MMA

Ronda Rousey is not a complete fighter -- and will never be able to keep up with the new crop of women competing in the UFC ... so says Daniel Cormier.

The lightweight champ says he really likes Ronda, but had to keep it real when talking about her fight career -- explaining why her days of pure domination are over.

Cormier also has a message for his UFC 210 opponent, Rumble Johnson -- saying he plans to STAND UP BOX the brawler when they face off in the Octagon on April 8.

And after that ... Cormier says he needs to fulfill his destiny and finally get that rematch with Jon Jones.

A professional MMA fighter -- who fought in a Bellator event in 2015 -- was arrested Friday for allegedly killing two people in what cops believe was a robbery gone bad.

The suspect is Roshaun Jones -- a 5'8" 135 pound fighter from Oklahoma who racked up a 2-6 record as a pro.

He last fought in Kansas back in November and lost in a 1st round armbar.

But officials believe he's not just a bad fighter, but a bad person -- who shot two people to death in an armed robbery at a laundromat in Oklahoma on Monday. One of the victims was a female laundromat employee. Officials say the other victim was a male customer who tried to stop the robbery.

Officials launched a manhunt with help from the U.S. Marshal service and he was arrested today on two counts of 1st degree murder.

Daniel Cormier is definitely NOT ashamed of the comments he made about Gina Carano -- in fact, he's glad she's upset ... telling TMZ Sports, "Maybe I'll piss her off enough that she'll fight again!"

The backstory ... Carano was a stud MMA fighter who left the cage for a Hollywood career after losing her last fight to Cris "Cyborg" Justino in 2009.

Carano recently offered up some career advice to Ronda Rousey -- telling her to consider Hollywood so she can "express herself as an artist."

Cormier didn't like that and ripped her on TV ... trashing Carano's acting career and saying she made bad career choices.

Carano fired back saying D.C. should be "ashamed" of his attack.

We spoke with Cormier who's definitely NOT backing down -- in fact, he told TMZ Sports he thinks Gina left fighting because she was damaged by Cyborg ... and should've continued to fight.

Cormier admits Gina has a decent acting career -- but says it would have been WAY bigger if she would have continued kicking ass in the cage.

MMA legend Gina Carano is firing back at Daniel Cormier after D.C. went on TV and blasted her for giving career advice to Ronda Rousey ... saying the UFC star should be "ashamed."

It all started when Carano -- an MMA superstar who quit fighting to become a movie actress -- was asked about Ronda's career during an interview to Fight Hub TV.

"I think Ronda should do whatever she wants to do. She’s only 29,” Carano said ... "She’s an amazing athlete but she needs to express herself as an artist, too."

Cormier took exception and blasted Carano on FS1's "UFC Tonight" -- saying, "Gina Carano. Who are you to tell Ronda Rousey what to do?"

He continued, "If I’ve got to look back on your career and you choosing to act over fighting and continuing to fight, I don’t feel as though, guys -- and you can disagree if you want -- that the career has not been what it would have been if she stayed fighting."

He proceeded to take shots at Carano's role in the movie, "Haywire" -- where her voice was altered in post-production.

Now, Carano is lashing back at Cormier ... saying, "If you knew me and what I've been through to get to where I am. I genuinely think you'd be ashamed of your words. All the best."

Boom.

By the way, Carano's career is nothing to scoff at -- she's had roles in "Deadpool," "Fast & Furious 6" and the upcoming 'Kickboxer' flick.

Conor McGregor hooked up with badass gold medal winning wrestler Helen Maroulis in Ireland ... and spent hours training with the Olympian.

Maroulis -- the first American female wrestler to take gold in the Olympics -- posted a picture with Conor on Instagram ... leading people to wonder why the wrestler and fighter were together.

Helen gave us the answer ... it was all about working up a lather!

"It was awesome. We rolled around for a good while. Play wrestling, sparring," Maroulis told TMZ Sports. "He kinda showed me the differences when you're wrestling against the cage which is obviously very different than regular wrestling."

Helen says the lessons from Conor didn't end on the mats ... he also schooled her on handling the media.

As for when we'll see her fight, Helen insists she still hasn't made up her mind on the move to MMA ... but all signs seems to be pointing to a foray into the combat sport.

UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's the Floyd Mayweather of MMA -- and if the boxer wants a REAL fight ... he'll happily meet him in the street!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the 28-year-old Russian who says he's ready to BREAK Tony Ferguson when they face off at UFC 209 in March ... and then he'll smash Conor McGregor.

In fact, Khabib warned Conor and Floyd Mayweather that he's a force to be reckoned with ... and if either one gets in his way, he'll destroy them.

He eats sleeps and breathes MMA -- and refuses to even THINK about any other sport.

MMA legend Chael Sonnen says he CAN'T WAIT to beat Tito Ortiz into retirement at Bellator 170 this weekend ... and predicts it'll be a VERY quick asswhoopin'.

TMZ Sports spoke with the People's Champ who fired off all sorts of hilarious Tito insults (big, dumb, terrible at fighting) and then talked about why it'll be fun punching Tito's enormous head.

Jason "Mayhem" Miller's domestic violence case just took a weird turn -- his lawyer brought up his penchant for "golden showers" and freaky sex acts in open court.

Tyron Woodley says he's beaten some of the best fighters in the world ... and tells TMZ Sports the way his career's going, he's a lock for the Hall of Fame.

The UFC's reigning welterweight champ is clearly upset he isn't getting the respect he believes he deserves and told ESPN on Wednesday his race is a factor.

"Let's put the cards on the table ... real is real. If I was a different complexion, I think people and fans would treat me a different way."

Despite his reception, Woodley says you can't argue with his record ... with huge wins over guys like Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler and Josh Koscheck.

MMA legend Chael Sonnen says Ronda Rousey should DEFINITELY take Floyd Mayweather's offer and work with the boxing legend on her striking ... cause hey, she might actually learn something!

As we previously reported, Mayweather says he's down to help Ronda out if she'd give him a chance ... despite the fact they've publicly feuded for years.

Sonnen joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Tuesday night on FS1) and explained why Ronda should forget the war and get in the ring with Floyd.

He does issue this warning ... just because Floyd's a great boxer doesn't mean he'll be a great coach.

But hell, at this point it couldn't hurt.

Bob Arum is calling major BS on Floyd Mayweather, Dana White, and Conor McGregor ... saying all this talk about boxing vs MMA superfight is "absolute nonsense."

Great video of UFC superstar Amanda Nunes ... strollin' through the airport with her 2 favorite things -- her girlfriend and her CHAMPIONSHIP BELT!!!

Amanda and Nina Ansaroff landed at LAX following Nina's big victory at "UFC Fight Night" in Phoenix on Sunday ... and they were both still riding high off the win.

Nunes also told us she believes she can continue to destroy people like she did Ronda Rousey ... and prove to be even more dominant than Conor McGregor.

As for Ronda ... Nunes says she doesn't feel bad at all for the beatdown she put on the UFC superstar -- but says if Rousey wanted to talk things out, she's down to have a conversation.

BJ Penn should hang 'em up 'cause he's a shell of the dominant fighter he once was ... so says former UFC champion Frankie Edgar.

Penn, 38 years old, returned to the Octagon Sunday night after a 3 year layoff ... and was absolutely DESTROYED by up-and-coming star Yair Rodriguez ... igniting the debate, should BJ retire?

TMZ Sports talked to Edgar -- who fought and beat BJ 3 times -- about Penn's future in fighting.

Floyd Mayweather is spitting more venom at Dana White -- calling him a "small boss" who used to carry his bags back in the day.

Mayweather went off on the UFC honcho at the Barclays Center this weekend -- once again trashing Dana's $25 MILLION offer to fight Conor McGregor ... this time, he took a stroll down memory lane.

"Dana White ... he was a player. He was a boss ... but he was a small boss."

"I can remember Dana White used to hang around me and Jeff Mayweather and carry my bags."

Mayweather says he used to be cool with White until ... "all the sudden he cut his head bald and he's such a tough guy. He's such a tough guy."

Just a few days ago, Dana told TMZ Sports why Floyd would be a fool to shoot down the offer.

Hope Amanda Nunes hasn't gotten too attached to the UFC women's bantamweight title ... 'cause another female fighter says she's 100% taking it in 2017.

TMZ Sports talked to former 'Ultimate Fighter' winner Julianna Pena, who's currently ranked #3 in the division and set to face Valentina Shevchenko on Fox later this month.

It's clear Pena has more than just Valentina on her mind though, saying she's gonna conquer not only her next opponent, but the entire 135 class this year ... and that includes champ Amanda Nunes.

Ex-wrestling superstar Alberto Del Rio says he's willing to risk deportation to voice his opinion about President-elect Donald Trump ... calling the guy a total "dumbass."