MMA

He's still got another month on the bench, but fighters are already trying to book a fight with Jon Jones -- starting with UFC star Alexander Gustafsson!

Some history ... Gustafsson had a title shot with Jones back in 2013 at UFC 165 -- and the fight was AWESOME!!!

AG lost in a unanimous decision -- but Jones was sent to the hospital for injuries after the fight and later called it the toughest fight of his career.

Both guys got a Fight of the Night bonus for the spectacular brawl.

Now, with Jones expected to be reinstated to fight again as early as October -- Alexander is making his pitch for a rematch!

"Congratulations [Jon Jones]," the #1 ranked lightweight contender wrote on social media ... "I'm really glad u are back!"

"[Daniel Cormier] is aiming for [Brock Lesnar] ... so let’s give the fans another legendary fight for the belt."

Gustafsson made sure to tag the UFC and Dana White.

As we previously reported, Jones is currently serving a suspension after testing positive for PEDs surrounding the Cormier fight at UFC 214.

America’s favorite jackass is back at it again … we’re getting the first look at how Steve-O is prepping for his new stunt tour … and it’s a miracle he has any brain cells left!!!

Steve-O is teaming up with Chuck Liddell to psych himself up for his upcoming Bucket List Tour ... and you gotta see what the "Jackass" star came up with!!!

Steve-O crams his dome into a makeshift helmet and uses his ear to tee up a golf ball as the MMA legend busts out a driver and takes a monster rip. That’s got to hurt -- fore sure!!!

Lucky for you, Steve-O suffered a better fate than the golf ball ... and he's starting his live multimedia tour this weekend.

Steve-O tells TMZ ... the tour includes explicit footage of him ejaculating as he falls out of an airplane, riding a bike under general anesthesia, a vasectomy world record and the stunt that left 15 percent of his body covered in 3rd degree burns!!!

Brett Favre frickin' LOVES Conor McGregor ... and says he's super pumped for the Khabib Nurmagomedov mega-fight.

Oh yeah ... and he told us who's gonna win too.

TMZ Sports recently spoke to Favre -- who just took a family vacay to Ireland -- about his UFC obsession ... particularly the Notorious.

"I like watching the guy fight. Love watching the guy fight. I think he's a hell of a fighter."

Favre says he's pumped for what some -- including Mark Wahlberg -- say is gonna be the biggest MMA fight ever ... and is pretty sure McGregor will have his hand raised.

"I gotta go with my guy, McGregor. I'm looking forward to it."

We say pretty sure 'cause, even though #4 is confident Conor will get it done, he's still leaving a little room for the bear-wrestling mauler to score what Favre thinks would be an upset.

"In the UFC, you never know. You never know."

6:25 PM PT -- Jones has responded to the news, saying ... "It’s difficult to express myself at this moment but I can definitely say my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation. I want to thank all of you who have stood by me during the toughest stretch of my life."

He added ... "now is the time to shift the focus front and center to the road ahead. Greatness is what I’m chasing and the path to reclaiming my throne is now officially open. Comeback Season begins now."

Jon Jones has finally received his punishment for testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid last year -- a 15-month suspension -- but the good news is ... he could return to the Octagon in just a little over a month.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced Jones' suspension Wednesday, but it's retroactive to the date of the test on July 28, 2017 ... which means he may be eligible to fight again by October 28.

As we reported ... Jones swore on God and his kids that he didn't use steroids before his fight with Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, but couldn't account for the banned substance in his system in his B test.

Due to the positive test, his knockout over Cormier was changed to a no-contest.

Jones was originally looking at a maximum of a 4-year ban, but the USADA changed its mind and only sought an 18-month suspension. However, an independent arbitrator ultimately reduced it to 15 months and said in his ruling ... "There was absolutely no intention to use prohibited substances on the part of the athlete."

Jones also got his license to fight revoked in California for the positive test, but he's also eligible for reinstatement now.

Forget GGG-Canelo and Conor-Khabib ... the fight EVERYBODY wants to see just took a real step towards happening -- 'cause Greg Hardy is ALL IN on a fight with Shawne Merriman!!

Remember ... the ex-Chargers superstar told TMZ Sports he's down for a fight with Hardy if he wins his first tilt in the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation in November.

Well ... Greg just got word of the challenge -- and says he's DEFINITELY in for the match.

"All I’m saying is if you like entertainment as much as I do, you would deff enjoy this one," Greg says.

"Pro-Bowl battle royal. #iamthestorm let’s make it happen baby lol."

Of course -- Greg's been running through dudes in his transition from the NFL to the Octagon and has already earned a development contract with the UFC.

But, Merriman's legit serious about his fighting career as well ... having trained in the ring even during his NFL playing days.

Greg Hardy vs. Shawne Merriman ... in a fist fight?!

Yeah, this could actually happen.

Shawne -- the former NFL superstar -- is about to compete in his first bare knuckle boxing match ... and if he wins, "Lights Out" says he'd LOVE to get in the ring against Hardy.

Of course, Hardy has been crushing everybody since transitioning from the NFL to MMA -- and has already earned a development contract with the UFC.

Now, Merriman is following Hardy's lead ... sorta.

The ex-Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker signed a deal with the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation to brawl on Nov. 9 against Mike Bourke -- a dude who once knocked out Ken Shamrock.

If Merriman wins, he tells TMZ Sports ... a superfight with Hardy would be awesome.

"I'll definitely be open to see what Greg Hardy got to offer."

By the way, this isn't some fun experiment for Merriman -- he's been seriously training for years and believes, since he's only 34, he can have a real future in combat sports.

It all starts with Mike Bourke -- and Shawne says he's already putting together his fight plan.

Fresh off his destruction of Darren Till, UFC champ Tyron Woodley is now targeting the rap game -- dropping his first single with Wiz Khalifa ... "I'll Beat Yo Ass!!!"

The Chosen One gave us a taste on 'The Hollywood Beatdown' -- explaining how a late-night recording session turned into a bangin' new anthem ... and why some of the biggest names in hip-hop are getting involved.

And, he's already got Snoop Dogg down for the remix!!!!

There's a lot more ...

Tyron also explains how he dislocated his thumb punching Till's face at UFC 228 -- but it won't stop him from fighting Colby Covington at UFC 230 in November ... if the paycheck's right.

And, Logan Paul vs. Sage Northcutt?? Tyron says Sage better not underestimate the YouTube star ...

Hell, Tyron says he's even down to TRAIN Logan if he's serious about trying to fight in the UFC.

Who gets punched in the face this week? Watch and find out.

Cops have arrested ex-UFC fighter Melvin Guillard for that brutal bar attack in Colorado last week -- and it turns out he's facing domestic violence charges for allegedly attacking his GF back in April.

We broke the story ... Guillard was allegedly captured on video beating the hell out of people at Bar Standard on Sept. 3 -- knocking at least one man out cold.

Officials issued a warrant for his arrest -- but didn't have to look too hard for the guy ... since he had a court date in CO on Sept. 10 for ANOTHER assault case.

Turns out, Guillard was arrested back in April for allegedly roughing up and strangling his girlfriend during a heated drunken argument.

According to the police report, the alleged victim told cops she had asked Guillard when he was finally going to leave his wife so they could be together ... and that's when he snapped.

She claims Guillard choked her multiple times -- and at one point, "she was scared he 'might kill her.'"

When cops arrived, they noticed injuries to her face and neck and arrested Guillard on the spot for 2nd-degree assault, strangulation.

He was due to appear in court for that case on Sept. 10 -- and when he showed up, he was taken into custody for the Sept. 3 bar attack.

Guillard was booked for 2nd and 3rd-degree assault for the bar fight. He was arraigned early Thursday morning. We're told he's still in custody.

The 35-year-old fighter was a rising star in MMA when he first started out, appearing on "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 2 ... and beat UFC stud Jeremy Stephens back in 2010.

He also got beat up by some of the biggest names in the business including Nate Diaz, Justin Gaethje and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Here's new video of Conor McGregor hitting the gym to prep for his superfight with Khabib Nurmagomedov -- and he looks scary good.

He's sparring, he's grappling, he's knocking people on their asses ... it's impressive stuff.

Of course, Conor hasn't had an MMA fight since defeating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in 2016 -- but he's booked to make his triumphant return to the Octagon at UFC 229 on Oct. 6.

Some people are worried Conor could have "ring rust" -- but when you're looking at the new highlight video, he seems sharp and strong.

Obviously, it's heavily edited -- but we all know what Conor's capable of ... and it's cool to see him back in beast mode.

As for Khabib, that dude is an absolute monster -- he's 26-0 and beat the dog snot out of just about everyone he's faced.

The two have bad blood -- remember, when Conor attacked that bus at Barclay's Center back in April, he was gunning for Khabib ... who had disrespected one of Conor's training partners earlier that week.

Floyd Mayweather dished out advice for Khabib -- telling him not to underestimate Conor, who's a "warrior."

Conor shot back with some insults for the entire Mayweather family.

Wanna hear something gross? Imagine putting your opponent in a KNEEBAR and then hearing it POP!!!!!

That's exactly what happened to UFC star Aljamain Sterling this weekend -- when he was ripping away at Cody Stamann's knee and heard it explode right in the Octagon!

The "Funkmaster" was ripping Stamann's left leg over his head with an excruciatingly painful move, when he pulled just a little too hard and heard the joint go snap, crackle, POP!

"I heard it bro," Sterling tells TMZ Sports ... "It was a nasty one!"

Sterling says he feels bad for Stamann and hopes he heals up soon -- but fears the dude tore his LCL and maybe even more ... judging by the way the injury went down.

Injury aside, Sterling's victory was super impressive and Aljamain says Dana White took notice -- even promising to send him a little bonus check in the mail for putting on a show at UFC 228.

Congrats, man ... you earned it!

Tyron Woodley says his skull-crushing victory over Darren Till at UFC 228 solidifies him as the greatest welterweight fighter of ALL TIME ... putting him over Georges St-Pierre.

"The Chosen One" was fired up Monday morning after notching his 4th title defense in a row -- but admitted to TMZ Sports his elbow and hands were sore from bashing in Till's face.

"I don't think [he landed one shot on me]. I think the stats show one, but I didn't feel one. His head connected with my elbow a lot. That motherf**ker is sore," Tyron said.

"I'm like, 'Damn! What's your head made out of?!'"

As far as his legacy is concerned, Tyron says there's no question -- "I am the greatest welterweight of all time. No disrespect to Georges St-Pierre, but I don't have to fight him to prove that."

Tyron goes on to explain why he deserves the #1 spot over GSP.

By the way, Tyron has previously called out GSP to his face on "The Hollywood Beatdown" back in November ... but St-Pierre wouldn't commit to a scrap.

By the way, we also asked Tyron if there's a chance he'd fight Conor McGregor down the line -- since the two had beef backstage at UFC 205 back in 2016 ... and Tyron's definitely down.

Tyron told us Conor needs to focus on getting through Khabib Nurmagomedov next month first -- and then "maybe" the two can work something out.

Ex-MMA star War Machine insists he's no longer the woman-beating maniac he used to be -- he's found Jesus and changed his life ... and he's begging his ex-GF for forgiveness.

War Machine's story made national headlines -- he was a super talented UFC fighter who lost it all in 2014 when he viciously attacked his then-girlfriend, Christy Mack, when he caught her with another man.

Mack's injuries were horrific -- 18 broken bones, broken eye socket, broken nose and a lacerated liver. The other victim, Corey Thomas, was choked out and bitten before escaping.

War Machine was eventually convicted on 29 felony counts and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 36 years.

Now, the imprisoned fighter -- real name Jon Koppenhaver -- is speaking for the first time from behind bars as part of a documentary by Jon Bravo ... and he's expressing serious remorse.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't regret that, and I hate it," he says.

"Nobody hates me as much as I hate the man that I used to be."

Machine says he initially blamed Christy for the incident because she was cheating on him -- but has now realized none of it was her fault ... he was the bad guy, period.

"From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to Christy. I'm sorry, Christy."

Conor McGregor just got called the HELL out, and not by a scrub either ...

The guy doing the talking is 28-0 welterweight champ Keith "One Time" Thurman, who says he'd destroy Conor on any shaped mat -- that includes Octagons.

McGregor has obviously tried his hand at boxing before, getting beat up by Floyd Mayweather in Vegas last summer ... Keith told TMZ Sports if he ever got his hands on Conor, it'd be WORSE.

"I'd beat Conor McGregor's ass, I'd beat his ass. He would've got knocked out. If he fought a real young welterweight ... he would've got knocked out for the whole world to see."

He's obviously referring to the boxing ring -- but if you think Thurman is scared to beat Conor at HIS game ... you're wrong.

"I'll take Conor in the Octagon. Ain't like he's throwing a lot of kicks anyway."

BTW ... anyone wondering when Keith is coming back to boxing, he addresses his future below, and it seems either Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, or Manny Pacquiao is in for a headache.

NBA stud Deron Williams was once offered a real-deal fight with Greg Hardy ... and wanna guess what his response was??

Yeah, it was a firm HELL NO.

Deron is actually a pretty legit MMA fighter ... dude has a serious wrestling background and he even co-owns Fortis MMA in Dallas where 3 fighters on the UFC 228 card train.

In fact ... UFC heavyweight Rashad Coulter -- who works out with Williams -- tells TMZ Sports, "He's a good wrestler and has fast hands."

But, when word of those skills got around to the Legacy Fighting Alliance -- where Hardy used to scrap -- they asked if Deron wanted to fight Greg ... D-Will's response was a swift no.

"Are they crazy right now!?" Williams says.

"Greg Hardy has to cut weight to make 265. You think I'm getting in there with that animal!?"

Williams tells us there is one scenario where he might step into the Octagon for real -- albeit not against Hardy -- saying he'd be down to fight one day for charity.

As for his basketball future ... Williams sure seems like he's done with the NBA -- although he ain't officially closing that door yet.

UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he LOVES that Nike signed Colin Kaepernick -- because it's inspiring and brave ... and he strongly believes the QB is continuing the legacy of Muhammad Ali.

"When Muhammad Ali died, I think [Kaepernick] took the torch."

Tyron says Kaep could have easily taken his NFL money and shut up somewhere -- ignoring the glaring issues when it comes to police brutality against minorities ... but he did the courageous thing and spoke out.

... just like Ali.

There's a lot more on this episode of 'The Hollywood Beatdown' -- including Tyron's weight cut for his UFC 228 fight against Darren Till.

Tyron tells us everything about all of his last minute preparations -- including final meals and what music he listens to right before walking into the Octagon.

It's great stuff.

Ex-UFC fighter Melvin Guillard -- who fought the likes of Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje -- brutally attacked and KO'd a man in a Colorado bar ... and now cops are on the hunt.

TMZ Sports has obtained surveillance footage which shows the 35-year-old getting into it with several people at Bar Standard in Denver around 2 AM on Monday morning.

After some pushing and shoving, you can see Guillard -- with his trademark bleach blonde hair -- cold-cock a bar patron in the face ... knocking the guy out cold before he hit the floor.

The victim was clearly unconscious and people ran to tend to him -- while a female patron tried to attack Guillard in retaliation. Guillard hit her too.

TMZ Sports spoke with a Denver Police Dept. spokesperson who told us several witnesses were able to identify the attacker as Guillard ... and now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Guillard was a pretty promising MMA fighter when he first started out -- appearing on "The Ultimate Fighter" season 2. He famously scored a victory against UFC stud Jeremy Stephens back in 2010.

But, he also got his ass kicked a lot ... chalking up Ls to guys like Nate Diaz, Israel Adesanya, Justin Gaethje, Michael Johnson and Donald Cerrone.