MMA

Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager says the UFC fighter's medical scratch this weekend was a VERY costly decision ... but the team ultimately decided his health was more important than money.

We spoke with Ali Abdelaziz who says Khabib was in more pain during his weight cut before UFC 209 than he's ever seen -- despite keeping the same weight cutting routine he uses for every fight.

Ali says Khabib initially refused IV fluids when he was taken to the hospital Thursday evening -- but ultimately caved because the pain became unbearable.

Question: How does Nate Diaz deal with hecklers?

Answer: He cusses 'em all out -- and then takes selfies with 'em.

That's exactly how it went down in Vegas this weekend when a bunch of Khabib Nurmagomedov supporters began chanting at Nate ... and it was hilarious.

UFC star Michael Bisping's breaking major movie news ... telling TMZ Sports there's ANOTHER 'xXx' movie in the works ... and he's been tapped to appear in it!

Bisping already had a role in the most recent installment of Vin Diesel's action franchise, "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" ... a movie that made more than $300 MILLION at the box office.

The Count says things went so well he's already been contacted for the next flick and will start filming over the summer.

He's also got another movie in the works with Gerard Butler.

Plus, that superfight with George St-Pierre.

TMZ Sports POP QUIZ TIME!

Why did UFC star Fabricio Werdum bring a big ass 48" TV to the airport?

A. He's holding it for a friend until they come and pick it up.

B. He's opening a stand-up comedy bar in Brazil, and bought the TV in America to bring it there.

C. He's hoping someone will try to steal the TV, so he can practice kicking the hell out of people.

D. He likes his in-flight entertainment BIG.

Cody Garbrandt says he's ready to release video footage showing him knocking out T.J. Dillashaw during a training session ... unless his UFC rival does one very humiliating thing.

Cody is out in Vegas for UFC 209 where he confirmed the video is very real -- claiming it was shot sometime around 2012.

The reigning bantamweight champ says he's sick and tired of T.J. claiming the KO never happened and he's wants to release the footage to protect his credibility.

The real reason Tony Ferguson won't fight Michael Johnson -- "He remembers the last time I whooped his ass!"

That's what the UFC fighter told us in Vegas moments ago when asked why he thought Ferguson wouldn't agree to let him replace Khabib Nurmagomedov this weekend at UFC 209.

As we previously reported, Dana White was down to let Johnson step in at the last minute -- but Ferguson said no.

Johnson admits he understands why Ferguson wouldn't want the bout -- "It's a risky fight for him" -- but says the dude needs to STOP DODGING HIM!

Michael Bisping says Georges St-Pierre is straight-up CRAZY if he thinks he'll be able to "stroll off the couch" after a 3 year break and beat him ... adding, "The guy's out of his f**king mind!"

Bisping was extremely complimentary of GSP's fighting skills -- "He was one of the greatest fighters this world has ever produced" -- but says the guy has no chance when they face off later this year.

UFC star Tyron Woodley says he beat Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson so badly during their fight back in November, the dude suffered a concussion ... and he should NOT be fighting at UFC 209.

Problem is ... Dana White says he's full of crap.

We spoke to Woodley on his way to Las Vegas for this weekend's fight -- and he told us straight-up, "[Wonderboy] should have had a 90 day suspension. It was was a tough fight. He had a concussion during that fight."

Woodley added, "Any other fighter who has a concussion, you are automatically awarded a 90 day suspension."

FYI, Thompson was never officially diagnosed with a concussion by a doctor and Dana White tells us Woodley's comments are off base.

"I'm gonna go ahead and take the advice of the best doctors in the country over Dr. Tyron Woodley," White tells TMZ Sports.

In an unrelated note, Woodley says his kids are following in his insanely athletic footsteps ... including his 2-year-old girl.

Now that Dana White has confirmed Michael Bisping will fight Georges St-Pierre ... here's your friendly reminder that Bisping promised to beat down GSP ... with ONE ARM!!

We spoke with Bisping back in October when the UFC was still trying to put the fight together and "The Count" told us GSP was the one causing all the problems.

That's when Bisping made the 1-arm offer ... and it's pretty funny.

It was blood, sweat and iced coffee for Ronda Rousey on the set of "Blindspot" ... where the UFC legend was decked out in an orange prison jumpsuit for her guest role on the show.

UFC star Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson says he's sick of hearing about a possible Conor vs. Floyd fight ... telling TMZ Sports it seems like a desperate move from Floyd to save the sport of boxing.

Thompson was out in NYC promoting his upcoming rematch with Tyron Woodley at UFC 209 ... when we asked how UFC fighters feel about constantly answering Mayweather questions.

Conor McGregor has been hitting the boxing gym with an Irish boxing sensation -- who tells TMZ Sports the UFC star is 100% confident the fight with Floyd Mayweather will actually take place.

We spoke with 25-year-old Michael Conlan -- who won an Olympic bronze medal for Ireland in 2012. Conlan says he became friends with McGregor a while back and the two have been tight ever since.

In fact, Conlan says McGregor has agreed to carry the Irish flag when Conlan walks to the ring during his upcoming pro fighting debut on St. Patrick's Day at Madison Square Garden.

In the meantime, both Conlan and Conor have been training together at an L.A. boxing gym -- as recently captured by TheMacLife.com.

We asked Conlan how McGregor's boxing training is going -- one thing's clear ... he's definitely impressed.

Greg Hardy's training MMA at an elite gym in Florida ... but how does he look, and is he any good?

Now we know ... 'cause TMZ Sports has exclusive video of a Friday afternoon training sesh at American Top Team ... AND an interview with his training partner, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

We asked "Bigfoot" Silva -- once one of the best UFC heavyweights -- about the prospects of his sparring partner making it at MMA's highest level ... the UFC.

Silva says don't be surprised if Hardy's fighting inside the Octagon within a year or two.

As for Hardy's kickboxing coach, Steve Bruno, the guy holding the mitt and pad while Greg works on combos -- jabs, crosses, knees, kicks -- he broke down the former Pro-Bowler's upcoming training schedule.

Dana White has an update on the status of the Conor McGregor/Floyd Mayweather megafight ... "WE ARE NOWHERE."

TMZ Sports saw Dana out in L.A. Friday afternoon ... and asked if there has been any progress made in the negotiation.

FYI -- Dana, Floyd, and Conor are all in Los Angeles.

The answer, no.

In addition to telling us who Conor definitely will not fight next ... the UFC honcho also breaks down with who and when Conor will next step into the Octagon.

UFC badass Valentina Shevchenko says Amanda Nunes is straight-up SCARED to fight her -- and she's already thinking up excuses to avoid meeting her in the Octagon.

Shevchenko -- who just beat up Julianna Pena last month -- says her sights are set on a superfight with the reigning UFC women's bantamweight champ ... if Nunes doesn't chicken out.

"[Nunes] is looking for any kind of reason to avoid the fight because she knows I'm dangerous," Shevchenko tells TMZ Sports.

In fact, Valentina says she already knows the excuses Amanda will try and use.

For the record, Shevchenko and Nunes have fought once before -- Nunes won that fight, but it was close.

UFC stud Derrick Lewis got the CELEBRITY treatment at his little brother's school ... when a faculty announced his presence and the starstruck students swarmed him like a rockstar.

Lewis -- who just beat Travis Browne this past weekend -- was having lunch with his little bro when a school faculty member grabbed the mic and told the kids a real-life UFC fighter was in the building.