TMZ Sports - Page 24

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz, who has repped some of the biggest and best fighters to step foot in a cage, nearly drowned during a recent trip to Hawaii ... and likely would've died if not for Ottman Azaitar.

"Ottman's a great kid. He has a big heart. He literally saved my life," Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports when asked about the frightening incident.

FYI, Azaitar is a 34-year-old lightweight fighter signed to the UFC. He's got a 13-2 record ... and last fought in mid-2023.

As for what happened, we're told Ali, Ottman, and some others went for a swim near a waterfall in Hawaii ... before heading to Salt Lake City for UFC 307, where Abdelaziz has Kayla Harrison fighting on the card.

Unfortunately, Abdelaziz, who isn't a strong swimmer, ended up in an area that was deeper than he anticipated ... and when he couldn't reach the ground, Ali's head began dipping below the waterline, and panick ensued.

Azaitar, thinking quickly, swam to land where he grabbed a rope-like vine from the forest before bringing the line to Ali, and reeling him in to safety.

Travis Kelce's not losing his mind over his stat line like the rest of the world ... saying despite having the best outing of his season on Sunday, the only number he gives a damn about is the one in the win column.

The All-Pro tight end addressed his seven-catch, 89-yard performance in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on the latest episode of his "New Heights" podcast with brother, Jason, on Wednesday ... which was surprisingly the strongest performance of the 2024 campaign for the usually dominant force.

Travis admitted the narrative of his struggles on the field leading up to the Week 4 contest were true ... but only in one area.

One of Pete Rose's closest friends and former teammates could tell the Hit King wasn't his usual playful and talkative self the day before he passed ... with Tony Perez explaining members of the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds didn't fully enjoy their last experience together.

The Hall of Famer joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs on FS1) to discuss his final meet-up with Rose ... a signing session at the Music City Autograph Show with Fiterman Sports Group featuring Rose, Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr.

The former first baseman admitted it "wasn't a good time" because Rose was "not himself" ... and the guys didn't take part in their usual banter during the show, a far cry from how things were when they were last together about six months ago.

Michael Jordan's racing team is suing NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France ... alleging the guy and his organization are "monopolistic bullies."

His Airness' 23XI Racing -- along with Front Row Motorsports -- filed the lawsuit in federal court in North Carolina on Wednesday ... after the two teams say they refused to sign updated pacts with NASCAR over "unfair terms."

In the suit, the teams said they wanted more when it came time to extend their charter agreements beyond 2024 -- namely, a bigger piece of the revenue pie -- but France and NASCAR wouldn't budge.

Donald Trump sent a message loud and clear to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the day after Pete Rose died ... urging the org. to put the ex-Reds star in "now," "before his funeral!"

The former prez issued the demand during J.D. Vance's debate with Tim Walz on Tuesday night ... taking a brief break from watching his running mate to heap some serious praise on the baseball legend.

"The GREAT Pete Rose just died," he said. "He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price! Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago."

Power Slap's going international for the first time, and they're doin' it with some star power, 'cause TMZ Sports has learned Paige VanZant will compete on October 24 in Abu Dhabi!

30-year-old VanZant, one of the biggest stars in combat sports, will be one of the athletes holding down the Power Slap 9 card at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.

PS9 goes down the same week as UFC 308, headlined by Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria, all happening on "Fight Island."

Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller was just suspended for four games ... after the NFL says he violated the league's Personal Conduct Policy.

Miller -- who won't be paid for the next month while on suspension -- will be eligible for reinstatement on October 28 ... following the team's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

While it's unclear exactly what led to the suspension of the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer, the punishment comes almost a year after authorities issued an arrest warrant for Miller for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman -- later identified as his GF.

Diddy is assembling a legal dream team, Britney Spears is recalling a near accident and Pete Rose is being remembered ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles explain why Diddy is beefing up his legal team in an effort to get out of jail.

Jeremy Lamb might've just retired from the NBA, but he's still got ties to the Sacramento Kings -- he's dating team owner Vivek Ranadivé's daughter, Anjali ... who also happens to be the former general manager of the organization's G League affiliate.

The new couple went public with their romance in an Instagram post on Monday ... showing them sharing a kiss as they played with some wolf dogs to promote Anjali's Jaws and Paws animal sanctuary.

It's a rather interesting coupling -- Anjali served as the Stockton Kings' GM from June 2023 until she resigned this past January. At the time, it was reported she stepped away from the position to pursue other ventures.

MLB legend Pete Rose died from heart disease ... officials announced Tuesday.

According to the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Nevada ... the official cause of death for Rose was determined as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Rose had also been battling diabetes mellitus, officials added.

Lamar Odom is taking his skincare routine to a whole 'nother level -- the two-time NBA champion just got a salmon-sperm treatment done on his face!!

TMZ Sports is told ... the 44-year-old rolled through Dr. Robert Dorfman's office in Beverly Hills on Monday for the procedure -- which consists of micro-needling the skin with Rejuran salmon sperm DNA.

The treatment -- which usually costs around $3,200, although it's unclear what L.O. paid -- helps with skin rejuvenation and complexion ... and we're told Lamar wanted to get in on the trend to give him a more youthful look.

Former NFL star Eddie Lacy was thrown behind bars in Arizona on Monday night ... after cops claimed he was driving while wasted.

According to the Scottsdale Police Department, the ex-Green Bay Packers tailback was pulled over at around 10:40 PM -- after officers said they saw him committing several traffic violations.

He apparently elicited signs of being intoxicated during the stop ... as an SPD spokesperson tells TMZ Sports Lacy was ultimately arrested and booked on four separate DUI charges, including "Extreme DUI -- BAC .20 or more."

Logan Paul and KSI are doing their part to help out with Hurricane Helene relief ... sending a whole truckload of their Prime Hydration drink to those affected by the devastating storm.

North Carolina resident Shawn Hendrix -- who has made appearances in several MrBeast challenges -- shared footage of the generous effort ... saying he made a phone call on Monday in hopes of having some Prime product shipped to folks in the hardest-hit areas -- and the company delivered in less than 24 hours.

"I do not know how you got this up here so fast, but thank you guys," Hendrix said on X.

Savannah James is taking the NBA 2K "My Player" concept to a whole new level ... mom picked up the sticks to play as the human she birthed in real life -- her son Bronny James!

LeBron James showed off the funny video on social media ... with Savannah seemingly having a proud mommy moment, putting up shots as her (virtual) son on the hardwood.

"Only way you play the game, huh," James asked. "Only way I can get her to play the game."

Antonio Brown has found himself in the crosshairs of the masses once again ... this time, people are dragging the former NFL superstar over a misogynistic social media post he made about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.

The ex-Steelers wideout pressed send on the message on X on Sunday afternoon ... as Kelce and the Chiefs were competing against the Chargers in Los Angeles.

In his eight-word note, Brown appeared to imply Kelce would play better if he dumped Swift for a Black woman -- while using some offensive language in the process.

Dana White dug deep into his wallet, but it wasn't to pay a UFC fighter bonus, or buy something extravagant ... the UFC honcho donated $100K to help people whose lives were turned upside down by Hurricane Helene.

White made the donation online Monday afternoon, using the GoFundMe that says it was launched by his good friend Donald Trump.

"President Donald J. Trump has launched this GoFundMe campaign as an official response for MAGA supporters to offer their financial assistance to their fellow Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene," DT's team wrote, adding, "All donations will be directed to help those most affected by Hurricane Helene. Any level of generosity will go a long way for your fellow Americans who are suffering."