Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Damon Jackson foresees a submission win over “durable” Kamuela Kirk, wants a ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022
Damon Jackson is excited for his UFC Vegas 50 matchup against Kamuela Kirk. Jackson is coming off a decision win over Charles Rosa and although Kirk only has one fight in the UFC, it was a win over Makwan Amirkhani, who is a known name. Stylistically, Jackson also believes this is a very fun fight for the fans.
Tim Elliott wants a quick turnaround after UFC 272 win: "I want exciting fights and fun fights"
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022
Tim Elliott says he might have been fighting for his job at UFC 272. Elliott entered his bout against Tagir Ulanbekov as the betting underdog and many expected him to lose. However, he believes people were overhyping Ulanbekov due to his relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Charles Oliveira "blows Gaethje and Islam out of the water," says Kevin Lee
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022
Kevin Lee has said Charles Oliveira is the best lightweight he has fought and he is sticking by that. Oliveira has been doubted countless times in his career. ‘Do Bronx’ was the underdog to Lee and Dustin Poirier among countless others and some have even labeled him a “quitter”. Yet, for ‘The Motown Phenom’ he says Oliveira is the most skilled fighter he’s fought and believes the champ easily beats both Justin Gaethje and Islam Makhachev.
Pro fighters make their picks for Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 50, top-10 light heavyweights collide as Thiago Santos takes on Magomed Ankalaev. Heading into the fight, Ankalaev is a massive -600 favorite while the Brazilian is a +425 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. To no surprise, as the odds suggest, the pros are actually nearly split on this one as some think Santos is too much of a step-up while others believe Ankalaev is the real deal.
Terrance McKinney eyes "something spectacular" to finish Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50: "Expect some fireworks"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Terrance McKinney said he wanted a quick turnaround and he is doing just that. After defeating Fares Ziam by first-round submission at UFC Vegas 49, ‘T.Wrecks’ has stepped up on a weeks’ notice to face Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50. It’s an intriguing matchup and one McKinney wanted right when he saw Ricky Glenn was out of the fight.
Diego Sanchez says UFC would rather "go under" than pay fighters more money: "It's a greedy organization"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Diego Sanchez isn’t mad at the UFC for the way things ended but doesn’t like how they treat fighters. Sanchez was supposed to face Donald Cerrone last May in a potential retirement fight, but the promotion decided to cut him due to his ties with Joshua Fabia. After that, Sanchez explored his options and signed with Eagle FC where he will face Kevin Lee on Friday night.
Pro fighters make their picks for Kevin Lee vs. Diego Sanchez
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
In the main event of Eagle FC on Friday in Miami, Kevin Lee is set to face Diego Sanchez at 165lbs. Lee is a massive -800 favorite while ‘The Nightmare’ is a +500 underdog. Heading into the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. As the odds suggest the pros believe this is a total mismatch and it will be Lee winning violently.
Kevin Lee reveals his plans for Diego Sanchez at Eagle FC 46: "I'm going to break his body where he can't take it anymore"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2022
Kevin Lee expects to beat Diego Sanchez badly on Friday night in the main event of Eagle FC 46. After Lee was released by the UFC, he was quick to sign with Eagle FC and after his press conference, he told BJPENN.com he was told it’s likely Sanchez would be his first opponent. That ended up being the case which he is excited about.
Dustin Jacoby believes Michal Oleksiejczuk scrap has "Fight of the Night written all over it," eyes stoppage win at UFC 272
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2022
Dustin Jacoby is excited to face Michal Olesiejczuk at UFC 272 as he believes it’s a fun fight for the fans. Jacoby is coming off a decision win over John Allan at UFC 268 which was his second in a row and since returning to the UFC, he’s 4-0-1. Against Oleksiejczuk, he knows this will be a fun fight as he believes they will stand and trade with one another.
Jalin Turner plans to finish "durable" Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 272: "He relies on his durability, that's not good when you fight me"
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2022
Jalin Turner is excited to share the Octagon with Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 272. Turner and Mullarkey were booked to fight one another at UFC Auckland, the card headlined by Paul Felder and Dan Hooker, but Mullarkey was forced out of the bout. Now, they are set to meet on Saturday night and Turner’s confidence has only grown.
Brian Kelleher plans to finish Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 272 to derail his hype: "I'm not looking at him like he is just like Khabib"
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2022
Brian Kelleher is excited to fight Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 272, who is the cousin of Khabib. Kelleher picked up a decision win over Kevin Croom back in January and quickly jumped at the chance to return not even three months later against Nurmagomedov. Part of the reason why he took the fight is due to the fact it will be at featherweight.
UFC 272 | Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2022
In the main event of UFC 272, a grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal goes down. Covington is a sizeable -320 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +250 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are going with Covington as they believe his wrestling will be too much while some think Masvidal finds the KO.
Terrance McKinney says UFC needs to put him "with a ranked opponent before one of these guys gets hurt" after victory over Fares Ziam
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2022
Terrance McKinney hopes he can get a ranked opponent next. McKinney made good of his second UFC fight as he submitted Fares Ziam in the first round at UFC Vegas 49. In his debut, he knocked out Matt Frevola in seven seconds and he says this fight was all about proving it wasn’t a fluke.
David Onama proud to be first Uganda fighter to win in UFC, hopes to lead the way for more to join him
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2022
David Onama made history on Saturday night as he became the first fighter from Uganda to win in the UFC. Onama became the first fighter from Uganda to make it to the UFC last October, but at UFC Vegas 48 he scored a first-round KO win over Gabriel Benitez. It was a great performance from Onama but early on, Benitez punched him in the eye that Onama admits messed up his vision for a bit.
Kyle Daukaus eyes Krzysztof Jotko next after submission win over Jamie Pickett
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2022
Kyle Daukaus is glad to put the Kevin Holland controversy behind him now that he’s picked up another win. In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 48, Daukaus submitted Jamie Pickett in the first round. Kyle dominated the fight from start to finish and it’s a performance he is happy with.
Micheal Gillmore believes he'll have more success at welterweight after TUF stint: "I achieved a goal of getting to the UFC but the next step is to get a UFC win"
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2022
Micheal Gillmore always planned on dropping to welterweight. Gillmore competed on The Ultimate Fighter 29 where he was an alternate on the show. He quit his job to be an alternate and got his shot on short notice but suffered a stoppage loss to Gilbert Urbina. He then got a short-notice fight against Andre Petroski in his debut and suffered a submission loss.
Renato Moicano eyes main event fight against Bobby Green or Brad Riddell after UFC 271 win
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2022
Renato Moicano has his eyes on two possible opponents for his next fight after submitting Alexander Hernandez at UFC 271. Moicano had success on the feet and appeared to rock Hernandez and ended up getting ahold of his back and submitting Hernandez. It was the first time Hernandez was submitted in his career and the Brazilian says he is very happy with his performance.
Chad Anheliger shares bold prediction for his UFC Vegas 48 fight with Jesse Strader: “There is no way he makes it 15 minutes”
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2022
Chad Anheliger is ready to finally make his UFC debut. The 36-year-old, Alberta native started his MMA career out 2-5 but has since rallied off nine wins in a row, including his last on the Contender Series. He will now make his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 48 against Jesse Strader which is a fight he’s excited about.