MMA

UFC superstar Jon Jones was arrested for DWI and a gun charge in New Mexico Thursday morning, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Cops say they responded to reports of gunfire in Albuquerque at around 1 AM -- and when they arrived at the scene, they found Jones inside a 2019 Jeep with the engine running and the car in park.

Jon denied firing a gun -- but officers say he appeared intoxicated (bloodshot, watery eyes and reeked of booze) and conducted a field sobriety test, which he allegedly bombed.

He also took a breathalyzer, twice, and registered over the legal limit both times.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, cops say they found a black handgun and a half-empty bottle of tequila behind the passenger seat.

He was arrested and booked for aggravated driving while intoxicated, negligent use of a deadly weapon and possession of an open container.

We're told Jones was booked and released and has a bond arraignment court date set for April 9.

We're also told the probation Jon got in his strip club slap case had ended on Jan. 8.

Jones has been arrested for drunk driving in the past -- back in 2012, he pled guilty to DUI after crashing his Bentley into a pole in upstate New York.

Jon has spoken publicly about his issues with substance abuse -- including cocaine -- and it seemed like he was winning the battle.

Jones is widely considered the best MMA fighter of all time -- and he's the current UFC light heavyweight champion with victories over stars like Dominick Reyes, Daniel Cormier and Rampage Jackson.

UFC star Aljamain Sterling -- the #2 ranked bantamweight in the world -- says he's sick and tired of shadowboxing during quarantine ... so he's turning his house into an MMA gym!

It's actually pretty dope ... Funk Master has a bunch of handy roommates and they're all teaming up to renovate their Long Island pad into a prime training center.

The 30-year-old busted out (and disinfected) a bunch of old mats and equipment -- and even installed insulation in the walls -- so they can get back to doing what they love to do ... fighting.

"MMA training and working out, it's my life, it's my sanity ... if we can have somewhere where it's the same training partners training and that would be our quarantine training partners, so be it."

Sterling also wants to set the record straight about rumors he accepted a fight with Cory Sandhagen in May -- saying it's absolutely NOT TRUE.

Alja says it all has to do with his limited training resources. In other words, he wants to make sure he's in the absolute best shape to fight a tough opponent like Cory ... and with the pandemic in full swing, it limits his ability to level up.

"For me to take a fight against a guy ranked #4 in the world and not have the proper training is like a guy going to work doing construction without all of his tools. Like, how do you expect to get the job done?"

He added, "I would love to fight ... but right now's not the time. I want a proper training camp so I can really f**k somebody up."

Once wasn't enough for Alex Volkanovski ... the UFC champion wants to beat Max Holloway TWICE, and establish himself as the GREATEST featherweight fighter EVER!!

Volkanovski snatched Holloway's belt in a close fight back in December ... so when the new champ recently came by the TMZ office, we asked him who he wants to scrap with next.

Alex was crystal clear ... he wants to run it back with "Blessed," 'cause Holloway's the biggest threat and best fighter (besides himself, of course) in the 145 lb. division.

"I want that fight [with Max], cause there's no clear #1 contenders, and I just think that he's a great champion. And, for me, the biggest fight in my career right now to solidify myself as the best featherweight of all-time, and one of the greatest of all-time," Alex says.

"I go and take out Max twice in [his] prime, ya know, people are gonna give me the respect I deserve."

Volkanovski's already got a helluva resume ... he's got a pro record of 21-1 and hasn't lost since 2013 -- nearly 7 years ago.

As for when the rematch would go down ... Alex broke his hand during the Holloway fight, but says he was just cleared for combat, and he's ready to rock ... and he already has a date circled on the calendar.

"I don't want to sit on the sidelines too long, and I wanna defend my belt in Australia. That Perth card is June 6. We're gonna make it happen, I reckon."

Kamaru Usman tells TMZ Sports ... he was all set to fight Jorge Masvidal in July -- until the coronavirus killed those plans. But he's still ready to hand out another ass-whooping, stat!

So, while the UFC tries to line up the next fight for the UFC welterweight champ -- he's talking mad trash to Masvidal, Colby Covington and of course ... Conor McGregor.

First ... Masvidal.

"Honestly, if I'm being honest, do I believe that he deserves the fight next? No, I don't think that he deserves the fight. But at the same time, he's got the hype right now."

"He seriously thinks he's a superstar. He's talking about how I'm the most famous fighter, I'm more famous than Conor and this and that. You are drinking your own Kool-Aid right now. He forgets that literally less than a year ago or two years ago he was just 'Journeyman George.'"

"Now you lost some weight, did a little Spanish reality show and came back and now he thinks he's just Jacques Cousteau or something. My man, relax!"

Next ... Colby.

Remember, Kamaru beat Colby's ass back at UFC 245 in December. Covington wants a rematch.

"Colby I'll be more than happy to put another cannon to your face. Easy as that."

And Conor?

"I'd be crazy if I said I didn't want that fight because Conor is one of those guys that's transcended the sport."

"And of course, I think people would love to see me go in there and spank him any way that I want. So, that's a fight that I always want."

"So, if Conor's feeling froggy that fight could happen anytime. So, that's a wild card right there, that could happen any time. If he's feeling froggy, if he wakes up on the right side of the bed and is like 'You know what? I want to get my ass beat today!' ... that fight could happen any time."

Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, says the UFC is considering moving the Khabib vs. Tony Ferguson fight to another country ... and if that happens, Khabib is IN!!

As we previously reported, Dana White is adamant UFC 249 will take place come hell or high water on April 18 ... and they're currently on the hunt for a venue.

Ali tells us Khabib is currently training at AKA in San Jose, CA  along with other fighters on that UFC 249 card -- and he's down to travel to any location to brawl with Tony.

"I talked to Dana White white last night. He said there's a possibility the fight is gonna be out of the country. We discussed about going to Zaire or Manila or some distant places. I said hey, Muhammad Ali did it, I'm sure Dana White can do it."

Ali says Khabib isn't worried about coronavirus -- but he IS worried that "this dumb motherf**ker" Tony Ferguson could hurt himself before the fight and ruin the whole thing.

Tony has an unusual training style -- and recently posted video throwing heavy bags around a gym while wearing denim jeans. Khabib and Ali think it's not just weird, it's dangerous.

WELCOME TO FIGHT SCHOOL!!

Paige VanZant welcomes UFC superstars like Yoel Romero, Henry Cejudo, Brian Ortega, Dominick Reyes and more into the secret MMA gym at the TMZ office where they're teaching legendary moves to our TMZ Sports producer, Lucas.

We're talking everything from flying knees to crazy chokes -- and even a human pretzel!!

Of course, the point of the show is to educate fight fans on the art behind these complex moves. But, it's also entertaining as hell to watch.

Episode 1 drops today on Snapchat and it's awesome!!

UFC legend Michael Bisping seems pretty fired up about the organization's decision to hold fan-less fights during the coronavirus pandemic ... telling TMZ Sports the first event in Brazil was a smash hit!

"The fights were fantastic! They were really good," Bisping told us when he arrived back at LAX from Brazil.

"We've done it before. It's like 'The Ultimate Fighter,' 'The Contender,' there's not much difference. Obviously, there was no crowd so it wasn't the same. But, the fights were fantastic. They delivered."

Bisping was one of the few people allowed into the Ginásio Nilson Nelson arena in Brasília, Brazil on March 14 ... since he served as the event's color commentator and post-fight interviewer.

There was criticism surrounding the event -- with some people saying Dana White should have pulled the plug on the whole thing in the wake of coronavirus warnings from health officials.

But, the fights continued ... and WILL continue ... with UFC actively trying to find a way to hold ANOTHER big event on Saturday.

Bellator star Ryan Bader says he wants to avenge his loss to Jon Jones -- the guy he calls the GREATEST MMA fighter ever -- 'cause he's got what it takes to beat Bones' ass.

TMZ Sports talked to the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight champ at a Bellator media event in NYC this week ... and the 36-year-old star says he'd LOVE another crack at fighting Jones.

"That's one fight I'd love to get back," Bader tells us.

"It was 2011 when that happened. I've grown and changed so much since then. Physically, mentally. We'd love to be able to do some cross-promotion deal."

Remember, Jones submitted Bader via a guillotine choke at UFC 126 in February 2011. It was Bader's first loss of his career.

Fast forward to current day ... RB's a double champ, and hasn't taken an L since 2016.

So, Ryan's got revenge on his mind ... and he's dead serious about getting payback.

If Chuck Liddell wants a job with WWE, all he's gotta do is pick up his phone and call his buddy, Shane McMahon ... who tells TMZ Sports he wants to bring the Ice Man on board!!

Of course, we spoke with the UFC legend last week ... and the 50-year-old told us he's officially retired from MMA for good ... but would still love to beat the crap outta folks in the squared circle.

We spoke with Vince's son outside Craig's in L.A. about our interview with Chuck ... and it's safe to say the feeling is mutual ... 'cause Shane thinks the idea is AWESOME!!

"I know Chuck very well, so all he has to do is give me a ring," McMahon tells us.

"I'd love to do that with Chuck, that'd be awesome."

So, what are you waiting for, Chuck?!?!?! Hit your boy up!!

Conor McGregor is being hailed as a HERO by a foundation that helps the families of emergency responders who died in the line of duty ... claiming CM's $1 million donation will have a REAL impact on families in need.

The UFC star, along with Proper Twelve Whiskey company, officially wrote a $1 million check to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation ... which was founded by the brother of FDNY hero Stephen Siller, who was killed in the World Trade Center attack.

We spoke with Stephen's brother Frank Siller ... who tells us McGregor's gesture is nothing short of incredible.

"What we do as a foundation is that we relieve the mortgages of the first responders who died in the line of duty that have young kids left behind," Siller tells us.

"So, this will go to many, many houses, depending on what part of the country it is -- but that's what Conor wanted."

Siller even offered up an emotional personal message to McGregor ... and warning -- you might wanna get some tissues ready.

"Conor, you're gonna change the lives of many great heroes and the families left behind."

"You're telling them that people care, that America cares. And, that if somebody goes out there and gives their kids a kiss goodbye and doesn't come home, Conor McGregor is gonna make sure that those families are taken care of."

"Thank you and God bless you, Conor.

Great news for Stipe Miocic ... the UFC heavyweight champ says his injured eye is healing up really well ... and he expects to fight Daniel Cormier in just a few months!

"Eye is really good actually," Stipe told us in NYC while promoting his Fire Dept. Coffee brand ... "Getting healed up. Getting better every day. Getting back in the gym slowly."

Remember, 37-year-old Miocic suffered a torn retina in his August 2019 victory over Cormier -- and while both Stipe and DC are down to run it back, everyone's waiting on the eye to heal up first.

Stipe says he's still battling some issues with the eye -- he sometimes sees "spots" -- but overall, Miocic says the injury has "not really messed with my vision, so I'm happy about that."

As for the 3rd fight between the two heavyweight stars, Stipe says it's "looking like summer" ... since the UFC is already booked up with a bunch of sick PPV fights in April and May.

Stipe definitely ain't lacking confidence -- telling us when the guys do face-off, it'll "suck" for Cormier because "he's gonna lose again!"

Cormier beat Stipe the first time they fought back in 2018 -- but Miocic got his belt back when they clashed in the rematch at UFC 241.

DC says the rubber match with Stipe will be the last fight of his UFC career -- win or lose.

As for Stipe, seems he'll keep fighting as long as he's healthy. And, then it's likely to the UFC Hall of Fame for both guys.

Sean O'Malley beat the hell outta Jose Quinonez this weekend ... dropping him with a devastating head-kick that Suga compares to being SMASHED in the dome with a solid wood bat.

TMZ Sports talked to O'Malley -- fresh off a 1st round TKO at UFC 248 -- and the 25-year-old star walked us through the combination that left Quinonez in the fetal position on the Octagon floor.

"That head-kick ... that was a powerful and heavy head-kick! It's pretty much like if I had a baseball bat. I swung as hard as I could at him. Kind of lifted him off, threw him to the back of the cage."

The finish was super impressive ... not only did Sean land the heavy head-kick, he also crushed Jose with an uppercut ... before raining down a flurry of hammer fists -- before the fight was stopped.

It was O'Malley's first fight in over 2 years ... so while the MMA world mighta been shocked at how quick he took Quinonez out, Suga wasn't.

"I knew going into any of my fights, the 1st round finish is always an option. Especially that first five minutes. I mean, I feel superhuman in there. I'm so fast, I'm so accurate. I put on some size, ya know, so I'm just more powerful," Sean says.

"So, I knew a first-round finish, I knew that could happen and honestly I kinda saw it going like that."

That's not all, as we previously reported, O'Malley told us the post-fight celly was gonna include a lot of medicine (the green kind) ... and Suga, who says he hadn't smoked in 3 weeks, had a bad case of the munchies.

"Sugar" Sean O'Malley hasn't whooped ass in the Octagon in 2 years ... so how's he gonna celebrate his win Saturday night? POT & PIZZA!!!!

25-year-old O'Malley was one of the UFC's hottest young stars ... but hasn't fought since March 2018 (he flunked a drug test after taking a supplement that was laced with a banned substance).

Despite the layoff, Sugar tells TMZ Sports his fighting skills -- and ridiculous support from fight fans -- haven't diminished at all ... and he's ready to kick Jose Quinonez's ass at UFC 248.

"It just feels like another fight. 2 years off is not that big of a deal."

O'Malley continued ... "I don't think anything's really changed. I don't think much has changed as far as the attention I'm getting, as far as how excited the fans are."

Snoop Dogg's one of those fans -- remember his "O'MALLEY!! O'MALLEY!!" commentary during the Contender Series? Awesome.

And, once the fighting's done Saturday night ... "Sugar" Sean says it's time to get high!

"I'm gonna take a rip, I'm gonna hang out with my circle. I don't have an after-party planned. I'm just gonna celebrate with some medicine and some good food and that's about it."

His post-fight grub of choice?

"I always crave pizza. I think a lot of fighters do for whatever reason."

Now, that's a plan.

THE DISRESPECT IS REAL!!!!

Khabib Nurmagomedov straight up KICKED Tony Ferguson's interim UFC lightweight championship belt during an intense face-off Friday ... and it got VERY close to getting violent.

Khabib and Tony were doing a media event to promote their upcoming brawl at UFC 249 in April ... and the trash talk got VERY personal.

Tony trashed Khabib as a weak-minded, scared, fake brawler ... and Khabib fired back by calling Tony a "fake Mexican," since Tony was born and raised in California.

Tony was offended by the comments -- claiming he's a proud American AND a proud Mexican.

But, when it came time to square off for their face-to-face photo op, Tony laid his belt on the ground, seemingly challenging Khabib to do something ... and Khabib reacted by kicking the belt.

Tony eventually picked up the belt and accused Khabib of disrespecting the UFC -- claiming Khabib doesn't really care about the company.

UFC superstar Henry Cejudo says he wants to pull a Royce Gracie -- and fight TWICE in the same night -- and he's dead serious.

Triple C -- the reigning UFC bantamweight and flyweight champ -- is set to take on Jose Aldo at UFC 250 in May ... but he wants Dana White to add another fight to his workload.

"I would like to get [Deiveson Figueiredo] and Jose Aldo on the same night. Co-main event and main event! Allow me to make history!"

FYI, Figueiredo just defeated Joseph Benavidez at UFC Norfolk -- but since Figueiredo didn't make weight for the fight, he was not awarded the vacant flyweight belt.

And, since the belt didn't change hands ... Cejudo is bragging that he's "the only fighter in human history to defend my belt on the couch!"

Cejudo thinks the whole situation was "unfortunate" since the missed weight kind of throws a wrench in the division ... but Henry says there's one way to fix the problem -- set up a fight!

FYI, way back in the day ... UFC would allow fighters to scrap multiple times on the same night. Royce Gracie famously fought THREE TIMES at UFC 1 back in 1993.