MMA

The good news for War Machine is that he found love and he's now engaged to 30-year-old Ashley Farrington ... bad news is there's no conjugal visits in the state where he's locked up. Congrats?

Family sources close to Ashley tell TMZ ... War Marchine -- who is serving a life sentence with a possibility of parole when he's 71 -- first got acquainted with Ashley when she started writing to him as his pen pal last summer. We're told the relationship evolved to visits to Ely State Prison. They posed for this pic a few weeks ago.

Feelings developed and, earlier this year, the 36-year-old former UFC star wrote a poem asking for her hand in marriage. She said yes, even though he was sans ring.

War and Ashley can have a wedding ceremony in prison and share a hug, but that's all the physical contact they'll have for a very long time -- Nevada doesn't allow conjugal visits. So much for consummating the marriage.

As we reported ... War was found guilty of sexual assault, coercion, battery by strangulation, kidnapping and several other charges after attacking his ex, porn star Christy Mack.

Don't slam the door on a possible Cormier vs. Miocic rematch -- with D.C. telling TMZ Sports he's open to the idea ... AFTER he fights Brock Lesnar.

Remember, after Daniel Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 earlier this month ... Lesnar stormed the cage and hyped a Cormier vs. Lesnar superfight.

Miocic -- the former heavyweight champion of the world -- is furious claiming he's EARNED a rematch with Cormier before Lesnar gets a shot ... considering Brock hasn't even fought since 2016.

So, when we saw Cormier at the ESPYs on Wednesday ... we asked how he felt about Stipe's gripe.

Of course, the clock is ticking considering Cormier is 39 years old and wants to retire at age 40. His birthday is in March.

Tick tock ...

Darrelle Revis gave us a glimpse into his life after football Wednesday night ... and it looks good. REALLY good.

The newly retired cornerback showed up to the ESPYs with Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and pro MMA fighter Mia Kang as his arm candy ... and the two looked VERY coupley.

Are they dating for real? Mia wouldn't spill the beans ... but, Revis did say the two already have a second date planned.

"She said she's going to kick my ass soon," Revis says. "So, I'm looking forward to it."

Sure beats jammin' receivers during the dog days of training camp, right D.R.??

Sage Northcutt tipped the scale at 170 lbs. on Friday ... but he'll be a helluva lot heavier in the future -- as in, the size of a 206+ lb. heavyweight -- 'cause that's where Super Sage says he'll eventually fight.

TMZ Sports talked to the UFC star before his co-main event fight against Zak Ottow at Saturday's UFC Fight Night 133 -- a fight in the 170 lb. welterweight division.

That's a step up for the 22-year-old -- who's been fightin' at 155 lbs. -- but it ain't the final destination.

"Personally I think I might end up fighting heavyweight in the future," Sage tell us.

"I can just see myself keep growing. I'll be 24, 25, growing 2, 3, 4 more inches, and putting on a lot of muscle. I can absolutely see it."

Ronda Rousey stopped short of giving Daniel Cormier G.O.A.T. status -- but tells TMZ Sports the UFC's new "champ-champ" is definitely the best in the game "right now."

The newly inducted UFC Hall of Famer was at LAX on Monday where we asked if DC's victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 cements him as the best to ever step in the Octagon.

"I think right now, yeah," Ronda said ... emphasizing the words "right now."

"He's the best in the game right now."

Don't get it twisted -- there was no disrespect ... in fact, Ronda praised Cormier for all of his accomplishments. She considers him a friend. Nothing but love.

Ronda's also friends with Brock Lesnar -- and says she's NOT looking forward to the Cormier vs. Lesnar superfight, because it'll tear her up inside!

The dude who shoved Brock Lesnar at UFC 226 says he ain't done with the WWE monster just yet ... and now he's threatening EVEN MORE violence!

Okay, backstory ... remember when Brock shoved DC in the Octagon after Cormier beat Stipe Miocic?

If you watch closely, you can see a guy from Cormier's camp step in and PUSH Brock in retaliation -- actually knocking the ex-UFC champ off-balance.

That dude is Cormier's 5'3"-ish boxing coach, Rosendo Sanchez -- and we called the guy up to ask one very important question ... WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!

Sanchez says it was all about having his friend's back -- and when he saw Brock attack Cormier, "I'm like, 'F*ck it, I'm going in!'"

Rosendo wasn't done with the trash talking there ... telling us that when Cormier finally gets in the Octagon with Lesnar for real, it ain't gonna be pretty.

How many stitches did it take to close all the bloody gashes on Paul Felder's face after his war with Mike Perry at UFC 226???

Well, TMZ Sports has the answer ... thanks to Paul -- who gave us a video tour of his injuries -- and it's pretty graphic stuff!

Paul -- who's gotta be one of the toughest guys on the planet -- fought ALL 3 ROUNDS with Perry Saturday night despite breaking his arm in round 1. He even threw spinning backfists AFTER the injury!

Felder says he was pretty numb to the pain during the fight -- but could hear the clicking of his broken forearm when he tried to make a fist!!!

Felder's manager posted a crazy video showing doctors stitching him up -- and dude DOESN'T FLINCH after getting his massive gash flushed out with a big ass needle.

Don't worry, Felder says he'll be okay -- though he doesn't know how long he'll be out.

He does dish out some solid advice though -- "Stay in school, kids. Stay in school."

UFC star Dominick Cruz tells TMZ Sports ... his broken arm is still not healed -- he's hit some bumps in the road during recovery -- but hopes to be cleared to fight before the end of the year.

The former bantamweight champ suffered the injury back in November while training for a fight with Jimmie Rivera ... but says he's had some medical setbacks while trying to heal up.

Now, Cruz says he's itching for a fight real bad -- and hopes to be cleared by a doctor in next few months so he can book a fight before the end of the year.

As for potential opponents, Cruz says he'd LOVE to get the winner of T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt ... but claims neither guy is man enough to take the fight!

There might not be anyone more qualified to pick the winner of the big Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic fight than Roy Nelson -- he fought 'em BOTH -- and he's putting his money on the underdog!

The heavyweight brawler battled both guys back in 2013 -- and lost both fights -- but tells TMZ Sports there was one big takeaway ... Cormier hits harder than Stipe!

There's more ... "Big Country" says Cormier is the smarter fighter, and that will pay off big time when they clash at UFC 226 in Vegas on Saturday.

"I think DC has probably the better game plan and I think he has the overall better skills," Roy says ... "If I'm a betting man, I go with the odds with DC."

UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley says he's already punched his ticket to be a UFC Hall of Famer ... but when it comes to Nate Diaz, the man from Stockton ain't exactly a lock.

Woodley broke it down on "The Hollywood Beatdown" -- explaining why he deserves to join MMA greats like Chuck Liddell, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Ronda Rousey.

So, why not Nate Diaz? Tyron says his resume ain't that impressive -- and if he wants to add "HOF" next to his name, he needs to chalk up a few more MAJOR wins.

Woodley also weighed in on the Hall of Fame chances for Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, Daniel Cormier and Nick Diaz.

There's more ... Woodley also reveals his favorite story about his old friend, Kimbo Slice, and why he's super excited for the upcoming movie about the late MMA star.

UFC star Max Holloway has broken his silence after the medical emergency that forced him to back out of his big fight at UFC 226 this weekend ... and he's vowing to return to the Octagon.

Holloway was hospitalized this week after presenting concussion-like symptoms in the days before he was set to fight Brian Ortega in Vegas. Unclear what caused Max's condition.

But now, Max is speaking out on Twitter ... saying simply, "It was what it was."

Holloway also had a message for fans -- saying he definitely plans to fight again as soon as possible.

"I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over."

Holloway also shouted out the UFC fighters who offered to fight Ortega in his place.

"Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to [Jeremy Stephens] and [Frankie Edgar] for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you."

Jeremy Stephens has a message for Brian Ortega after the UFC star wouldn't take him on in a replacement fight at UFC 226 this weekend: "F*ck you, bitch!"

Yeah, Jeremy ain't happy.

After Max Holloway pulled out of his bout with Ortega this weekend after presenting concussion-like symptoms, Dana White offered the fight to Stephens -- but, Brian turned it down because of the short notice.

That has Jeremy livid ... with the fighter saying Ortega cares more about his hair than actually getting in the Octagon.

"I keep telling this kid, man, if you want to make money, and you want to make a name for yourself and you want to be a champion ... you have to fight," Stephens says.

"Like shut the f*ck up and fight. Ain't nobody caring about your hair, ain't nobody caring about what type of flying moves you're doing. I don't give two sh*ts what you do, let's fight."

Ortega reportedly is holding out for Holloway to get better, so he can fight for the title -- but, Stephens says he's ready for the scrap anytime and anyplace.

Ronda Rousey became the first female fighter EVER inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on Thursday -- and proudly told the crowd, "We have changed what it means to fight like a girl."

She's the UFC's first-ever women's champion and defended her belt SIX TIMES during her historic run from 2012 to 2015 ... and, during her speech, thanked the fans for their support.

"Because of you, I am the first woman standing up here accepting this incredible honor," Rousey said ... "May I be the first of many."

"I look around and think, together we built this. This division. This sport. This revolution."

"Together, we have redefined what it means to be strong, to be sexy. We have changed what it means to fight like a girl."

Remember, back in 2011 ... Dana White famously told TMZ Sports he would never sign a woman to a UFC contract -- but, Ronda was so dominant and interesting, she essentially forced his hand to create a women's division.

Now, the women's division -- filled with stars like Amanda Nunes, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm and others -- is thriving ... and they credit Ronda for opening the door.

3:56 PM PT -- A rep for the UFC tells TMZ Sports ... Cormier insists he's "fine" and will be okay to fight on Saturday.

Daniel Cormier slipped and fell while leaving the UFC 226 news conference in Vegas moments ago ... and it looked like he came up limping.

Cormier was getting up from the table after promoting Saturday's fight against Stipe Miocic when he slipped and hit the ground. You can see his championship belt go flying.

Cormier eventually got up and gingerly walked off stage. He returned to the stage minutes later to square off and pose with Stipe.

We're making calls right now to check on DC's health ... stay tuned.

Daniel Cormier says there's a secret about Jon Jones everyone should know ... HE LOVES DANIEL CORMIER!

"He may not like to admit it, but he's my fan," Cormier tells TMZ Sports ... "He enjoys watching me compete. He does!"

DC says there's not a doubt in his mind JJ will be tuning in when he fights Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 on Saturday because, despite all the trash talk over the years ... "he likes watching me."

Cormier has a secret, too ... and it has to do with Jon Jones -- admitting he'll use JJ when he's playing the UFC video game because his character is "the best guy in the game."

At the end of the day, Cormier hates Jones -- but he hates losing in video games even more!

Cormier says he's also aware that he's a heavy underdog going into the Stipe fight ... but has some advice for gamblers out there -- the smart money is on DC, and he explains why!

Chuck Liddell says he's not just taking the Tito Ortiz fight because he's missing the sport -- telling TMZ Sports he wouldn't have signed on if he wasn't getting a fat ass paycheck.

We broke the story ... the 48-year-old legend hooked up with Oscar De La Hoya to return to MMA for the first time since 2010. Chuck and Tito finally signed their deals last week and Liddell is excited.

"I never get tired of hitting that guy," Chuck told us outside of Sushi Nishi in Calabasas ... "He never stops running his mouth. I really don't like him."

Chuck has scored the W in both of his previous fights with Tito -- and says he's going for the knockout this time around too.

As for the money, Chuck says he's getting paid handsomely -- and the size of his check was a huge factor in his decision to come out of retirement.