Conor McGregor I'm Gonna Fight Logan Paul ... Before UFC Return

Conor McGregor's return to the UFC Octagon has been put on the backburner ... as the combat sports legend says he's got some other business to handle first -- a boxing exhibition with Logan Paul.

Notorious dropped the bombshell news early Tuesday morning ... denying rumors he's slated to take on featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in Dana White's organization.

Instead, he says he's got his sights set on the WWE Superstar ... and it sounds like they're far along in negotiations, as McGregor claimed he's in "preliminary agreements" with the extremely wealthy Ambani family to take a boxing match with the Maverick in India.

Conor McGregor, Dee Devlin All Smiles on Date Night Weeks After Civil Case

Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin put on a united front during a night on the town ... with the UFC superstar's partner sharing snaps from a romantic date just a few weeks after the conclusion of his civil case.

The longtime couple looked inseparable in the pictures Devlin posted of the outing -- they were cozied up, holding hands and laughing at what appeared to be a dinner.

Devlin had an all-denim look for the night ... while McGregor elected for a matching green short-sleeve button-down and pants.

Colby Covington I'm Inspired By Donald Trump 'Make The UFC Great Again'

121124-colby-covington-kal
CHAOS CONTINUES
TMZSports.com

Colby Covington twice fought for the UFC's welterweight title ... and now the 6th ranked 170 pounder, inspired by the soon-to-be 47th President of the United States, tells TMZ Sports the comeback is on!

"I'm super excited," Covington told us, adding ... "I've been hearing some of the chatter, people saying that 'Chaos' is dead. They have no idea what's coming on Saturday night. I'm going to put the best performance in my career."

"I'm super inspired by Donald Trump taking back the White House and his work ethic. I mean, he's in three different states a day. Guy doesn't sleep. So Saturday night, I'm going to make the UFC 'Great Again.' And January 20th, when Donald Trump gets inaugurated, he's going to make America great again."

Paige VanZant Christmas Comes Earlier For Fans ... Dresses as Sexy Santa!!!

Paige VanZant's certainly on the naughty list this year ... dressing up as sexy Santa Claus alongside several other models -- with just the tiniest bikinis covering their bodies.

The OnlyFans star shared several photos ... red holiday hats and lipstick matching their bikinis as they pose by the pool.

The group of ladies spread some holiday cheer while laying out spread-eagle on several beach chairs posing seductively.

Ian Garry Rakhmonov Has Tremendous Talent ... But I'll Prove I'm Better!

120324_ian_garry_kal
STEPPING UP!!!
TMZSports.com

Ian Machado Garry had Shavkat Rakhmonov on his mind before he ever signed on to fight the undefeated contender ... telling TMZ Sports he told the UFC he wanted to serve as backup for the UFC 310 main event before Belal Muhammad pulled out with an injury.

TMZ Sports talked to the No. 7-ranked, 15-0 fighter just days before his title eliminator vs. 18-0 Shavkat, the No. 3-ranked challenger.

"For me, it wasn't a hard decision whatsoever. I had told UFC six weeks prior that I would be willing to be the backup for the world title fight," Garry said, explaining people were turning him down, and he just wanted a fight.

Bryce Hall Fighting Kimbo's Son, 'Baby Slice' ... In Bare Knuckle Boxing!

Bryce Hall is returning to the ring ... and he's fighting MMA star turned boxer, Kevin Ferguson Jr. -- son of the street fighting legend, Kimbo Slice!

TMZ Sports has learned the 25-year-old TikTok star turned fighter will throw down with the former Bellator MMA star at BKFC's KnuckleMania V event next month at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens -- both former UFC stars -- will be the main event.

"Baby Slice" last fought in April 2023 with Misfits Boxing ... losing via second-round TKO to Okemka Jibunor.

UFC Contender Kai Asakura Hey, Shohei ... Come Watch My Fight!!!

112124-kai-asakura-kal
NATIONAL PRIDE
TMZSports.com

Kai Asakura is fighting for the flyweight title in the main event of UFC 310 -- his first-ever bout in the United States -- and the Japanese MMA star says there's one special person he'd love to see Octagon-side ... Shohei Ohtani!

TMZ Sports recently chopped it up with 31-year-old Asakura before his UFC debut -- a title bout vs. Alexandre Pantoja going down December 10 in Las Vegas -- and the 21-4 fighter hopes the newly minted World Series champ can squeeze in a trip to Sin City.

"I have never met [Ohtani]," Asakura told us through a translator. "But I'd love him to come and watch my fight."

MMA's Dakota Ditcheva If I Win PFL's Million Dollar Prize ... Shopping Spree Here I Come!

111424_dakota_ditcheva-kal
EXCITED TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL
TMZSports.com

Dakota Ditcheva is one win away from being crowned the promotions flyweight champion -- and from stacking a million bucks -- so, what's the plan if she emerges victorious Friday night?!

Shopping spree!!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the 26-year-old ahead of the big PFL Championship card on November 29 in Saudi Arabia, with the English-born fighter saying she already has plans for the $1 million prize.

Conor McGregor Fitness Company Stands By UFC Star ... Despite Civil Case

Conor McGregor might've lost his gig as the face of Proper No. 12, but his business corner isn't completely empty ... with one company telling TMZ Sports the results of the recent civil case will have zero impact on its relationship with the UFC superstar.

McGregor has racked up countless endorsement deals throughout his career ... including a deal with Swedish fitness brand Boxbollen, a product that promotes exercise at home.

We spoke with Boxbollen co-founder Jacob Eriksson days after a jury found McGregor liable for assaulting Nikita Ni Lamhain in 2018 ... and he said while the company takes these matters seriously, it's not abandoning the Irish athlete.

Dee Devlin Rips McGregor's Accuser ... 'What Sort Of Woman Are You!!!'

Dee Devlin just went scorched earth on Conor McGregor's sexual assault accuser ... lighting her up in a series of Instagram posts on Tuesday afternoon.

In the IG Stories, the UFC superstar's longtime partner called Nikita Ni Lamhain -- who just won her civil case against McGregor in Ireland last week -- a liar ... and said straight up, "My sons will be warned women like you exist in the world."

Devlin claimed that back in 2018, prior to Ni Lamhain's suit against McGregor, Ni Lamhain would send "messages and pictures of herself over and over to my man" ... despite knowing he was in a committed relationship.

Conor McGregor Yanked From Proper No. 12 Marketing ... Days After Court Ruling

Conor McGregor is being dumped by the whiskey empire he helped build -- with Proper No. 12 telling TMZ Sports the UFC superstar will no longer be part of its marketing campaign following his civil case.

A spokesperson for Proximo Spirits tells us ... "Since 2021, Proximo Spirits has been the 100% owner of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. Going forward, we do not plan to use Mr. McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

The news comes on the heels of a jury finding McGregor liable for the assault of Nikita Ni Lamhain ... who accused him of raping her in 2018.

Conor McGregor I Regret Cheating On Dee Devlin

Conor McGregor is owning up to his past mistakes after his civil case ... sharing his remorse for cheating on his longtime partner, Dee Devlin -- but reaffirming his actions six years ago were entirely consensual.

The UFC superstar released yet another statement on the results of the month-long case ... this time, he admitted he's far from perfect and never should have entertained Nikita Ni Lamhain's "outreaches" following a 2018 Christmas party.

"I should have shut the party down," McGregor said. "I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me."

Conor McGregor Dropped By 'Hitman' ... After Losing Civil Assault Case

The developers of the super popular "Hitman" video game franchise are severing ties with Conor McGregor in wake of his civil assault case loss last week.

IO Interactive -- which put the controversial UFC superstar in its "Hitman" universe via an update earlier this year -- wrote in a post on X that it will begin removing all of its McGregor-related content this week.

"In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor," "Hitman" officials said, "IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately."

Francis Ngannou I'm The Best MMA Heavyweight Alive ... NOT Jon Jones!!!

111824_francis_ngannou_jones_kal_v2
KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT MOUNTAIN
TMZSports.com

Jon Jones is NOT the most dangerous heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, despite dominating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 ... according to Francis Ngannou, who says that distinction belongs to him!

TMZ Sports spoke with the former UFC heavyweight champ turned PFL MMA and boxing star following Bones return to the Octagon on Saturday at Madison Square Garden ... and we asked him, promotion aside, whether JJ was the best out there.

"You can't deny what [Jon] has done as a heavyweight," Ngannou said, "but I personally cannot classify him as the best heavyweight of all time. C'mon, man."

Conor McGregor "Justice And Truth Will Prevail!" Rages After Unfavorable Outcome In Civil Rape Case

Conor McGregor didn't hold back Saturday morning ... just a day after he was found liable for assault in his civil rape case in Ireland.

CM first responded to an X post from the Irish Independent newspaper about the outcome of his case, which included the line, "Justice has been served."

The MMA star replied, "Justice was served for James Lawrence, yes! Deplorable what they done. Nikita hand, vicious liar! APPEAL!"

Conor McGregor Found Liable For Assault In Civil Rape Case ... Planning Appeal

UPDATE

9:46 AM PT -- Conor McGregor tells TMZ Sports ... he is planning to appeal Friday's decision.

In a statement, the UFC superstar said, "The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, there was not an award for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed."

He added, "I am with my family, focused on my future."

Conor McGregor has lost his civil rape case in Ireland ... a jury just found him liable for assault.