MMA

Floyd Mayweather was right to back out of his MMA fight with Tenshin Nasukawa ... 'cause the kid's the Michael Jordan of kickboxing and Floyd woulda got his ass beat -- so says a RIZIN star.

TMZ Sports spoke with Daron Cruickshank -- who was set to be on the same fight card as Floyd and Tenshin in their NYE tilt in Tokyo -- and he tells us Tenshin's no joke on the mat.

"He's like the Michael Jordan, over there, of kickboxing," Cruickshank says.

Of course ... Floyd bailed on the fight initially in part because he thought it was understood it would be solely a boxing match.

But ... Mayweather says the fight might be back on now that he's made sure it'll be hands ONLY.

Daron says that's a smart move by Money ... saying Floyd woulda gotten SMOKED if they allowed Tenshin's feet to get involved.

"If they did a kickboxing match, I think Tenshin would win. If they did a regular kickboxing match, Tenshin would win."

"But, in a boxing match, I don't think he would stand a chance."

Luckily for all of us ... it looks like we might get to see it go down after all -- 'cause Floyd says, "We're gonna make it happen."

TMZ Sports has obtained court documents in which UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich describes the beating she claims she took at the hands of her MMA fighter husband on Nov. 18 ... and it's horrific.

"After a night out with family, [Arnold Berdon] punched me repeatedly on the head, face, ribs, making me fall to the ground," Rachael says in her petition for a restraining order filed in Hawaii.

"I gasped for breath and escaped thru [sic] balcony. I coughed up blood, threw up sev. times. Cracked orbital."

In the docs, Ostovich claims Berdon had physically abused her in the past -- citing a specific incident on May 6, 2018 where he allegedly punched her in the legs repeatedly, leaving bruises.

Ostovich requested a restraining order against Berdon -- claiming he's a danger to her and their 5-year-old daughter.

The court granted the request and Berdon must stay 100 feet away from both of them.

As we previously reported, Berdon was arrested Tuesday for 2nd degree attempted murder -- a charge that carries up to a life sentence if convicted.

Berdon's family members have told us he plans to argue that he was defending himself on Nov.18 and did not initiate the violence.

Ostovich was scheduled to fight Paige VanZant in January -- but had to pull out due to her broken orbital bone.

Tito Ortiz is clapping back at the haters killin' him for steppin' back in the cage against Chuck Liddell ... issuing an invitation -- come to my gym and get your ass busted in real life.

TMZ Sports talked to "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" on Tuesday -- days before battling "The Iceman" for the 3rd time -- and asked him if he had a response to people saying he's too old and washed up to fight.

That's when 43-year-old Ortiz went off ...

"Those people are the guys who sit on the couch and they really don't do nothing," Ortiz told us ... "We call it computer tough guy stuff. Get in the gym and do something and see how hard it is to train."

Matter of fact ... Tito wants to bring in a crap-talkin' fan and see if he can hang in the gym.

"Come join me for a full day of training in my 3 sessions, and try to get through it, and see how slow I am. Or how easy I go. Man, I go and I battle like a beast when I train. I'm vicious."

UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich's MMA fighter husband has been arrested for ATTEMPTED MURDER days after allegedly breaking his wife's face ... and he's still behind bars in a Honolulu jail.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Ostovich -- who had to pull out of her scheduled January fight with Paige VanZant -- was hospitalized this weekend with serious injuries -- including a broken orbital bone -- after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument at their home.

Cops in Honolulu opened a domestic violence investigation earlier this week ... and now police officials tell us 27-year-old Arnold Berdon -- Ostovich's husband and father of her child -- was arrested Tuesday evening on suspicion of 2nd degree attempted murder.

Berdon -- a fighter himself who holds a 7-2 record -- is still in custody at the Honolulu PD main station.

He has not yet appeared before a judge ... where bail could be set.

If he is released ... Rachael's husband won't be allowed to contact Ostovich -- 'cause she got a restraining order ... barring contact.

For his part ... a family member of Arnold told us he intends to vigorously dispute in court any allegations he assaulted his wife.

Khabib Nurmagomedov only has 1 fight left on his UFC contract -- and if that final UFC fight is not a bout with Floyd Mayweather -- he'll schedule it himself when he becomes a free agent.

This is the plan according to Khabib's manager Ali Abdelaziz who says Khabib is still deadly serious about taking on Floyd in the BOXING ring.

Remember, Dana White slammed the door on Khabib boxing Floyd, while he's still under contract with the UFC ... claiming if Floyd wants a piece of the Eagle, it'll be in the Octagon.

Ali tells TMZ Sports ... Khabib will respect Dana's wishes while he's under contract, but, once his deal is up, they're willing to contact Floyd directly and hash out a deal for a 2019 fight date.

If Floyd does agree to an MMA fight, Ali warns the guy to save up for life insurance -- "because he’s not going to be walking anymore. He’s going to be drinking water [through a] straw."

Ali claims he isn't trying to go around Dana -- he wants to work with the UFC -- but clearly feels there's too much money at stake to blow off a potential Mayweather fight.

Floyd previously told us a fight with Khabib would "definitely" score him a 9-figure paycheck -- and Khabib's side would be significant too.

Chuck Liddell says he wants to avenge his 2007 loss against Rampage Jackson -- and, if he gets through Tito Ortiz this weekend, he wants a rematch.

Rampage defeated Liddell for the UFC light heavyweight title back at UFC 71 in a brutal first-round knockout.

But, 48-year-old Chuck still has revenge on the brain and tells TMZ Sports, once he smashes Tito at Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on Saturday in L.A. ... he's got a list of people he wants to fight next.

Chael Sonnen, Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort are all on the list.

As for Chuck's critics who say he looked slow and out of shape at his open workout last week, Iceman tells us they're straight-up wrong.

"I hit as hard as I ever have," Chuck says ... "I'm throwing fast and I'm moving and I'm in great shape."

Chuck also says this fight ain't about the money -- and rumors he's broke and desperate for cash are crap.

Brock Lesnar's personal "advocate," Paul Heyman, tells TMZ Sports ... the only real thing standing in the way of a UFC fight with Daniel Cormier is the size of his paycheck.

Of course, Brock and DC have been unofficially promoting a fight for months -- but there's no deal in place and Dana White recently told us Cormier's team wants him to retire now.

So, when we saw Heyman -- Lesnar's right-hand man -- we asked what it's gonna take to make the fight happen.

"As long as Daniel Cormier has the balls to step into the Octagon and put his title up against Brock Lesnar, and UFC comes up with the money for Brock Lesnar, I don't see anything that would keep Brock Lesnar from taking the fight."

Cormier has said he will NOT take any fights after his 40th birthday -- March 20, 2019 -- so, if this fight's gonna come together ... they gotta move pretty fast.

And, since Heyman has been so damn successful as an "advocate" in the WWE, we asked what it would take for him to rep Conor McGregor ... if the Irishman chooses to go down that road later in his career.

UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich has filed for a restraining order against her MMA fighter husband, Arnold Berdon, in the wake of a violent incident over the weekend ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Rachael filed for the order herself in Hawaii on Nov. 19 -- and based on court docs, it appears the order was temporarily granted and is set to stay in effect until May 18, 2019.

As we previously reported, Ostovich was hospitalized with a broken orbital bone along with other injuries after an incident in Hawaii.

Multiple sources tell us ... Ostovich is pointing the finger at Berdon and that's why she's filed the restraining order.

Cops have opened a felony domestic violence investigation but have not released the name of the suspect.

We spoke with a family member who is very close with Berdon, who tells us Arnold is seeking a lawyer and intends to defend himself against allegations he attacked his wife.

We're told Berdon will argue he was attacked first and defended himself.

Berdon is also a pro MMA fighter. He's 27 years old with a 7-2 record, according to Sherdog.com.

He's listed at 5'9" and 135 lbs. Berdon's last fight was back in June -- a unanimous decision victory over Jeremias Fernandez.

UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich has officially pulled out of her upcoming fight against Paige VanZant -- citing the brutal injuries she suffered during an attack over the weekend.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... 27-year-old Ostovich was hospitalized after she was assaulted on Hawaii -- and she's been diagnosed with a broken eye socket and other injuries.

Now, her manager has issued a statement explaining that Rachael is simply too hurt to get in the Octagon in January.

"A very unfortunate incident occurred Sunday night with Rachael Ostovich that ended with her suffering a fractured orbital and other injuries," Brian Butler-Au said.

"As a result of these injuries she will not be able to compete in her upcoming bout with Paige VanZant on January 19th."

"Rachael is now home from the hospital with her family and will be going back for further check ups on her orbital."

Butler-Au added, "We would like to thank the UFC for all their support on this matter as well as the fans and media for your concern."

As we previously reported, cops have opened a felony domestic violence investigation into the matter -- but so far, no arrests have been made.

Cops have also not released the name of the suspect.

11:55 AM PT -- Ostovich has been released from the hospital.

3:45 AM PT -- Honolulu police tell TMZ Sports they have opened a felony domestic violence investigation. So far, we're told no arrests have been made.

UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich -- who was scheduled to fight Paige VanZant in January -- was attacked in Hawaii and sources tell us it was so serious, she's being hospitalized for major injuries.

Multiple sources tell TMZ Sports ... Ostovich was in Honolulu when the incident took place. Our sources tell us she's believed to have suffered a broken orbital bone.

We're told Ostovich's attacker is someone close to her.

If Ostovich did, in fact, suffer a broken bone in her face, it would almost certainly mean her January 19 fight with Paige VanZant at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn would be off.

We've reached out to Rachael's camp for comment -- so far, no word back.

27-year-old Ostovich is a rising star in the sport -- and the fight with VanZant would undoubtedly be the biggest moment of her career.

Dana White wants to put Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier in the Octagon and lock the door ... but DC's people don't want him to fight "Bones" -- they want him to retire.

TMZ Sports talked to the UFC honcho outside the Montage in L.A. ... and asked him for the lowdown on the DC and Brock Lesnar fight.

Dana told us he ain't sure if the Lesnar fight will happen ... but he does have a massive fight in mind.

Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier III.

"I'd obviously like to see Jones and Cormier fight again at heavyweight," White tells us ... "Cormier's team wants him to retire now. They want him to retire right now. I hope we can get 3 more fights out of him."

Remember, DC's repeatedly said he's gonna retire on his 40th birthday -- but that's still 4 months away -- and walking away before was seemingly never an option ... 'til now.

We also talked to Dana about Yair Rodriguez's INSANE last-second KO of the Korean Zombie ... and White says there's never been a better finish -- in MMA, boxing or anywhere else people hit each other.

"I think it's the best knockout in combat sports history. All of combat sports."

Jermell & Jermall Charlo say two of boxing's biggest stars are two of boxing's biggest COWARDS ... claiming both GGG & Canelo Alvarez are SCARED OF THE SMOKE the Charlo's bring.

Jermell fights at 154 ... Jermall fights at 160, and they say Canelo and GGG are doing everything in their power NOT to have to fight the twins.

"They moved up from the weight classes, I think Canelo at 168, but he's got a manager and a promoter and they know where we're at."

BTW ... the call-outs didn't end in the boxing ring, because we then asked the bros if they are willing to jump into the world of MMA -- something more and more fighters are doing -- and they are SUPER DOWN.

"I would, I'd fight wherever the money at."

FYI -- when they say "I" they basically mean "we," because they look exactly alike, finishing each other's sentences and stuff ... it's actually kinda cute.

Dana White's FIRING BACK at Floyd Mayweather -- sayin' if he wants a 9-figure payday for fighting Khabib, it's gotta be in the UFC.

TMZ Sports saw the UFC honcho outside the Montage in L.A. and asked him about Floyd's make-or-break terms for the potential megafight with the UFC champ.

Remember, earlier this week, F.M. told us, "It's my way, my rules. I'm Floyd 'Money' Mayweather!"

So, you could say Dana/Khabib and Floyd are at a stalemate.

"The answer is 'no.' He's gonna have to come here and get his ass whoopin'," White said ... "We did that last time. You gotta come here this time."

"Every time he wants to box. You wanna fight? Want to make 150 million? Come over here and get your ass whooped."

So, unless someone gives in ... this thing ain't happening.

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, move over.... there's a new superfight on the way.

The matchup? Cris Cyborg -- arguably the greatest female UFC fighter ever -- against Cecilia Braekhus -- arguably the greatest female boxer ever.

If you like combat sports, you're well aware Cyborg's a badass ... but so is Braekhus. She's undefeated at 34-0 and has been the undisputed welterweight champ since 2014.

TMZ Sports talked to Cecilia -- who'll be the 1st woman to headline an HBO boxing card on December 8 -- Thursday night after the Lakers game and she gave us the 411 on the dream fight with Cyborg.

"[Cyborg's] very interested in doing a boxing match. We want to do the female version of a Mayweather-McGregor."

Braekhus says this ain't a pie-in-the-sky pipe dream.

"It's gonna happen."

But, does Cris have any chance to beat a champion boxer?

Braekhus' answer might surprise you.

Earlier this year ... we talked to Cyborg about the prospects of fighting Braekhus.

Floyd Mayweather is giving Khabib a simple choice -- we fight in the boxing ring ... or we ain't fightin' at all!

Of course, the two have been goin' back and forth since Khabib beat Conor and called out Floyd ... but Nurmagomedov's team AND Dana White both say it's gotta be MMA.

Now, Floyd's firing back ... telling TMZ Sports HE makes the rules -- 'cause he makes the money and that makes him the guy who calls the shots ... and mixed martial arts isn't happening.

"They said it has to happen in the Octagon. And I said, 'Just tell me where Khabib has made 9 figures before in the Octagon!'"

"If he hasn't made 9 figures, he's not the A-side. So, I'm the A-side."

Remember, Floyd told us he's likely to fight on New Year's Eve in Tokyo ... and if he and Khabib can't strike a deal, that's cool with him.

Conor McGregor would like to apologize ... to absolutely f**kin' nobody all you whiskey drinkers who have been dyin' to get their hands on his Proper 12 whiskey ... saying he's sorry for the worldwide shortage.

Proper No. 12 tells TMZ Sports they've "sold more cases in less than one month than many whiskey brands sell in a full year" ... amounting to hundreds of thousands of bottles sold.

The crazy sales have led to a shortage of the product -- great for Conor's bank account -- but bad news for fans tryin' to get their paws on a bottle.

"I don’t usually see reason to apologise but in this case I want to take this chance to apologise to absolutely everyone for our out-of-stock situation."

Conor says he's personally making sure the company is ramping up production.

"I was at the distillery last week and we have plans in place to be back in stock in Ireland and the United States in early December and onward."