MMA

Jon Jones says he's dead serious about a fight with Francis Ngannou -- and now he's asking the UFC to "send the deal."

There's been talk about a possible Jones vs. Ngannou match at heavyweight for a while ... but things escalated after Francis destroyed Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds at UFC 249 over the weekend.

The two exchanged some minor trash talk on social media late Wednesday night ... but now Jon says he's done talking, he's ready for action.

"If you guys think I wouldn’t take this fight you’re insane. I have absolutely nothing else to prove as a light heavyweight. I’d love that big money fight right around now. Send the deal."

Jon currently fights at light heavyweight -- but says he's willing to go up for a bigger payday ... and let's be honest, who wouldn't want to see Jones vs. Ngannou?!

In fact, back in October, we asked Francis about a possible Jones brawl ... and he was all about it!

"Listen, let's be clear about something. If that's what you want to know, if I would fight Jon Jones if he goes up to heavyweight!? Of course!"

"I would say the same thing as he says -- it's inevitable. If Jon Jones goes to heavyweight. I'm gonna fight him."

LET'S GOOOOOO!!!

Khabib Nurmagomedov's father -- who trained the UFC star for most of his life -- is reportedly fighting for this life in a Russian military hospital ... where he's said to be in a medically-induced coma.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is VERY close with his superstar son -- they've traveled together to meet Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions following Khabib's high profile victories in the UFC.

But, the 57-year-old Dagestani reportedly fell ill at the end of April after coming down with pneumonia ... and things have gone from bad to worse.

Multiple reports say Abdulmanap was initially treated in Dagestan -- but was later flown to Moscow in early May where he is now under the care of specialists.

UFC fighter Islam Makhachev -- who's close with Khabib -- confirmed the situation ... saying, "[Abdulmanap] is in Moscow. He is in critical condition."

UFC president Dana White has also issued a statement.

"Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is a true martial artist who lives a life of pride, honor and respect," White said.

"He instilled those same values in his son, world champion Khabib, at an early age and was always in his corner throughout his career."

"I know how close Khabib is with his father and I’m saddened to hear about his current state. My thoughts are with Abdulmanap and the Nurmagomedov family as he continues to fight."

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

Bad news for Conor McGregor ... Justin Gaethje will NOT agree to fight the Irishman before he gets his title shot with Khabib Nurmagomedov, this according to Justin's manager.

Conor has been trying to bait Gaethje into a big-time showdown on Fight Island in July -- calling out Justin on social media and threatening to kill him.

But, we spoke with Gaethje's rep, Ali Abdelaziz, who tells us the trash talk strategy just won't work -- Justin's already focusing on fighting Khabib next ... and there's absolutely NO SHOT at changing his mind.

"Khabib will never -- NEVER -- pass Justin Gaethje for Conor. Even if he made more money," Ali says.

"Justin Gaethje has so much integrity, he will never tell the UFC, 'Oh, I'm gonna fight Conor, forget about Khabib.' [Justin] wants to be a champion."

What's interesting ... Ali also represents Khabib -- so it's an easy fight for everyone (including the UFC) to make once the contracts are drawn up.

Plus, with UFC president Dana White recently saying he'd like to see Justin take on Khabib on Fight Island in June, it all but sinks Conor's plans.

Ali also tells TMZ Sports ... Khabib also has ZERO interest in fighting Conor because he feels McGregor has not earned the opportunity for a rematch.

"If [Conor] thinks he's gonna sit out and fight the winner [of Gaethje vs. Khabib] ... NO."

"Especially, if Khabib wins. Khabib said no. [Conor] needs more wins."

Ali added, "The UFC is not boxing. The best will fight the best and at this point [Justin and Khabib are] the two best guys."

That doesn't mean Justin isn't down to fight Conor down the road ... but for right now, he's got his eyes on the prize.

There's more ... we also asked Ali about Tony Ferguson -- who's beefed with "El Cucuy" over the years -- and Gaethje's manager says it's time for Ferguson to stop fighting.

"I believe, no disrespect to nobody, when you take this ass whooping that Tony Ferguson took, he's never gonna be the same."

Abdelaziz says Tony has a wife and kids ... and needs to stay healthy for them.

"This guy has a family. I don't want to see him drinking soup from a straw."

"If he was my guy, I'd be like, 'Yo, you gotta retire.'"

Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia tells TMZ Sports he's gunning for a 2-fight deal with Henry Cejudo -- one boxing, one MMA -- and he's ready to scrap on the 4th of July.

Garcia and Cejudo have been talking A LOT of trash to each other ever since the UFC superstar's surprise retirement after his victory over Dominick Cruz on Saturday night.

Cejudo called the undefeated 21-year-old boxer an "Oscar De La Hoya wannabe" ... and threatened, "I’d make you bend the knee in your own sport."

When we spoke with Garcia, King Ryan told us he's sick of talking -- he wants to fight already.

"Chicken Little, he got very disrespectful in my honest opinion," Garcia said.

"I came at him in a respectful way but he came at me in a disrespectful way so, in that regards, that needs to be handled."

"I haven't found an opponent for July 4th but I feel like we can make that happen if he really wants that work."

And, get this, Garcia says he has a secret weapon to help him lock up a deal with Cejudo -- TOM BRADY!!

"I'll hit up Tom," Ryan says ... "Me and him are cool. He's a partial owner of the UFC. I feel like he's a fan of both sports and I think he's a fan of both of us. I know he follows me and I know that that's gonna cause interest in him so I feel like I can hit him up and be like 'Lets make this happens' so I might do that today."

As for how the 2-fight deal would work, Ryan explained it to us this way ...

"First, we gotta have it in the boxing ring cause he called me out ... Once I knock him out, as a man I'll respect him enough and be like 'Aight, I'll hop into your thing now.'"

"There's no way he'll KO me in the Octagon. The only thing he'll ever do to me is submit me ... and I'm cool with that."

UFC isn't wasting any time -- gearing up for their 2nd big event in just 4 days despite the COVID-19 pandemic ... and the fighters seem ready to roll!!!

Ovince Saint Preux, Michael Johnson and others hit the official weigh-in on Tuesday morning ... where everything seemed to go off without a hitch.

Saint Preux wore a face mask when he hit the scale -- and so far, he's the only fighter to wear the protective covering.

Everyone else ditched their masks -- but as Dana White has said multiple times, ALL fighters (and their teams) are being tested and retested and retested for coronavirus before and after the event anyway.

The event -- "UFC Fight Night: Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira" -- is scheduled for Wednesday night at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL ... featuring 11 fights.

So far, no one on the card has tested positive for COVID-19 -- but even if there is a positive test, the show will go on ... just as it did for UFC 249.

Remember, Jacare Souza and his 2 cornermen tested positive the day before the fight and he was pulled from the card.

White says the positive test proved his medical screening system works -- and they immediately moved Souza and his cornermen from the hotel where the fighters were staying into quarantine.

President Donald Trump praised the UFC for finding a way to get their business back in action during the pandemic.

White has hailed UFC 249 as a massive success.

"I am going to f**king butcher you"

That's a fired-up Conor McGregor making some serious threats to Justin Gaethje -- telling the UFC's interim lightweight champ that he's coming for Gaethje's head.

"Your teeth. I’m going to put them on a f**king necklace," Conor said to Justin.

In an angry Twitter rant Monday, McGregor says he wants to fight Justin next -- and it seems the hostility comes from a 2019 tweet Justin sent criticizing Conor as a "sh*t human, father and husband."

Conor remembered the tweet and responded ...

"Speak on my skills as a father? You are f**king dead."

McGregor added, "Don’t ever say you represent the great nation of the United States of America ever again."

For his part, Justin has been calling for a fight with Conor for a while -- telling TMZ Sports back in 2019 he actively tried to get Conor to sign a contract but the Irishman wouldn't do it.

"I wrote him a message like f**king 7 months ago just trying to be his friend. I’ve tried every route," Justin said.

"I’m trying reverse psychology. I’m trying to be his friend. I’m trying every f**king route that there is to draw this man out. And I can't draw him out. And he’s calling out Frankie Edgar. So, it’s a slap in the face to me, to all the lightweights, and to really the standard that we f**king do here."

Of course, Justin beat the hell out of Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on Saturday ... and says he now wants to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the real lightweight title.

But, a Conor fight could be a bigger payday for Justin ... so it seems like he's got some decisions to make.

Is this man human?!!?

How the hell is Tony Ferguson DANCING around his hospital room -- despite the major injuries he suffered at UFC 249 on Saturday night?!

Remember, Tony got beat up BAD on Saturday night -- suffering a broken orbital bone, some nasty cuts and more during that brutal beating he took from Justin Gaethje.

But, here he is on Sunday night -- getting funky to "Midas Touch" by Midnight Star ... while still attached to his IV drip.

"Recovery Dayze," Ferguson tweeted ... "When You’re About To Get Discharged From The Hospital #LetMeOut #MothersDayVibes Post-Fight #ufc249."

Ferguson lost his interim lightweight championship belt in Saturday's loss -- and many people are wondering what his next move will be.

Of course, Ferguson was originally supposed to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 249 -- but COVID-19 screwed up those plans and he fought Gaethje instead,

Most people expect Gaethje to get the next crack at Khabib -- which leaves Tony looking for a new opponent.

There are rumblings Conor McGregor could be in Ferg's future -- it could be a little before Tony is medically cleared to fight again and Conor reportedly wants to fight in June.

The first sporting event without a crowd went down Saturday night in Florida, and by all measures, it was a big success, according to many, including UFC announcer Bruce Buffer.

It was weird at first ... looking at an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, but when the fighting started, it was easy to forget the seats were empty. You actually hear the punches, kicks and reactions crisply and clearly.

Donald Trump opened the show, congratulating his friend, UFC Prez Dana White, for pulling off the event.

All the fighters were tested, and the ones who tested negative for the virus fought like they would in front of a crowd, but there was a twist.

In the absence of a crowd, the voices of the announcers billowed through the arena, and the fighters could hear everything. Former NFL star Greg Hardy won his fight and said afterward he was taking his cues from the announcers, who were offering critiques in real-time!!!

Greg Hardy says UFC's "no crowd" rule at UFC 249 was a "game changer" -- because he could hear the TV announcers critiquing him during his fight ... and he adjusted accordingly to get the victory!

Hardy (6-2) was fighting Yorgan De Castro (6-1) in a heavyweight bout Saturday night -- with Hardy taking some serious leg kicks early in the match.

Daniel Cormier -- who's doing the announcing with Joe Rogan -- had said during the broadcast that Hardy needed to figure out a way to check those heavy kicks before they took a real toll on his body.

Of course, Cormier -- one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time -- was talking to the audience at home ... but since you can hear a pin drop in the arena thanks to the COVID-19 safety protocol, Hardy could listen too!

AND, HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION!!!

Hardy ended up winning the match by unanimous decision -- and during the post-fight interview, he gave all the credit to D.C.

"Thank God for not having the crowd," Hardy said ... "Shout out to D.C."

"I heard him tell me to check him, that I needed to figure out how to check it ... so I started trying to check him! Game changer!"

President Donald Trump is fired up about UFC 249 -- making a special video to praise Dana White for finding a way to throw the event despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I want to congratulate Dana White and the UFC," Trump said while standing outside of the Oval Office at the White House.

"They're going to have a big match. We love it. We think it's important."

Trump added, "Get the sports leagues back. Let's play. You do the social distancing and whatever else you have to do. But we need sports. We want our sports back. And, congratulations to Dana White, UFC."

As we previously reported, Dana White said Trump would be watching the event as a blueprint for reopening the rest of the U.S.

The video was played at the beginning of the event broadcast on ESPN -- right before the prelim fights kicked off.

As for the card itself, it's been pretty solid -- amazing fights, Joe Rogan is handling the octagon interviews ... and it seems to be going off without a hitch.

Of course, there are no fans in the crowd at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL -- but the broadcasters, cornermen and other essential people in attendance are actually adding some energy to the event.

You can hear the coaches yelling instruction from the corner. You can hear the sound of every punch. And, you can hear the ooh and aah from everyone else.

There's even been a doctor's stoppage already when Vicente Luque busted up Niko Price.

YouTube superstar-turned-fighter Jake Paul says he'll beat the living daylight out of MMA fighter Dillon Danis in a boxing match ... and tells TMZ Sports he has a UFC superstar on board to help him get it done.

Of course, Paul previously stated he was going to avenge brother Logan's controversial loss against KSI in a match at Madison Square Garden as soon as the coronavirus pandemic was over ... which KSI's team quickly denied, citing his focus being on his music career.

We spoke with Jake about his boxing future now that KSI is out of the question ... and he says Danis is the one opponent he wants BADLY.

"I hate to bring his name up because he's such a lowlife club rat who calls himself a jiu-Jitsu black belt," Paul tells us. "But, everyone in the jiu-jitsu community hates him, everybody in the fight community hates him. I hate him."

Despite all the hatred, Danis is widely considered one of the best ground fighters in the game ... but many people believe that his striking is the weakest part of his game.

"Dillon, if you're watching this, I'm going to kick the s**t out of you ... I'd make your life even f**king worse ... I'm coming for your head."

So ... how is Jake gonna get it done?? He says he's got the current UFC BMF belt holder on his side -- Jorge Masvidal!!

"Masvidal's gonna be in my corner," Jake says ... explaining they met up in Miami during JP's last fight against AnEsonGib ... and they both bonded over their hatred for Danis.

Jake says he's the Paul bro for Danis to fight -- not Logan -- because he's the better fighter ... and he will mess him up.

As for KSI, Jake tees off on his excuse for not taking a fight ... saying his music is wack and isn't a valid excuse to duck a meeting in the ring.

Conor McGregor ain't fighting on Saturday's historic UFC card ... but he's already won the weekend -- copping one of the most insane watches you'll EVER see!!

The Notorious snagged an ultra-rare Patek Philippe on Friday ... and claims its one of only 25 in the world!!!

"And yes you guessed it. I’m number 12, certified," the Proper #12 honcho said.

The watch's specs are ridiculous ... according to Conor, its made in platinum and honeycomb green with a diamond and crocodile strap -- and has a nickname of "#TheHulk."

"They will also never utilise this colour scheme again," the UFC superstar says. "Such was the difficulty in levelling it out all through the dial. Incredible!"

Unclear the price of the jewelry ... but it's safe to say it wasn't cheap -- Patek Philippe's are some of the fanciest watches in the world -- with some selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars!!!

Of course, it ain't like Conor can't afford it ... dude's earned hundreds of millions of dollars in his career!!!

Oscar De La Hoya said he can knock out Conor McGregor in 2 rounds ... and Conor McGregor says PROVE IT -- calling out the legend for a real-deal boxing match.

SO, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? LET'S DO THIS!!!!

Here's how it all got started ... 47-year-old ODLH was asked about his chances against the 31-year-old UFC superstar earlier this week ... saying it would be a cakewalk.

"2 rounds," the Golden Boy told "The State of Combat" podcast. "Because one thing about me ... I went for the kill always."

"And look, Conor McGregor is – I love him in the Octagon. I respect him. I watch him all the time."

"But, the boxing ring is a whole different story. It’s a whole different story."

Conor -- who's always wanted a second shot at a boxing match following his loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 -- heard what ODLH had to say ... and he wants the legend to put his money where his mouth is ... IN THE RING!!!

"I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya," Conor tweeted.

Now, Oscar (39-6) hasn't had a pro fight since losing to Manny Pacquiao in 2008 by a referee technical decision ... but the Golden Boy's confident he can shake off any ring rust against the 0-1 Conor.

Remember, ODLH made a similar threat to Conor back in 2017 ... saying he was in shape and ready to throw down with the Notorious.

There's only one way to find out -- PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

Henry Cejudo's belt is on the line against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 ... and one guy who fought BOTH dudes is telling us who will come away with the bantamweight title.

TMZ Sports spoke with T.J. Dillashaw -- who lost to Triple C via first-round TKO in 2019 and to Cruz via decision in 2016 -- and he says there's a clear favorite to win Saturday night.

"I like the fight, man I do, I'm intrigued in it," T.J. tells us. "But, if I'm a betting man, I'd bet on Dominick Cruz."

"I think that he's going to point-fight Cejudo and he's going to out-point him and he's going to win a decision. I'm interested in it, obviously, I've got some bad blood with both of these guys. So I like the fight."

Dillashaw says Cejudo is gonna struggle with Cruz's awkward style of fighting ... but would love the opportunity to take either fighter when he returns from his 2-year suspension for an anti-doping violation.

"I'm sure I've lost a lot of respect, a lot of fans for what I've done and I completely understand that."

"But, yeah I want that title shot, I don't want a tune-up fight. I want to get my belt back, I'm the best Bantamweight of all-time."