TMZ Sports - Page 50

Conor McGregor feared it was curtains for his UFC career after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier nearly two years ago ... admitting he thought the injury would force him into an early retirement.

McGregor made the revelation in the trailer for his new Netflix documentary, "McGregor Forever," which dropped this week ... where he spoke about the severity of his injury from the hospital bed shortly after the July 2021 bout.

When the interviewer points out many experts thought the break would be impossible to return from, McGregor agreed ... which he says explains his bizarre post-fight rant.

"I thought it was over as well, that’s why I flipped into a different mode," 34-year-old McGregor told the cameras.

"Now, it was the adrenaline as well and I know it would’ve calmed down and part of me is thinking 'Jesus, imagine it was just taken from me like that.'"

"I would be a different person and it was a bit scary, to be honest. But, it’s McGregor forever. That’s it. It’s done. It’s McGregor forever and don’t you forget it."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were just a handful of celebs who bent the knee for HRH last night -- and no, we don't mean King Charles ... we're talking LeBron James.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had box seats Monday at Crypto.com Arena -- having come on down from the Santa Barbara area to catch the big playoff game against the Grizzlies  ... which King James and co. secured in down-to-the-wire dramatic fashion.

Their presence came as a surprise to many when the TNT broadcast showed them in their private suite up in the stands -- and they seemed to be enjoying themselves ... flashing grins.

Later, they were caught on the Kiss Cam ... with their image being plastered on the giant jumbotron. The couple didn't really lock lips or anything, though ... they just giggled until the camera cut to someone else. However, it does seem PH might've considered a smooch.

Pretty neat to see 'em in such a public setting like this ... considering we hardly ever do. Harry and Meg tend to stick to the 805 area code, more or less, and hardly venture to the heart of L.A. And if they do ... they come privately, as they're hardly snapped by paps here.

Like we mentioned, they were in good (famous) company yesterday -- other stars in the building included Kim Kardashian, Adam Sandler, Timothy Olyphant, Flea and more.

We'll see more of Harry next weekend for his dad's coronation -- where Harry's expected to be front and center for the actual crowning ceremony on Saturday. Meghan won't attend.

Three weeks after getting chokeslammed through a table by Damian Priest, Bad Bunny got his revenge on the WWE superstar ... cracking him over and over with a kendo stick live on Monday Night Raw!!!

The scene at Allstate Arena in Chicago was wild ... Bad Bunny showed up out of nowhere after Priest was DQ'ed from his fight with Rey Mysterio -- and then went into full-on attack mode.

The "Tití Me Preguntó" singer beat the hell out Priest with the wooden weapon -- hitting him right in the ribs and the back ... before he chased him out of the ring.

The attack, though, didn't stop there -- Bad Bunny got in a few more swings ... before Priest hightailed it out of the area.

Eventually, the rapper grabbed a microphone ... and challenged the wrestler to a street fight at WWE Backlash -- a Pay-Per-View event set to go down on May 6 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Damian, I don't know if you know," Bunny said, "but I'm not hosting Backlash anymore. Now, I'm going to Puerto Rico to kick your ass. May 6. Backlash. In mi casa, Puerto Rico. Damian Priest. Bad Bunny. In a street fight."

Seems Priest accepted ... and now the two will finally look to settle some beef that's been stewing ever since the WWE talent chokeslammed Bad Bunny through a table on Raw earlier this month.

Of course, things weren't always contentious between Bunny and Priest. In 2021, they actually teamed together at WrestleMania 37 to defeat The Miz and John Morrison, and Bunny had one of the highlights of the match when he hit the Canadian Destroyer on Morrison.

Bam Margera's friends are trying to get him help as his alarming behavior continues, but an attempted intervention on his behalf didn't take ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Bam tell us ... a couple of Bam's longtime friends organized the intervention earlier this month, while he was in San Diego, on the heels of his L.A.-area arrest for public intoxication.

Our sources say Bam's buddies told him they loved him and were worried about him and wanted to help get him back into rehab.

We're told Bam seemed receptive at first, but ultimately a couple of factors blew the whole thing up.

For starters, our sources say Bam's current girlfriend was not receptive to the idea, and didn't want him to leave for treatment, because she would have nowhere to live if he went to rehab.

What's more, we're told Bam's estranged wife Nikki was called during the intervention and made it clear she was willing to let him back into her and their son Phoenix's life, contingent on Bam getting sober. Our sources say this upset the girlfriend, and she kicked everyone out.

The failed intervention went down shortly after we obtained video of Bam screaming at Nikki as she ate with Phoenix in a Burbank restaurant ... an outburst that came minutes before Bam was busted for public intoxication.

The former 'Jackass' star -- who has been in and out of rehab for years due to addiction and substance abuse issues -- is in more legal trouble, this time on the other side of the country.

Forget punch-outs at the plate ... a pair of minor league baseball teams were trying to punch out each other's faces during a game over the weekend -- mixing it up in a wild brawl on the diamond.

The hectic scene went down Sunday at the Clearwater Threshers vs. the Tampa Tarpons tilt at George Steinbrenner Field in Florida ... when the two teams, affiliates of the Phillies and Yankees, quarreled following a hit by pitch.

After Threshers shortstop Erick Brito was plunked by Tampa righty Alex Bustamante in the third inning -- chirping from the Clearwater dugout began immediately ... and it got so loud, it led to an ejection.

Pissed off Threshers players and coaches were so ticked by the call ... it caused benches to clear -- and then, all hell broke loose.

As coaches from both Single-A teams met at the dish to air out their qualms -- punches flew ... and some connected flush. Players then got involved -- and it all morphed into a WWE-style brawl.

Eventually, though, cooler heads prevailed ... but not before several more ejections were made.

Aaron Hernandez's brother, D.J. Hernandez, has just put one of his most recent legal troubles in the rearview mirror ... TMZ Sports has learned he cut a deal with prosecutors Monday to close out his reckless driving case.

A Connecticut court official tells us ... D.J. pled guilty to one count of failure to drive in a proper lane and one count of failure to use traffic control signals. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the other charges against him -- which included reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit.

The court official said D.J. was ordered to pay $100 in fines ... and the matter is now considered closed. We reached out to D.J. for comment, but he declined.

We broke the story ... the 36-year-old was initially hit with the charges in late March after he had been involved in what police said was a wild car chase through Connecticut roadways on March 8.

According to cops, officers attempted to pull over D.J. for a routine traffic stop -- but he allegedly bolted, shaking cops as he traveled at a high rate of speed.

He was eventually stopped and put in custody following a brief foot chase, cops said. Officers wrote in police documents that D.J. told them he had been driving around the state in an effort to get arrested because "he no longer wanted to stay at his mom's house."

Cops said in the docs they believed he was having a bipolar episode.

Just days later, on March 23, D.J. found himself in more legal trouble ... after authorities accused him of throwing a large brick at ESPN's campus in Bristol.

Ime Udoka is back in the NBA ... hired as the Houston Rockets new head coach just months after the Celtics cut ties with the talented coach over an inappropriate relationship with an employee of the organization.

On Monday, the 45-year-old reached a deal to become the new head man in Houston, two weeks after Houston declined to pick up Stephen Silas' option.

Most people agree Ime is a fantastic coach -- he most recently led the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals.

However, in September 2022, Udoka was suspended for the whole season after it was revealed he had a "consensual intimate relationship" with a female staffer, violating Boston's team policies.

The team eventually cut ties with Udoka entirely, naming Joe Mazzulla their permanent head coach.

Details on the relationship with the staffer weren't made public. Udoka's fiancee, actress Nia Long, broke off their engagement after the affair came to light.

NBA legend Magic Johnson weighed in on the hire ... a move they nailed, if you ask Earvin.

"Houston is getting a championship-caliber coach," Johnson tweeted.

The NBA is investigating Hawks star Dejounte Murray for making contact with an official at the end of Game 4 against the Celtics Sunday in Atlanta ... and could be suspended as his team fights for their playoff lives.

As the game clock winded down in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena, Murray and his teammates began leaving the court, but Dejounte made a detour, before heading for the locker room.

Check out the video ... Murray walks up to official Gediminas Petraitis, in his 8th season as an NBA ref, and appears to bump him with his chest. It's unclear if the contact was incidental.

Dejounte also appeared to say something to the ref, before starting to walk away. Seconds later, a visibly frustrated Murray turns around and starts pointing while yelling, ultimately having to be restrained by his teammates before leaving the court.

The Celtics took a commanding 3-1 series lead in the first round after defeating Atlanta 129-121 ... and will look to close out the series in Game 5 Tuesday in Boston.

And, they may have to do it without Murray. Per NBA rules, "intentional physical contact with an official" results in an automatic one-game suspension. Again, the question is, was it intentional?

Murray has been one of Atlanta's best players -- alongside superstar pg Trae Young -- averaging 25.3 points per game and 7.3 rebounds through four contests against the C's. Losing Dejounte, one of their most potent offensive threats, would be a considerable blow.

Aaron Rodgers is finally getting his wish ... the NFL superstar is being traded to the New York Jets!!

The Packers will send the quarterback to NY in exchange for a bunch of draft picks ... according to Adam Schefter, the deal will include two second-rounders, one of which could turn into a 1st-rounder in 2024 if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the Jets' snaps this season.

Schefter reported Rodgers will switch from No. 12 to No. 8 when he officially arrives in New York.

The trade signals the end of a historic career in Green Bay for Rodgers, who after being picked in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, piled up an insane resume.

He won four MVPs in 18 seasons, got a Super Bowl win, made 10 Pro Bowl teams, and earned All-Pro honors four times. He also piled up a career 147-75-1 record -- while throwing for 59,055 yards and 475 TDs.

His reign in Wisconsin, though, wasn't without drama ... he consistently butted heads with execs in the front office over personnel decisions and more -- especially at the end of his career ... leading to his eventual departure Monday.

But, New York players are no doubt thrilled he'll be wearing green and white this season ... because everyone from Sauce Gardner to Quinnen Williams to Garrett Wilson had been recruiting him like crazy this entire offseason.

Rick Pitino's phone was BLOWING UP Sunday ... the legendary hoops coach was seen giving out his phone number during the Knicks game, and lip-readers nabbed his digits, and wouldn't stop texting him.

Pitino was at Madison Square Garden to watch the team he coached from '87-'89 take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of their first-round playoffs series.

As is customary, the broadcast showed the vast array of celebrities in attendance at MSG, but when the cameras panned to Pitino, he could be seen mouthing his phone number while having a convo.

"So yesterday I was enjoying the Knicks game n someone read my lips on TV giving out my phone number," the 70-year-old head coach tweeted Monday.

He continued ... "Over 300 plus messages came in - here’s the bizarre news, 95% were nice n positive. I got a lead on 7 new recruits. My new cell is….."

Rick is one of the greatest coaches ever. He won National Championships with Kentucky (1996) and Louisville (2013 -- was vacated for an NCAA violation). His coaching career spans 40+ years, dating back to his time as a graduate assistant at the University of Hawaii (1974).

In March 2023, 70-year-old Pitino was named head coach of St. John's ... after coaching at Iona for three years.

Bam Margera is a wanted man in Pennsylvania on a slew of criminal charges -- this after cops say he got into an altercation ... and made a getaway into the woods.

The Pennsylvania State Police tells TMZ ... State Troopers responded to a reported disturbance Sunday morning around 11 AM ET near Pocopson Township -- which resulted in an alleged victim accusing Bam of being involved in some sort of physical confrontation.

The only problem ... by the time cops showed up, Bam had fled the scene of the incident into a nearby wooded area, and as of now hasn't been found.

Now, a warrant has been issued for his arrest ... and the PA State Police are actively searching for him -- asking the public for any help on info regarding his whereabouts. The charges he's facing sound pretty serious ... although, we're told they're all misdemeanors.

While we still don't know what exactly happened here -- or who the alleged victim is -- we know BM's facing 4 counts of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, one count of simple assault and a final count of harassment while subjecting another to physical contact.

As you know ... Bam's been going through a lot of issues in his personal life of late -- most of which seem to stem from his addiction and substance abuse issues ... not to mention his partying lifestyle.

We covered it all in the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms!

Terrifying moment for the Arsenal women's soccer team on Sunday evening ... their plane caught on fire just before it was set to take off -- but, thankfully, no one was injured, and the squad made it home safely Monday.

The horrifying scene went down just after Arsenal played Wolfsburg in a Champions League match in Germany ... when, according to multiple reports, a bird flew into one of their plane's engines just before it was set to take the players back to London.

A photo obtained by German media outlet BILD shows the impact caused a big blaze on one of the aircraft's wings ... sparking panic.

Pilots immediately aborted the flight, however ... and, fortunately, officials were able to get everyone off the ride and onto the ground without further issue.

Arsenal said in a statement hours after the incident that the team stayed overnight after the plane's problems -- but made it home just fine Monday.

"We would like to thank the staff onboard the aircraft and on the ground at the airport for their assistance," the team said.

Angel Reese is flattered Shaquille O'Neal considers her the greatest athlete in LSU history ... but for the college hoops star, the praise is premature, saying she hasn't done enough to earn that recognition.

Remember, the initial comments sparked a ton of debate ... when Shaq said "[Angel Reese's] probably the greatest athlete ever to come out of LSU Sports." The Big Fella added, "Did you hear what I just said? Male and female."

Well, Reese visited the Breakfast Club with her teammate Flau'jae Johnson on Monday and admitted she called the NBA legend after the controversial take.

Angel says she spoke with Shaq, who she calls "Uncle," and asked him, "Do you know how much pressure you just put on me?" According to Reese, O'Neal said he didn't give a f***.

Reese -- who went viral for doing the "You Can't See Me" gesture towards Iowa star Caitlin Clark during the national championship game -- explained she'd need to win another championship before feeling comfortable accepting the G.O.A.T. crown.

Of course, Angel's humility will likely play well with Olympian Lolo Jones, who ripped her fellow Tigers alum Shaq for having the "audacity" to say, Reese, who she respects, is the best athlete in LSU history.

Nevertheless, Angel and Flau'jae have lived their best lives since winning the NCAA title over the Hawkeyes. Reese said several rappers have slid in her DMs to congratulate her, including Drake, Future, DJ Khaled, and French Montana, to say congrats!

Russell Wilson went from NFL superstar to proud dad real quick this weekend ... 'cause after Future Zahir hit his first ever over-the-fence home run -- the Denver Broncos QB went crazy!!!

The memorable moment went down on the baseball diamond just after one of Ciara's 8-year-old son's games ... when Russ and the boy were getting in some extra work.

You can see in video Wilson shared to his Instagram page on Sunday ... the quarterback was throwing Future Zahir some pitches, when the kid got a hold of one.

The ball traveled to deep left field ... and when it cleared the fence -- everyone lost their minds!!

Wilson threw his hands up, Future Zahir jumped up and down ... and even Ciara screamed from the stands, chanting his name as her son circled the bases.

"His first Home Run way over the fence!" Wilson said of the moment in the vid's caption. "Future taking ground balls, pop flies & extra swings. Right before Sun down."

"Anything worth having we all have to work for!!! Proud dad moment.⚾️"

Of course, the Super Bowl champ knows a thing or two about baseball ... before becoming an NFL player, Wilson played for NC State from 2008 to 2010 and was actually drafted by the Colorado Rockies.

The 34-year-old went on to play 32 games for Rockies' minor league affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils, and had two home runs, 11 RBI and a .230 batting average.

As for Future Zahir -- Ciara's first child with rapper Future -- he isn't just good with the bat ... Wilson's been training him on the football field as well.

Tragic news in the horse racing world ... jockey Dean Holland died on Monday after he fell from his horse during an event, officials announced.

He was just 34 years old.

According to Racing Victoria, thoroughbred racing's governing body in Victoria, Australia, Holland was riding in the opening race at Donald Racecourse ... when he and another jockey were thrown from their horses.

Officials say Holland was immediately tended to by medics -- and was slated to be airlifted to Melbourne -- though he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Racing Victoria announced the other rider who fell, and their two horses, did not sustain significant injuries in the accident.

"On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Dean's partner Lucy, his children, his family, friends and colleagues on the incredibly sad news of his passing," Racing Victoria exec Andrew Jones said in a statement on Monday.

"It was a tragic accident at Donald today and we are all are deeply shocked and saddened that Dean has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in the fall."

Racing Victoria added an investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Holland began his racing career in South Australia in 2005 ... and piled up over 1,000 wins. In fact, he had just won a race last week.

Racing Victoria said he was the father of four children.

"Together with Racing Victoria," Victorian Jockeys Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland said Monday, "the Jockey Assistance Program will be wrapping its arms around the riding group and will be working to support Lucy and the Holland family both now and importantly into the future."

Pete Davidson's New York Knicks took home a big win, but one fan might wanna take a lesson in personal space ... cuz he got wayyy too far into Pete's zone.

Check out the video, Pete was posing for pics and high-fiving a bunch of his fellow Knick fans as he left Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon. You see Pete appears to pose for a pic with one dude in a pink shirt and blue cap and continues to move through the crowd.

That clearly wasn't enough for the fan though, who continued to follow Pete ... putting his arm around the comedian and resting his head on Pete's shoulder.

Pete tries to stay cool, taking more pics with others, but when the overzealous fan continued to get all up in his grill Pete understandably snaps ... shoving the dude away and telling him to back off.

Finally, the fan takes a hint and leaves Pete alone.

While his exit was stressful, the good news for Pete is the Knicks defeated Cleveland to take a 3-1 series lead ... not to mention, he got to share a seat next to (and likely some laughs with) Jon Stewart.