TMZ Sports - Page 29

2:59 PM PT -- Eddie Hearn's attorney, Frank Salzano, released a statement to TMZ Sports ... saying Jake's claim that his comments were protected under New York's Anti-SLAPP laws -- which shield defendants from lawsuits meant to hinder their freedom of speech -- "fails for several reasons."

"The most glaring reason is that Anti-SLAPP laws were primarily enacted to protect against plaintiffs who filed claims seeking to suppress freedom of speech, these statutes were not enacted to protect maliciously false or defamatory statements – which Paul’s remarks clearly constitute," the statement read.

Salzano said the plan is to dismiss the "meritless" claim and continue with Hearn's defamation case.

Jake Paul isn't taking his fight with Eddie Hearn laying down ... 'cause two years after the British promoter filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against the Problem Child, the 27-year-old is firing back with his own legal action against Hearn.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Jake argues Eddie's suit is nothing more than an attempt to silence his right to free speech using intimidation tactics to shut Paul up.

Jake says Eddie's lawsuit is straight BS, and he shouldn't owe the Matchroom Boxing promoter a red cent. Instead, Paul claims he's the one who's deserving of a fat payment ... arguing in the docs he should be entitled to compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to the cost of legal fees.

MMA star "Platinum" Mike Perry was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Florida over the weekend.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Claremont cops says they were on routine patrol around 1 AM on Saturday ... when they observed a dark red Mercedes SUV driving up to "approximately" 20 miles above the speed limit.

Cops say they conducted a traffic stop for speeding, identified the driver as Perry and could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. They also claim he appeared to have "red, glassy eyes" and his speech sounded slow, to which he replied the officer's "speech was fast."

The woman suing Vince McMahon over allegations he sexually abused her is now targeting a Connecticut doctor with ties to the former WWE honcho ... claiming she was sexually abused at the physician's clinic.

Attorneys for accuser Janel Grant, 44, filed a motion in a CT court on Tuesday ... demanding doc Carlon Colker's office turn over any records relating to her care at Peak Wellness, his practice.

Grant claims McMahon, along with a Peak Wellness physical therapist, sexually abused her at the medical clinic -- including one instance in which McMahon defecated on her head and forced her to engage in a sexual act with the employee.

She also claims Dr. Colker "repeatedly medicated" her with "unknown substances."

Grant claims Vince sent her to the facility after she was dealing with severe stress and trauma that stemmed from her alleged abuse.

Davante Adams wasted no time linking back up with his buddy, Aaron Rodgers -- he crashed the quarterback's interview just hours after it was revealed he was going to be a New York Jet!!

Adams made the surprise appearance during Rodgers' weekly hit on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday ... and the two couldn't contain their excitement.

"We're back man," Adams said while standing behind his old Green Bay Packers teammate. "We're back!"

Jerry Jones got in a tense back-and-forth during his weekly radio appearance ... clapping back at hosts over questions that rubbed him the wrong way -- and flat-out saying he could find someone else to interview him moving forward.

The Dallas Cowboys owner joined "Shan & RJ on Audacy's 105.3 The Fan" on Tuesday ... where he talked all about his team's blowout home loss to the Detroit Lions, which kinda ruined his 82nd birthday.

At one point in the conversation, Jones was asked about the team's offseason roster moves -- or lack thereof -- and needless to say, he wasn't thrilled.

The partner of Janne Puhakka reportedly told police he shot and killed the former hockey player ... a tragedy that is being investigated as a murder.

According to local outlets, 66-year-old veterinarian Rolf Nordmo told police he and Puhakka, 29, split a few weeks ago and Janne had moved out of their Espoo apartment.

Despite the breakup, Nordmo reportedly said they still maintained some contact ... and when Puhakka came over to visit that Sunday for "the arrangement of practical matters," he shot him with a hunting shotgun.

The wife of WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart has gone to the police for help ... after receiving a homophobic email wishing death on the couple.

Marta Xargay Casademont -- a former pro shooting guard who retired in 2021 -- reportedly went to the NYPD last week after receiving the terrifying message from an anonymous sender.

"I hope someone shoots your wife dead" ... is just one of the awful things in the email.

Davante Adams is getting another change of scenery -- the superstar wide receiver is being traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets ... pairing him with his old buddy, Aaron Rodgers.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport broke the news on Tuesday ... saying the three-time All-Pro is heading to the Big Apple in exchange for a conditional third-round pick that could elevate to a second.

As part of the agreement, N.Y. will reportedly take on the rest of Adams' five-year, $140 million deal he signed in 2022.

You can probably cross Bill Belichick off the list of potential replacements for Robert Saleh -- the legendary head coach pulled no punches when sharing his thoughts on the New York Jets' recent change on the sidelines ... claiming it was yet another rash decision made by the team's owner, Woody Johnson.

The eight-time Super Bowl winner went in on the state of the organization during his second-quarter appearance on the "Manningcast" with Peyton and Eli ... saying point blank, he's no fan of Gang Green -- especially after Saleh got the boot a week ago.

"Coach Saleh did a good job with that program," Belichick said during "Monday Night Football."

Lou Williams is revisiting his infamous strip club visit with Jack Harlow during the COVID-19 pandemic ... saying he would do it all over again -- 'cause it actually ended up in his favor!!

Williams -- who was playing for the Los Angeles Clippers at the time -- was caught at the legendary Magic City in ATL in July 2020 ... while on an approved leave from the NBA bubble to attend a memorial service.

At one point in his absence, he decided to pick up some wings from the strip club's kitchen ... where he ran into the "Lovin On Me" MC, who accidentally blew his cover.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are out again in New York City ... and this time they're watching the Yankees play some postseason baseball.

The power couple is in a suite at Yankee Stadium watching the Yanks play the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night ... a best-of-7 series that will send the winner to the World Series.

Taylor and Travis are joined by comedian Jerrod Carmichael in the suite ... and everyone is happy and smiling ... with some cold beverages on the counter.

Kanye West's getting hit with a new allegation involving Diddy, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are going on dates in the Big Apple, and Donte DiVincenzo is sending a message to his former NBA team ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Charles and Babcock break down the new claim against Kanye ... and the connection with Diddy.

Employees from the luxury building where Pete Rose lived attempted to do a welfare check on the MLB legend just hours before he was found dead by his son, but received no response from the hit king ... a 911 call obtained by TMZ Sports reveals.

The emergency call to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department was initiated by workers at the Panorama Towers in Sin City at 2:54 PM. They told dispatch they attempted to check on Rose about two hours earlier, but despite banging on his door, received no answer.

The staff told the operator they could hear a television playing loudly inside Rose's unit.

A Ravens fan took things way too far after his team's win against the Commanders, knocking an opposing fan out cold ... and Baltimore police are looking into the violent altercation.

The incident, which was caught on video, shows a fan wearing a Lamar Jackson jersey walking up to two individuals wearing Commanders gear. Then, seemingly unprovoked, he starts swinging at the men, landing a devastating right hook to the face of a fan wearing a Sean Taylor jersey, sending him careering to the ground.

The attacker then turns his attention to the other fan, wearing a Terry McLaurin jersey ... chasing him down and slamming him into a building wall. Luckily, it appears the man was able to get away before sustaining any more damage.

Jason Kelce's job is pretty sweet -- the future Hall of Famer was back to his tailgate shenanigans ahead of "Monday Night Football" ... partying it up with the notoriously rowdy Bills Mafia!!

Former Buffalo center Eric Wood documented the debauchery ... showing the Philadelphia Eagles legend -- sporting a Fred Flintstone costume and Bills-themed hat -- doing a shot of Gatorade out of a bowling ball.

Of course, the stunt is common prior to Bills games ... as well as a bunch of other wild antics like assaulting innocent tables.

The Tampa Bay Rays' stadium was hit hard by Hurricane Milton ... but fear not, fish lovers -- the stingrays that call Tropicana Field "home" were unharmed in the storm!!

The Florida Aquarium provided the update on Monday .... saying while the facility's roof sustained heavy damage -- the seven cownose stingrays that hang out near right-center field remained safe in their 35-foot habitat while Milton passed through.

"With the Tampa Bay Rays support, our staff was able to provide onsite care over the past several days and today, we brought them safely back to the Aquarium," Associate Curator Craig Johnson said.