MMA

Conor McGregor has broken his silence on his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 -- saying he simply didn't train for Khabib's stand-up game.

In fact, Conor gave a round-by-round breakdown of the fight ... calling Round 2 the "worst round of my career."

Here's the breakdown ...

Round 1.

"I believe from a sport standpoint, round 1 was his. Top position against the fence. Zero position advancement or damage inflicted. But top position. From a fight standpoint the first round is mine. Actual shots landed and a willingness to engage. Straight left early. Knee to the head on the low shot. Elbows in any and all tie up scenarios. Opponent just holding the legs against the fence for almost the entire round."

Round 2.

"He is running away around the cage before being blessed with a right hand that changed the course of the round, and the fight. It was a nice shot.

After the shot I bounced back up to engage instantly, but again he dipped under to disengage. That is the sport and it was a smart move that led to a dominant round, so no issue. Well played.

If I stay switched on and give his stand up even a little more respect, that right hand never gets close and we are talking completely different now. I gave his upright fighting no respect in preparation. No specific stand up spars whatsoever. Attacking grapplers/wrestlers only. That won’t happen again.

I also gave my attacking grappling no respect. To defense minded. Lessons. Listen to nobody but yourself on your skill set. You are the master of your own universe. I am the master of this. I must take my own advice."

Round 3.

"After the worst round of my fighting career, I come back and win this round. Again walking forward, walking him down, and willing to engage."

Round 4.

"My recovery was not where it could have been here. That is my fault. Although winning the early exchanges in 4, he dips under again and I end up in a bad position with over 3 on the clock. I work to regain position and end up upright, with my back to the fence. A stable position. Here however, I made a critical error of abandoning my over hook at this crucial time, exposing the back, and I end up beaten fair and square."

Overall Notes

Talk about great protection ... a TMT bodyguard tells TMZ Sports he'd straight-up box anybody -- INCLUDING BRUCE LEE -- if he had to, to protect Floyd Mayweather.

The Money Team defender's name is Jizzy Mack -- one of Floyd's longtime protectors -- and he tells us it doesn't matter who's comin' after Mayweather ... he's ready to be there to stop them.

"Whether it's Khabib, whether it's Conor, whether it's Bruce Lee, I don't care," he tells us ... "I'm coming at you."

Of course ... this whole discussion kicked off because Floyd's angling to fight Khabib -- and Khabib, after UFC 229, is now known for taking things just a little too far.

So, when we asked Jizzy what he'd do if Nurmagomedov and his crew tried to pull that same stunt on Floyd -- he says it'd get violent in a hurry.

"At the end of the day, my job is to protect Floyd. And, if they're all about that life, they can get it if they want to."

BTW ... if Floyd does eventually get in the ring with Khabib -- you can bet Jizzy's throwin' down cash on it -- 'cause he says he's put AT LEAST $100k on EVERY Floyd fight.

Nick Diaz says Canelo Alvraez is fighting BUMS -- and if he wants a REAL superfight, Oscar De La Hoya needs to call him, ASAP.

He's not joking -- telling TMZ Sports, "Let's be real. Canelo moving up to my weight? You ain't gonna win that fight."

Diaz says he's sparred with top-flight boxers like Andre Ward, and honestly believes he can compete and defeat Canelo, widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

"You're just basically one of them little guys I spar before I fight," Diaz says ... adding, "Nothing personal. Motherf**ker don't speak English so he ain't knowing what I'm saying anyway."

So, we went to Oscar -- Canelo's promoter -- to ask if there's a chance he'd make it happen.

Oscar ain't exactly saying "no."

If you thought Alberto Del Rio was getting back in the cage for clout ... THINK AGAIN!!! 'Cause the ex-WWE superstar tells TMZ Sports he's ready to whoop some serious ass in his MMA comeback!!

The 41-year-old announced his decision to return to MMA for Combate Americas earlier this month ... and he's eyeing a fight in 2019.

ICYMI -- ADR had been in the news for other reasons over the past year -- he had a very public breakup with Paige and was investigated for domestic violence after an airport incident (he was cleared of any wrongdoing).

Alberto says he's been humbled by those incidents ... and that's what got him back in the gym training like a madman.

"For the first time after 19 years, I started doing some sparring with my boxing coach, with my jiu-jitsu coach and I was like, 'damn, I think I can do this again.'"

Del Rio says he even questioned if he'd be able to compete on a professional level again ... but he's not giving up for good reason.

Don't get your hopes up when it comes to seeing Floyd Mayweather box Khabib ... 'cause the fight is NEVER HAPPENING -- so says ex-UFC star Brendan Schaub.

We got the UFC fighter-turned-MMA analyst out at LAX ... and dude wouldn't even let our photog finish his question about a possible Nurmagomedov-Floyd tilt.

"Stop it," Brendan tells TMZ Sports ... "It's never happening. It's never happening."

"It's not happening. EVER."

Why's Schaub so confident about that??

"Khabib's not a striker!!!!!!!"

Khabib feels otherwise -- he's bragged about putting Conor McGregor on his ass with an overhand right during their fight at UFC 229.

Of course ... all this Khabib-Floyd talk has gotten real recently 'cause Mayweather told us the fight is 100 percent going down.

Farrah Abraham is making sure she looks her best when she steps into the ring to fight Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander ... we've learned she just got some new ink!

Farrah hit up Faces In The Dark Tattoo parlor in Austin, Texas Friday afternoon to get a microblading procedure ... shop owner Tye Harris tells TMZ, Farrah was in and out in about 30 minutes and the ex-'Teen Mom' star is thrilled with her new look.

Tattoo and makeup artist Hilary Whitworith did the honors and used a special needle to apply ink to the skin between all the hairs on both of Farrah's eyebrows.

The needle is dipped in ink -- which is the same pigment as Farrah's hair -- and then applied. The purpose is to make Farrah's brows appear fuller.

We're told, Farrah will go back to the shop in a few weeks for a routine touch up.

Sorry, fight fans ... Floyd Mayweather's making it clear -- the Manny Pacquiao tilt is off.

"I don't give a f*** about what's going on with Pacquiao," Floyd tells TMZ Sports.

Remember ... Floyd was singing a little different tune just a few weeks ago -- when he said, "I'm coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year another 9 figure pay day on the way."

But, Floyd tells us that's now off, saying, "We not going to make that happen right now. Not right now. We must take that fight and let that fight build. And then, down the line, let that fight happen."

So, what happened??

Mayweather says it's kinda complicated ... but, basically, since Pacman's now signed with Floyd's manager, Al Haymon -- they wanna go a different route.

"I think the best fight for Pacquiao -- what I told Al Haymon -- was probably the Adrien Broner fight. And then we got Errol Spence and Terence Crawford."

In the meantime ... Floyd seems sure as hell set on getting in the ring with Khabib and/or Conor McGregor.

Anderson Silva has a message for Conor McGregor -- FORGET A REMATCH WITH KHABIB and fight ME instead!

Remember, before UFC 229 earlier this month ... Conor told reporters he'd be interested in a superfight with Silva after he got through Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Obviously, the loss put a wrench in Conor's plan -- but Silva says he's still down to scrap as soon as Conor is ready to get back in the Octagon.

"I just waiting," Silva told us outside his new Spider Kick MMA gym in West Hollywood ... "I accept the challenge for Conor."

Silva says it makes perfect sense for Dana White -- "Two big names. Two big legends. And, why not?"

"It's not about money, Conor. It's about martial arts challenge."

If that can't happen, Silva says he'd still love another crack at Nick Diaz -- since their first fight in 2015 was essentially scrapped from the books, because they both tested positive for banned substances.

As for Spider's new gym, Silva says he's created a new elite facility to pass along all of his fight knowledge -- and it looks AWESOME!!!

Move over Khabib, Conor and Floyd ... Cody Garbrandt wants in on the MMA-boxing crossover action -- and he's callin' out Manny Pacquiao!!!

We got Cody outside of Mastro's with Russell Peters and Chuck Zito ... talkin' everything from Mike Tyson training Khabib to Nurmagomedov's chances against Mayweather in a ring.

But, then Peters brought up a dream fight for Cody -- a boxing match with Pacquiao ... and, turns out, Garbrandt's ALL FOR IT!!!

"I would love that fight, yeah, I would love that."

Cody tells us it wouldn't just be a money grab ... dude says he has a legit boxing background -- and seems confident he could take Manny!

Wiz Khalifa is so jacked up about his song with Tyron Woodley ... he's tellin' TMZ Sports 100 different versions of it are on the way!!!

We got Wiz leaving The Forum on Wednesday night when we brought up the magic words that turned him from laid-back rapper to hype man ... "Your track with Tyron Woodley."

"Oh, man, 'I'll Beat Yo Ass!'?" Wiz says ... "That song goes hard as hell!!"

Of course ... Woodley made the anthem with Wiz a few weeks ago -- and even rap legends like Snoop Dogg have hit up the UFC star asking to be on the remix!

Count Wiz in as one of the people who loves it ... 'cause he says a music video AND a TON of remixes for it are up next!!!

As for if Khalifa wants to keep collabin' with fighters down the road ... he says of course -- "Every last one of them, man!"

Can't. Wait.

The woman you're looking at above is not a professional swimsuit model -- she's a badass MMA fighter, and she tells TMZ Sports she's out to prove she's more than a pretty face.

If Rachael Ostovich looks familiar ... it's 'cause she went viral on social media (for obvious reasons) after appearing on UFC's 'The Ultimate Fighter' in July.

We spoke with the 27-year-old about her newfound popularity ... and she says she wants to make a name for her career in the cage, not her beautiful looks.

"I do believe that you can be a feminine woman and still fight MMA," Ostovich says. "I just feel like just do you. And, this was always me. It was never a fake thing for me."

We asked Rachael if she'd ever venture into the modeling and acting world ... and she says she's 100-percent focused on her career as a fighter ... for now.

"I feel like the attention is cool and all that but my main priority is fighting, and if that comes later on, then sure. We'll see when we get there at that time. But, right now, MMA is my main focus."

Tyron Woodley says he spoke with Floyd Mayweather -- and the boxer told him he honestly believes there's a 70% chance the fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov actually happens.

You can see Tyron give all the details about his call with Floyd on this week's 'Hollywood Beatdown' ... where the UFC champ also reveals what Floyd's doing behind the scenes to make it happen.

"Floyd says it's the real deal."

Tyron also explains why he thinks BOTH guys in the Khabib vs. Conor fight looked terrible -- and tells us what he REALLY thinks about Canelo Alvarez's new $365-million contract.

Plus, Tyron also brings in a very special guest and drops some info about his hit song, "I'll Beat Yo Ass," that could make some people RICH!

Conor McGregor's already puttin' that UFC 229 money to good use ... 'cause he just surprised 10 Boston firefighters with World Series tickets!!

We're told McGregor wanted to do something special to show his appreciation for the firefighters ... so he plunked down a good chunk of change for 10 tickets to W.S. Game 1.

Remember, Conor says he made around $50 million from the Khabib fight -- and around $100 mil for the Mayweather fight -- so it's nice to see him spreading the wealth around.

McGregor personally delivered the goods to the Back Bay Fire Station ... where he spent time takin' pics and choppin' it up.

As if gettin' to watch their beloved Sox play for a ring at Fenway wasn't enough ... Conor also hooked the first responders up with his super hard to get Proper No. Twelve whiskey.

Before The Notorious split ... they cracked open some Proper No. Twelve and toasted to the Sox winning a title.

BTW -- Proper No. Twelve tells us they're donating $5 to first responders for every case of whiskey they sell ... up to $1 million a year.

Wicked awesome!!

Two badass chicks have become fast friends with UFC superstar Cris "Cyborg" Justino taking Danielle Bregoli under her wing ... and an MMA future for the young rapper could be next!

Bregoli -- aka rapper Bhad Bhabie -- recruited Cyborg for a role in her new music video "Juice" with YG, and Cyborg tells TMZ Sports the two hit it off on set.

Get this ... Bregoli -- who became famous for that whole "Catch Me Outside" thing -- told Cris she loves fighting, but her style is more street than Octagon.

"She said she really like street fights. The first day I met her she said, 'I don't like gloves I like a street fight.'"

But, Cyborg tells us she thinks MMA could be great for Bregoli when it comes to self-discipline and respect -- and she's invited the 15-year-old star to train with her in Southern California.

"Soon we are gonna train together. Mixed martial arts teaches kids discipline. I think you learn a lot. When I start training, I learned a lot of things."

In fact, Cyborg says Bregoli may even have the talent to fight professionally if she wants -- but she'll have to get in the gym and put in the work.

Cris also gave us the 411 on her training leading up to her UFC 232 superfight with Amanda Nunes ... one of the most anticipated fights of the year.

Floyd Mayweather says he ain't done with Conor McGregor -- telling TMZ Sports he'll give the Irishman a rematch in the boxing ring right after he tunes up Khabib Nurmagomdov.

"McGregor was talking that sh*t, so it ain't over," Floyd told us while shopping in Bev Hills this weekend.

"After me and Khabib lock up, me and McGregor we gonna lock up again."

As we previously reported, Floyd says he'll accept Khabib's challenge and will fight him in the boxing ring sometime in the near future, because it'll do "crazy numbers."

Floyd says he expects to make a 9-figure check from the Khabib fight -- and a rematch with Conor could be just as successful.

"I'm ready to go out there and get the job done and entertain. 'Cause me and McGregor Mayweather was real entertaining. I gave people what they wanted to see."

Floyd also says his fights with UFC stars are helping the sport of MMA -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm helping keep combat sports alive!"

Of course, Conor and Floyd clashed back in August 2017 -- with Floyd dominating most of the fight and ultimately getting a TKO in the 10th round.

Canelo Alvarez says he's sick of watching Floyd Mayweather try to make fights that hurt the sport of boxing -- like Conor and Khabib -- and says if he really wants a challenge, LET'S REMATCH!

"He wants to continue hurting boxing by making fights that don't make sense ... and not giving boxing the credibility it deserves," Canelo tells TMZ Sports.

"If he wants to return, I ask him to look my way to give a great fight to the fans."

"Let's do the second fight. It's very important. We have something pending there, so let's make the second fight."

Of course, Canelo and Floyd fought back in 2013 -- but Alvarez has improved A LOT since then, and clearly believes he would smash Floyd if they met again.

Canelo just signed a brand new $365 MILLION contract with the DAZN streaming video service to have 11 fights over the next 5 years ... and a Floyd rematch would be a dream for the company.

But, if it doesn't happen, Canelo tells us he's down for a 3rd fight with Gennady Golovkin -- and in the meantime, he's prepping for his Dec. 15 fight against Rocky Fielding at Madison Square Garden.

As far as his new contract is concerned -- the richest in the history of pro sports -- Canelo says he's not about to go on a spending spree because he's already rich and has everything he wants.

... especially when it comes to cars!