MMA

"Mine was way better. Way vicious. My dude couldn’t get up."

That's Cody Garbrandt spelling out why his violent walk-off knockout of Raphael Assuncao at UFC 250 was better than Sean O'Malley's KO ... and yeah, they take this stuff seriously!

No Love reached back and smacked the daylights out of Assuncao with just seconds left in the 2nd round ... sensationally ending his 3 fight losing streak.

"I knew that as soon as I started that punch, the trajectory of where it was going, the force and the speed, it was going to connect and knock him out," Cody tells TMZ Sports.

"It was a picture-perfect punch and just a nice walk off."

Earlier in the night, O'Malley finished Eddie Wineland with a 1-hitter quitter of his own.

Both Cody and Sean got $50k performance bonus checks from the UFC ... but we had to ask the question -- which KO was more impressive?

Garbrandt's breakdown is pretty great ... explaining that his opponent is "leap years ahead of any adversary [O'Malley] has ever fought."

"Hats off to him. He did good, went out there and performed, got a knockout victory ... but you can’t compare when you’re fighting the Top 5 in the world."

"[O'Malley has] never fought anybody in the Top 15, so that’s a huge difference when you’re able to starch people like that at each level."

We also asked Cody if that punch was hardest he's ever hit anyone -- and got another great answer.

Fight Island officially opens on July 11 -- and Dana White is telling TMZ Sports who will have the honor of breaking in the new venue!

"The first fight that we're looking at is Alexander Volkanovski vs Max Holloway," White says.

Of course, the two fought back in Dec. 2019 -- with Volkanovski beating Max by unanimous decision.

Now, Max gets a shot at redemption on Fight Island ... which has also been revealed as Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Other fights taking place ... Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo and Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas.

White also says Kamaru Usman will fight Gilbert Burns.

White says the UFC is working on locking in more fights for Fight Island ... including Fabricio Werdum vs. Alexander Gustafsson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Shogun Rua and Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till.

White says there are more fights in the works.

As for the safety issue re: COVID-19, White says there will be "Lots of testing, lots of quarantining and lots of fighting."

UFC has also "secured" its own airline -- "We're going too be flying guys in from all over the place on our own airline."

There's more ... we also asked about Conor McGregor and if White truly believes the Irishman will stay retired from combat sports,

"I honestly don't know," White said ... ""but that kid's got a ton of money."

White says he found out McGregor is likely making a fortune in his liquor deal with Proper No. 12 -- and adds, "The minute you even start thinking about retiring, you should retire."

White tells us he understands fighters can fall in and out of love with the sport -- and the pandemic isn't helping.

First order of business for the newly "retired" Conor McGregor?!?

Hittin' the waters for a badass jetski sesh!!

The (former?) UFC superstar was spotted out off the coast of Dalkey in Dublin fresh off his 3rd retirement announcement in 4 years on Monday ... pretty much re-enacting that iconic scene from Netflix's "Tiger King."

You know what we're talking about. All that's missing is the "Eye Of The Tiger" playing in the background.

Conor was spotted making waves on a neon jetski ... circling around an expensive-looking yacht. Smell like retirement, or just another day in the life of being a rich guy??

Now, who knows if McGregor is REALLY done fighting ... but the dude is definitely playing the part -- he's even out here eating big ass brownies.

If he's trying to send a message, he's already got Floyd Mayweather's attention ... who said Notorious is "quitting."

Floyd Mayweather isn't gonna let Conor McGregor "retire" without taking a few shots at the guy on the way out.

... especially with all the crap Conor has been talking about Floyd lately!

Remember, it was just back in May that Conor told Mike Tyson, "I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it."

Tyson had been praising McGregor as a "bad motherf**ker" for going 10 rounds with Floyd in their 2017 fight -- and McGregor responded on social media.

"Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it."

So, when Conor unexpectedly announced his retirement from combat sports on Saturday evening ... Floyd was stunned and ready to talk some trash of his own,

“If I’m not mistaken, didn’t you tell Mike Tyson you could beat me if we fought a second time?" Floyd said.

"Now you're quitting! I thought you wanted to beat the best? Well, if you decide to come back, I will be waiting to punish you again."

Just a few months ago, Mayweather told us he was game for a rematch with Conor ... if the price is right.

No one really believes Conor is done fighting -- despite claims that he's bored with the fight game.

Most experts and insiders believe it's just another negotiating tactic to try and get a better deal with the UFC.

Will Conor reconsider for another 9-figure payday with Floyd? They ain't getting any younger!!!

Stay tuned ...

QUADRUPLE C?!!

Maybe ... because Henry Cejudo says he's already considering coming out of retirement from MMA for one last fight ... and he's got his sites set on Alexander Volkanovski.

FYI, Volkanovski is the current UFC Featherweight champ -- so, Triple C is essentially saying he wants to upgrade to Quadruple C!!

Cejudo already has 2 UFC championship belts and an Olympic gold medal on his resume ... but says the opportunity to add a 3rd UFC title is something he couldn't pass up.

"I've done everything in MMA. I'm satisfied with my career. There would only be one fight that would really bring me back, that would really wake me up in the morning ... it would be Alexander Volkanovski."

"I want a 3rd title because I want to be different," Cejudo tells TMZ Sports ... "To go into the history books as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time."

FYI, Volkanovski is a stud -- he's got a pro record of 21-1 and hasn't lost since 2013 ... nearly 7 years ago.

Cejudo says he has other options too -- including a possible boxing match with 21-year-old sensation Ryan Garcia.

As we previously reported, Cejudo says he's already had talks about fighting Ryan in Saudi Arabia.

Remember, Cejudo unexpectedly announced his retirement from MMA back on May 9 after defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.

If Conor McGregor were a rapper this would be his biggest hit song, "I'm retired" -- a track he's already dropped twice, but is now releasing for a 3rd time.

Conor tweeted his alleged retirement late Saturday, saying ... “Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting,” and added, "Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!”

This retirement announcement -- his 3rd in just 4 years -- came with a pic of Conor and his mom, and a note about buying her a house ... despite the fact he already pimped out his mother's crib in 2017.

Nice emotional touches that make ya think, maybe he means it this time???

Well, consider the fact he tweeted right after UFC 250 had wrapped Saturday night in Vegas -- a time when Conor, no doubt, knew people were talking about when he'd get back in the Octagon. UFC Prez Dana White had already said Conor would get the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje's summer fight.

Remember, Conor previously retired in 2016 and 2019, but always came back for bigger and bigger paydays -- but this time he told ESPN he really REALLY means it because, "The game just does not excite me."

No one actually believes Conor. Especially with the maniacal way he's talked about a rematch with Khabib ever since he lost back in 2018. He also recently threatened to kill Justin Gaethje when they finally clash.

Still, Dana's heard the retirement talk all before and totally took it in stride after UFC 250, saying ... “If Conor McGregor feels he wants to retire, you know my feelings about retirement. You should absolutely do it. And I love Conor. There’s a handful of people that have made this really fun for me, and he’s one of them.”

Soooo ... see ya in September, Conor?

Amanda Nunes wants Nina Ansaroff to sit out an entire year before returning to the Octagon after giving birth ... but Nina says she's coming back a lot sooner!!

Nina and Amanda are expecting a baby in September ... and Ansaroff -- the 5th ranked strawweight -- is adamant she will return to the Octagon.

But, how soon? We asked.

"In 3 months, [our baby girl's] gonna be here and I plan on fighting 6 months after that. Amanda says a year, but I'm giving 6 months," Ansaroff tells us.

Amanda?

"It's too soon, ya know?"

Nina's badass mindset should come as no surprise ... she says she's still training super hard.

"Unfortunately, the gym closed down because of the virus and all of that. I put the pads at home on the wall, I run every single day, I lift."

There's more ... we talk epidurals (yes -- and Nina ain't getting one), and Nunes' main event fight against Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 Saturday night.

"I'm ready to do this. I've been waiting for this moment for so long in my career. To defend the 2 belts, and hold both of them. Nobody ever did it before. And, I'm gonna be the first one to make history," Nunes says.

FYI -- Amanda is gunning to become the 1st 2-division UFC champion to successfully defend both titles.

Fight Island is all set to open on July 11 -- with top-of-the-line facilities and an octagon on the beach, so says Dana White.

... but Dana says there's one big problem.

"The FANTASY of Fight Island," Dana explained, "I'm very worried it will eclipse the REALITY of Fight Island."

"The fighters are not going to walk out lined up with tiki torches on the side. I will not be sitting in a big thrown overseeing the octagon and watching the fight."

So, what will Fight Island look like? Dana explained on "TMZ Live."

"We actually have an arena. We built a little arena there that's very, very cool ... The fighters will have their own private places to train. And, there will be an octagon on the beach too!"

Meanwhile, back on the mainland ... Dana is gearing up for UFC 250 on Saturday featuring the great Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer.

But, White is also stoked for "Sugar" Sean O'Malley -- an 11-0 rising star who's been exploding in popularity after smashing José Alberto Quiñónez back in March.

One last thing ... you see the mug Dana was drinking from?

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva says he's lucky to be alive after getting hit by a car -- AGAIN -- while riding his bike in Curitiba, Brazil.

"I could even have died if I wasn’t wearing a helmet,” Silva told Brazilian media outlet Tribuna.

The 43-year-old legend was biking Wednesday across a large street with two traffic lights ... when something went horribly wrong.

"The first one was green ... but I cannot [be sure] if the second turned red in the process."

Silva says he was thrown from his bike -- suffering cuts on his face and a broken bone in his foot.

"People have to be more careful in traffic. It’s hard to ride bikes in Curitiba.”

If the story sounds familiar, it's because Silva was also hit by a car while riding his bike to his gym in 2016.

Silva suffered major damage in that crash and required stitches on his leg.

Similarly, he credits his bike helmet for saving his life in that incident too.

Henry Cejudo is DEAD SERIOUS about boxing Ryan Garcia ... and says there's already been talk about money and a location for the scrap.

TMZ Sports talked to 33-year-old Cejudo -- fresh off his UFC retirement -- and Triple C made it clear his ongoing beef with 21-year-old Garcia ain't just for the Gram ... he legit wants to box the undefeated pugilist.

"I really don't think [Ryan Garcia's] that good. I really don't, and I think with a proper team, the right game plan, I believe I can make him bend the knee in front of Oscar De La Hoya," Cejudo tells us.

"I feel like I have the tools, the power, the strength, the experience and we wanna make this happen."

But, this ain't just a pipe dream ... Cejudo says his team has already been in talks with promoters, and the cash and location are there to make this super fight a reality.

Henry says the fight could go down in Saudi Arabia ... adding, "We got the money guy that's willing to pay both of us. It's just up to little Ryan candy Garcia to sign that contract."

FYI -- Saudi Arabia is becoming a big player in the boxing world ... and even hosted 2019's blockbuster rematch, Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz II.

The trash talk didn't stop there ... Henry also sent a message to King Ry.

"Ryan Garcia, you absolutely make me sick man. I would make you bend the knee so quick, you have no idea. You can throw about 100 punches, but it only takes one of mine to make you bend the knee, so sign the contract baby!"

Remember, Garcia recently told us he too is serious about boxing Cejudo ... and is even interested in an MMA bout with the future Hall of Famer.

IT'S NOT SHOW FRIENDS, IT'S SHOW BUSINESS!!

That's how UFC star Gilbert Burns feels about his teammate Kamaru Usman -- telling TMZ Sports he wants to fight his pal for the title, ASAP.

Of course, 33-year-old Burns just defeated former champ Tyron Woodley on Saturday -- and he's now the #1 ranked welterweight contender.

And, since Usman is the reigning champ -- seems that fight is bound to happen.

The only issue ... Burns and Usman share a manager (Ali Abdelaziz) and train together. They're friends.

So, would you be willing to fight your buddy for a shot at the belt?

Burns says for him ... it's a no-brainer.

"I know his family. I know the guy a lot," Burns says ... "but I want to be the champion too."

"We're professionals. It's not going to be drama, I'm not gonna talk sh*t to the guy ... I just want to be the best and that's it."

Burns is currently on a 5-fight win streak -- with victories over stars like Woodley, Damien Maia and Gunnar Nelson.

Usman hasn't lost since 2013 -- most recently beating up Colby Covington at UFC 245 back in December.

Burns says money's no object -- he's reasonable -- and he's calling on Dana White to put it together.

"I'm available, I'm hungry. And I want to fight for the title next."

UFC star Jon Jones rounded up a crew and hit the streets Monday night -- swearing once again to protect the City of Albuquerque from violent looters and vandals ... and here's the video.

"I called upon some of the men of Albuquerque, New Mexico and quite a few showed up," Jones said in front of a group of 21 people.

Remember, Jones was out on Sunday night, too -- and forcibly snatched a spray can from a young man during the chaos on the streets.

So on Monday, Jones felt compelled to return to action -- and issued this warning to anyone looking to cause trouble in his city.

"We are fathers, we are brothers, are business owners, we are members of this community and we don't want to see you spray painting for no reason. We don't want to see you guys throwing rocks through windows for no reason. We don't want to see you guys breaking down hard-earned businesses for no reason."

"Tonight we're gonna try and stop as many of you as we can."

Jones explained, "We come in peace. We're going to use our voices, our numbers and were going to be the difference."

Jones says the night was a success -- they only encountered one group of looters -- and Jon says they worked with police to stop them.

Jones praised the peaceful protesters in the city who weren't causing trouble.

Later in the evening, Jon led a prayer circle with several APD officers -- and it's pretty moving to watch.

Chuck Liddell is DISGUSTED by George Floyd's killing ... but says that doesn't give anyone the right to hurt innocent people and torch his city.

TMZ Sports talked to Liddell -- a day after he played peacemaker in Huntington Beach -- where demonstrators and local residents nearly came to blows in the street.

"In this country, you're allowed to speak your mind. You have a right to your own opinion. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and you're allowed to speak your mind. But, you're not allowed to destroy things, you're not allowed to steal, you're not allowed to hurt people," Liddell tells us.

Chuck says he's been living in Huntington Beach ... and knew with protesters making their way towards the SoCal beachside town, the situation could turn ugly.

"I walked down there to check it out. I wanted to see what was going on. And, also I knew and heard a lot of guys saying we're not letting them destroy our city. And, I knew there was a possibility for a lot of violence," Chuck says.

"You see everything going on on the news. So, I went down to watch it, and I did my best to try and calm people down. Let people talk. You know, I stopped a lot of people from overly pushing the issue with people."

Liddell -- who says he totally supports peaceful demonstrations -- says he's been receiving love ... but also hate from people who saw what he did.

Jon Jones is pissed off -- so he took to the streets of Albuquerque to confront vandals Sunday face-to-face ... and the video is intense.

You can see the UFC light heavyweight champion go right up to two masked people and demand they hand over their spray cans immediately.

Jon is 6'4", 205 pounds and arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time -- so yeah, the vandals listened and handed the cans right over.

After the incident, Jones went to social media to vent ..."Is this shit even about George Floyd anymore," Jones wrote ..."Why the f*ck are you punk ass teenagers destroying our cities!??"

"As a young black man trust me I’m frustrated as well but this is not the way, we are starting to make a bad situation worse."

"If you really got love for your city (505), protect your sh*t. All you old heads need to speak up, call your young family members and tell them to come home tonight."

Jon Jones says his run as UFC's light heavyweight champ is OVER -- claiming he's giving up the title amid a nasty pay dispute with Dana White.

"I hurt myself every time I walk out there and take a punch to the head and not feel my pay is worth it anymore," Jones said.

The drama began over negotiations for a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou super fight.

Dana White said Jones is demanding $30 mil for the fight -- way too high for White. Jones says he never asked for that much.

Both have spoken publicly -- calling BS on the other side.

In fact, just a few days ago, Jones tweeted at White to release him from his contract.

Things escalated on Sunday ...

Jones tweeted that Dominick Reyes should fight Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title ... saying, "As of right now, I got nothing to really gain fighting either of them."

"Let me know if you guys want to set up a day in 2021 for that Izzy fight. Hopefully you guys will be willing to pay by then."

When someone asked Jones if this means he's "revoking" the title -- Jon replied, "Yes."

"Bones out, when you see me in the streets just call me JJ."

"To the light heavyweight title Veni, vidi, vici" -- which means, "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Great news for Daniel Cormier ... the UFC star doesn't have to worry about career options after he retires from MMA, because the WWE sounds VERY interested!

Triple H -- one of the top execs at WWE -- tells TMZ Sports he LOVES everything about D.C. ... and thinks he would EASILY cross over into pro wrestling.

In fact, HHH says the two have already talked about a possible gig ... but ONLY if it won't conflict with his UFC deal.

"I love Daniel. We've obviously talked a lot in the past. We've had conversations about him doing stuff with us in the past whether that's in-ring or whether that's commentary or doing different things."

"I think we'd love to do something with him if the time is right -- obviously, respectful to UFC and to Dana and everything else."

"We'd love to chat with him and we have an open relationship as far as communication so I'm sure shortly we will when he figures out what he wants to do."

41-year-old Cormier has repeatedly said he has 1 fight left in him in the UFC and then he'll retire -- but so far, no fight date has been set. He's hoping to get his rematch with Stipe Miocic sometime this year.

There's more ... Triple H also talks about Conor McGregor possibly joining the McMahon family business somewhere down the line.

"I think that Conor McGregor versus Vince McMahon with that Billion Dollar Walk on the line?! I mean, I think that's a match made in heaven!"

And, don't forget about Rob Gronkowski -- the reigning WWE 24/7 champ.

Will he be able to defend his belt now that he's back in the NFL?

"It's on the line 24/7," Triple H says ... "You might end up seeing him score a touchdown, spike the ball, get rolled up and drop the title ... who knows?!"

Triple H even kicks around the idea of Tom Brady taking the title from Gronk!!

"I mean, geez. He throws the bomb, Gronk catches it, scores a touchdown, spikes it -- Brady rolls up to high five him, shoots behind, gets the roll-up! 1, 2, 3!  New 24/7 champion!