Fights & Feuds

Junior dos Santos dropped his last 5 fights prior to his Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA scrap against Fabricio Werdum ... but the MMA legend tells TMZ Sports the win over the former UFC champ has reinvigorated his career!

"Just the fact that [the fans] were willing, they were excited to see me fighting again," dos Santos told us days after his fight.

"It's the main factor for me that makes me motivated because I know I still have a lot of good performances left on me. We're always ready to put on a good show."

Of course, 39-year-old dos Santos beat 46-year-old Werdum by split decision during the main event of Jorge Masvidal's promotion, Gamebred Fighting Championship 5, which featured two former UFC champs battling it out sans gloves.

As for how much longer he'll fight ... here's what "Cigano" had to say.

"Right now I go to the gym and I see my performance, I see the love, everything is there. I want to keep going."

"As soon as I go to the gym or I'm fighting or something like that and I'm not delivering anymore, I'll tell myself, I'll see that, I cannot do this anymore. This is kind of dangerous for me ... but right now I feel great!"

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We also talked to Junior about two of his former opponents ... Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. Both men have big-time bouts coming up ... Stipe vs. Jon Jones and "The Predator" vs. heavyweight boxing king Tyson Fury.

Laura Sanko tells TMZ Sports it's an absolute honor for her to now be an even bigger inspiration for women everywhere ... after she made history in the UFC by becoming the first female to ever call a PPV fight.

Sanko joined Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia last week  ... becoming the first woman to provide PPV commentary for the mixed martial arts promotion since Kathy Long at UFC 1 in 1993.

Sanko said she wasn't sure if she'd ever get the opportunity to do it -- but after it happened, she's been thrilled with the responses she's gotten.

"The reaction has been tremendous and I can't tell you how many women, female fighters, a lot of dads saying, 'My daughter looks to you as an example,'" Sanko said.

"It's not like I ever sought out to be some inspiration figure. It sorta just happened but I take that responsibility very seriously and it's surreal and a huge honor to get those messages."

Sanko did such a good job, Dana White called her the "Ronda Rousey of commentating" ... and now, she's hoping more opportunities will arise in the future.

As for the championship fight she helped call -- Israel Adesanya's memorable bout with Sean Strickland -- Sanko told us she isn't so sure a rematch is necessary there.

"I think a lot of people would like to see a rematch," she said. "Personally, if you're asking Laura Sanko, the fan, the individual, I'd like to see a different fight."

SZA's runaway success following her "SOS" album last year wasn't enough for the MTV VMAs committee to nominate her for Artist of the Year ... a move Top Dawg Entertainment deemed disrespectful enough to yank her from the show.

Terrence 'Punch' Henderson told THR on Friday, he repeatedly attempted to get clarity as to why her album's 10-week run at No. 1 didn't earn her even a nomination alongside Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Shakira, Karol G and Taylor Swift.

SZA was nominated for other awards, and was scheduled to perform, but as Punch put it ... "Why go perform and do this if she’s not going to be respected to the highest level?"

He says that's why he effectively terminated all things VMAs for SZA this year. As far as who's really beefing ... Punch says it's all him, not SZA, harboring the animosity. He says it's not in SZA's character to hold this kinda grudge.

MTV is boasting its highest-ever VMA impressions on social media, evidence they did something right with the viewing audience -- but it wasn't good enough to get SZA onstage that night.

Deion Sanders just threw some major shade at Jay Norvell ... doubling down after the Colorado State head coach criticized his "hat and glasses" look this week -- by giving his whole Buffaloes team their own pair!!

Prime and Norvell have exchanged verbal jabs ahead of their big matchup ... with the former saying the game is now "personal" after the Rams coach blasted his appearance on his weekly radio show.

Prime went one step further on Friday ... 'cause during a team meeting, he had his equipment staff hand out a bunch of sunglasses to all the players as a clear response to Norvell's dig.

The whole squad loved the gesture ... donning the gold shades and smiling for the cameras as Prime told them how good they looked.

Sanders said Norvell's diss truly backfired ... 'cause not only did it give his squad some extra motivation, it will also help sell his glasses collab with Blenders.

Bill Maher is taking it on the chin for bringing back 'Real Time' in the middle of the writers strike ... with one Writers Guild leader insisting Bill's misguided move won't weaken the union's labor stoppage.

WGA negotiating committee member Greg Iwinski joined us Tuesday on "TMZ Live" to push back against Bill's assertion that bringing back his show was necessary to help non-union staff members who are also feeling a severe financial crunch due to the strike.

Greg says Bill is not facing the same economic pressure as most crew members in Hollywood ... and he says he hasn't seen or heard of Bill helping the 'Real Time' crew pay for rent or groceries during the nearly 5-month-long strike.

Actually, Bill says he has provided "some assistance" to his staff ... but adds, some of them are still struggling, and that's why he's returning without his writers.

Meanwhile, Greg says the union is hustling -- with financial backing from some A-list celebs -- to support everyone affected by the strikes, including crew members who aren't writers ... and he rattled off several of those efforts.

His overall point is ... Bill could join those efforts, instead of crossing the picket line.

As we reported ... Bill announced Wednesday his show is returning later this month without writers, saying it was time to bring non-union folks back to work -- and the WGA quickly responded with plans to picket outside Bill's show.

While Greg's taking a pretty diplomatic approach here, actress Ellen Barkin had plenty of expletives for Bill when our photog got her in the Big Apple.

Bill's been critical of the strike recently and even called for California Governor Gavin Newsom to step in and do something to bring an end to the stalemate.

Bill Maher está recibiendo algunos golpes por traer de vuelta su programa 'Real Time' en medio de la huelga de escritores. No obstante, un líder del Gremio de Escritores insiste en que la medida equivocada de Bill no debilitará el paro laboral del sindicato.

Greg Iwinski, miembro del comité negociador del WGA, se unió a nosotros el martes en "TMZ Live" para rebatir la afirmación de Bill de que traer de vuelta su programa era necesario para ayudar a los miembros del personal no sindicalizados que también están sintiendo una grave crisis financiera debido a la huelga.

Greg dice que Bill no se enfrenta a la misma presión económica que la mayoría de los miembros de Hollywood y que no ha visto ni oído hablar de Bill ayudando al personal de 'Real Time' a pagar su alquiler o sus comestibles en los casi 5 meses que van.

En realidad, Bill dice que ha proporcionado "alguna ayuda" a su personal, pero que algunos de ellos todavía están luchando, y es por eso que está regresando sin sus escritores.

Mientras tanto, Greg dice que el sindicato se está esforzando -con el apoyo financiero de algunas celebridades de primera fila- para apoyar a todos los afectados, incluidos los miembros del equipo que no son guionistas, y enumeró varios de esos esfuerzos.

Su punto general es que Bill podría unirse a esos esfuerzos, en lugar de cruzar la línea de la huelga.

Como informamos, Bill anunció el miércoles que su programa volverá a finales de este mes sin guionistas, argumentando que ya era momento de traer a la gente no sindicalizada de vuelta al trabajo. El sindicato de escritores respondió rápidamente con algunos planes para hacer huelgas fuera del programa de Bill.

Mientras que Greg está tomando un enfoque bastante diplomático aquí, la actriz Ellen Barkin disparó un montón de improperios para Bill cuando nuestro fotógrafo la encontró en la Gran Manzana.

Bill ha criticado recientemente la huelga e incluso ha pedido al gobernador de California, Gavin Newsom, que intervenga y haga algo para poner fin al estancamiento.

Birdman says he's willing to invest $100 million of his own money to seal the deal on the Hot Boys reunion, now that B.G. is free, but right now it sounds like Turk will be odd man out.

The Cash Money Records boss dropped an update Wednesday on the HB reunion talks -- but only after being confronted with the stark differences in his behavior regarding both B.G. and Turk's releases from prison!!!

B.G. got the red carpet treatment from Birdman following his release this month, after 11 years on the inside -- but Turk served 9 years without any of the post-prison fanfare.

Birdman explained he didn't have a relationship with Turk when the "It's In Me" rapper went into the bing ... and didn't seem like it was a priority to include him in the reunion.

The news might blindside Turk -- he recently told TMZ Hip Hop a Hot Boys reunion is imminent, and seemed pretty excited to be on board. Birdman's calling for the "main players" for the tour, though, and Turk's been on the outside for some time now.

Birdman is still likely harboring a grudge over Turk's legal battle from 2015 when he sued Cash Money for $1.3 million and eventually settled out of court.

The original Cash Money regime had infamously crumbled at that point, with ALL the Hot Boys inciting mutiny at one point or another.

Gunna's return to Los Angeles will be just as smooth sailing as his NYC one ... at least according to AD, who feels the saga of Gunna's alleged snitching is officially in his rearview!!!

We got Mr. Cuhmunity himself Tuesday at LAX where he noted one tidbit about Gunna's upcoming L.A. sold-out show -- the people obsessed with street gossip about snitching aren't the ones buying tickets to Gunna's concerts.

Gunna filled Barclays Center with fans last weekend ... a good indicator he can successfully tour again as a solo artist.

The embattled YSL rapper was harassed in public this summer -- and AD says that's just the side-effect of Gunna getting sprung from jail early, as the public was still weighing in on why he got out.

Now, AD didn't exactly cop to pushing play on Gunna's music himself, but admitted he hears it out at all the poppin' spots around town.

He did, however, make it clear it's still "Free Young Thug" all day, every day on his end.

Erica Mena recently told TMZ she was remorseful for calling her "Love & Hip Hop" rival Spice a "monkey" ... a nasty comment that got her booted off the show, but she's doubtful her former castmate will extend the same courtesy.

After reposting her apology on her own IG account on Tuesday, Erica got an outpouring of fan support, and she even addressed one question in particular -- if Spice ever said she was sorry for bringing up Erica's son, the catalyst behind their explosive argument.

Erica not only told the fan the answer's no, she was confident Spice would never have "the guts" to own up to her own mistake.

Erica was adamant in assuring us her comments weren't meant to be taken as racially charged, but producers are still blocking her return to 'LHHATL' next season.

Spice, for her part, has taken an unbothered stance in the public as she promotes her next project.

DJ Envy and his wife Gia Casey are coming in hot with allegations against Tyrese ... claiming the actor/R&B star attempted to wedge himself into their marriage!!!

Tensions have still been high in the aftermath of their Breakfast Club interview last week where Tyrese acknowledged a beef between himself and Envy, but fans were clueless as to why ... until now!!!

On Tuesday, Envy revealed the reason on-air ... claiming Tyrese was becoming pushy in his friendship with his wife, and was planting bugs in Gia's ear with tempting words like " ... if you had a man like me."

To make matters worse, Envy says a man claiming to be Tyrese's ex-assistant texted him from out of the blue warning him not to trust Tyrese, because his own wife had allegedly been seduced by Tyrese's charms as well.

Gia then called in claiming the strong bond she and Tyrese formed via text became alarming when he became demanding with her time, and even set a list of expectations.

Tyrese just dropped a 20-minute video defending himself, claiming he had been in good standing with Gia up until their last text exchanges in August 2022.

A$AP Rocky's attorney went way too far in his defense of the rapper after his 2021 shooting incident ... at least according to the alleged victim, A$AP Relli, who's now suing Rocky and his high-powered attorney, Joe Tacopina.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, Relli claims Tacopina went on a press campaign after he was allegedly shot by A$AP Rocky .... and Relli was defamed in the process.

Relli claims he was painted by Tacopina in the media as a liar, a money grabber, and an extortionist  ... and he believes this was all the direction of A$AP Rocky.

The suit claims Tacopina spoke to various outlets, including TMZ ... in one story, Tacopina said, "Rocky didn't commit a crime. It was an extortion attempt by a former associate, who threatened to make false, criminal accusations if Rocky didn't pay him."

Relli claims as a result of the alleged attack on him, he received several death threats and has been the subject of ridicule. He's asking for unspecified damages.

As for Rocky ... his case is still pending. He has pled not guilty.

Noah Lyles ain't backing off his "world champion" stance one bit ... and he's sending some loud-and-clear shade to one of the guys who had the biggest problem with it all -- Drake.

The track star won three golds (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay) at the World Athletic Games in Budapest, Hungary last month ... and following the efforts, he ruffled a ton of feathers when he said NBA players shouldn't get to call themselves champs of the globe like he could.

"World champion of what?" Lyles said, reminding those in attendance that NBA players only perform in the U.S. and Canada. "The United States?!"

His comments were hit with immediate criticism ... with guys like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Draymond Green -- and, yes, even Drake -- firing away at him.

But, when Lyles sat down with TMZ Sports this week ... he made it clear he's not budging from his opinion -- though he did clarify that he loves what the NBA's doing, and he wants track and field to follow their model.

"I do think that the point was lost," he told us. "At the end of the day, it was talking about how I see what we do to our national championships -- I just want the same thing for our world champions. And we're a sport where we're bringing in the most medals every year -- and it's like nobody even knows because they don't pay attention."

As for Drake ... Lyles brushed off the rapper's criticism of him -- saying, "Just go home, buddy. Go home."

Sean Strickland is upset Natan Levy didn't really kick the crap out of his troll last month ... telling TMZ Sports if he had been in the same situation, he would've straight-up carved a "J" on the guy's forehead with his elbow.

Levy, who's Jewish, knocked the dog snot out of a social media heckler in Las Vegas in August after the guy had defended an antisemite in an exchange on X ... but Strickland says he wished the beatdown had gone even further.

"Like, if that was me, broken bones in the face, blood," the UFC star said. "But, Natan's a nice guy. I think we're gonna have to work on him to be a little bit more savage."

Strickland, who's teammates with Levy at Xtreme Couture in Nevada, said the troll's actions were so disrespectful, he would've tried to permanently scar the guy if he were wearing Natan's gloves.

"Like if it was me," Strickland said, "I would've tried to carve a big ol' f***ing 'J' in the forehead."

Of course, Strickland hasn't had much time to devote to the issue recently ... he's been preparing for a title fight with Israel Adesanya that will go down later Saturday night.

Robin Thicke looks like he was seeing blurred lines during a night on the town, stumbling into a potted plant ... and wrestling with his fiancée April Love Geary as she tries to get him to leave.

The singer appeared intoxicated Thursday night outside The Fleur Room in West Hollywood, and April certainly thought he was ... as she put it, "his bitch ass is so drunk."

The video picks up with Robin trying to grab a bag from April outside the club entrance, but she breaks away from him and hails a ride ... and then he stumbles on his way back into the club, falling into a bush.

April calls him out for being wasted, and says he's embarrassing them with his behavior ... telling the bouncer to not let him back inside.

Robin continues trying to get his hands on April's phone, for some reason, and they get into a physical struggle on the sidewalk as she pleads for him to quit.

Eventually, a black SUV pulls up and Robin holds April in a bear hug from behind as she struggles to get to the car. Robin is smiling and laughing the whole time, but April's clearly not amused as they finally climb into the vehicle.

Robin Thicke pareciera estar viendo líneas borrosas durante una noche de fiesta en la ciudad, en donde se lo vio tropezar con un arbusto y juguetear con su novia April Love Geary, mientras ella intentaba llevárselo a casa.

El cantante apareció intoxicado el jueves por la noche fuera de The Fleur Room en West Hollywood. En palabras de April, este "bitch ass" estaba súper borracho.

El video comienza con Robin tratando de agarrar una bolsa de April afuera del club. Ella se separa de él, llama a un conductor y luego Robin se tambalea en su camino de regreso al club, casi cayendo sobre un arbusto.

Ahí, April le llama la atención por estar tan borracho y le dice que los está avergonzando con su comportamiento. Al mismo tiempo, le dice al portero que no lo deje volver a entrar.

Robin insiste en su intento de agarrar el teléfono de April, por alguna razón, y se enzarzan en una pelea física en la acera mientras ella le suplica que la deje.

Finalmente, un todoterreno negro se detiene y Robin abraza a April por detrás mientras ella lucha por llegar al carro. Robin está sonriendo y riéndose todo el tiempo, pero a April no le hace ninguna gracia todo el espectáculo cuando por fin se suben al vehículo.

Latto is moving up Coi Leray's family tree for more song source material ... using her father, Benzino, for a nifty lil punch line about his neck!!!

Young Nudy dropped off his "Peaches & Eggplants (Remix)" on Friday, recruiting estrogen energy that's been dominating hip hop as of late with Latto and Sexyy Red.

The song details the ins and outs of sexual encounters and Latto got into a name-drop bag on her verse to describe hers ... rapping, "He don't eat p****, he gots to go/Give me that neck like Benzino/Give me that neck like, "Where it go?"

Benzino, a devout gym rat, has been ribbed online for years over his head's muscular foundation base ... and fans weren't oblivious to Latto's shade!!!

Coi used Latto's name on the hook of her recent single "Isabel Marant" where she crooned, "Hop up on that couch and roll up Latto out the bag."

Of course, Latto fired the first shot when was smoking on blunts as big as Coi on her "Put It on Da Floor" track back in April ... and clearly she's up for sending more neckativity in the family's direction!!!