MMA

Conor McGregor says he will 100% complete the Nate Diaz trilogy -- saying, "I will give that man that rematch."

Conor and Nate have fought twice -- Nate won the first fight by strangling McGregor. Conor was the rematch in a majority decision. Both fights were phenomenal.

Now that Conor is back in the MMA biz after a 2-year break -- UFC Tonight's Karyn Bryant asked the Notorious who's next on his wish list of big fights.

McGregor said he's interested in scrapping with Anderson Silva -- saying, "It sounds interesting to me." There's clearly a mutual respect there.

But, Conor got most excited when talking about a rubber match with Nate Diaz.

"I've got that trilogy with Diaz. I will give that man that rematch. He gave me a rematch. I will give him a rematch."

What's interesting ... Conor says the 3rd fight will likely take place at 155 pounds -- 15 pounds lighter than they were in the first 2 fights.

However, Conor says he'd be open to fighting at 165 -- and creating a new division in the process, one that Nate has been lobbying for recently.

In fact, Conor says the UFC should start several more weight classes in 10-pound increments to create more champions and make weight cutting safer for the fighters.

Question is ... will Nate take a 3rd fight? Stay tuned ...

Khabib Nurmagomedov will NOT screw over UFC 229 by missing weight -- so says his teammate, Daniel Cormier, who says his Dagestani pal is right on track.

Khabib has had issues with weight before -- he bailed out of UFC 209 (against Tony Ferguson) after issues with his weight cut went so poorly, he was hospitalized days before the fight.

He also had weight issues at UFC 160 -- when he was 3.5 pounds over the 155 limit when facing Abel Trujillo. They ultimately fought at a catch weight because Khabib couldn't shed the weight in time.

There are much bigger stakes for Saturday's fight against Conor McGregor -- the lightweight championship is on the line.

But, Cormier tells TMZ Sports there's nothing to worry about -- "He's looking great. Khabib's ready to go. His weight's looking good."

"Oh yeah, he'll make weight," Cormier added ... "He's like 11 pounds overweight as of [Tuesday]."

Sounds like a lot -- but Cormier insists it's right where Khabib needs to be.

The two will finally clash on October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in what many people are calling the biggest UFC fight of all time!!

Cormier says his friend, Khabib, will need to "fire on all cylinders" to beat Conor, who's mauled just about everyone he's faced in the UFC.

Khabib is no slouch -- "He's 26 and 0," Cormier points out.

Talk about going out with a bang ... Daniel Cormier tells TMZ Sports his fight plan is to finish his UFC career with one final mega-brawl with Jon Jones!!!

The reigning champ champ (he's got both the heavyweight and light heavyweight title) has already set a ticking clock on his UFC career -- promising to retire for good on his 40th birthday, roughly 6 months from now.

First, Cormier says he wants Brock Lesnar in the heavyweight division ... followed by a light heavyweight fight with Jon Jones.

Dana White recently told us he would love to see Jones vs. Cormier III at heavyweight ... but D.C. says he ain't on board with that. He wants the fight at light heavyweight (205 pounds).

"I want to fight Jones at 205, because that's where he beat me," Cormier said ... "He beat me at 205, I want to beat him where he beat me."

In the meantime, D.C. says he'll most likely relinquish his light heavyweight title while he fights Brock at heavyweight ... clearing the way for Jones to fight Alexander Gustafsson for the LHW title.

After that, it's on ... one last battle for the ages.

UFC star Tony Ferguson says he's a new, sober man -- telling TMZ Sports he's cut alcohol out of his life and has "completely turned my life around."

Tony says he made the life changes to expedite his recovery from the devastating knee injury he suffered back in April. Tony says doctors told him recovery could take up to a year ... but he was so focused, he was back in 4 months!!!

Now, Tony is facing Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 this weekend -- and has this message for his opponent, "Kiss my ass!"

As for the other fight on the card -- Conor vs. Khabib match -- Ferguson has some thoughts.

"Battle of the bullsh*ts. We got Tiramisu verse McNuggets. Both lost their sauce, and I got all the sauce."

Ferguson says neither guy's ever wanted smoke with him ... and ain't a damn thing changed.

"As far as Khabib is concerned, sh*t, the dude ducked me. He's been ducking me and so has Conor. Conor never says my name 'cause he's got 1 thing on his mind, loss, when he says my name."

Tony also picked a winner (kinda sorta).

"Double knockout. I see these motherf**kers knocking themselves out."

UFC's Al Iaquinta says he's rooting for Khabib Nurmagomedov to beat the dog snot out of Conor McGregor in the 1st or 2nd round ... because it'll make his fight with Khabib look more impressive!

Remember, Al stepped in and fought Khabib back in April at UFC 223 on a day's notice ... and survived all 5 rounds with the Dagestani superstar.

Despite the loss, Al clearly respects Khabib -- and HATES Conor -- and tells TMZ Sports he's hoping his former opponent smashes Conor like a chump.

"I'm just hoping Khabib goes out there and whoops his ass, makes it look good, finishes him in like the 1st or 2nd round ... and makes me look like a superstar!"

Al says his goal is to get a rematch with Khabib to prove he can hang (and beat) the best fighters in the world.

After obliterating ANOTHER opponent, Greg Hardy -- now 3-0 as a pro MMA fighter -- says he's ready for a major UFC card ... warning the heavyweight division he's a very "dangerous" man.

It only took the ex-NFL star 53 seconds to dispose of Ray Jones at XFN 352 over the weekend in another dominant performance.

Not one of Greg's pro fights has lasted more than 60 seconds.

Remember, Hardy earned a UFC development contract back in June when he crushed Austen Lane on "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series" ... but the big question -- when will Hardy get his shot to fight on a nationally televised stage?

"I'm hoping the top of next year," Hardy tells TMZ Sports ... while emphasizing that he wants to stay humble and earn his opportunity like every other fighter.

And, while confident, Hardy says he wants to log more Octagon time before squaring up with the top names in the sport ... guys like Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis.

"Dangerous names," Hardy says ... "real dangerous names right there."

Hardy knows those fights will come in time -- but for now, he's focused on smashing every opponent who steps in front of him.

The biggest UFC fight of all time might just have the biggest celebrity guest list of all time -- with huge stars slated to be Octagonside when Conor McGregor takes on Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229!

We're told Hollywood titans like Chris Pratt and Mel Gibson will be there alongside business moguls like Robert Kraft and Elon Musk.

Other names expected to be at the October 6 fight ... Rory McIlroy, Matt Damon, Anthony Kiedis, Megan Fox, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, Joel Kinnaman and Mark Consuelos.

We also got Mike Tyson out on Monday -- and he told us he'll be at the fight too!

Of course, Mike is tight with UFC honcho Dana White ... and he's become a big MMA fan over the years.

Ex-WWE superstar Alberto Del Rio has announced his plans to return to MMA ... more than 8 YEARS after his last real fight!!

The 41-year-old -- real name Jose Rodriguez -- announced his decision to return to MMA for Combate Americas on Monday ... and he's gunning to get in the cage in 2019.

Del Rio's last MMA fight was a Cage of Combat event back on Feb. 27, 2010 ... when he lost to Yamamoto Hanshi in a 2nd round TKO.

“I’m going to jump back in the cage -- or in the cage for the first time -- because I used to fight in rings in Mexico and in Asia, but never inside the cage,” Del Rio told The MMA Hour.

“So for 2019, I’m going to be doing that. I’m going to be fighting in the cage for Combate Americas, mi familia, mi casa, and I’m not just saying this because my boss is here and he writes my checks."

Del Rio says he expects to fight a big-name MMA star and draw a huge pay-per-view ... but says his opponent has not been made official yet.

Nate Diaz says he will 100% be at Madison Square Garden to fight at UFC 230 on Nov. 3 -- but if Dustin Poirier won't fight at 165 pounds, he wants a new opponent.

"Anybody who wants it at 165, we can do that," Diaz tells TMZ Sports.

Here's the issue ... Diaz is already booked to fight Poirier at 155 pounds. And, as Dana White pointed out last week, they signed the contract and everything.

But, Diaz believes he's a true 165-pound fighter -- and wants to start a 165-pound division so he and Dustin can fight in the main event that night for a brand new 165-pound belt.

And, if UFC and Poirier can't find a way to make it happen, Nate says -- "All comers bring it the f*ck on!"

Nate also had some strong words for Tyron Woodley -- saying The Chosen One better watch his mouth with all the trash talk or he'll get slapped upside his head ... whether it's in the Octagon or in the street.

Stay tuned ...

Daniel Cormier might get a 3rd crack at Jon Jones -- so says Dana White, who tells TMZ Sports he's trying to make it happen!

Of course, D.C. and J.J. hate each other's guts -- White says "the hatred is real" -- and now that Jones is being reinstated, a lot of people would looove to see a 3rd fight between the two.

"I would like to see it, I think the fans would like to see it," White says.

"What would be interesting is ... we might see it at heavyweight!"

Cormier has previously said he wants a piece of Brock Lesnar -- so, the big question is ... when would the Jones fight happen?

"I'm gonna do whatever D.C. wants to do," White says.

"Daniel Cormier has been an incredible champion for us. He's an incredible human being. He's a stud and I'm gonna do everything in my power to keep that man happy."

If Conor McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov throw a steel dolly, miss weight or get hurt before UFC 229 ... Brian Ortega says he's 100% down to step in and kick some ass.

With only a week left until the biggest fight of the year, TMZ Sports asked Ortega -- should disaster strike and Conor or Khabib be unable to fight -- would he be game to scrap and save the card.

"I always stay ready ... These are the kinda fights that I'll step in on last minute to save the card," Ortega told us ... "Not no other fights like the last situation we had, where they wanted me to fight that clown."

"These are the fights that are worth saving."

The "clown" (Brian's words, not ours) is Jeremy Stephens ... who wanted to step in and fight Ortega after Max Holloway was forced out of UFC 226 in July.

Assuming UFC 229 goes off as planned ... T-City updated us on the status of his championship fight with Holloway ... and yes, he also explained why he's chillin' with freakin' farm animals.

Nate Diaz is straight trippin' if he thinks UFC will create a 165-pound division for him and Dustin Poirier -- and Dana White tells TMZ Sports it AIN'T HAPPENING!!

Nate's been confusing the hell out of people on social media -- falsely claiming Dana created the weight class for his upcoming fight at UFC 230.

Diaz also suggested he'd bail on the fight if Dana didn't comply with his demand.

We spoke with White who says Nate's been acting "nutty as hell" -- and he expects Diaz to show up and fight at 155 pounds on Nov. 3 ... just as he agreed to do.

Dana says Diaz signed the contract -- "You can't sign a deal and then do the things that he's doing right now, and not fight."

Daniel Cormier just went OFF on Jon Jones -- the latest in their nasty rivalry -- this time, DC's labeling Jones a cheating, coke-abusing "snitch" who rolled on one of his teammates.

Jon started the latest round this week ... taunting Cormier on social media for failing to accept the "truth" that PEDs had nothing to do with JJ's two UFC victories over him.

Jones says the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has backed his claims that he didn't intentionally ingest any prohibited substances ... and insists Cormier simply can't come to grips with the fact he's the superior fighter.

Enter Cormier ... who fired back on social media Friday morning.

"So here we go again Jonny boy. First off, if you did nothing wrong and were 'innocent' then you’d have never been suspended," Cormier said.

"And on top of all the cheating you’ve done around UFC 182, UFC 200 and UFC 214 that’s not even the straw that broke the camel’s back. You are actually a SNITCH!"

Cormier is referring to reports that Jones cut a deal with USADA for reduced 15-month suspension after his positive PED test -- and in exchange, Jones provided "substantial assistance" to the agency.

Many believe (including Cormier) the aforementioned "assistance" was info about other fighters -- aka "snitching."

Back to Cormier's attack ...

"You think you’re the only one that’s been offered this deal? No, you’re just the only scumbag low enough to take it!"

"Which one of your teammates did you tell on to get this joke of a punishment from USADA! I thought there was nothing lower than a cheater but it’s not surprising that you show me a whole new level."

"You’re a cheater and a SNITCH! Get off my page and go do some coke, or steroids or whatever you losers do in your spare time. #doublechamp"

Tyron Woodley says Nick Diaz must be out of his DAMN MIND if he really wants a piece of The Chosen One ... telling TMZ Sports he'd destroy Nick if he really wants to get in the Octagon.

Remember, Nick fired some shots at Tyron on Wednesday night ... calling him a boring fighter and vowing to bust him up if they can get a fight on the books.

So, we reached out to Tyron ... who had some thoughts.

"Get your weak ass outta here," Woodley said ... "You could have fought me a long time ago."

In fact, T-Wood -- who's in ATL shooting a movie -- proceeded to clown Nick and Nate Diaz with a little help from his UFC pal, Kenny Florian.

And, Kenny does a GREAT Nate Diaz impression!!

But, ya gotta watch when Tyron breaks down Nick's fight style ... COMEDY!

"How can he beat me? He's gonna try to beat me by taking punches to the face? He can't stop me from taking him down. He'll never submit me. He gonna slap me to death? Nah, I'm good."

Nick Diaz with the fire takes it outside Warwick nightclub in Hollywood Wednesday night -- saying Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov are "not that good" and he'd crush 'em both.

The older Diaz brother was out clubbin' Wednesday night when we asked if he was bitter at the USADA-imposed punishment that kept him out of fighting for years for missing drug tests.

"There wasn't nobody to fight anyways for me," Diaz says ... "Ain't nobody out there. Everybody out there ain't sh*t right now."

He's eligible to fight now -- so we asked if he's planning to return to the Octagon anytime soon. Diaz replied, "I'll beat all those guys. All those motherf*ckers."

Even UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley?

"I'll whoop his ass too. He's too boring."

But, after the trash talk, it seemed he defended Woodley -- saying, "I don't even know why he fights those guys. They don't pay him enough money."

Which brings us to Conor vs. Khabib.

"I'll beat both of them. Both they asses ... THEY'RE NOT THAT GOOD!"

Fabricio Werdum is doubling down on his prediction that Khabib will MURDER Conor in the Octagon ... and now the ex-UFC heavyweight champ is calling the round it'll happen!!

"Khabib, I think, will kill him for sure," Werdum said at LAX ... "They'll have to stop the fight for sure I think in the 2nd round."

So, why does Fab feel so strongly about Conor's impending doom?

"I don't like too much of Conor McGregor's style. He talks too much."

It's true -- but Conor's usually able to back it up with huge wins over guys like Nate Diaz, Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez.

As for Werdum, he's been a big fan of Khabib ever since the UFC 229 mega-fight became official, previously telling TMZ Sports he thinks the Russian is tougher and trains harder than Conor.