Chuck Liddell Sues -- My Image Took a Beating

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UFC legend Chuck Liddell is trying to lay the smack down on a clothing company that allegedly sold a bunch of Iceman merchandise without Chuck's blessing.

In a lawsuit filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Chuck explains that he allowed a company called MMA Authentics to use his image on certain clothing items -- but ONLY if he pre-approved the designs.

However, according to the docs, Liddell discovered that MMA Authentics was selling several "novelty items" bearing Chuck's trademarks ... without first submitting their "samples or artwork" to Chuck for approval.

In the suit, Chuck doesn't specify how much cash he wants to beat out of the company -- but we're guessing it ain't gonna be cheap.

Mets Ace Johan Santana Accused of Sexual Battery

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TMZ has learned New York Mets star pitcher Johan Santana was accused in a police report of sexual battery that allegedly went down on a Florida golf course ... but the case went nowhere.

TMZ obtained a copy of the report filed with the Lee County Sheriff's Office on October 28, 2009 -- one day after the alleged attack in Fort Myers. In the document, the accuser (referred to only as Jane Doe) claims she and Santana were walking on the golf course when he "began to kiss her and pull up her top, unclasping her bra."

The report continues: "Johan began to pull at [the accuser's] skirt/skort and attempt [sic] to place his hands into her underwear." According to the document the alleged victim "told Johan no multiple times but Johan persisted."

The report gets more graphic, when the accuser claims Santana penetrated her, grabbed and bruised her calf, and "ejaculated on her upper thigh."

The accuser claims she "cleaned her thigh with her underwear" -- and then returned to a tennis court with Santana, and actually watched him play tennis with someone else.

According to the report, a detective collected all of the accuser's clothing as evidence.

A spokesperson from the Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sheriff's detectives met several times with the prosecutor from the State's Attorney's Office to review the case. Law enforcement sources say DNA evidence did prove there was intercourse, but, according to a Sheriff's document, the prosecutor concluded, "There was not enough evidence to prove lack of consent, the alleged victim's statement is not consistent with other witnesses." The case was closed out on December 8, 2009.

We contacted Santana's rep, who said, "Johan denied the charges and was never charged with anything. As far as the law enforcement side of this goes, the case is closed."

Johan spoke in the Mets' locker room before today's


game -- check out his statement.

TMZ Live: Beresford, Jackson, and Johan Santana

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We took your questions on everything -- including Bruce Beresford-Redman's extradition request, Joe Jackson suing Dr. Murray for wrongful death and Mets star pitcher Johan Santana accused of sexual battery.

Plus: Lawrence Taylor officially charged with rape.

Lawrence Taylor Officially Charged with Rape

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Lawrence Taylor has been indicted on rape charges for the incident involving a 16-year old prostitute he allegedly hired.

In addition to rape, a grand jury also indicted the NFL Hall of Famer on the following charges: criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and patronizing a prostitute.

Taylor was arrested in May at a Holiday Inn outside NYC. Prosecutors say he paid the girl $300 to have sex. Taylor denies having sex with her -- in fact sources connected to Taylor tell TMZ part of his defense will be that he masturbated.

LT's agent Mark Lepselter says their legal team "made a strategic decision to not put any of our evidence in front of the grand jury. We look forward to presenting our evidence at the appropriate time."

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LT's lawyer says that they knew the indictment
was coming -- and they're confident they will
succeed in proving LT's innocence.

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

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Holy crap -- did you see the unreal goal Landon Donovan and the U.S. soccer team pulled out in the 91st minute of their match with Algeria!?!?!? It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On to the next round ...

USA! USA! USA!

Kobe Bryant & Vanessa -- In a Happy Place

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Just like you are supposed to do after winning the NBA championship, Kobe Bryant went to Disneyland on Tuesday ... and he took his wife Vanessa, her ring and one of their kids too.

When you're 6'6" it really is a small world after all.

Tiger Banner Pilot: I Was Grounded by the FBI

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The pilot who flew the "Tiger: Are You My Daddy?" banner over the US Open golf tournament last weekend was supposed to make a second run -- but dude claims the FBI shut down the flight.

TMZ obtained the post-flight report filed with the sky banner company, in which the pilot states that while en route to fly sign #2 -- which read, "Happy Father's Day Tiger LOL" -- he was contacted by a tower controller with a message from the FBI.

According to the pilot, the FBI had "strongly urged" him to "depart the area" over the golf course as soon as possible ... and, of course, the pilot obliged.

We spoke to the owner of the company hired to fly the planes – who told us he is looking into the incident and has no idea why the FBI would intervene on such a matter. We also spoke to the FAA – who tells us the FBI would only intervene if “criminal activity” was suspected.

As for the FBI, we called them for comment as well -- but we're still waiting to hear back. Apparently they have bigger things to worry about.

Batista's MMA Deal Hits Big, Green Speed Bump

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Former WWE champ Batista may have jumped the gun when he told us he was joining the Strikeforce MMA league -- TMZ has learned dude hasn't signed a contract ... and the holdup is cold, hard cash.

Sources involved in the negotiations tell TMZ, Batista and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker have already hammered out most of the details in their contract -- but Batista's salary is still a major sticking point.

Coker and the former WWE star are also stuck on scheduling issues -- because according to sources close to the fighter, Batista's calendar has been jam-packed with TV and movie deals since his wrestling contract expired.

We're also told Batista's camp is pissed off over Booker T.'s comments yesterday that Batista would get beat down by fellow WWE-star-turned-MMA-fighter Bobby Lashley ... telling us Batista will fight anyone, Lashley included.

Hopefully, we'll get to see for ourselves ... if Batista can ever work out a deal.

TMZ Live: The Return of Ron Artest

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Fresh off the heels of his first NBA Championship -- Los Angeles Lakers hero Ron Artest made his triumphant return to the TMZ newsroom TODAY ... and took your questions live!

WWE Legend Rips Batista -- He'll Get Killed in MMA

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Batista may have left the WWE, but his most hated rival is still talking trash -- claiming the former heavyweight wrestling champ is gonna get crushed when Batista starts fighting for real in MMA.

TMZ spoke with WWE legend Booker T. -- who famously clashed with Batista in a real-life throwdown in '06 -- and Booker tells us he doesn't think Batista can "match up" with some of the big boys in Strikeforce.

In fact, Booker claims the 40-something-year-old wouldn't "last 5 minutes" in the ring with another WWE-star-turned-MMA-powerhouse -- Bobby Lashley.

As we first reported, Batista claims the wheels may already be in motion for his first fight ... no word if he'll get in the ring with Lashley.

NBA Star I'll Hump Kim K for a Championship!

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We've been saying it for months -- but now an NBA star has finally recognized that hooking up with a Kardashian leads to championships ... and NBA star Ty Lawson wants to take one for the team.

The Denver Nuggets superstar rookie went to his Twitter page today and posted the following message, "I heard if u hit a kardashian i win a championship .. Kim k holla me!!! I need ya for 17 min."

Lawson continued, "I'll take one for the team lol ... If miles Austin miles or wateva his name is win a chip next ye ... Then thing is amazing."

As TMZ previously reported, the Kardashians are 2-for-2 in the last year -- with Reggie Bush winning a Super Bowl and Khloe's man Lamar Odom locking up an NBA title.

Now, with Kim dating NFL wide receiver Miles Austin -- the smart money is on the Dallas Cowboys to take it all next season.

Thanks to the Huffington Post for scoping this out.

Club Involved in Rampage's Father's Day Bash

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Rampage Jackson (left) and his dad (right) went at least one round with the ol' man on Father's Day -- inside a packed Las Vegas nightclub.

Rampage and his dad Charles hit up Vanity nightclub at the Hard Rock in Sin City on Saturday night.

As you can see from the photo, neither man has a problem dropping a deuce in public.

Kobe Bryant -- Bike Cops on Parade

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Kobe Bryant and his family just got the ultimate escort to the Los Angeles Lakers championship parade in L.A. this morning -- thanks to an army of bike-riding LAPD officers.

Tiger Woods -- Belated Father's Day

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Tiger Woods was busy squandering his chance to win the U.S. Open on Father's Day ... so he made up for it today, picking his daughter up from school.

Better late than never.

Batista -- I'm Fighting for REAL Now!

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He's a former six-time WWE heavyweight wrestling champion of the world -- but this weekend Batista finally confirmed that he's now fighting for real ... for an MMA company called Strikeforce.

The 6'5", 290 pound behemoth was out in Hollywood this weekend -- where he told our camera guy about the move ... and hinted that he already has his first fight lined up.

The 40-something-year-old recently left WWE after his contract expired ... and there had been rumors floating around that he wanted to get into Mixed Martial Arts fighting.

Now, with the rumors confirmed, we gotta ask ...

Tiger's Alleged Baby Mama -- He Gave Me Gifts!

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The woman who claims Tiger Woods is the father of her 9-year-old son says Tiger knows all about the kid ... and he has even sent presents for the boy in the past.

As we first reported, Devon James filed a paternity action against Tiger in Florida on Thursday. But a rep for James tells us the filing shouldn't surprise Tiger -- she told him about the kid back in August 2008.

James' rep tells TMZ after James got pregnant in 2000, she didn't see Woods again until 2006. The rep says James was scared to tell Woods about the kid at that point because she thought Woods would take her son away from her.

They began seeing each other again from 2006-2008, the rep says, and James told Tiger about her son -- and that he was the father -- in August 2008. The rep says Tiger didn't really acknowledge James' claim -- but when they saw each other in September 2008, Tiger brought a golf club, a hat, and a bracelet that Tiger said was "for your son."

James' rep says that was the last time James saw Tiger.