Darius McCrary Gets Restraining Order, Claims Wife Burned Him with Iron

Darius McCrary says his wife is lying ... and HE was the one who was attacked by HER with a flat iron to his chest.

Tammy Brawner claimed in legal docs Darius brutalized her 2 weeks ago ... hitting her in the head with his forearm and throwing objects at her, all in front of their 18-month-old daughter.

In new legal docs requesting a restraining order, obtained by TMZ, Darius says the way it went down ... she became verbally abusive before hurling the iron his way, burning his chest and causing a 2nd degree burn.

He says she has a history of violence and he's had to call the cops 3 times. He says she's threatened him with a knife.

Darius puts a theory in his legal docs. He says Tammy -- a former Harlem Globetrotter -- is "desperate for stardom" and he's worried she'll neglect their daughter to achieve newfound fame. He also says she's super competitive with him and jealous of his fame.