Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Dustin Jacoby believes he made a "statement" with first-round knockout over Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC Nashville
Cole Shelton - August 10, 2023
Dustin Jacoby says his back was against the wall at UFC Nashville. Jacoby was taking on Kennedy Nzechukwu in a pivotal fight for his career, as the former Glory kickboxer was on a two-fight losing skid. Although Jacoby was still in the light heavyweight rankings, he believed he was likely fighting for his job on Saturday.
Pro fighters make their picks for Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Cole Shelton - August 10, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 78, Vicente Luque is set to return after a year-long layoff due to a brain hemorrhage as he takes on Rafael dos Anjos, who’s moving up in weight. Heading into the fight, Luque is a slight -105 underdog while the former lightweight champion is -115. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. The pros actually lean towards Vicente Luque getting it done as many think the size and strength will be a big difference as Rafael dos Anjos moves up from lightweight.
Chris Daukaus ready to "scrap" with Khalil Rountree at UFC Vegas 78 in light heavyweight debut: "I'm going to run through this dude"
Cole Shelton - August 9, 2023
Chris Daukaus is excited to finally make his light heavyweight debut. After Daukaus suffered his third-straight knockout loss back in December to Jairzinho Rozenstruik, he announced he would be dropping down to light heavyweight. Daukaus did a test cut which went well and was then booked to face Khalil Rountree at UFC 289 in June. However, just under two weeks before the event, Daukaus had to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury.
John Dodson vows to KO JR Ridge in the first round to win inaugural flyweight title at BFKC 48, takes aim at Reggie Barnett Jr.
Cole Shelton - August 9, 2023
John Dodson is honored to be fighting for the inaugural BKFC flyweight title. Dodson is set to headline BKFC 48 on Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the inaugural flyweight title. It’s a massive fight for Dodson in just his third bare-knuckle fight.
Vicente Luque believes Rafael dos Anjos is the "perfect fight" for his return at UFC Vegas 78: "I do believe I can finish him"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2023
Vicente Luque needed to make some changes after losing back-to-back fights. Luque is coming off a knockout loss to Geoff Neal and before that dropped a decision to Belal Muhammad. After his last loss, he suffered a brain hemorrhage which is why he hasn’t fought for over a year.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals other States have reached out to host ONE Championship after "record-breaking" event in Denver
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong admits he was surprised with the reception the promotion got for their United States debut. Back in May, ONE made its promotional debut in the States as ONE Championship held an event in Denver, Colorado. It was something the promotion has talked about for years, but Chatri Sityodtong was still uncertain how the US fans would like ONE Championship.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals Angela Lee will make a "big statement" in September regarding her fighting future
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong says Angela Lee will be providing an update on her career soon. It was back in December of 2022 that Victoria Lee passed away at the tender age of 18. Since then, both of her siblings, Angela and Christian Lee, have opted against competing and Sityodtong says there is no rush on them to fight again, despite their championship status. For now, he says he’s left the Lee family to grieve and deal with the heartbreaking news.
Damon Jackson expects Billy Quarantillo scrap to be a "dog fight" at UFC Nashville: "Right from the bell it will be crazy firework"
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2023
Damon Jackson knows his scrap at UFC Nashville against Billy Quarantillo will be a dog fight. Jackson is coming off a KO loss to Dan Ige back in January and after that, he went on vacation to celebrate his 10-year anniversary with his wife. Once he was ready to return, Jackson was booked to fight at UFC Nashville which he is thrilled by as he hasn’t fought in front of fans during his entire second stint in the UFC.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2023
In the main event of an ESPN+ pay-per-view boxing match, Jake Paul is set to return from his first career loss as he takes on UFC veteran Nate Diaz. Heading into the bout, Paul is a sizeable -460 favorite while the Stockton native is a +320 underdog in what serves as his pro boxing debut on Saturday night in Dallas, Texas.
Billy Quarantillo plans to "smoke" Damon Jackson at UFC Nashville and prove he belongs: "A finish is what I am after"
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2023
Billy Quarantillo is looking to remind everyone just how good he is. Quarantillo is well-aware that MMA fans only remember people’s last fights. Unfortunately for Quarantillo, his last fight was a KO loss to Edson Barboza in the first round.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals ONE Championship hasn't talked to free agent Michael Page
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong says the promotion hasn’t reached out to Michael Page yet, and they are uncertain if they will. Michael Page recently revealed that he fought out his contract and was a free agent and was looking forward to seeing what is out there.
Trevin Giles expects Gabriel Bonfim to gas out at UFC 291 but says the Brazilian "isn't skilled enough to beat me" anyways
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
Trevin Giles is confident he will hand Gabriel Bonfim his first career loss. Giles is on a two-fight win streak and is coming off a decision win over Preston Parsons back in March. After the fight, Giles said his elbow was a bit banged up so he needed to take a bit of time off.
Stephen Thompson expecting a 'Fight of the Year' contender against Michel Pereira at UFC 291: "Preparing for the hardest fight ever"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Stephen Thompson is excited to finally get the chance to face Michel Pereira. After Thompson lost back-to-back fights to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns he told BJPENN.com he wanted to be matched up with Pereira next. However, he ended up facing Kevin Holland and scored a TKO win but will now face Pereira at UFC 291.
UFC 291 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 BMF title fight
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
In the main event of UFC 291, the vacant BMF title is up for grabs as Dustin Poirier takes on Justin Gaethje in a highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the scrap, Poirier is a -162 favorite while ‘The Highlight’ is a +126 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Poirier will get the win in a rematch but most, to no surprise, are expecting it to be a potential Fight of the Year contender.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he asked the UFC for Alex Pereira matchup, plans to "test" his striking against the Brazilian at UFC 291
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
Jan Blachowicz wanted some time off after his last fight. Blachowicz last competed back in December and fought Magomed Ankalaev to a draw for the vacant lightweight title. After the fight ended, Blachowicz wanted some time off to heal for some injuries, and he said the plan was to return in the summer.
Jai Herbert expecting an "entertaining fight" and to "put on a show" against Fares Ziam at UFC London
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2023
Jai Herbert will be fighting in London for the fourth straight time. Herbert will be taking on Fares Ziam at UFC London on Saturday and is coming off a draw against L’udovit Klein back in March. Prior to that, he beat Kyle Nelson in July and lost to Ilia Topuria by KO the previous March. Although this is Herbert’s fourth straight fight in London, he says he still is excited to fight at home and put on a show for his people.
Austin Lingo expects to outwork and tire out Melquizael Costa at UFC Vegas 77: "He gassed in his debut"
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2023
Austin Lingo believes his pace is the key to beating Melquizael Costa at UFC Vegas 77.. Lingo is coming off a submission loss to Nate Landwehr in a fight he took on less than two weeks’ notice after his fight against Ricardo Ramos was off. Although he lost the fight, he says he already knew what he did wrong and went back to the gym to correct it.
Evan Elder knows he's fighting for his job at UFC Vegas 77 but is confident he'll finish Genaro Valdez
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2023
Evan Elder knows his UFC Vegas 77 against Genaro Valdez is do-or-die for his career. Elder is 0-2 in the UFC, but last time out, he suffered a stoppage loss to Nazim Sadykhov due to a cut in a fight where he was up 20-18 on all three judges’ scorecards. Despite the disappointing result, Elder gained a lot of confidence from that fight.