TMZ Sports - Page 9

Jake Paul's fight against Nate Diaz was on the same level as one of the most popular fights in combat sports history -- so says former boxing champ Shawn Porter, who tells TMZ Sports Saturday's event felt "just as big as" Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor!

Porter -- who was on the mic in Dallas for the big matchup -- said the vibes were off the charts throughout the Jake vs. Nate fight ... calling the experience Super Bowl-esque.

"This was just as big as Mayweather and McGregor," Porter emphatically told us on Monday.

FYI -- Floyd vs. Conor is widely reported as the second-highest-selling fight in Pay-Per-View history (behind Floyd vs. Manny Pacquiao) ... so to compare the energy at Jake vs. Nate to that is quite a compliment.

Of course, "Showtime" is no stranger to the biggest events in the sport -- whether he competed in or attended them, he's witnessed some electric crowds over the years.

But Porter said the spectator support of Diaz was second to none ... adding, "I've never heard anything like that before."

"MMA fans, man. They show up, they show out, they have a lot of fun and they are extremely loud. I was loving it."

As for the fight, Shawn gave Jake a C grade on the night, despite getting the victory ... explaining the Problem Child still has to work on finishing off his opponents after landing big punches.

Former Lakers point guard Derek Fisher is giving basketball coaching another shot ... but not in the pros or college -- he's going to high school!!

The five-time NBA champion is back to planning Xs and Os after getting hired by Crespi Carmelite High School, a boys prep school in the greater Los Angeles area, officials announced Monday.

The gig marks Fisher's first return to the bench after being fired by the Los Angeles Sparks in June 2022, and his third job overall.

Remember, Kobe Bryant's ex-teammate and buddy started out as the New York Knicks' head coach from 2014 to 2016 ... and was let go after recording a 40-96 record.

Derek took over as the Sparks' head coach role in December 2018, where he would also eventually become general manager.

The 48-year-old Laker is now taking over the Encino-based program, which previously developed NBA talents like guard De'Anthony Melton and forward Brandon Williams.

Fisher's Celts will play in the Mission League ... where they will face off against the likes of Sierra Canyon, where Bronny James, Marvin Bagley III and Brandon Boston Jr. suited up ... and Notre Dame, where LeBron James' second-eldest son, Bryce, is reportedly considering attending next year.

The U.S. Women's National Team is at a fork in the road after their incredibly disappointing World Cup, according to former soccer star-turned-analyst Taylor Twellman, who tells TMZ Sports the team has to make changes, or they'll be passed up by the world.

The ex-USMNT forward -- who played professionally from 2000 to 2010 -- didn't pull his punches when analyzing the USWNT's shocking loss to Sweden in Melbourne, Australia ... and their overall performance in the world's biggest soccer tournament.

"In this World Cup, technical, tactical -- they were completely outdone!" the 43-year-old said. "It was obvious."

Twellman continued, not mincing his words ... "They didn't score a goal in 238 minutes. You are the number one nation in the world, that's inexplicable. So now this is a watershed moment."

Of course, the team, tourney-betting favorites, were looking to make history by becoming the first country to win 3 World Cups in a row. Unfortunately for American fans, that didn't happen.

After beating Vietnam 3-0 (they were around 7 goal faves), the U.S. tied both Portugal and the Netherlands, barely squeaking into the knockout round of 16, before losing to Sweden on penalty kicks. The loss dashed any hopes of a third straight W.C. ... and sent the women on a flight headed back home.

Now, for how to fix things ... Twellman has an idea of what needs to be done.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. I think top to bottom, the United States Federation on the women's side has to look at development, they have to look at the collegiate part of it, they have to look at the development within the professional leagues," Taylor said, continuing, "Are the professional leagues developing the players the right way? Is technique a huge part of it, or is it just about being bigger, faster, and stronger than the other countries? It's not gonna work anymore."

Twellman added ... "This women's World Cup has exposed the failure of the United States women to develop, and this generation I think did not carry on the mentality that winning comes first, everything else is secondary, and I think some of that criticism has been correct on that."

Of course, the mentality is precisely what U.S. soccer legend Carli Lloyd pointed out last week when she called out her former team for celebrating in the wake of another subpar performance.

"I really think it's telling that she brought it up because what we saw during the World Cup kind of backs Carli Lloyd's opinion," Twellman said.

We also talked to Taylor, who is Apple's top soccer analyst, about Lionel Messi's amazing start with Inter Miami ... and just how far the team can go with the soccer immortal playing at this level.

"I get it, Lionel Messi and [Sergio] Busquets just showed up but this is the worst team in Major League Soccer regular season," Twellman said.

Sonya DeVille's run as one half of the WWE's Women's Tag Team Champions has just been put on hold ... TMZ Sports has learned she's suffered a serious knee injury that will require surgery.

Our sources say DeVille tore her ACL during her tag team championship match against Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair on July 28 in New Orleans on SmackDown ... and will undergo a procedure on Tuesday to fix the issue.

We're told there's currently no timetable for her return to the ring.

WWE, meanwhile, will be addressing the future of the women's tag team titles during Monday Night Raw at 8 PM on USA.

The news is heartbreaking for DeVille -- as she and her tag team partner, Chelsea Green, had just won their belts on July 17 ... after they beat Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez on RAW.

Jose Ramirez says Tim Anderson's giving him the cold shoulder after their wild, mid-game brawl on Saturday ... claiming he's made several attempts to apologize directly -- with no luck.

The Cleveland Guardians star released a statement shortly after MLB handed him a three-game suspension as a result of the incident ... praising Anderson as a "very good baseball player" and sharing his regret over his actions, according to Hector Gomez.

Ramirez said he always strives to be a role model for the young players on his team ... and he wasn't trying to start trouble prior to throwing hands with the White Sox shortstop.

In fact, Ramirez said he has been trying to make things right with Anderson ... but so far, he's been ghosted.

"I’ve been trying to reach out to him directly and apologize but haven’t received an answer," Ramirez said.

"I want to reiterate apologies for my behavior and as always my goal is to help my team to win and reach the postseason."

Anderson -- who was knocked out during the brawl -- was suspended six games for his role ... and several other players, managers and coaches received lesser punishment.

The Cleveland Guardians' high-a affiliate is ruthlessly trolling Anderson over his failed fight with Ramirez ... releasing a quartet of knockout game promotions this week that are all savage as hell!!

The Lake County Captains introduced the promos poking fun at Anderson on Monday afternoon ... just two days after the Chicago White Sox star appeared to be KO'ed out by Ramirez during an in-game altercation.

In one of the ticket promos, the Ohio-based team said it would offer anybody named Tim "a FREE TICKET to sit down on the grass." In another, it said it'd be hosting a "Punch Out Competition" in its arcade.

The team also included in its announcement a picture of a person wearing an Anderson jersey -- while laying face down on the ground.

The internet has seemed to overwhelmingly love the team's clowndown of Anderson -- although we're sure the shortstop isn't a fan ... considering after the initial incident went down on Saturday night, he wasn't pleased one bit.

If you missed it, he launched a series of cryptic tweets seemingly addressing the fight ... with one saying, "keep kicking on me while I’m down.."

Seems the Lake County Captains are willing to keep doing that, though -- much to many Ohio-based Tim's delight.

The Houston Astros got the VIP treatment at the White House on Monday to celebrate their World Series title ... and POTUS came with the jokes!!

80-year-old President Joe Biden welcomed the 2022 champions to 1600 Penn with a special ceremony minutes ago ... and he showed off his comedic side with a number of funny personal jabs throughout his speech.

The highlight of the day came when Biden praised 'Stros manager Dusty Baker ... revealing he was a fan of the legend during his playing career, even though he was six years his senior.

"Worst part was, I remember rooting for him as a kid, and I was older than he was," Biden said.

The crowd was into it ... laughing as #46 made the sign of the cross to cap off the joke.

But, Biden wasn't done poking fun at himself -- he also made a silly comparison to Baker working well into his 70s.

"People counted you out, saying you were past your prime. Hell, I know something about that!!"

Biden's age is something President Donald Trump mentioned numerous times during their heated 2020 presidential run ... despite there only being a three-year difference.

While Lionel Messi was dazzling on the field on Sunday night, one of his supporters was throwing haymakers in a wild brawl in the stands ... and the fight was all captured on video.

The crazy scuffle happened at some point during Inter Miami's game against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas ... when one Lionel fan apparently got so enraged with some Dallas supporters, he decided to throw fists.

You can see in footage shot by a bystander, the man wearing Messi's Argentina No. 10 jersey whaled on one FC Dallas fan over and over again ... while two others got into a mixup nearby.

Eventually, three of the men involved in the altercation spilled onto the ground after a big takedown from the Messi fan.

No word on how the fracas was ultimately broken up -- though a spokesperson for the Frisco Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports one arrest was made.

The guys missed a hell of a performance by Messi amid their tiff ... 'cause the 36-year-old -- who just made his MLS debut last month -- scored two goals and made a penalty kick in a shootout to help give his team a come-from-behind 4-4 win.

Aqib Talib's brother, Yaqub Talib, has been sentenced to 37 years behind bars for his role in the shooting of a youth football coach last summer.

Yaqub learned his fate inside a Dallas County courtroom on Monday morning. Aqib was in attendance for the proceedings. The older Talib was remanded into custody immediately following the sentencing.

Neither brother spoke to reporters as they made their way inside of the courthouse ... and prosecutors say Yaqub did not speak during the sentencing hearing either.

Yaqub was accused of shooting Michael Hickmon during a heated dispute at an Aug. 13, 2022 youth football game involving a team that the Talib brothers were helping coach.

According to a lawsuit against the Talibs filed by Hickmon's family, the Talib brothers were upset with Hickmon -- who was helping coach the opposing team -- over a call on the field ... and confronted him over it after abruptly ending the game.

During the altercation, Hickmon's family claimed Yaqub pulled out a handgun and fired five shots at Hickmon, striking him multiple times ... leading to his death.

40-year-old Yaqub was charged with murder shortly after the incident ... and he eventually pleaded guilty last month.

Aqib's attorney said in a statement at the time of Hickmon's death that the ex-NFL star was "very distraught and devastated over this terrible loss of life" ... though the former Super Bowl champion has not spoken out over it all since.

Tragic news out of Liberty University ... freshman offensive lineman Tajh Boyd died over the weekend, the school announced. He was only 19.

"We thank God for bringing Tajh into our Liberty Athletics community and we will always remember him as a Flame. Tajh will be missed dearly," Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw and head coach Jamey Chadwell wrote in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Tajh's family, his teammates and friends, our football coaching staff, as well as our entire athletics department and the greater Liberty University community."

6'4", 300 lb. "Big Baby" was a three-star recruit at Oscar F. Smith High School in Virginia -- a school he helped lead to two state championships. Tajh chose Liberty over the likes of Duke, Maryland, and Virginia Tech.

Boyd joined the team in January ... and was gearing up for the start of Liberty's season the first week of September against Bowling Green.

Away from the football field, Tajh was an Interdisciplinary Studies major at Liberty and hoped to become a computer science engineer.

As you'd expect, his teammates were crushed by the news.

Fellow offensive lineman X'zauvea Gadlin Tweeted ... “It’s gone be a while before this feels real. But imma see you again. Rest easy Lil Brother.”

Boyd is survived by his mother Tanzania, and his father Dawntay.

One of the rarest Victor Wembanyama cards ever created was finally pulled this weekend ... and the guys who nabbed it absolutely lost their minds over the find!!!

The hobbyists over at Bleacher Breaks were the ones who scored the Bowman Chrome Superfractor rookie card ... and check out video they posted of the moment they realized what it was -- they went crazy.

Of course, they had good reason to scream their faces off after the piece was revealed ... it's a 1-of-1 -- meaning there's no other Wembanyama card in the world like it.

In fact, it's so unique ... some card experts estimate it could already sell for over $100,000!!!

Might sound unheard of for a guy who has yet to play in one regular season NBA game ... but Wembanaya memorabilia has exploded ever since he was selected No. 1 overall by the San Antonio Spurs earlier this summer -- due to all the hype surrounding the 7-foot-5 Frenchman's game.

His Vegas run-in with Britney Spears certainly didn't hurt his celebrity status either.

Donald Trump is dancing on the U.S. Women's National Team's grave after its early exit from the World Cup ... mocking Megan Rapinoe and dogging the squad for being too woke.

#45 went to Truth Social to sound off on Team USA after their disappointing loss to Sweden over the weekend ... and he pointed the finger at their political beliefs for getting in the way.

"The 'shocking and totally unexpected' loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden," Trump said.

"Many of our players were openly hostile to America -- No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE."

Trump -- who has famously beefed with Rapinoe after she said she wasn't going to visit the "f***ing White House" to celebrate USA's 2019 World Cup win -- also singled her out for airmailing her penalty kick attempt that could have helped the Red, White and Blue advance to the next round.

"Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!!! MAGA."

Of course, Rapinoe has always been outspoken in support of equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights and social justice ... even kneeling for the national anthem in recent years, something that left Trump pissed.

Udonis Haslem is going the Tom Brady route in retirement -- the former Miami Heat hooper just became the owner of his own sports team ... the World Jai-Alai League's Rebote Renegades.

The three-time NBA champ -- who officially walked away from his basketball after 20 seasons last month -- announced his investment in the popular sport on Monday ... saying, "New chapter means a new venture as a @jaialaileague team owner 🤝."

Of course, the wall ball sport is seeing a similar rise in popularity as pickleball ... with names like Ray Lewis, UFC star Jorge Masvidal and tennis star Genie Bouchard all investing in the league.

It's an organic move for Haslem, who says he grew up with the sport ... which is huge in Miami.

"Honored to be a part of a sport with deep-rooted history, especially right here in my city and to me personally through memories of my dad," he added.

Leave the leash, treats, toys and water bowls at home -- these dogs are totally content on riding waves -- and make for some pretty cute pics, too.

The annual World Dog Surfing Championships went down near San Francisco Saturday, and it featured tons of pooches who threw on their life vests and went out to catch some waves ... all in the name of charity and good fun.

The event is pretty self-explanatory -- you place your pup on a surfboard and take 'em out to sea, push them up onto a relatively small wave (whitewater, really) and see how long they can stay on. In the case of some of these doggos, they were able to cruise pretty far!

As far as how this is scored ... it comes down to confidence, style and, of course, how long they can maintain their balance. As it turns out, there were some top dogs to be crowned.

Seven different categories were under consideration -- including Small/Medium/Large/XL solo rides ... as well human-dog and dog-dog tandems. There was also a category for best in show -- and that ended up going to a little guy named Carson, a Terrier of some sort.

Like we said ... this thing benefits great causes -- including raising money for nonprofits pertaining to dog rescues, surfing and environmental efforts. Folks who attended also had the opportunity to adopt shelter and rescue dogs ... a win-win for pets and prospective owners.

Justin Gaethje is arguably the hottest fighter in the UFC right now after his highlight-reel knockout of Dustin Poirier, and that's why Conor McGregor is calling out the lightweight star on social media ... he's clout chasing, according to JG's manager.

TMZ Sports talked to Ali Abdelaziz days after his star client went home with the BMF belt, which he won during the main event of UFC 291. While people were in awe of Gaethje's fight-ending head kick, The Notorious wasn't one of them ... Conor quickly hit up Twitter and trashed Justin.

Just jealousy, according to Ali.

"Conor McGregor, he lost himself. He doesn't know who he is. He's a guy who isn't even a fighter. He's a retired fighter. He's not in the USADA program, he probably weighs almost close to 200 pounds. He just wants clout," Abdelaziz told us.

"Justin Gaethje's a gladiator. Dustin Poirier's a gladiator. Kamaru Usman, Islam, Max Holloway, all those guys are gladiators. He's not a gladiator anymore."

Speaking of Poirier, McGregor hasn't fought since breaking his leg against Diamond at UFC 264 in July 2021.

"Conor McGregor is a pretender right now," Abdelaziz said.

"He gets in fights in bars and at Grammy's, street fights. He gets in fights when he has security there to protect him."

Conor is/was supposed to fight Michael Chandler (who coached opposite him on TUF), but that fight hasn't yet been made, and reports indicate McGregor isn't in the USADA test pool yet, meaning he couldn't fight for at least 6 months.

Listening to Ali, it very much seems Conor and Justin is NOT going to happen. Question is, who will it be? Abdelaziz breaks it down.

3:07 PM PT -- Elon Musk might need more time to train and get ready for a cage match against Mark Zuckerberg -- but the Facebook founder says he's ready now.

Zuck fired back at Elon's chirping this weekend, taking to his own platform (Threads) to point out that he's all set to rumble, and at a moment's notice. He also says he suggested a date of August 26 when Elon first challenged him -- but claims EM is stonewalling.

Finally, MZ takes a jab at Elon's proposal of streaming the bout on X -- suggesting Threads would be a better place for generating actual revenue (for charity). Twitter/X has been in dire financial straits for months now.

Elon's teased the fact that he's pumping iron in preparation, but also notes ... Mark probably has him beat on stamina -- and that if they duke it out, he'd wanna end it quickly.

Elon Musk plans to make some loot for his company formally known as Twitter, because he's planning on live-streaming his highly anticipated fight with Mark Zuckerberg on X ... so he declared Sunday.

TMZ has been reporting, Zuck and Musk are both all in for mixing it up in the UFC octagon.  There were actually talks between UFC and the Italian Foreign Ministry about holding the fight at the Coliseum, but our sources say that's not going to happen.

We're also told if the fight goes down, it will likely take months. We're surmising from what we're hearing Elon needs more time to train ... something Zuck has been doing for a long time.

Despite their height and weight disparity -- Zuck's 5'7" and 150 lbs, while Musk towers over him at 6'2" weighing 230 -- M.Z. had a big edge when it comes to stamina.

The more these guys jawbone back and forth, the more likely it is they'll fight, because neither one is prone to blinking.

Stay tuned.