Fights

Cardi B's microphone throw during a live performance has spurred a lot of debate on the internet -- but one is taking shape that's invoking an infamous musical duo ... Milli Vanilli.

A lot of folks noticed that after Cardi stopped the show Saturday to retaliate against a woman who threw a drink on her from the crowd ... the music/song she was rapping to, 'Bodak Yellow,' kept going, and many have assumed that Cardi was just lip syncing.

It was quite noticeable ... but, obviously, more people focused on what was going down between Cardi and the lady -- who appears to have been hit with Cardi's mic (good aim).

Now, in the aftermath, the jokes are flying at Cardi's expense ... 'cause some trolls are (falsely) equating her to Milli's Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan -- who were notoriously caught lip syncing back in 1990 during a live performance ... when their record skipped mid-show.

Not only were the Milli Vanilli dudes exposed as in a lip sync sense -- but it was later revealed that they weren't the ones singing in the first place. Indeed, very scandalous.

In the wake of CB's dustup ... some are throwing her into the same category, but it's apples to oranges for a whole bunch of reasons -- which many on Twitter are rightly pointing out.

For starters, it's common these days for artists to use backing tracks for their performances. In fact, it's SOP when it comes to modern-day shows ... especially rappers. All the big acts do this, and they simply chime in on top of it live -- often deviating for added entertainment value. In Cardi's case, there's no evidence she wasn't rapping *with* the backing track.

And just for the sake of argument, even if she was lip syncing here ... it's NBD, really.

WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre is preparing for SummerSlam next month, but there's another match on his mind, too -- the Scottish Warrior tells TMZ Sports he's down to face off against none other than Logan Paul!!!

The former champ had nothing but kind things to say about the social media sensation this week ... praising the Maverick for being a complete natural in the wrestling world right from the start.

But, in the ring, the 38-year-old says he's got the upper hand over the newbie.

"Maybe down the line, we'll get a match with each other and he can try some of his high-flying moves," McIntyre said. "Unfortunately, for him, I'm very grounded, so I'm going to chop him to pieces!"

McIntyre likened Paul's immediate impact in WWE to when Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny started wrestling. In fact, before Logan and Bad Bunny joined WWE ... McIntyre didn't even know who either of them were!

But McIntyre certainly knows who Paul is now ... and he praised his positive impact on the organization.

Logan has continued to "evolve and evolve," McIntyre added, saying ... "He brought a positive attitude from day one. He brought an incredible work ethic."

The British brute is not only focused on his career in the squared-circle ... 'cause he's set to act in "The Killer's Game" alongside Dave Bautista and Ice Cube. McIntyre tells us the movie is "a huge opportunity," and he never imagined a career in Hollywood.

But before Logan and McIntyre explore a fight ... first up is SummerSlam, where Paul will face Ricochet and McIntyre will vie for the Intercontinental Championship against Gunther!!!

Mike Tyson might not know who will win the Errol Spence vs. Terence Crawford fight, but he is sure of one thing ... it's definitely ending in a knockout.

TMZ Sports got Iron Mike's prediction on the massive match just before the two star boxers officially square off Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ... and he seemed to kind of like Bud to win it.

Then again, he wasn't super confident about it all ... telling us a recent talk he had with Spence was changing his mind a bit.

He did, however, have one guarantee about the tilt ... and that's that it ain't going all 12 rounds.

"After seeing them both fight, I know it's not going to last," the boxing legend said. "I think it's going to end in a knockout."

Kayla Harrison is still itching for a fight with Amanda Nunes ... telling TMZ Sports if the UFC's G.O.A.T. ever comes out of retirement, she wants to throw hands with her badly!!!

But, don't get it twisted ... there's absolutely no bad blood on Harrison's end toward Nunes -- she just wants the scrap to prove that she can beat the best ever.

"She is the greatest of all time," Harrison said of The Lioness. "She was the woman. And I wanted to be the woman. And, to me, that's like the greatest compliment I can give someone. I value what you have so much and who you are so much that I'm like chasing you."

Problem for Harrison is ... it doesn't seem like Nunes has any intention of getting back in the octagon ever again.

You'll recall ... the 35-year-old officially called it a career after she beat Irene Aldana at UFC 289 last month -- and she seemed dead serious about the decision, saying it was "the perfect night to retire."

Harrison tells us it all bummed her out -- even though she was ultimately happy for her former training partner.

"She's done everything she's wanted to do," Harrison said. "She's got a beautiful family, she's living the dream."

Errol Spence and Terence Crawford ain't the only boxers fighting in Las Vegas ... Caleb Plant and Jermall Charlo got into it on Friday as well -- and the altercation between the two stars was wild.

You can see in video shot at T-Mobile Arena ... Plant and Charlo were backstage at the Crawford vs. Spence weigh-ins, when Plant charged at Charlo and slapped him right in the face.

Plant's hand connected so flush with Charlo's cheek, it actually made a loud sound that forced a gasp out of at least one bystander.

The two seemed to want to escalate things further ... but, thankfully, a security guard ushered Plant away from the scene -- which calmed everyone down.

It's unclear why Plant hit Charlo, but after the squabble was broken up, Caleb yelled, "Don’t you ever grab me by my motherf****in' face again like that, boy."

The two have had beef for a while ... with Plant calling out Charlo prior to his fight against David Benavidez in March.

At the time, he said he wanted Jermall if he couldn't see Canelo Alvarez next. Coincidentally, Canelo is next slated to fight Jermall's twin brother, Jermell, in September.

Whatever Adrien Broner did in Las Vegas, he's in DEEP trouble with his girlfriend now ... 'cause he's sharing his most sincere apologies with TMZ Sports -- saying, "None of these bitches got nothin' on you."

We caught up with AB following Thursday's press conference for the Errol Spence and Terence Crawford fight ... and while he's hyped up for the epic showdown, there was something else eating him up inside.

"I got into it with my girl," he told us before issuing a direct mea culpa to his lady. "I wanna say Trea'Jure, I love you, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I love you."

We did some digging on the drama ... and it seems like AB might be referring to an interview he did earlier in the day, when he repeatedly asked a female reporter for her number.

Trea'Jure appeared to respond on Instagram ... saying, "Lmao [I don't care] about that damn interview! Adrien is single ok. That's what he's supposed to do tf"

"I hope he gets plenty numbers I'm rooting for him."

The whole "single" thing might be news to AB ... 'cause in his apology, he made sure Trea'Jure knew he was a faithful, one-woman man.

"None of these bitches got nothin' on you," AB said. "I'ma just be out here jackin' my d***."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson just made UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo's dream come true -- surprising the welterweight at the gym in an incredibly emotional video.

Remember, Gorimbo said he only had 7 bucks in his account before UFC Fight Night in Vegas last month ... a similar story to The Rock, who was also scrambling for cash at the beginning of his career.

The movie superstar got wind of Gorimbo's story and reached out to him on social media at the time ... saying he was so moved by his journey, he wanted to meet in person.

That day finally came on Thursday ... with the two linking up for the very first time -- and Gorimbo could barely keep it together as he saw his hero in the flesh.

Gorimbo -- who was doing a staged interview -- turned around, bolted up and hugged Johnson ... choking up as he realized what was happening.

"We’ve never met but I had to fly to Miami to look this man @thembagorimbo_mma in the eyes, hug him and shake his hand," The Rock said of the interaction.

"I’ve been moved & motivated by his story ❤️"

Gorimbo also spoke about the special meeting ... saying, "I am very grateful to have finally met @therock today after he saw about my $7 bucks situation."

"Big man with a big heart and he has changed my life completely today and I shall forever be grateful. I didn’t know how to thank him because words aren’t enough."

Boxing star Jermell Charlo is REALLY confident his guy Errol Spence Jr. will handle business and remain undefeated on Saturday ... telling TMZ Sports he's putting a $25,000 bet on The Big Fish to beat Terence Crawford.

After years of back and forth, Spence and Crawford are FINALLY slated to throw hands in the ring at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday ... and it's clear Charlo -- who trains at the same gym as Errol -- has no doubt in his mind who will have their hand raised at the end of the epic matchup.

In fact, we asked Jermell if he's trying to make some money off the fight in case he's right ... and he told us, "Absolutely!!"

"A solid $25,000. That's my guy, I really don't like to go too crazy on betting and stuff, but $25,000 and have fun, you know what I'm saying? Enjoy my night in Vegas and get back home to my family and kids and keep training. I'm on my grind."

We also spoke with former boxer Shawn Porter -- who fought both Bud AND Errol during his career ... and he weighed in on what he's calling "The Super Bowl of Boxing."

"Errol has magnificent technique and Terence is extremely precise -- you're talking about elite versus elite," he told us in Vegas. "Whichever one get there first."

Randy Meisner, one of the original members of the Eagles, is dead.

The legendary band's former bassist and singer died Wednesday in Los Angeles as a result of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a statement issued Thursday by the Eagles.

Randy was the OG bass player for the Eagles, and he's famous for co-writing and singing their famous ballad, "Take It To The Limit."

Along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon ... Randy contributed to the band's biggest albums, including "Hotel California" and "Desperado," as well as "Eagles," "On The Border" and "One of These Night."

Randy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame way back in 1998 with the rest of the Eagles.

The band is remembering him as "an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band" ... and they say his vocal range was "astonishing."

Randy was born in Nebraska but spent a lot of time in L.A., where he got started in music.

The last time we got Randy on camera was back in April 2015, when he set the record straight on allegations his wife was keeping him in a constant drunken state ... and he also recounted the infamous 1977 backstage brawl with Frey, which lead to Randy quitting the group.

Before forming the Eagles in 1971, Randy played bass for the band Poco ... and was also the bassist for Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band.

He was 77.

Errol Spence and Terence Crawford have a lot more than their undefeated records and four shiny belts on the line in Vegas Saturday night ... both superstars agree, the winner is the best boxer of this generation!

TMZ Sports is on the ground in Sin City ... and we talked to both fighters just days before the biggest clash of their professional lives.

"I can't wait to show everybody why I am not the best 147-pounder in the world, but the best fighter, period," 33-year-old Spence said.

If you're a boxing fan you can hardly wait. It's the scrap you've wanted for years, but believed would never actually happen -- two undefeated greats, champions -- battling in front of the world ... 28-0 (22 KO) Spence vs. 39-0 (30 KO) Crawford.

But, it is going down ... and it's only a day away.

"It took a while for me and Terence to happen, but it's happening at a great moment right now," Spence told us.

"We're fighting for all the marbles. He's undefeated, I'm undefeated. I think it's gonna be a great fight, a great showing, and we're definitely gonna give the people their money's worth on Showtime Pay-Per-View."

Crawford also believes the winner will rightfully lay claim to being called the best active boxer alive.

"I wouldn't say the greatest fighter of all-time, I would just say the greatest fighter of this era," Bud told us.

As for the motivation to take such a risky fight ... both men acknowledge they're going home with a big ol' check, but it's not all about the money. Not even close.

"I'm more motivated about beating him because it's a huge rivalry between us. Everybody always attaches our two names together for probably about 6 or 7 years now," Errol told us.

"It's more of a competition factor more than anything. I want to defeat him. I find gratification in defeating him more than anything else."

Despite being at the center of the storm, the magnitude of the fight isn't lost on Terence, either.

"I definitely believe [it's the biggest fight in a long time]. This is the fight that everybody been wanting. You have the two of the greatest fighters of this era going head to head with each other, and it's gonna be a great night of boxing Saturday night."

As if the main event wasn't enough, the card also features several other kickass fights, including the great Nonito Donaire -- a future Hall of Famer -- taking on Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the WBC Bantamweight World Championship. Isaac Cruz is also fighting undefeated Giovanni Cabrera.

Terence "Bud" Crawford just lost his cool on an Errol Spence supporter ... repeatedly calling the man a "bitch" and a "ho."

The fiery scene played out toward the end of the boxers' prefight press conference Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas ... when someone who appeared to be in Spence's camp began chirpin' at Crawford from their front row seat.

It's unclear exactly what the agitator said ... but it ticked off Crawford, who paused everything on the stage to fire off insults at the man.

"You a bitch, n****!" Crawford said. "F*** you talkin' to?! You a bitch, n****, 'cause you keep talkin' like a bitch n****! You doin' all that talkin'!"

The 39-0 fighter kept the verbal jabs flying for several more seconds ... before, mercifully, it ended.

As for Spence ... he seemed to be amused by the situation, even joking with the guys if they were done so he could continue talking.

The entire event was filled with tension ... as the two fighters' trainers even got into a verbal spat while at the podium.

Hecklers in the audience, meanwhile, could be heard yelling at the boxers throughout it all as well.

This is probably the most trash talking we've seen from both sides since the two agreed to fight ... and it's something boxing fans have been waiting for.

Video from Tyreek Hill's June run-in with a fishing boat employee has finally surfaced ... and it shows the NFL star did take a swipe at the man during their altercation.

The surveillance footage, obtained Wednesday by Andy Slater, was captured in a Miami marina at around 6:45 p.m. on June 18 ... and you can see Hill is clearly upset with the boat company worker.

The Miami Dolphins wideout -- wearing a light grey shirt, shorts, and white shoes -- is being held back from the man ... when he swats at the guy's head/neck area. The man then recoils as if he'd been hit -- before Hill is ushered away from the scene.

But, the video shows Hill then seemingly attempting to go after the guy again ... however, thankfully, some of the football player's friends hold him back.

Police did investigate it all ... but prosecutors said on Wednesday no charges would be filed -- saying in a statement to TMZ Sports, "The individual who would have been termed a victim if there had been a filed case, came into the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, met with Assistant State Attorney Robert Fiallo and signed a notarized Non-Prosecution Form indicating that he did not wish to press criminal charges."

"On the form, he also indicated that no threats, promises, or coercion played a part in his decision."

As for any civil matters, reps for Hill and the alleged victim told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday they'd reached a settlement.

For Hill's part, he spoke briefly about the situation with media members on Wednesday ... saying, "I just can't make bonehead mistakes like that."

Forget money, Jake Paul paid his personal barber with something far more special this week -- gifting his go-to guy a brand new Rolex for keeping his hair on point ahead of his big boxing match against Nate Diaz!!

The Problem Child flew in JB Always Fresh -- a famous hair stylist/businessman in his own right -- from Canada to Puerto Rico to get a fresh cut before heading to Dallas for fight week ... and made sure to thank the "best barber in the world" for his service.

"He's a young hustler," Paul said. "I love and respect young hustlers."

In a clip of the gift presentation that Paul posted on his social media page ... you can see the boxer revealed the classic Oyster Perpetual Rolex -- which comes with at least a $5,000 price tag -- and JB refused to believe it, thinking the whole thing was a skit.

"I'm being serious," Paul said. "It's a nice little Rolex. I'm being deadass."

"I'm being for real. It's yours, bro."

JB -- real name Jamiel Bustos -- was emotional over the gesture ... thanking his client for going above and beyond for him.

"Yo, oh my God. You don't know how much this actually really means to me bro," JB said. "I've met over like a thousand millionaires in my whole lifetime, I've met a bunch of other influencers, creators ... dude, this is like some real, genuine stuff."

Conor McGregor was devastated to learn of the passing of musical icon Sinéad O'Connor on Wednesday ... telling TMZ Sports he considered her "an international star and an Irish treasure."

The UFC fighter grew close to the singer throughout his career in the Octagon ... particularly after she sang during his walkout at UFC 189 in Las Vegas.

You'll recall ... during the July 2015 performance, she belted out "The Foggy Dew" -- and many have since considered it one of the best entrances to a UFC fight ever.

In fact, McGregor himself called it "an honor to go out to that" ... adding that it was "go-to-war music."

Following her death this week, McGregor told us in a statement he was absolutely heartbroken.

"The world has lost a beautiful voice and an even more beautiful person," he said. "I am honored to have known her, to have played her music both in and out of the Octagon. God rest Sinéad."

He later added in a tweet, "Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot."

The Irish Times was first to report the news of O'Connor's passing ... though the circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear.

She was just 56 years old.

Don't expect insults, expletives and antics before Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje get in the Octagon at UFC 291 ... 'cause the Diamond tells TMZ Sports their BMF title fight is nothing personal -- they actually have a lot of love for each other.

Poirier and Gaethje -- the second and third-ranked lightweights in the standings, respectively -- are set to fight each other for the first time since 2018 this weekend ... and both guys had high praise for each other in the days leading up to the showdown in Salt Lake City.

"It's a mutual respect," Poirier said. "Every time he fights, I'm watching. I love watching his style. You earn a different style of respect for someone after spending 20 minutes bleeding in an Octagon with him. Even though it was five years ago, I still remember it. And I'm excited to do it again."

DP says his opponent has gotten better and changed his game since their first meeting ... and now, he's expecting an entirely different fighter.

As for pre-event shenanigans, Diamond says that's entirely unnecessary ... 'cause any MMA fan knows what to expect Saturday night -- and he's going to put on a show en route to securing the belt.

Gaethje is equally pumped for the matchup ... and he told us adding the BMF title to his collection will be big for his legacy.

All that glitters must not be gold -- or pink, for that matter -- because a white-hot argument during a "Barbie" screening took a physical turn, and fast!

The beef went down in Brazil as the credits were scrolling for the Margot Robbie-led film, ironically as Billie Eilish's moving "What Was I Made For?" was playing in the background.

According to folks online, someone in the theater was letting their kid watch videos on a phone during the movie ... and the post-movie blowup is a direct result of that.

It's unclear which person's being accused, but the girl in the pink jacket certainly gets the short end of the stick ... 'cause she was slammed to the ground after one of the angry women stormed up the steps.

It's a pretty wild scene, especially after a flick like "Barbie" ... but as we reported, a separate fight at an AMC movie theater in Florida resulted in a police search.

Remember, police released a video from the Pompano Beach brawl earlier this month, where the MIA suspect shoved a man into a railing, then started beating him while on the ground.

Cops said the victim asked the man in question to switch seats, claiming he was sitting in their preassigned spot ... which is what allegedly sparked the beatdown.