UFC

Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya says Jake Paul isn't just great for the sport, but tells TMZ Sports the Problem Child could be a world champion fighter in the future.

"Let me tell you one thing about Jake Paul. He's the real deal. I'm gonna tell you that, with only four or five fights, and the way he's taking it serious," De La Hoya tells us.

"Jake Paul is the real deal. And I dare anyone who has boxing experience who has MMA experience to call him out, 'cause I'll tell you one thing, this guy can beat a lot of good champions, and even great champions."

Of course, 25-years-old Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) has only been boxing for a few years. But, despite the relative inexperience (many fighters started as young kids), most agree Jake's been incredibly impressive in the ring.

Over the course of his last 3 fights, Jake has beaten former MMA champ Ben Askren and future UFC Hall of Famer Tyron Woodley (twice) in the squared circle. He also beat former NBA star Nate Robinson in 2020 -- in what was his second pro scrap.

Jake hasn't made any bones about it ... he wants to continue stepping up in competition -- and that means facing experienced boxers.

"This is not a one-off, a two-off, a three-off, no. He wants to become a world champion. There's no way out of becoming a world champion. You have to fight the very best."

Just how far can Paul go? De La Hoya believes he could win belts.

"He's on his way to becoming a contender, and he's on his way to becoming a world contender, then a world champion."

There's more ... we also talked to ODLH about his star fighter, 23-year-old Ryan Garcia's return to the ring after a long layoff.

Ryan beat Emmanuel Tagoe by unanimous decision Saturday night ... after dropping and hurting the vet during their fight.

Who's next for Garcia?? Before the Tagoe bout, Oscar told us he was eyeing a fight with Ryan's rival, Gervonta "Tank" Davis.

De La Hoya lays out the blueprint ... one more fight for Ryan, sign Tank to Golden Boy Promotions, and make a super fight with Garcia and Davis!

Alex Volkanovski says he isn't the greatest featherweight fighter of all-time ... but damnit he's close, telling TMZ Sports he plans to be active this year, and will be considered the best by the end of this year.

"I'm not expecting people to give me that GOAT status straight away. You need to work for that," Volkanovski says, adding, "I don't believe I'm there yet."

But, Alex, the champion, is headlining UFC 273 against "Korean Zombie" (Chan Sung Jung) ... and plans to fight several times in 2022 -- and when the ball drops, bringing in '23, he'll be considered the greatest.

"I plan on having a busy year, staying active. I'll definitely be taking that G.O.A.T. status of the division before the year is up."

FYI, Jose Aldo and Max Holloway (Max did beat Jose twice) are widely considered the two best MMA featherweights (145 lbs.) ever. Volkanovski has beaten both men ... Holloway twice (UFC 245, UFC 251), and Aldo (UFC 237), too.

Alex has only lost one fight in his professional career (23-1) ... and that fight was in 2013, nearly a decade ago, and wasn't even in the UFC.

Since taking the L, Volkanovski's won 20 straight ... including wins over Brian Ortega and Chad Mendes, in addition to future Hall of Famers, Aldo and Holloway.

We also talked to Alex about a possible trilogy fight with Max ... the #1 ranked contender. Both their fights were very close ... and many believe Holloway actually won the 2nd fight.

UFC star Marlon "Chito" Vera guarantees he's going to knockout Rob Font in their main event match on April 30 ... and then, after that, the brash fighter says he has his sights set on a title shot -- something he feels he would have earned by then.

TMZ Sports spoke to the 29-year-old at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica as he was preparing for his upcoming fight against 34-year-old Font ... and he said he's excited for the opportunity to prove himself.

"I'm happy for the opportunity, and feel that my time is coming," Vera said. "Everything is getting together, and it's about time before I get a title shot."

We asked Chito if he thinks the winner of his match -- which pits two of the best fighters in UFC's Bantamweight division against each other -- will receive a title shot ... and he told us it's possible, depending on how their fight ends.

"I think if somebody makes something cool," Vera said, "something flashy, and I feel the way I've been coming my last couple of wins, if I finish him the way I expecting to finish him, I'ma get a title shot."

"I'ma finish him 100%!!"

We also asked the Ecuadorian fighter if he'll be paying attention to who wins the fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling -- and he told us, absolutely, and that he's down to fight the winner -- if the UFC made it happen, of course.

"I would love to," Vera said. "I would say what the UFC say. At the end of the day, it's how things are, how you made it happen and the fans also get involved. I'm a guy who brings it and I'm a guy that has never been in a bad fight so I think my time is coming."

As for Jose Aldo, the man who put Chito down in December of 2020, Vera told us he would fight Jose in a rematch tomorrow, if it meant he could get his hands on him.

"I would f***ing fight Aldo tomorrow," Vera said. "Just because the way the fight went. Just because he declined to fight me five rounds. People don't know that. December 19 we fought. They offered us a spot, December 5, in the beginning of the month, he declined it because he didn't have enough time to cut weight. I guess he's a fat f***, but it is what it is."

Vera tells us he learned a lot from his loss against Aldo, but he wants a 5-rounder with Jose tomorrow, but this time around he promises "to put him down."

"I learned a lot from it, I took experience from it, but I just ran out of time. But, props on him. He was able to hold me down in that position. It is what it is. I don't put excuses, never. So, if we met him again, I'm stopping him."

Finally, Vera tells us he's willing to give Sean O'Malley (who suffered his only loss to Chito) a rematch, but the grudge match between the two never happened 'cause of failed communication.

"The UFC already called me last July, 'Hey, you wanna fight O'Malley in the McGregor card?'" "I said 'cool,' but I say, 'my coach actually say this,' 'don't say nothing. Have them call him first and you will see what happen.'" "They never called back so it's not up to me."

Dana White says he absolutely hated the sight of Jorge Masvidal allegedly attacking Colby Covington outside a restaurant in Miami ... but he tells TMZ Sports Chaos had it coming when he brought up Gamebred's family.

"Obviously, I don't condone guys getting into fights in the street and I hate everything about it," White tells us.

"But again, this is a business where I'm gonna fight you and there's a certain level of what I believe is man code where you don't talk about people's families, you don't talk bout the kids and you don't talk bout their wives."

White says Covington should've known Masvidal would (allegedly) come for Covington in the streets ... saying that's what happens when people cross the line.

"Especially with a guy like Jorge Masvidal. If you do that to Jorge Masvidal, you better watch yourself when you're coming out of restaurants."

Masvidal was arrested and hit with two felony charges -- aggravated battery with a mask and criminal mischief -- after allegedly punching Covington twice, breaking his tooth in the process.

Masvidal has pled not guilty to the charges ... and is due back in court for a hearing in the case later this month.

Luke Rockhold has a message for Paulo Costa ... fight me, or stop running your mouth once-and-for-all -- and oh, stop being a bitch.

TMZ Sports talked to the 37-year-old former UFC champ at Churchill Boxing Club -- director Peter Berg's club -- in Santa Monica ... and we asked the MMA star about Costa's nonstop trash talk.

"July 2nd, international fight week. [A Costa fight is] what the UFC offered. I'm ready to sign the contract, you're making excuses. You're bitching about weight, you're bitching about the fight. Look, I'm right here," Rockhold says, adding, "Whatever the f*** you wanna do, come and step up. It should be an easy win, get yourself back in the limelight. Otherwise, you'd be a bitch running your mouth and walk away."

Of course, 30-year-old Costa, the #4 ranked UFC middleweight (though, he may have to move up to light heavyweight) has been trashing Luke, calling him everything from a guy with a fragile chin to "Luke RockOLD"

"If it's that fragile, come test it. Come and step up. I mean, [Costa] has no clout right now, he has nothing to stand on. He needs a win, he needs to get back in the favorite. He ain't in no f***ing contender ship,  f***in' fighting for the title."

"The motherf***er needs a fight, he needs a name and if he wants to f***in' do it, then let's do it. Otherwise, you're scared and you're a bitch and making excuses. I don't make excuses. I just come and fight."

FYI, Luke, who has beaten everyone from Chris Weidman to Michael Bisping, hasn't fought since losing to Jan Błachowicz in July 2019. It's not that Rockhold hasn't wanted to fight ... but he's dealt with several serious injuries.

But, now Luke is back, and ready to rock with Costa ... who has lost his last two fights (Marvin Vettori and Israel Adesanya).

He also weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev's meteoric rise to UFC stardom ... something Luke says he didn't necessarily deserve, 'cause he hasn't beaten anyone with a name.

"Who the f*** knows what Chimaev is capable of until he fights a real fighter?! He hasn't fought anybody either. I mean, he's talented for sure, but if he can withstand Gilbert [Burns] and get off his ass, get off his back, but I mean he's talkin' [205 lbs.], I mean c'mon. They offered you the fight versus me and you didn't take that fight so don't talk about 205 and [185 lbs.]."

Regardless, a fight with Khamzat would be down the line.

Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev will likely fight Colby Covington ... IF he can get past Gilbert Burns -- the #2 ranked contender -- at UFC 273 Saturday night.

The UFC honcho joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) ... and was asked if Chimaev, the #11 ranked welterweight, would get a title shot against Kamaru Usman if he were to beat Burns.

The short answer is no ... but the fight fans can expect is equally as awesome.

"In a perfect world, you know, I have a fight coming up on ABC," White tells us, adding ... "If Khamzat Chimaev should win, I would love to do a fight with him and Colby."

Covington is coming off a win against former-best-friend-turned-enemy, Jorge Masvidal.

Obviously, a lot has to happen (agreeing to date, money, etc.) ... and beating Burns is a monumental task (Durinho's beaten Tyron Woodley and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson), but it'd be a massively popular matchup.

As for the actual fight between Khamzat and Gilbert, the excitement from fans is off the charts.

"Anything to do with Chimaev and Burns is outperforming the main or co-main by six to seven times. It's an interesting card."

FYI, the main and co-main events are both title fights ... featuring Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs. "The Korean Zombie" and Aljamain Sterling (C) vs. Petr Yan.

Chimaev hasn't lost a fight, ever (10-0 overall, 4-0 in the UFC) ... and has literally only been hit two times in four UFC fights. TWICE. Only one of the matches went past the first round.

But, Burns is the toughest test (though, Chimaev says it's MMA fighter Ikram Aliskerov) of his young career. Does Khamzat beat Burns and set himself up for a mega-fight with Covington ... and a possible title fight with Usman to follow?

Or, does Gilbert derail the very fast-moving hype train?

We find out Saturday night at UFC 273.

UFC middleweight Paulo Costa crossed the line when calling out Derek Brunson for a fight ... referring to the fighter as a gay slur -- and now, he's getting bashed over it.

30-year-old Borrachinha has been going scorched-earth on social media recently ... pulling out all the stops in hopes of getting Brunson to get in the Octagon with him.

Costa -- who is 0-2 in his past two fights -- seemingly mocked Brunson for being a former cheerleader ... posting a pic of La'Darius Marshall of the popular Netflix show, "Cheer" and captioning it," Derek F** Brunson. Fight me bitch."

Costa's Twitter followers rightfully called him out for the slur ... saying, "You’re gonna end up getting canceled" ... and "@ufc seriously? This is ok from an employee of yours?"

There's more -- "Aside from being a bigoted and just low IQ middle school level insult, it's pretty rich coming from a guy who got styled on then literally humped by a dude who did Naruto hand signs."

The latter tweet is referencing Paulo's loss to Israel Adesanya ... who then humped his back after the 2nd-round TKO.

FYI, Costa and Brunson are currently (both) the 4th ranked UFC Middleweight ... so a fight between the two would seem to make sense.

Conor McGregor clearly ain't too worried about his dangerous driving case in Ireland ... the UFC star was seen smiling ear-to-ear and talking fighting outside a Dublin courthouse following a hearing on the matter.

McGregor showed up to court early Thursday morning amid accusations that he drove dangerously in his pricey Bentley Continental GT on March 22 -- and he didn't seem all that concerned about the case after appearing before a judge.

The 33-year-old -- wearing a fitted suit, white shirt and tie -- smiled big for photogs who had camped outside the courthouse, and he even discussed a potential return to the Octagon with some of the photogs.

"Just straight back into training, my man," McGregor said when asked for a comment on the case.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into the Octagon."

McGregor also shot down a potential fight with Henry Cejudo, who he's been bickering with on social media, adding that he's looking to come back to the UFC and fight at 170 pounds.

As for his legal issues, the hearing on his case reportedly lasted just minutes.

Khamzat Chimaev says he knows why Kamaru Usman is helping prep former friend and training partner-turned-rival Gilbert Burns for their fight  ... 'cause the welterweight champ is "scared."

TMZ Sports talked to the 27-year-old undefeated fighter days before his huge UFC 273 scrap with 35-year-old Burns, the #2 ranked 170 pounder ... and we asked Borz why Usman was assisting with the training.

"I feel sorry for both those guys. I'm gonna smash the guy and punch his face and his best friend will be standing there in the corner and make him scared as well, ya know," Chimaev told us.

FWIW, Usman isn't cornering Burns. As he usually does, Vicente Luque -- Gilbert's best friend -- will be in his buddy's corner for the fight.

On Friday, we broke the story ... Usman, the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the UFC, is helping Gilbert prepare for Khamzat. It was surprising because the Nigerian Nightmare and Burns had a bit of a falling out before they fought for the title in February 2021 ... a fight Kamaru won by TKO.

We asked the 10-0 fighter why he believed Usman was helping Burns ... and if it indicated Kamaru was rooting for Durinho.

"Of course 'cause he's afraid. They push him down under me, you know, because he's scared, that's why. That's why he wants to stop me before I come for him."

We asked Khamzat, currently ranked 11th in the division, if he believes a win would be enough to set him up for a title shot against Usman, who hasn't lost a fight in nearly a decade (Kamaru's won 19 straight!).

"Of course. The guy number two in the division that's why I smash him, what are they gonna do? After that, they have to fight me."

Even though he's ranked significantly lower than Gilbert (who BTW is one of the BADDEST men in the world), Khamzat is a significant betting favorite in their fight ... with bettors having to lay down over $500 to win $100.

Chimaev -- who has run through his previous 4 UFC opponents (just 1 took him to the 2nd round) -- his fight with Burns stands to be the toughest challenge he's faced in Dana White's organization.

Shockingly, Khamzat has only been hit 4 times in those 4 fights ... an incredible stat, but one with which Chimaev ain't concerned.

Floyd Mayweather ain’t done just yet … TBE is returning to the ring in May for an exhibition boxing match on a literal helicopter landing pad in Dubai, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 45-year-old undefeated fighter will take on "Dangerous" Don Moore -- 18-0-1, 12 KOs -- in an 8 round exhibition fight on May 14.

The event is being called "The Global Titans Fight Series" ... and FM's holding down the inaugural card.

And, Mayweather isn’t the only legend on the card.

46-year-old MMA G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva, who previously boxed pro fighter Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June 2021 ... a fight he (surprisingly to many people) won.

Spider also boxed Tito Ortiz last year ... where he knocked out the former UFC champ.

Silva is boxing Brazilian star Bruno Machado.

Former boxing champ Badou Jack (25-3-3, 15 K) is also on the card.

The location of the boxing matches is pretty awesome. The fighters will box outside on the Burj Al Arab Hotel, one of UAE's top hotels.

It'll be the first time Floyd returns to the ring since boxing YouTuber turned boxer Logan Paul on June 6. No winner was declared because the fight was an exhibition.

It's unclear if Floyd's fight with Moore will be judged.

Sergey Kovalev is the latest pro fighter who wants a piece of Jake Paul ... the ex-boxing champ tells TMZ Sports he's down to fight the YouTuber after his next scheduled match.

"Fight with Jake Paul? I'm ready," the 39-year-old former light heavyweight champion said. "And I will knock him out."

Paul has insisted he wants somebody with a name brand for his next bout -- and while Sergey might not have the biggest social media following, he certainly has the resume Paul is looking for.

"Krusher" is 34-4-1 in his 39 career fights -- and has a win over boxing legend Bernard Hopkins on his resume. He's also fought Canelo Alvarez and Andre Ward in his impressive career.

Kovalev says he's all for trying to add Paul to that list of opponents -- saying he'll be happy to try to make the fight after he returns from his long layoff against Tervel Pulev in May.

"Let me make my comeback fight," Kovalev said, "and then we can do any fight."

He added, "Any day."

Aljamain Sterling says he'll employ a special move during his rematch with Petr Yan at UFC 273 ... the Will Smith slap!!

TMZ Sports talked to the 32-year-old UFC bantamweight champ about a week before his second fight with heated rival, 29-year-old Yan, the interim champ.

"I am a certified weapon right now, and ready for battle, and I can't wait to go out there and unleash these tools, and put a little beatdown on this guy that he's been deserving for well over a year at this point, and move on to the victim," Aljamain told us.

Of course, the men fought in March 2021 ... a fight that Aljo was losing, but ultimately won when Petr blasted Sterling with a blatantly illegal knee. But, because Aljamain was losing on the cards and fading in the fight, he's dealt with endless crap online, and as you'd expect, that's bothered the starfighter.

"That's the most frustrating part of this whole thing. It's not being able to compete to shut these guys up," Aljo said.

He even compared himself to a caged animal who isn't able to retaliate because he's chained ... but Sterling says the cage door opens at UFC 273.

"Those chains come free April 9 and I get an opportunity to finally put my hands on this guy, and it's gonna be so rewarding to see the shock in people's eyes when I'm out there and I finally get to put my hands on him and see who is really who."

Sterling, the champ, is a big underdog against Yan ... something Aljamain has taken notice of.

"I know the Vegas oddsmakers got me as a big underdog. This is what everyone wants to go out of their way to tell me. I don't give a s***, at the end of the day, I bet on me. And, I know that betting on me is right. I bet on me the last 6 times and I've won every single time," Sterling said.

Lastly, we asked Aljamain if he had a message for Yan ... and he dropped the A-list actor's name while threatening violence against Petr.

"When they lock that door he's gonna get 'Will Smith'd.' I can tell you that. He's gonna get Will Smith'd. And, after that, it's gonna be a lot worse than what Will did to Chris Rock. It's gonna be a beatdown."

If Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman had any bad blood ... the beef has officially been squashed, 'cause the pound-for-pound king/welterweight champ is helping train "Durinho" for his fight with Khamzat Chimaev.

TMZ Sports talked to 35-year-old Burns just a week and a half before his highly anticipated fight with Chimaev at UFC 273 ... and when we asked the #2 ranked fighter if he brought in any special training partners, he dropped this bomb.

"Usman came a couple of days to help out," Burns said, "He was helping me a couple of times, not training with me but kinda coaching."

"Very high IQ and very good advice. Was good to have him around."

FYI, 27-year-old Chimaev has risen to stardom in the blink of an eye. He's 4-0 in the UFC (10-0 overall) and has literally been hit less than 5 times in his entire UFC career.

Of course, Kamaru and Gilbert were once good friends and training partners at Sanford MMA in Tennessee ... but as Burns rose the ranks in the welterweight division -- where Usman is the champion -- and became a top contender, the Nigerian Nightmare left the gym.

KU and GB finally fought in February 2021 ... and good, tough fight that Kamaru won by TKO.

Any bad blood is clearly long gone ... and Usman, being a caring friend, wanted to help prep Gilbert for one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year.

Here's what's interesting ... there's a good chance Kamaru and Gilbert will fight each other again, and soon.

That's why Burns dropped this movie analogy on us about his relationship with Usman.

"That's Rocky and Apollo," Burns said.

UFC legend Stephan Bonnar revealed his home was "burned to the f***ing ground" in a horrible fire this week ... but in at least a modicum of positive news, he says he was able to salvage some of his famous MMA memorabilia from the wreckage.

The 44-year-old shared a video of his Nevada home after a fire ravaged it earlier this week -- and, sadly, he said the flames completely gutted the place.

"No more casa," the former fighter said in the footage. "Lost everything in it."

But, Bonnar said after jumping through a window and scraping up his legs in the process -- he was able to find some of his old UFC gear and save it from the rubble.

Bonnar showed off gloves from his Hall of Fame fight with Forrest Griffin -- as well as a couple other cool items from his fighting career, including a signed jersey from the athletes he competed with on season 1 of "The Ultimate Fighter."

Bonnar then sent well wishes to everyone from the show who's had a rough past few months.

"It's been a f***ing s*** year for me too," Bonnar said. "So, all right. Peace guys, I'm out."

As we reported, the Henderson Fire Department knocked down the flames about an hour after the fire started at Bonnar's place, but were unable to save it from being destroyed.

The felony strangulation charge that Chael Sonnen was hit with following his alleged meltdown at a Las Vegas hotel last year has been dropped ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

According to court records, prosecutors declined to move forward with the battery by strangulation count that they had previously charged Sonnen on last month.

The records show five other battery charges -- all misdemeanors -- against Sonnen were dropped as well.

We've reached out to the Clark County District Attorney's office for comment on the decision -- but so far, no word back yet.

Sonnen is still facing five misdemeanor battery charges in the case after officials claim he absolutely lost it in a hallway at the Four Seasons Hotel on Dec. 18.

As we reported, Sonnen is accused of beating up several men and one woman in a fit of rage inside the hotel.

According to police docs, Sonnen told officers at the scene he had no recollection of his alleged actions -- explaining to them that he had taken a sleeping pill and "could not recall" anything after that.

Sad news for Stephan Bonnar ... the UFC legend's family says its Nevada home was destroyed in a fire this week.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Henderson Fire Dept. received a call for a residential fire at 2:40 PM on Monday ... and when help arrived on the scene, fire and smoke were visible from outside the home.

Due to high winds and the closeness to the neighboring homes, the first responders called on the Clark County FD for backup in order to get the blaze out. The fire was extinguished nearly an hour later.

The fire dept. says two adults, one child and four dogs were removed from the home. Luckily, no injuries were reported ... and no one was transported to the hospital.

Bonnar's wife, Andrea, shared the news on her business' Facebook ... saying, "I am just jumping on to let you know our house burned today and we have lost everything."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Stephan Bonnar was part of arguably the most important fight in UFC history -- the season finale of the Ultimate Fighter 1 against Forrest Griffin. Stephan lost by decision, but the fight was so incredible, the UFC gave both guys contracts.