MMA

Tekashi69 was just turned away at the door trying to attend fight night on Long Island, and our sources say it's connected to a shooting months ago at the Barclays Center.

The rapper was stopped by security at the Nassau Coliseum in NY Saturday night as he was trying to make his way in for "Bellator 208: Fedor vs. Sonnen" ... sources close to the situation tell TMZ Sports.

We're told 6ix9ine planned to meet up with his pal and Bellator brand ambassador 50 Cent, but wasn't allowed entry. Fiddy wasn't there yet anyway ... but we're told it wouldn't have mattered.

As for why Tekashi's barred ... our sources say it stems from a shooting back in April at the Barclays Center connected to Tekashi's manager, Tr3yway. The same company that owns the Nassau Coliseum owns Barclays, and as we reported ... the rapper's persona non grata at that venue.

So ... we're told it's a case of the rapper being 86'd at both arenas. We also reached out to Bellator ... they had no comment.

Sources close to Tekashi have responded to the incident, telling us ... "It is unfortunate a venue would take it upon itself to treat a person unfairly based on allegations. What happened tonight at the Nassau Coliseum is disappointing."

Adam Silver says he's "counting his lucky stars" that he's not in Dana White's shoes ... but tells TMZ Sports the UFC honcho HAS to punish Khabib for the brawl he ignited at UFC 229.

We got the NBA commish leaving Michael's in NYC ... and he told us there's just gotta be repercussions for what Nurmagomedov did after whoopin' Conor McGregor last weekend.

"That's a pretty serious issue there," Silver says ... "They gotta deal with it. There's no place for that in sports."

Adam tells us he's actually spoken with people who were near the melee at T-Mobile Arena ... and Silver says, the feeling they had after the fight just CAN'T happen.

So, what would Silver's advice be to Dana when it comes to handling the situation??

"You've gotta look at the long-term health of your league," Silver says.

Luke Rockhold says he'd beat the snot out of Yoel Romero at light heavyweight ... telling TMZ Sports he'd be down for a rematch after UFC 230, but Romero's gotta make weight this time.

We spoke with Rockhold about his plans after his huge rematch with Chris Weidman in November ... and he's got his eye on the middleweight belt -- but he's not opposed to getting revenge on Romero.

Rockhold says he killed himself trying to make weight last time, when Yoel was 3 pounds overweight ... and he's not playing that game again with Romero.

"Yoel's a piece that can't make weight," Luke says. "I don't even know how he exists in the rankings. He missed weight for 2 back-to-back title fights. The guy's a cheap f*ck and I'll find him at light heavyweight if he wants to do it again."

Romero ain't the only one in Rockhold's crosshairs --- the dude UNLEASHES on the entire heavyweight division ... aside from a select few.

"There's a small percentage of heavyweights that are good. The rest suck. Plain and simple."

Ronda Rousey says Conor McGregor crossed the line promoting UFC 229 -- and injured her friends in the process -- telling TMZ Sports no one should break the law to sell a fight.

"I understand promoting fights and having to sell them. I really do," Ronda says ... "But, I don't think people have to get arrested in order to do that."

"I think I've been able to prove that you can make a fight exciting and make people really wanna see it without crossing any legal lines."

Ronda is obviously referring to the bus attack at Barclays Center -- when Conor and his gang of hooligans smashed up a bus with a steel dolly, injuring several UFC fighters who were inside.

"I think that Khabib jumping out of the Octagon was not as bad as throwing objects at a bus, because my friend Rose Namajunas was on that bus. My friend, Michael Chiesa, missed his fight because [he got cut by the glass]."

When asked if the UFC needs to draw a hard line and punish Khabib harshly for the post-fight melee ... Ronda had some stern words for her former employer.

"I think, if you're gonna draw the line there, you should have drawn it before that."

"I just feel like there has to be equal treatment all the way across the board. I don't think that anyone should get special treatment because they're a bigger draw."

Ronda is echoing the feelings of many critics who believe Conor should have received a substantial punishment from the UFC over the bus attack.

Dana White has insisted Conor has paid dearly -- he was arrested, he's being sued and he can't fight in New York. But, others feel he deserved a substantial suspension and fine as well.

And, Ronda doesn't stop there ... she also says the UFC should come down harder on fighters when it comes to punishing other misdeeds.

"I would be much more strict about everything. I say you get popped for steroids once, you’re banned for life," Ronda says.

"You know, but then again I’m not the promoter of a multi-million dollar organization."

"It’s just you have to think about, you know, from their perspective when is it not worth it anymore? I don’t want the company to be prioritizing this quarter over the next 10 years."

Ronda says she comes from a place of wanting to grow the sport and making it more family friendly.

"I don’t want it to get to the point where people are not buying tickets to go see fights live, because they are afraid of what could happen in the arena."

Some good news, bad news for MMA legend Rampage Jackson ...

GOOD NEWS -- He beat up Wanderlei Silva at Bellator 206 last month.

BAD NEWS -- He broke his left hand while punching the dude in the head!

It was the 4th meeting between the two -- and Rampage was able to even the series with a 2nd round TKO.

"I feel good," 40-year-old Rampage told TMZ Sports ... "I needed that."

Rampage revealed he was injured going into the fight -- "I hurt my right hand in my last sparring" -- but says he jacked up his other fist while inside the cage.

"I ended up fracturing my left hand on Silva's head."

Rampage showed us his hands -- you can see his left one is super swollen. He said he went to a hand specialist the very next day.

Metta World Peace & Ben Wallace agree that Khabib & Conor's post-UFC 229 brawl was intense ... but neither man seems to think it was as bad as their infamous 2004 "Malice In The Palace" fight.

BTW -- both these guys absolutely LOVE talking about the "Malice at the Palace."

Actually, we were joking ... they really wish it would never be brought up again, but they still both ultra cool to our camera guy, so it is what it is.

We got Ben at LAX (a minor miracle) and Metta out on the streets of L.A. and asked them what they thought about the whole dustup, being that they're experienced.

Remember -- Ben and Metta weren't just involved in the Pacers vs. Pistons mega-fight, THEY GOT IT JUMPED OFF -- as the first two guys to go.

Ben was first ... saying he's not sure 229 was worse ... but that he's rooting for it.

"I hope something surpasses it, so we can stop talking about it."

We got Metta next, asked him his thoughts.

"It was a pretty epic fight, but there's always fights all the time."

One thing that's pretty clear ... neither guy thinks there should be too stiff a penalty for the dustup, with Metta saying there should be no action by the UFC at all ... as long Khabib plays nice.

"I would say, 'don't do it again,' and he won't do it again."

If only David Stern would've been so cool in '04.

Khabib Nurmagomedov ain't gonna walk from the UFC because Dana White ain't gonna fire his teammates for the UFC 229 brawl -- at least not yet ... so says Tyron Woodley.

Tyron believes the bigger priority for the UFC is to book the Khabib vs. Conor rematch -- and the organization isn't gonna do anything to mess that up.

As we previously reported, Khabib said he would quit UFC forever if Dana fired his teammate, Zubaira Tukhugov -- a UFC fighter who stormed the Octagon after Khabib's victory.

Dana has not said what he'll do -- but Tyron strongly believes Zubaira's job is safe for now.

"I think what happens is [Khabib's] teammates and his brothers in crime are going to at least have employment until 'Khabib vs. Conor 2' happens," Tyron said on "The Hollywood Beatdown."

"I don't think anybody is gonna be cut from the UFC."

Tyron tells us how he thinks everything will play out after the incident -- including what will happen with Conor McGregor.

And, get this ... Tyron did the whole show from his DOCTOR'S OFFICE!!!

The UFC welterweight champ -- and his mom -- give the lowdown on his injury and recovery. Ya don't wanna miss this one.

Khabib Nurmagomedov rubbed elbows with another powerful political figure Thursday night -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ... a man who's been accused of some pretty horrible stuff.

The two hung out at a Russian MMA gym -- described as a fight club -- where they posed for pics, ate some food and celebrated Khabib's victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Khabib commented about the meeting saying, "Thank you very much to Ramzan and all brotherly Chechnya."

"The way I am grateful to your support in words not to describe and praise to god who made us all brothers through our religion. And thank you very much for such a generous gift and most importantly respect shown to me."

Kadyrov is a HUGE fan of combat sports -- and recently kicked it with Floyd Mayweather.

This issue surrounding Kadyrov ... dude has a very controversial past -- littered with accusations of human rights violations from kidnapping to torture and murder. He's denied all wrongdoing.

But, what's undeniable ... Kadyrov says he doesn't want gay people in his country and has said on the record he'd ship them all to Canada if he could.

The U.S. State Dept. issued a warning in April 2017 saying it was "increasingly concerned" about the anti-LGBT movement in Chechnya -- after "numerous credible reports" indicating gay people were being detained, tortured and even killed based on their sexual orientation.

Kadyrov's father was appointed to lead Chechnya in 2000 by Vladimir Putin. And, when his dad died, Putin tapped Ramzan to take his place in 2007.

Of course, Khabib just met with Putin earlier this week.

Don't expect Chuck Liddell to pull a Khabib and jump out of the cage when he fights Tito Ortiz -- The Iceman says Tito is simply too dumb to get under his skin with trash talk.

"I don't think he's smart enough to say something to get me pissed off," Chuck tells TMZ Sports.

The two clash for the 3rd time on Nov. 24 -- and 48-year-old Chuck says he's been training his ass off for the fight ... promising to take 43-year-old Tito's head clean off.

We also asked Chuck for his thoughts on the Conor McGregor vs. Khabib fight at UFC 229 -- and if he thinks Khabib should get punished for the melee after the victory.

Khabib just went NUCLEAR on the UFC ... calling them out as hypocrites and laying down a major threat -- saying if his team is punished for the melee after UFC 229 -- he'll quit the UFC FOREVER.

Dana White laid down the gauntlet ... saying the members of Khabib's team who jumped into the Octagon and attacked Conor will be kicked out of the UFC for good.

Khabib has responded on social media ... making it clear he thinks the UFC is acting unfairly and essentially saying the whole post-fight brawl is UFC's fault for letting Team Conor push things too far.

"Why didn't you fire anyone when their team attacked the bus and injured a couple of people? They could have killed someone there, why no one says anything about insulting my homeland, religion, nation, family?"

"Why do you have to punish my team, when both teams fought. If you say that I started it, then I do not agree, I finished what he had started."

Khabib then went on to specifically address UFC fighter Zubaira Tukhugov -- the guy who punched Conor after the fight -- saying, if Dana kicks him out of the UFC, he can say goodbye to Khabib as well.

"If you decide to fire him, you should know that you’ll lose me too. We never give up on our brothers in Russia and I will go to the end for my Brother."

"If you still decide to fire him, don’t forget to send me my broken contract, otherwise I'll break it myself."

Nurmagomedov also addressed his $2 million purse that's being held ... telling the athletic commission they can keep it.

"And one more thing, you can keep my money that you are withholding. You are pretty busy with that, I hope it won’t get stuck in your throat. We have defended our honor and this is the most important thing."

UFC, your move.

Ronda Rousey says she needs to take her WWE cues from Drake -- "No New Friends" -- after getting ambushed and beat up by the Bella Twins on 'Raw' ... but she's already plotting her revenge!

"Nikki Bella, Brie Bella ... they’re a bunch of untrustworthy bitches," Rousey told us while hanging with her husband, Travis Browne, in L.A.

Ronda is taking on Nikki at "WWE Evolution" later this month -- the first-ever all-women's Pay-Per-View event -- and Ronda says her plan is to make Nikki pay!!!

"The most respectful thing for me to do is to go out and beat her right away, right?" Ronda said.

"So, I’m not gonna be respectful."

Ronda says she'll be documenting her journey leading up to the fight on RondaRousey.com -- sharing everything from training plans to fight videos.

Good news for Khabib Nurmagomedov ... Vladimir Putin just told the UFC fighter's father to GIVE HIM A PASS for that post-fight brawl -- while praising his victory over Conor McGregor.

Khabib met with the Russian president at the "Russia -- Country of Sports" forum in the city of Ulyanovsk on Wednesday ... sitting down with the lightweight champ and his father, Abdulmanap.

They ate fruit, they sipped warm drinks and they DEFINITELY talked fighting -- as Putin is a huge fan of combat sports.

But, the funniest part of the meeting ... Putin brought up Khabib's comments that his father was upset with the post-fight brawl and would "smash" him for going after Conor's teammate, Dillon Danis, at UFC 229.

"I will ask your father not to punish you too strictly, because you achieved the main task, worthily and convincingly," Putin said to the Nurmagomedovs.

And, what Putin says ... goes.

So, congrats Khabib -- your father won't whoop your ass!!!

What's interesting is that Putin famously met with Conor McGregor during the World Cup in Russia -- and posed with him like they were buddies.

Guess that friendship is over ... at least, for now.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture says Daniel Cormier has his work cut out for him if he's gonna beat Derrick Lewis next month ... but fortunately for D.C., Randy's got a fight plan!

Couture was a 3-time UFC Heavyweight champ -- so, he knows a little bit when it comes to beating up the most dangerous men in the sport.

And, when it comes to Derrick Lewis ... Randy says the dude is as dangerous as it gets.

"D.C. has to be smart," Couture said ... "Obviously, [Lewis] has amazing power."

"Even if he looks like he's about to die in the cage, he manages to bring it up and knock a guy out -- so, D.C.'s gotta be smart."

So, what's the plan? GROUND GAME, BABY!

"If D.C. makes this kid wrestle him it probably won't go the distance, that's for sure."

By the way, Couture was leaving an event for Jay Glazer's Merging Vets and Players Organization -- which helps military vets transition from the battlefield to the civilian world.

Couture served in the U.S. Army for 6 years before becoming a UFC fighter -- and he explains why the organization is so important to him.

Derrick Lewis is REALLY excited for the opportunity to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 230 next month ... but tells TMZ Sports he's shocked Stipe Miocic didn't get first crack at the heavyweight champ.

The Black Beast was rockin' his The Money Team hat -- because "I'm getting that money now!" -- and told us he's super happy to sign his fight contract.

But, Lewis said he's not just there to get a check, he really believes he can win -- because he carried the more powerful punch and he's got more heart than D.C.

"I'm going there to win, especially at Madison Square Garden," Lewis told us.

That's when Lewis brought up Stipe -- the guy Cormier beat for the heavyweight title back in July -- and told us he was confused as to why Stipe didn't get a rematch with D.C. first.

"I believe that Stipe really deserved the shot since he was the champion for a while ... I don't know why they gave it to me before they gave it to Stipe."

When asked if he thought Stipe was more deserving of a title shot right now, Lewis replied, "Yes. For sure."

Luke Rockhold says Khabib obliterated Conor McGregor so easily -- the Irish superstar doesn't really deserve a rematch ... but he'll do it if the price is right!!!

Luke is Khabib's teammate -- and was in the cage to help restore order after all hell broke loose at UFC 229.

Rockhold explained that Conor and his team crossed a line with all of the offensive trash talk -- and the bus attack -- leading up to the fight ... and he understands why Khabib flipped out after his victory.

"I think some things aren't for fight promotion," Rockhold says ... "Conor traveled across the world with a gang of people and attacked and broke into an arena to attack Khabib with weapons."

"So, I think people are over-stepping their boundaries and attacking Khabib on this front. He jumped a cage. One of Conor's teammates was antagonizing him and yelling at him after a fight, which was, you know ... you beat your guy, it's pretty much time to shut your mouth."

As for rematch talk, that's where Luke really went in on Conor ...

"The funny thing ... a rematch is usually, they're close fights. It wasn't really a close fight."

"If people wanna see it, if the UFC wants to pay for it, I know Khabib will enjoy a record breaking number, like I said before. It's gotta be record breaking numbers if he wants a rematch."

McGregor has already said he wants a second crack at Khabib -- so, we're guessing the UFC will step up and make it happen.

Tyron Woodley had an interesting day -- he took his son to the doctor to fix his injured labrum and ended up going under the knife himself ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Woodley took his son to Pensacola, Florida to visit Dr. James Andrews -- widely regarded as one of the best in the world -- and while he was there, wanted to get his hand evaluated.

Woodley says he had torn some ligaments in his left thumb joint while smashing Darren Till at UFC 228 last month and the pain was so intense, he could barely shake anyone's hand.

Long story short ... the Doc told Tyron he had an opening in his schedule and could repair the injury TODAY -- so, Tyron did it.

Now, both Woodley men -- father and son -- are recovering in Florida and Tyron's mom is taking care of 'em.

Tyron says he should be able to fight as early as December or November and plans to destroy Colby Covington as soon as he heals up.