment is unknown, but our educated guess ... it cannot be good.

46-year-old Anderson Silva says he's got about 4 years of fighting left in him ... telling TMZ Sports his plan is to hang up the gloves before his 50th birthday.

Oh, and he's down to box Jake Paul!

Let's start with the YouTube star turned 4-0 boxer who just beat Tyron Woodley ... who's long been rumored as a possible opponent for the UFC legend.

"Everything is possible. Jake Paul and Logan are doing a lot of good work in this new entertaining show. We'll see. Everything is possible. I respect both. [Jake] is doing good, working hard. So, we'll see, maybe this is possible too."

Silva -- who's boxing Tito Ortiz on September 11 on Triller -- is only a few months removed from defeating 35-year-old former champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the ring.

We also asked Spider about retirement ... and while it's clear the end isn't exactly imminent, it's definitely in sight.

"My goal is my last fight is 49 [years old]. 49, I'm done. Probably, I'm done. That is my goal. Fight 3 more years and done. 49. That's the number. Maybe I can fight more, but right now my goal is when I turn 49, I stop fighting."

Bottom line, Silva says he feels great and loves fighting, has more fights in him ... and one of those fights just might be against Jake Paul.

Rotimi says fear not, the "House Party" reboot is in good hands with LeBron James -- despite the less than stellar reviews for LBJ's take on 'Space Jam.'

The singer and "Power" star was cast in the new 'HP,' and he told us he's already shot his scenes. He gave us the lowdown about the vibe on set, and reassured fans of the 1990 cult classic comedy ... because, as he put it, the new cast is filled with a lot of rising stars who set out to prove themselves.

Jacob Latimore and Tosin Cole are playing the iconic roles of "Kid" and "Play" ... originally played by the hip-hop group, Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin.

That might be a good enough reason for fans to give the reboot a chance. Of course, some were wary about LeBron's company, SpringHill, producing it ... as the news came on the heels of "Space Jam: A New Legacy."

Not only did LeBron star in that, but SpringHill also produced it - and even though the movie grossed over $150 million worldwide, it was pretty universally ripped.

That being said, there are signs the "House Party" reboot's set up for success.

The film's script is penned by "Atlanta" writers Stephen Glover and Jamal Olori ... both Emmy-nominated writers. Stephen is Donald Glover's younger brother.

Also, Charles Kidd II -- better known as Calmatic -- is making his feature film directorial debut. He directed Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" music video, which won the 2019 MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction and the 2020 Grammy for Best Music Video of the Year.

Master P is already predicting his hoops star son, Mercy Miller, is gonna be a baller at the University of Houston -- telling TMZ Sports, he could be just as great as Hakeem Olajuwon!

And, he's only 15 years old ... playing guard at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis but made an early commitment to play college ball for the Houston Cougars.

"His favorite teams was University of Houston and Duke," P tell us, "That was his final choices and to be able to do that as a young kid right now ... he's blessed."

"He was able to win a high school state championship last year as a freshman and now to know what college you're going to, it's just gonna bring all the pieces to the puzzle together."

P expects Mercy to bring that winning spirit to Houston -- telling us his son could end up being one of the greatest to ever wear a Cougar jersey.

"A lot of the greats went to University of Houston," P says.

"Clyde the Glyde, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon and now you got Mercy Miller -- could be on that same wall."

That's some big names to follow ... but, the rapper doesn't want his son to just be great at ball -- he wants him to excel in school.

"He's an A-student. That's what I'm more proud of and education is so important and he'll be able to get that."

"It's a great place for education at the University of Houston."

Mercy's also gonna be able to get some endorsement deals due to the NIL rules ... and his big brother Hercy Miller -- who will play for the Tennessee State basketball team this year -- just signed a $2M deal.

"A lot of brands are probably gonna start coming at him now knowing this is where he gon' be at."

Derek Holland ain't rockin' n' rollin' all night and partying every day -- dude's got to pitch, after all -- but he's paying homage to KISS nonetheless, by coppin' some custom Gene Simmons-themed cleats!!!

TMZ Sports has learned the Tigers pitcher wanted to honor Detroit while on the mound this season ... so he hit up famed shoe artist Michael Jordan to get some heat for his feet.

And, after tossing some potential ideas for the cleats around, the two settled on KISS spikes ... and they came out AWESOME.

The cleats have the faces of the famous band members painted on them ... and feature a sweet rainbow paint job that we're told took around 10 HOURS to complete.

Unclear when Holland plans to rock them this season ... but it certainly won't be the first time he's sported some fire on the pitching mound.

Holland also owns Eminem and Kid Rock cleats ... and while he was playing for Pittsburgh in 2020, he famously got Jordan to create him some Mr. Rogers footwear as well.

Tom Brady got COVID ... and he thinks he contracted it celebrating his Super Bowl victory.

Brady tested positive back in February ... right after Tampa Bay snagged the Lombardi Trophy ... so he told the Tampa Bay Times. He believes he caught the virus at the Super Bowl Boat  Parade ... you'll recall, when Brady was super drunk and tossed the Trophy off his boat to his comrades in arms!

The Trophy wasn't the only thing that was caught ... 'cause Brady believes that's exactly where he caught COVID. He did not say if he had symptoms.

Brady thinks this season will be worse than last when it comes to the coronavirus ... "I actually think it's going to play more of a factor this year than last year, just because of the way what we're doing now and what the stadium is going to look like and what the travel is going to look like and the people in the building and the fans."

Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy ain't fazed by going up against a 4-time major winner on Tuesday ... telling TMZ Sports he's gonna whoop golf superstar Brooks Koepka's ass on the links -- for charity!!!

El Pres is facing off against Brooks (who will be playing left-handed) in a $250,000 match on September 7 ... with the winner getting the huge chunk of change sent to the cause of their choice.

We spoke with Dave at the Slice app pop-up at Brooklyn Pizza Masters ahead of the big event ... and he says he's fully expecting 250k to hit the Barstool Fund afterwards -- courtesy of Mr. Koepka.

"He's mentally weak," Portnoy tells us. "I think he's a bum and I think I'm gonna beat him pretty easily."

"Brooks Koepka is a country club kid," he added. "He's not used to people talking trash to him and I'm convinced he's mentally weak."

Dave says he's been crushing it on the course leading up to the competition ... and is fully preparing to live rent-free in Koepka's head.

We also spoke with Portnoy about Barstool sponsoring the Arizona Bowl this upcoming college football season ... and he said they're gunning to make it "the most unique bowl in the history of bowl games."

Portnoy will be in the booth with Dan "Big Cat" Katz when the time comes ... and hopes the game will lead to even more exciting events in the future.

But for now, he's focused on getting that dub against Koepka.

New York Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari is starting off his rookie season in a Wakanda-kinda way ... by coppin' an insane "Black Panther" diamond chain -- that glows in the dark!!!

TMZ Sports has learned the outsider linebacker wanted to pay homage to Chadwick Boseman with some new drip before the Giants' season-opener ... so he hit up celeb jeweler Leo Frost.

And, Frost definitely delivered ... 'cause while the ice ain't exactly Vibranium, it's damn near close ... featuring 50 carats of white and black VS1 diamonds with 220 grams of 18k white gold!

The replica of Boseman's famous mask also comes with an insane white gold Cuban prong set -- with VS diamonds!!!

We're told Leo also amped up the bling by adding a special, glow-in-the-dark enamel coating ... which if you check out the video, is WILD!!

Unclear what the drip ultimately cost the former Georgia Bulldog ... but the 2nd-round pick just signed a 4-year rookie deal for $6.7 million, so his wallet's going to be just fine.

If Cam Newton were vaccinated, he would still be the New England Patriots' starter ... so says NFL Network star Kyle Brandt.

"I'll tell you right now," the "Good Morning Football" host told Harvey and Babcock on "TMZ Live" this week, "I think Cam Newton would be the starting quarterback of the Patriots right now if he was vaccinated."

"That's my opinion, but I think it's true."

It's a bold take ... especially considering Bill Belichick told media members this week that Cam's vaccination status had nothing to do with his release.

But, there's no denying the time Newton missed while dealing with COVID protocol issues last month allowed Mac Jones an opportunity to take a firm hold of the QB1 role in New England.

Brandt, though, says he believes the COVID issues won't stop with Cam ... saying he's so worried about it, it's actually impacting fantasy football drafts.

"I actually think it's something you take into consideration," Brandt said, "because these guys might have to sit out."

UFC fighter Daniel Rodriguez is fresh off a win over Kevin Lee ... but the L.A. native doesn't plan on sitting back and chilling -- he wants to fight, and he's got a name in mind.

TMZ Sports talked to the 34-year-old fighter who just cracked the welterweight division top 15 (he's ranked #15) ... and asked him who's next on the hit list, if he could call his shot.

"I think Belal Muhammad, I think like #9. I'm on the fast track," Rodriguez says.

And, D-Rod isn't concerned about being taken down by Belal ... 'cause he strongly believes his stand-up game is superior.

"At the end of the day, the fight starts on the feet, and that's my world."

FYI, 33-year-old Muhammad is coming off a unanimous decision win over Demian Maia in June.

Of course, Daniel is also coming off a big dub ... against Lee, who's no slouch. KL's beaten the likes of Edson Barboza, Michael Chiesa and Gregor Gillespie.

Most importantly, D-Rod -- who's fought 7 times in the last 18 months (6-1 during that time) -- says he wants to remain active, and anyone ranked above him can get it.

And, he doesn't plan on slowing down the breakneck pace ... 'cause Rodriguez says Kamaru Usman's belt is within his grasp.

Naomi Osaka had a disastrous match Friday ... repeatedly losing her composure and ultimately losing her U.S. Open match ... and she says her future in tennis is now uncertain.

Osaka won the first set against 18-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez ... but things unraveled for her in the second set. She threw her racket 3 times and when she lost the set she walked off the court.

The defending U.S. Open champ returned and the crowd began to cheer for Fernandez. Naomi shockingly double-faulted right out of the gate and ended up losing the match.

Naomi broke down in tears during a post-match interview, making it clear how much she's struggling and saying she's taking a break from tennis ... "I feel like I'm at this point where I'm trying to figure out what I want to do, and I honestly don't know when I'm going to play my next tennis match." In other words, Osaka herself has now made it clear ... her future in tennis is uncertain.

Former wrestling star Daffney Unger died from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest ... according to a police report obtained by TMZ.

As we reported, Daffney was found dead Thursday after she appeared on her IG Live the night before in what appeared to be a suicidal state, stating ... "Do you guys not understand that I am all alone? Do you not understand that?" And then she said, "Remember, my brain goes to Boston"

Police went to Unger's home in Norcross, GA Thursday for a welfare check. According to the police report, they were met by Daffney's mom, Jean. They knocked at the door but there was no answer, so they left without trying to gain entry.

They came back a second time a few hours later, and this time they saw Daffney's car parked near the apartment. A maintenance man gave cops a key but it didn't unlock the deadbolt. So, the fire department was called and they broke open the door and found Daffney's body on her bed ... a gunshot wound to her chest and a gun within reach.

The medical examiner has yet to determine the official cause and manner of death.

Daffney was battling mental health issues for weeks before her death and had urged others who were in the same predicament to get help.

Tommy Fury is sick of Jake Paul using his name for cred in the boxing world ... he's ready to take on the YouTube star, and says he'll make short work of it.

Tommy was leaving L.A. Friday for his home back in the UK ... and made it clear to our photog he was annoyed his name was used by Jake to promote his fight against Tyron Woodley.

Jake's not even a real boxer -- so says Tommy -- because he's only fighting MMA opponents. BTW ... Tommy honed in on Woodley's punch that sent Jake into the ropes.

Tommy makes it clear ... Jake's never gonna be a real competitor -- at least against him -- so might as well get it over with now.  Fury knows the fight would draw a huge audience, and that means $$$$$$$$$$$$$. And, that's why Tommy calls it a "win-win."

As for predictions ... lights out within 3 minutes.

There's no doubt Jake would accept the challenge. It could draw a record-breaking audience on Pay-Per-View, although it's a little weird for someone like Tommy -- who's on track in the world of boxing -- to actually get in the ring with the likes of Paul.

Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes have held UFC titles in 2 divisions ... but a 3-division champ -- that's never been done -- at least not yet.

That's exactly what 28-year-old UFC star Darren Till tells TMZ Sports he's trying to do.

"For me, I’m chasing something totally different. I want to be great. I'm on a path to greatness and I'm a top contender. I want to be a champion in two divisions, maybe three. I know it sounds like I’m dreaming, but I’ve got to dream. That’s me."

18-3 Till, the #9-ranked UFC Middleweight (185 lbs.), has wins over big-name opponents like Kelvin Gastelum, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and Stephen Thompson.

DT has a big fight this weekend against #5-ranked Derek Brunson. The winner, with an impressive performance, could find themselves in prime position for a title fight against Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker (they're likely fighting in early 2022).

That's 1 division ... but there'd still be 2 left to conquer, Welterweight (170 lbs.) and Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.). A 35 pound difference is HUGE ... but Till, who's 6'0" tall, believes he can shed the pounds.

"I believe [I can do it]. I know I can do one last hoorah at 170 [lbs.] against the champ Kamaru Usman, and 205, but who knows. I’ve always dreamed of being a two-weight division world champion in the UFC."

"I know three is a stretch and I know I need to rack up a lot of wins but I'm a young kid dreaming."

In fact, Darren used to fight at welterweight ... but dropping the lbs. was brutal.

But, he thinks he can make the weight ... and when it comes to the actual fighting, Till doesn't think there are many people more dangerous in the Octagon.

The 1st step towards ruling 3 divisions starts this Saturday at UFC Fight Night.

Stay tuned ...

Dez Bryant might be done with football, but he's hoping he's certainly not through with making stacks of cash -- 'cause the ex-NFL star says he's hoping his NFT business can make him a FORTUNE.

The former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro has launched a platform designed to help athletes like himself sell non-fungible tokens and other packages to fans ... with the hopes of raking in serious coin.

In fact, Dez is so fired up over the idea of it all ... he told TMZ Sports out in NYC this week he's gunning to eventually make $100 MILLION off it.

As for what that means for his football future ... Bryant sure didn't seem like a guy too focused on getting back in the league this season.

The 32-year-old told us he's still in shape and "absolutely" can still play ... but suggested his business ventures might take up most of his time now.

"I'm a jack-of-all-trades type of guy," Bryant said. "I always been that way. I see the bigger vision. I'm one of those guys that can step outside of themselves and just see the bigger picture."

"That's what I've done and that's what I've always done my whole life, my whole football career and I see a lot of athletes lack a lot of things and I feel like me and my guy, the team that's been created, is built to provide the best of the best for athletes."

Fantasy football nerds, take note ... Victor Cruz tells TMZ Sports Sterling Shepard is about to have a HUGE season for the New York Giants!!

The former Giants superstar made the claim to us out in NYC earlier this week ... predicting the 28-year-old wideout will finally have a breakout year in 2021.

"I think watch out for Sterling Shepard," Cruz said. "I think he's going to be a guy."

Shepard has shown flashes of brilliance in the past -- in his five-year career with the Giants, he's posted 3,518 receiving yards and 20 TDs on 313 catches.

But, he's never quite had a superstar year just yet ... though Cruz clearly believes that's on the way this season.

"Sterling Shepard is going to be a guy that's going to do some really big things this year that might slip under the radar," Cruz said.