Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com; John Shearer/WireImage.com

Pamela Anderson’s ex-husbands Kid Rock and Tommy Lee exchanged heated words and punches during Alicia Keys' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, causing the rockers to be thrown out of the event at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

According to MTV.com, Lee hurled some strong words at Rock, 36, when he came over to his table to talk to Diddy, with whom Rock was presenting the final performance.

It wasn't clear what Lee said to Rock, but after the exchange, Rock slapped the 44-year-old Motley Crue drummer.

Lee, one eyewitness said, attempted to fight back before being punched in the face by Rock. (See video of the altercation here.)

"Tommy Lee was sitting by Diddy," MTV veejay Sway reported during the VMA Post Show. "[Kid Rock] just walked up and decked him!"

Both men were detained by security and ultimately left the venue (with Rock still sporting a cigar in his mouth).

"I never hit nobody for nothing before," Rock was overhead saying in the lobby of the casino. "I told him to shut the f--- up."

According to a spokesperson for the Las Vegas Police Department, Rock received a citation for misdemeanor battery and will need to return to Vegas for a future court date. If convicted, he faces a $500 fine and up to six months behind bars.

Anderson, 40, was married to Lee from 1995 to 1998. They have two children. The former Baywatch star was wed to Rock for only six months, marrying in August 2006 and divorcing in February 2007.

The two men have had a rocky history. On New Year's Eve, less than two months after Anderson filed for divorce from Rock, the singer reportedly became enraged after learning that his ex had wandered back into Lee's arms.

Rock allegedly tried to track Lee down, and kicked down the door to what he believed to be the drummer's room at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Instead, he frightened a family of tourists.

Jamie Foxx made reference to the brawl while on stage to present the Best New Artist award along with Jennifer Garner, imploring the audience to "stop the white-on-white crime.”

"Tommy Lee and Kid Rock fighting like black folks—it's hilarious!" he crowed. "Who won? I was in the bathroom...Pamela Anderson has got a hard choice to make."

Diddy, who was scheduled to introduce the final performance with Rock, ended up having to present without the singer. "I was supposed to be doing this with Kid Rock, but you know, we got to stop the violence," he quipped. "It's not just hip-hop artists that fight."

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