Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Stephen Thompson expecting a 'war' against Belal Muhammad but confident he will win: 'I do see some flaws in his style'
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2021
Stephen Thompson is excited to go out and erase his last fight from his memory. Thompson is coming off a lackluster decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 264 and will now return against Belal Muhammad this Saturday at UFC Vegas 45. It’s an intriguing matchup and one Thompson is looking forward to.
Kevin Lee says Diego Sanchez will probably be his first opponent in Eagle FC: 'I'm going to kick his head into the third row'
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2021
Kevin Lee is the newest fighter to sign with Eagle FC and his debut fight is being closed to begin made. Lee was shockingly released from the UFC late last month and on Wednesday, Khabib Nurmagomedov officially signed Lee to a multi-fight contract. “The Motown Phenom” will have his debut on March 11 and according to Lee, he will likely be fighting Diego Sanchez.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley 2
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2021
In the main event of a Showtime boxing pay-per-view and on Fite TV, Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley are set to rematch. Heading into the fight, Paul is a -260 favorite while the former UFC champion is a +210 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the boxing match. The majority believe Woodley can get it done as long as he throws more punches although some think Paul is just the better boxer.
Chris Daukaus expects to 'outwork' Derrick Lewis en route to a stoppage win, eyes Stipe Miocic next
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2021
Chris Daukaus didn’t expect to be headlining a UFC event or fighting Derrick Lewis in his fifth UFC fight. Daukaus is set to face Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 45 and when he heard the news he was stoked. He does admit it caught him by surprise but he is now eager for the challenge.
Vince Morales wants Nathaniel Wood next after KO win over Louis Smolka
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2021
Vince Morales is pleased with his KO win over Louis Smolka at UFC Vegas 44. Morales entered his fight against Smolka in a unique scenario due to the fact his cousin in Ricky Simon is a training partner of Smolka. Although they originally didn’t want to fight one another, Morales is happy with his win as he became the first person to KO Smolka.
Coach: 'I wouldn't be mad' if Dustin Poirier retired after UFC 269 win: 'He doesn't have anything more to prove'
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2021
In the lead-up to UFC 269, there has been talk of Dustin Poirier retiring should he win the belt, and his coach, Phil Daru says that could happen. Daru, Poirier’s strength and conditioning coach, says any decision “The Diamond” has made hasn’t been talked about. Instead, everyone in the camp knows Poirier could very well retire after UFC 269 but he hopes he decides to defend the belt or move up to welterweight. However, if he decides to retire, Daru says he won’t be mad at Poirier at all.
UFC 269 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena title fight
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 269, Amanda Nunes is dropping back down to bantamweight to defend her strap against Julianna Pena. Entering the fight, Nunes is a massive -900 favorite while the challenger is a +600 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The big surprise is not all the pros are picking Nunes as one is going with the upset in thinking Pena can pull it off.
Randy Costa excited for Tony Kelley matchup at UFC 269: 'I expect us to meet in the middle and throw'
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Randy Costa knows his UFC 269 fight against Tony Kelley is a fan-friendly one. After Costa suffered a TKO loss to Adrian Yanez in July, he wanted to fight one more time this year. Although he wasn’t sure what would be next when he got the fighter offer to face Kelley at UFC 269 it was an immediate yes for Costa.
Eryk Anders expects to KO Andre Muniz at UFC 269: 'I'm looking to do me and put hands on him'
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2021
Eryk Anders is excited to get the chance to fight one more time before the year is up. Anders was supposed to fight on November 13 but after testing positive for COVID-19 he was pulled from the fight. Shortly after recovering, he got the call to face Andre Muniz at UFC 269 which Anders accepted as he says it is a similar style matchup to Roman Dolidze who he was supposed to face back in November.
Dustin Poirier added size and strength to overwhelm Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, says coach
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2021
Dustin Poirier spent the last couple of months adding size and strength to help him overwhelm Charles Oliveira at UFC 269. After Poirier beat Conor McGregor again at UFC 264, it cemented the fact he would be fighting Oliveira for the lightweight title. Once camp began, Poirier’s strength and conditioning coach, Phil Daru said they wanted to add strength. He believes that will overwhelm Oliveira and be the difference-maker in the fight.
Dan Ige expecting a 'Gaethe-Chandler type of war' against Josh Emmett at UFC 269: 'It will be an insane fight for the fans'
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Dan Ige knows his UFC 269 fight against Josh Emmett has all the makings to be the Fight of the Night and one of the best fights of the year. After Ige dropped a decision to Korean Zombie back in June, he wasn’t sure what would be next for him. He thought he would have to fight someone ranked below him, yet when he got the fight offer to face Emmett it was an immediate yes.
Josh Emmett preparing for a '15-minute war' against Dan Ige at UFC 269 but hopes for a KO win to cement himself as a title contender
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Josh Emmett is excited to finally get back into the Octagon. Emmett tore his ACL in the opening seconds of his June 2020 win over Shane Burgos. Since then he has been rehabbing and had other setbacks. During that time, Emmett admits he didn’t know how he would be when he was able to return.
Pro fighters make their picks for Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo
Cole Shelton - November 26, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 44 on December 4, top-five bantamweights are set to throw down as Rob Font will take on Jose Aldo. Heading into the fight, Font is a -145 favorite while the former featherweight king is a +125 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros are picking the underdog in Aldo to be able to outstrike Font and continue his winning ways at bantamweight.
Vince Morales expecting a 'dog fight' against Louis Smolka, believes he can pull off a submission win
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2021
Vince Morales was surprised when he got the fight offer to face Louis Smolka at UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. Morales is Ricky Simon’s cousin, who is a training partner of Smolka. Although that has put Simon in a weird position, Morales does expect the fight to be a good one.
Adrian Yanez was 'pissed' by judge who scored his fight for Grant, wants to KO Sean O'Malley next
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2021
Adrian Yanez was shocked when he heard one judge score the fight 30-27, Davey Grant. Yanez and Grant fought back at UFC Vegas 43 in a highly-anticipated bantamweight scrap. The fight delivered as it won Fight of the Night, but when it went to the scorecards, many expected Yanez to win 30-27 or 29-28. Yet, it ended up being a split decision which Yanez says pissed him off.
Louis Smolka admits he 'didn't want the fight' against Vince Morales due to relationship with Ricky Simon
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2021
Louis Smolka was disappointed he couldn’t fight Sean O’Malley at UFC 264 but is glad he is fighting before the year is up. Smolka was supposed to fight O’Malley in July, but an infection forced him out of the fight. For the Hawaiian, when he had to pull out of the bout, he was upset and frustrated as he knew it would be a big fight for him.
Rob Font expects to 'pick apart' Jose Aldo and earn stoppage win to enter title conversation at bantamweight
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Rob Font is eager to be able to share the Octagon with an MMA legend in Jose Aldo. Font and Aldo are set to headline UFC Vegas 44 on December 4 and when Font got the call for the fight, he immediately accepted as it is a massive opportunity for him.
Matt Brown preparing for a 'war' against Bryan Barberena, eyes a violent KO by elbow or knee
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Matt Brown is excited for his matchup against Bryan Barberena at UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. When Brown got the fight offer, he admits he didn’t know a ton about Barberena. But, after watching tape on him, Brown began getting excited as he is expecting a very fan-friendly fight.