Fights

Andre August is still feeling that knockout punch from a week ago, but Jake Paul is already moving on to his next boxing match -- he's entering the ring again in three months ... and "Euphoria" star Wanna Walton will be on the card, too!!

The Problem Child announced the huge event just minutes ago ... saying he will be the co-main event when Amanda Serrano faces off against Nina Meinke at El Coliseo De Puerto Rico on March 2.

Jake's opponent for the Most Valuable Promotions event has not been revealed just yet.

Paul posted on social media about the move ... saying, "Guess who’s back :) … Jake already? Yes, I’m on a mission... But this one is much bigger than me."

"This one is for the greatest Puerto Rican boxer ever, Amanda Serrano. This one is for the people of Puerto Rico, from the Choliseo to the world. This one is for all of boxing to see how powerful women are in this sport and for Wanna Walton to usher in his superstar boxing future in front of 20,000 people."

Of course, Jake -- who's now 8-1 in his pro boxing career -- just beat August in Florida on Dec. 15 ... whooping his ass in the first round with a right uppercut.

17-year-old Wanna -- famous for playing beloved character "Ashtray" on the HBO show -- has been boxing for the majority of his life ... and he recently joined Paul's MVP as he pursues a championship career.

"I wanted to go somewhere where I knew that I was gonna be valued, and a place that I knew that they were going to care about me a lot, and a place with a lot of talent," Wanna told TMZ Sports back in August. "Everyone over at MVP is very talented and they've all done such amazing things in their career."

Jake said he's super pumped for the whole event ... saying, "I can’t wait to fight in San Juan and show the world this beautiful island."

Dmitry Bivol -- one of the biggest names in boxing -- is giving Jake Paul his flowers ... telling TMZ Sports the internet star's fighting career is impressing the hell out of him.

"To be honest," Bivol told us just days after Paul scored a violent knockout win over Andre August, "I like that the guy who's not boxer, he really loves the sport."

"We see he's training hard. I respect him for this."

Of course, when Paul first got into the boxing biz, many saw it as a gimmick -- as he was fighting social media personalities and former professional athletes. In fact, Canelo Alvarez said back in 2020 that Jake and his brother, Logan, were displaying a "lack of respect" for the fight game with their choices of matchups (an opinion he later changed his tune on).

But, Bivol made it clear to us he's loving what he's seeing from Jake -- saying the 26-year-old is taking all the right steps when it comes to being a real-deal pugilist.

"He's going and doing his fighting," said Bivol, who beat Canelo back in May 2022. "He's not just like, 'I will beat everyone' and think like this."

Paul is currently 8-1 in his career with five knockouts -- and he's made such an impact on the sport through his nine fights so far, Team USA boxing just partnered with him so he can help promote Olympic fighters as they get ready for the Paris Games in 2024.

As for Bivol's own boxing career -- he's got a big tilt coming up this weekend against Lyndon Arthur on DAZN's Day of Reckoning card ... but, if he gets by that matchup, don't expect him to get in between the ropes with Paul anytime soon.

Dmitry Bivol —uno de los nombres más grandes en el boxeo— está dandole a Jake Paul varios elogios, diciendole a TMZ Sports que la carrera de la estrella de Internet lo tiene muy impresionado.

"Para ser honesto", nos dijo Bivol pocos días después de que Paul anotó una victoria por nocaut sobre Andre August, "Me gusta que el tipo que no es boxeador, que realmente ama el deporte."

"Vemos que está entrenando duro. Le respeto por ello".

Por supuesto, cuando Paul entró por primera vez en el negocio del boxeo, muchos lo vieron como un truco, ya que estaba luchando contra personalidades de los medios sociales y ex atletas profesionales. De hecho, Canelo Álvarez dijo en 2020 que Jake y su hermano, Logan, estaban siendo "falta de respeto" por enfrentarse de manera mediática, opinión de la que más tarde se retractaría.

Sin embargo, Bivol nos dejó claro que le encanta lo que está viendo de Jake, diciendo que el joven de 26 años está dando todos los pasos correctos cuando se trata de ser un verdadero pugilista.

"Él va a luchar", dijo Bivol, quien venció a Canelo en mayo de 2022. "Él no va con el simple pensamiento de 'voy a vencerlos a todos'".

Paul está actualmente 8-1 en su carrera con cinco nocauts, y ha hecho tal impacto en el deporte a través de sus nueve peleas, que el boxeo Team USA acaba de asociarse con él para que pueda ayudar a promover a los combatientes olímpicos mientras se preparan para los Juegos de París en 2024.

En cuanto a la propia carrera de Bivol. Tiene un gran encuentro este fin de semana contra Lyndon Arthur en DAZN's Day of Reckoning, y si él consigue manejar bien esa pelea, no esperes que se ponga entre las cuerdas con Paul en el corto plazo.

What's next for Jake Paul?!

That's the question many fans are asking after The Problem Child dispatched Andre August with a vicious uppercut less than 3 minutes into their boxing match on Friday in Orlando.

TMZ Sports asked Tyron Woodley, who was behind the microphone for Paul's scrap with August last week, who the YouTuber-turned-combat sports star should challenge next.

"I think if you're gonna fight anyone in MMA, you fight me MMA. I'm the one that did the numbers with you. I'm the one that did the millions and millions of views in the press conference. I'm the one that was a 5x champion. I'm the one who took the fight on 2 weeks' notice," Woodley told us.

The UFC legend continued ... "I was doing Cobra Kai for 14 hours straight. I trained at 3 AM and I saved that card. That card was not going to happen. People would not have been buying Christmas gifts had I not stepped up to the plate. So to talk about fighting anyone in MMA outside of me is disrespect."

Tyron added ... "If you really, really wanna prove that you can do it in my world, you fight the number one guy in that world."

Of course, 26-year-old Paul signed with PFL earlier this year, and he hasn't been shy about his desire to fight MMA.

Jake and Tyron fought twice previously ... but in a boxing ring.

The first bout in August 2021 went to the judges ... and Paul won by split decision. Later that year, T-Wood stepped up on short notice in place of Tommy Fury, saving the event. The former longtime UFC welterweight champion lost by 6th round knockout.

As for how 8-1 (5 KOs) Jake looked against August -- billed as the first true boxer he faced -- Woodley was impressed with the performance.

"I thought he did a great job."

"I literally said, 'Hey man, Andre better watch ducking his head 'cause he's gonna get hit with an up, I couldn't even say uppercut. I just got the U-P off and then he was sending him to the moon."

Tyron also talked about the experience of being on the losing side of things against Jake.

"I know how it is to be on both sides of it, thinking I won the fight, and then two judges thought it went the other way, and also being in there winning the fight every millisecond of the fight, and then all of the sudden you drop your hands one time, he got enough power to get the job done," Woodley said.

Un concierto de Blueface y Jaidyn Alexis casi se convierte en un combate de MMA... luego de que echara a una fan del escenario después de acusarla de lanzarle algo a los artistas.

Los futuros esposos estaban actuando en Utah durante el fin de semana, cuando un trozo de hielo supuestamente pasó peligrosamente cerca de Jaidyn, Blueface señaló a la fan femenina que pensaba que era responsable y la subió al escenario.

Luego, Blueface lanzó a la mujer fuera del escenario y hacia Jaidyn, animando a su prometida a golpear a la mujer.

A partir de ahí, se desata el infierno y Jaidyn lanza varios puñetazos a las órdenes de Blueface, por suerte, ninguno conectó.

La mujer logró escapar gracias a la seguridad, pero los fans piden que Jaidyn abandone su relación con Blueface.

A concert for Blueface and Jaidyn Alexis almost turned into an MMA match ... tossing a female fan off the stage after accusing her of throwing something at the performers.

The soon-to-be husband and wife were performing in Utah over the weekend when a piece of ice allegedly whizzed past Jaidyn -- Blueface singled out the female fan he thought was responsible for the ice, pulling her up on the stage.

Then, Blueface tossed the woman off the stage and toward Jaidyn, encouraging his fiancée to beat the woman up.

From there, all hell breaks loose, and Jaidyn throws several punches on Blueface’s orders ... luckily, it didn't appear any connected.

The woman managed to escape thanks to security, but fans are calling for Jaidyn to jump ship from her relationship with Blueface.

Draymond Green will reportedly miss at least the next nine-or-so Warriors games ... this after beginning counseling following his second suspension of the 2023-24 NBA season.

The Golden State star has been barred from the hardwood since Dec. 13, after he hit Jusuf Nurkic in the head in a heated moment during the Dubs' Dec. 12 game against Phoenix -- and according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the ban will now go through at least the early part of January.

Charania reported Monday morning Green has begun getting professional help while sidelined ... adding that the 33-year-old forward "has been understanding and prepared to undergo the process required to return to the team in a full capacity."

Green has yet to issue a public statement on the suspension ... though his head coach, Steve Kerr, said last week the ban "makes sense."

"The one who choked Rudy [Gobert], the one who took a wild flail at Jusuf [Nurkic], the one who punched Jordan [Poole] last year -- that's the guy who has to change," Kerr said.

"You look at the past year and what's happened," the coach continued, "it's clear he needs the opportunity to change."

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis had the most memorable fight of the year at UFC 296 ... thing is, it wasn't in the octagon.

Sean was cage-side for the eventing when Du Plessis, who was sitting behind Sean a few rows, started smack-talking him.

Sean then got out of his seat and pointed his finger at Du Plessis, as if he were firing a shot. Du Plessis was clearly up for some action, telling Sean with his hands to bring it on.

Sean then goes ham, and asks the son of UFC fighter Gilbert Burns to move, which then cleared the path for Sean to jump over a couple rows and start attacking Du Plessis.

This is all the lead-up to what will probably be an epic fight between the 2 guys next month at UFC 297.

They were also at the UFC press conference Friday, where they had to be separated.

Deontay Wilder is warning his fans not to blink during his fight with Joseph Parker later this month ... 'cause the star boxer says he's going to KO his opponent in a flash!!

The 43-2 pugilist made it clear to TMZ Sports this week that that's his plan ... explaining he's not foreseeing any ring rust whatsoever when he steps up to Parker (33-3, 23 KOs) on Dec. 23 in Saudi Arabia.

"I'm expecting to be very fresh," said Wilder, who hasn't fought in over a year. "I'm expecting to be intact. I got a great team on my side and we're looking for greatness. Nothing less."

Wilder wasn't sure of the exact round in which the knockout would happen ... though he guaranteed it'd be "early."

"It's a Deontay Wilder fight, guys," the Bronze Bomber said. "When he's fighting, he always keeps you on the edge of your seat because you don't know when it's gonna happen but when it happens, bam, baby! Goodnight!"

Following the tilt, reports are Wilder will be in line to next take on Anthony Joshua ... though Wilder said nothing is set in stone there just yet.

"It's a lot of different ways it can go," Wilder said, "but at this point, I'm just focusing on Joseph Parker. After that, we'll talk."

Jake Paul made short work of Andre August in a professional boxing match Friday night ... knocking him out in the first round!!

Paul went toe-to-toe with August in the ring at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, but the cruiserweight bout was over just minutes after it began.

Check out the video ...  the boxers dance around the ring trading blows for a bit, yet nothing wildly exciting happens.

That all changes at the 2:32 mark of the first round when Paul throws a powerful right uppercut, clocking August right in the kisser.

August hits the canvas like a sack of potatoes and struggles to get back up to his feet as the referee stops the fight.

Paul celebrates by raising his arm and waving goodbye to August with his gloved hand.

Tony Ferguson may have lost his last 6 fights, but Paddy Pimblett is NOT overlooking the future UFC Hall of Famer ... telling TMZ Sports he's preparing for the "best version" of El Cucuy!

We talked to 28-year-old Pimblett ahead of his UFC 296 scrap with the 39-year-old legend ... and asked what he expected out of Ferguson.

"We've prepared for the best Tony Ferguson possible," Paddy said.

"What I just say is he's on a bit of a decline, and that's why I've said this fight is a lose-lose for me, cause when I win, people are gonna be like, 'you only beat a washed-up Tony' when he's still a dangerous motherf*****, and then if I did happen to lose, people would be like, 'Oh, Paddy's finished. He's just been beat by a finished Tony.'"

Ferguson, who once went on a 12-fight win streak in the UFC (where he beat the likes of Josh Thompson, Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, Edson Barboza and others), has dropped his last 6 fights, albeit to some of the best fighters in the world (Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira).

As for 20-3 Pimblett, he's won 6 in a row, including all 4 of his UFC fights. However, his last victory over Jared Gordon wasn't without controversy, and Paddy is looking to make a statement to remind people who he is.

"Biggest fight of my life, definitely. Biggest opponent. Coming back off three major surgeries. Gotta make a big statement after me last fight, simple as that," Pimblett said.

There's a bunch more with Paddy The Baddy ... we also talk about Ferguson training with David Goggins, and a recent impromptu meeting Pimblett had with Ian Garry (we talked to Pimblett before IG was pulled from his fight) at the UFC's gym in Las Vegas, where PP shared advice with the embattled 26-year-old fighter.

Alexandre Pantoja says it'd be an "honor" to fight Demetrious Johnson -- if Mighty Mouse ever were to return to the UFC -- a guy he's looked up to for years, in and out of the cage!

TMZ Sports talked to 33-year-old Pantoja, the UFC's flyweight champion, ahead of his first title defense against Brandon Royval at UFC 296 on Saturday (more on that in just a minute) ... but we also talked about DJ.

"For me, if I have the opportunity to train with Demetrious Johnson it's gonna be awesome for me. If I think about fighting him it's gonna be like heaven. I have respect for him. He's one of the best guys fighting in the world fighting pound-for-pound," Pantoja said of the ONE champ.

But, it's not just about Johnson's exploits in the cage ... it's about how he conducts himself as a person, too.

"He's a family guy. He's a very good example for me. Not just for me, for everyone. He cares about his kids. He cares about his wife. Don't make mistakes, don't make trash talk. Don't try to go to the media with fake news. He is a true warrior and true man and family guy. A very good example of what this world needs right now."

That's about the best compliment a person could get from a peer.

As for what a fight would look like between the champs ... we asked Alexandre, and he answered with a Dragon Ball Z comparison.

Of course, the 125 lb. division was on life support for years ... but thanks to guys like Pantoja, Brandon Moreno, and Deiveson Figueiredo (who has moved up to bantamweight), who built upon what DJ started, the flyweight division is thriving.

If you need proof ... Pantoja and Royval are the co-main event on one of the year's most anticipated cards.

There's more with Alexandre ... who breaks down the matchup with Brandon, and while it's clear AP has a ton of respect for BR, he doesn't plan on giving up his belt come Saturday night!

We also talked to Royval ... who tells us why he's the best in the world and soon-to-be UFC Flyweight champ!

If Shawne Merriman was in Dean Spanos' shoes, he would NOT hire Bill Belichick or Jim Harbaugh to replace Brandon Staley ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks his former team needs to go younger with its next hire.

Of course, both coaching veterans have been rumored to be on the Bolts' radar following Staley's firing on Friday ... but Merriman made it clear, he would prefer it if L.A. looked elsewhere.

"The game has gotten much younger," the ex-Chargers pass rusher said. "If you look around, a lot of these head coaches are younger. They relate well to the players."

Belichick is 71 years old, while Harbaugh is 59 ... ages that Merriman obviously thinks just won't cut it when it comes to directing guys like 25-year-old Justin Herbert or 27-year-old Derwin James on the field.

But, don't get it twisted, he still loves both guys and their résumés -- he just said, "I don't know if that's the proper move in this situation."

"I really don't."

Merriman didn't have any names that he would rather hire -- though he did say he wants no part of being considered for the role ... as he's a bit preoccupied with his MMA promotion, Lights Out, which has a big event coming up on January 6.

Mark Zuckerberg's torn ACL won't derail his MMA career ... the Meta founder just revealed he's got plans to continue fighting once his knee heals up.

The 39-year-old provided an update on his recovery on his Instagram on Friday -- just about six weeks after he went under the knife to fix his busted-up knee -- and he said everything is "going well so far."

He then added that he's got about nine months to get healthy enough to step back into an Octagon and resume his fighting dreams.

"I can already walk and bike," he said. "Working towards running for the next couple of months. Then full leg strength."

He added, "Taking the time to do this well and come back stronger."

Zuckerberg, of course, has taken his MMA career very seriously over the last few months -- winning gold and silver in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament earlier this year ... while also famously challenging Elon Musk to a scrap.

Zuck has trained with UFC stars Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski to get pointers on how to get better in the cage as well.

Steve Kerr apparently sees no issues with the NBA's choice to hit Draymond Green with an indefinite ban this week ... saying Thursday his star player's recent behavior just needs to change.

The Warriors head coach opened up on the suspension that Adam Silver levied on his star player earlier this week -- and he made it clear, he's in favor of the lengthy timeout.

"The one who choked Rudy [Gobert], the one who took a wild flail at Jusuf [Nurkic], the one who punched Jordan [Poole] last year -- that's the guy who has to change," Kerr said.

"You look at the past year and what's happened," the coach continued, "it's clear he needs the opportunity to change."

Kerr explained to media members that for much of Green's career, he's not had issues with the power forward ... saying he believes most of Draymond's outbursts prior to 2022 included tolerable yelling at refs or innocuous ball throwing.

However, Kerr said the behavior he's displayed in the last year -- which most recently included taking a swipe at Jusuf Nurkic's face during an altercation in Tuesday night's Warriors vs. Suns game -- just cannot continue.

"To me, this is about more than basketball," Kerr said. "It's about helping Draymond. I think it's an opportunity for Draymond to step away and to make a change in his approach and his life."

Jake Paul is keeping his political ties strong, because GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will be VIP'd up when "The Problem Child" steps in the ring this weekend ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Vivek's spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin tells us the presidential hopeful is heading to Orlando to support Jake during his Friday night showdown with Andre August ... and says they've actually become good friends.

We're told Jake's hooked up Vivek with ringside seats -- he'll be seated next to Jake's pals and teammates when the first round bell rings. Once it's over, Vivek plans to get a quick face-to-face catch-up with Jake and his fam ... before heading straight back to Iowa for 6 scheduled campaign events on Saturday.

The bond between Ramaswamy and Paul is no secret, thanks to Jake recruiting the candidate for a joint TikTok dance in September, which went viral.

While it might have seemed like a stunt done for fun and games, Vivek later explained during a GOP debate why he thinks TikTok is vital for winning elections ... it's all about influencing the next-gen.