Coronavirus

Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns will happen in 2020 -- the welterweight title fight is officially set for UFC 256 on Dec. 12, TMZ Sports has learned.

The fight was originally supposed to go down on Fight Island back in July -- but Burns caught COVID and had to pull out.

He was replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who took the fight on short notice ... but couldn't overcome Usman, who won by unanimous decision.

Now, Burns has fully recovered -- and a UFC source tells us the papers are signed, the deal is done -- we're getting the fight!

Also, we're told the UFC is close to locking up the highly anticipated Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch for the BMF belt for the same night!!!!

Remember, those two originally fought back in Nov. 2019 -- but the fight was stopped by the doctor in the 3rd round due to cuts over Nate's eye.

Diaz felt the stoppage was BS -- insisting he was just getting warmed up!

Now, we're told everything is close for a rematch at UFC 256 ... and yes, the plan is for the famous BMF belt to be on the line again!

Ya won't hear about Ezekiel Elliott and his teammates pulling a Mike Clevinger this season ... 'cause the Dallas Cowboys superstar says his team will not risk getting COVID by doing "anything dumb."

Of course, 25-year-old Zeke was one of many NFLers who actually tested positive for coronavirus this past offseason ... and now that he's back to 100%, he says he's making sure his guys will be conscious of their decisions off the field.

"You don't wanna miss games because you got COVID," Zeke said to reporters on Monday. "So, I mean we all are here to play football. We're not gonna do anything dumb to jeopardize that."

Remember, the NFL will function similar to MLB ... which dealt with multiple COVID outbreaks and some COVID rule-breaking drama when then-Cleveland Indian Clevinger and teammate Zach Plesac broke protocol to party with bros.

Since there won't be a bubble system like the NBA, Zeke says it's on the players to keep each other from making bad decisions.

"So, I mean just staying safe and it's really not about you, it's about the guy next to you. You don't wanna get that guy sick. You don't wanna have him going home to his family and get it. It's more of a accountability thing. Just keeping each other accountable."

A Taco Bell proved critical for two little girls who were briefly using its Wi-Fi for school -- something that sparked some true help from the community.

A photo of two young girls sitting outside of a Taco Bell in Salinas, CA -- just outside of Monterey -- recently went viral ... which shows them plopped down on the concrete with their laptops and notepads out, while two TB employees come out to talk to them. It's quite sad.

The photo prompted a two-pronged response -- one group was utterly outraged at the lack of resources these kids had, understanding this is the best they could do in a desperate situation. On the other hand, some folks were concerned ... thinking it was neglect.

On that first part, a handful of elected officials spoke out on the photo ... pointing out the digital divide among certain underrepresented communities. Salinas City Elementary School District copped to the fact the kids were their students and said they were already working to remedy the situation by providing them a hot spot with internet access.

The fam was allegedly about to be made homeless by their landlord because of renovations scheduled on their unit.

Fortunately, enough people in the community pulled resources together and put them up in a hotel for the time being while they get back on their feet. They've even started a GoFundMe for them too.

The Cleveland Indians just shipped out star pitcher Mike Clevinger -- just weeks after teammates blasted him for violating COVID protocol during a secret night out in Chicago.

Remember, Clevinger and his teammate/buddy Zach Plesac snuck away from the team hotel on August 8 to party with friends during a road trip in Chicago, violating COVID protocol.

Plesac was caught by MLB security -- which informed the Indians. Plesac was not allowed to travel back to Cleveland on the team plane the following day.

Clevinger managed to go undetected in the early hours of the scandal -- and DID get on the team plane, pissing off teammates and other Cleveland personnel when they found out about his involvement later on.

Both Clevinger and Plesac claimed they were safe during the night out and have not tested positive for coronavirus since -- but teammates like Adam Plutko blasted them to the media claiming the two men violated their trust and put the team at risk.

Both Clevinger and Plesac were demoted and sent away from the team ... and now the Indians decided to just get rid of Clevinger altogether.

In exchange for Clev, the Indians reportedly get reliever Cal Quantrill, shortstop prospect Gabriel Arias, outfielder Josh Naylor and catcher Austin Hedges.

Of course, it's a HUGE deal for San Diego ... Clevinger is one of the top arms in the league -- and nabbing him makes the Padres an immediate contender to knock off the Dodgers in the West.

San Diego also added a few other players in trades over the weekend -- including Seattle Mariners star Austin Nola -- and given the roster it currently has, SD is now a REAL World Series threat.

As for Plesac, he posted an IG video a few days after the incident claiming he was being unfairly portrayed in the media as a reckless monster.

He is still playing with the Indians' "alternate site" team -- which is essentially serving as their minor league option this season, since the regular minor leagues have been shut down due to COVID.

An Alaskan who refused to wear a mask at his local Walmart didn't go quietly ... he left the building practically kicking and screaming -- and it's absolutely bonkers.

Check out this guy -- a Texas Longhorns fan, no less -- being escorted out of a Walmart last week in Anchorage, where he tried doing a little shopping without a face covering. That's a big no-no at just about any establishment these days, so the staff asked him to leave.

Just as he was getting near the door, this old fella completely lost it and started screaming in people's faces at the top of his lungs ... with droplets of spit presumably launching in the air.

He starts talking about his rights as a consumer and how they can't refuse his business -- certainly they can -- but then goes on this whole thing about they aren't going to stop him from yelling. A real freedom fighter this one is ... he even squares up a few times to a couple of staffers, one of whom is a woman -- who completely kept her cool. Well done.

One last thing -- before he eventually storms out, he tells the Walmart crew they can get back on their highway to hell ... and to get out of a godly man's face.

An anti-masker with an attitude refused to leave an Orange County, CA grocery store, saying she was determined to serve the store's manager with a fake Dept. of Justice document, accusing the store of violating the law by requiring masks.

The woman clearly doesn't understand she's not "serving" a document ... rather, she's pushing a phony flyer and other docs she claims are from the DOJ.

The Dept. of Justice has issued several warnings about these fake documents -- some embossed with the DOJ emblem -- which purport to say people with disabilities don't have to wear masks.

Fact is ... the courts have not squarely ruled on whether people with disabilities can enter private stores without masks. In normal times, they might have a case, but given that the coronavirus doesn't overlook anyone, it seems likely a court would rule in favor of public safety.

Think Bills Mafia will let COVID-19 stop 'em from smashing through fiery tables before kickoff?!!

NOPE!!!

The tailgates will happen -- the Zubaz will be worn, chaos will reign, TMZ Sports has learned.

Here's the deal ... with fans blocked from attending NFL games in person at stadiums around the country, people are still looking to gather in groups to tailgate safely.

Bills fans -- known for being insane maniacs -- are among those (since the team has said no fans will be allowed at the first 2 home games) ... but the good news for them, they'll get their chance to tailgate, with COVID protocols in effect.

We're told one option is a tailgating "bubble" sponsored by MyBookie, which claims it will create a completely sanitized, clean zone for Bills fans in the Buffalo area where they can rage before games, while adhering to COVID safety measures.

Fans must register to get inside the tailgating area (they're trying to limit the number of people) -- but once inside, fans will enjoy food, booze and all the sanitizer they can squirt.

There are also plans to bring in a van for Mafia members to climb as a launching pad for table jumps.

The exact location is still being worked out. Masks and social distancing will hopefully be enforced.

It's not a true "bubble" like the NBA environment in Orlando -- where people are tested and quarantined before being allowed to enter. But, hey ... it's better than nothing!

The Bills' first home game is scheduled for Sept. 13 against the NY Jets.

Scott Peterson's death penalty sentence may have been reversed, but the convicted murderer's family believes he could die in prison soon anyway due to COVID-19 ... and they're pushing for a transfer.

Peterson's attorney, Cliff Gardner, tells TMZ ... Scott's family is majorly concerned for his health following the widespread and deadly coronavirus outbreak at San Quentin State Prison.

Peterson's currently locked up at San Quentin, and in the last month, the prison reportedly saw cases surge with up to two-thirds of the prison getting infected. It currently leads California's prison system in infections and deaths.

With those grim numbers in mind, Gardner says his goal is to place Peterson in the safest possible prison permitted under California law to ensure his safety.

However, according to California prison officials ... there's no plans to move him, and he'll be staying put at San Quentin for now.

As we reported ... the California Supreme Court reversed Peterson's death penalty sentence for murdering his wife and unborn child in 2002 on Christmas Eve. The Court ruled the trial judge in the case made an error in dismissing prospective jurors.

Bradley Cooper's shaggy hair and garb sure give him that '70s Hollywood hotshot look ... and that's great 'cause it's the vibe he's going for.

The "A Star is Born" director looked like a spitting image of the hairdresser-turned-movie mogul Jon Peters on the set of director Paul Thomas Anderson's new flick. He looked every bit the part .... thanks to a spot-on wig, beard, flowing white shirt and bellbottoms. Gotta admire the seashell necklace too.

Anderson's new film -- working title, "Soggy Bottom" -- is set in the '70s when Peters dated one Barbra Streisand. There's an old pic of Peters and Streisand, and it's a mirror image of Bradley's getup.

Peters, of course, is a big deal ... producer of "A Star is Born" ... both the 1976 and 2018 versions. He's also produced "Flashdance," "The Color Purple," "Rain Man" and "Tango & Cash," to name just a few. BTW, Peters not long ago married Pamela Anderson. Never mind they split up 12 days later.

Anyway ... production did one helluva job transforming Bradley into Peters, that's for sure. Also, gotta give them props for adhering to strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Oh, one last thing ... an eagle-eyed photog snapped away when model/actress Brigitte Nielsen happened to be riding her bike with her pooch not far behind sitting in a wagon as Bradley took a break at a gas station. Her Jon Peters connection? Brigitte's ex, Sylvester Stallone, starred in "Tango & Cash." Full circle, baby.

UCLA says Under Armour is full of crap for using the COVID pandemic as an excuse to back out of a $280 million sponsorship deal ... and now the school is suing.

Here's the deal ... back in June, UA announced it would be pulling the plug on the 15-year deal it made with UCLA which began in 2017.

The University had touted it as the "largest athletic apparel sponsorship deal in the history of American college sports."

According to the suit, obtained by TMZ Sports, UA messaged to the school that because of the pandemic, the company would not be getting the widespread brand exposure it was promised when it entered the massive contract.

Under Armour allegedly cited the cancelation of college baseball games and the uncertainty of bigger sports like football and basketball as the main reasons for the move.

But, UCLA ain't buyin' the company's excuse -- claiming the REAL reason UA backed out is because the company is in financial trouble and was looking for a way to save some cash.

UCLA says in its suit, "Under Armour decided to try to use the COVID-19 pandemic as a cover to get out of paying on a deal that it no longer wanted to be in."

UCLA claims it seeks to "hold Under Armour to the promises that it made" ... and wants to force them to pay out the rest of the contract.

There's more ... UCLA claims UA also tried to use the excuse that the school didn't take appropriate action in the wake of the FBI's Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, which involved a former UCLA soccer coach.

UCLA claims it took swift action and put the coach on leave the same day as his arrest -- and then accepted his resignation a few days later.

UCLA says Under Armour never suggested they mishandled the situation until using it as an excuse to get out of the deal.

UCLA is suing for more than $200 MILLION in damages for breach of contract.

Young children everywhere are returning to schools despite ongoing COVID-19 challenges, and here's a glimpse of what it looks like ... adorable, but concerning.

TMZ's obtained a photo of a little girl attending preschool in Camarillo, CA ... equipped with a clear plastic face shield with rainbow flair to protect herself and others from the coronavirus.

As you can see, she's also on a little island at her desk to adhere to social distancing guidelines, which is a shame ... because ya gotta think the other kids want to check out her 'Little Mermaid' water bottle.

Now, when dealing with 3, 4 and 5-year-olds, there's going to be difficulty in getting them to take proper COVID precautions -- hell, even adults can't get it right -- but we're told the school is trying to make the best of it.

As we've reported ... high schools in several states like Georgia have already demonstrated a lack of proper safety protocols for its returning students, and children are increasingly testing positive for the virus.

Clearly ... there's still a lot to learn.