Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Jerome Rivera plans to "shut down" Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC 264: "I'm looking to expose him"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2021
Jerome Rivera knows his UFC 264 fight against Zhalgas Zhumagulov is do-or-die for his UFC career. Rivera enters the fight being 0-3 in the UFC and not many fighters get the fourth fight if they are winless through three. Yet, Rivera did the UFC a favor in taking a fight against Ode Osbourne up two weight classes at featherweight on just three day’s notice. With that, the UFC promised him another fight regardless of the result and they stuck to their word.
UFC 264 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 3
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2021
In the main event of UFC 264, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor have their highly-anticipated trilogy match. Heading into the fight, Poirier is the -130 favorite while the Irishman is the +110 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are split on this one but the slight majority favor Poirier to get the win although all think the fight ends inside the distance.
Dustin Poirier "the calmest" he's been ahead of Conor McGregor fight, expects another stoppage win, says coach
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2021
DPhil Daru, Dustin Poirier’s strength and conditioning coach, says “The Diamond” is the calmest he’s ever been before a fight. In the main event of UFC 264, Poirier is set for his trilogy match against McGregor in a highly-anticipated fight. For Daru, he says ever since the first fight he has been game planning on how to train Poirier for the trilogy. However, he says they have been cautious to not overtrain The Diamond and they believe he’s in perfect condition for the fight on Saturday.
Max Griffin says Carlos Condit fight at UFC 264 is "a dream come true," expects to "take his soul"
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2021
Max Griffin had no hesitation to accept his UFC 264 fight against Carlos Condit. After Griffin scored a one-punch KO over Song Kenan he knew he would be getting a big fight. He had back-to-back vicious KO’s as prior to that he TKO’d Ramiz Brahimaj where he nearly tore his ear off with an elbow. When he got a call to face Condit, he said it was an immediate yes but there was some hesitation on the former interim champs side.
Joey Beltran reveals he had COVID just two weeks prior to BKFC title defense, plans to retire by the end of 2022
Cole Shelton - July 5, 2021
Joey Beltran is still the BKFC heavyweight champion. Beltran was looking for his second title defense when he faced Sam Shewmaker in the main event of the stacked BKFC 18 card. Entering the scrap, the UFC and Bellator veteran was confident he would get his hand raised and he ended up doing so by decision.
Artem Lobov blasts fans for saying Conor McGregor needs to switch camps, reveals UFC 264 camp took place in Dubai
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2021
Artem Lobov doesn’t think Conor McGregor needs to leave John Kavanagh to become a world champion again. After McGregor suffered a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, many said the Irishman needed a change of camps. Yet, for Lobov, he says that will never happen due to the fact McGregor is loyal. He also says it doesn’t make sense to leave the coach that made him become a two-weight world champ.
Conor McGregor "didn't give Dustin the respect he deserved" at UFC 257, but will KO him in round one at UFC 264, says Artem Lobov
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2021
Artem Lobov believes Conor McGregor overlooked Dustin Poirier back in January at UFC 257. Although Lobov says McGregor was focused on the fight, he says he was also preparing to box Manny Pacquiao which was a done deal. With that, Lobov says McGregor didn’t give Poirier the respect he deserved as he expected to be able to walk through him.
Charles Rosa believes Justin Jaynes only added more pressure on himself with his bet, eyes fall return
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2021
Charles Rosa was shocked when he saw that Justin Jaynes was betting his entire fight purse on himself. Rosa and Jaynes were set to fight on the prelims of UFC Vegas 30 and on paper, it was a competitive fight. Yet, the fight garnered major attention on fight week when Jaynes revealed he was betting his entire fight purse on himself. For Rosa, he says he doesn’t know why he did that as he believes it added more pressure on him than necessary.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 30, Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov meet in a battle of top-five heavyweights. Gane is the -157 favorite while the Russian is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe Volkov will pull off the upset as his striking and range will be too much for Gane.
Ike Villanueva expects to KO Marcin Prachnio at UFC Vegas 30: "If I touch that chin it will be a short night"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Ike Villanueva is glad to be fighting back at the UFC Apex as he’s looking for some redemption in Las Vegas. The last time Villanueva fought in Vegas was when he suffered a TKO loss to Jordan Wright which was stopped by cut. Now, he’ll return on Saturday at UFC Vegas 30 against Marcin Prachnio where Villanueva likes the style matchup.
Tim Johnson passed up waiting for Ryan Bader for interim title fight, expects a decision win over Valentin Moldavsky
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Tim Johnson could’ve waited for a title shot against Ryan Bader. After Johnson earned a split decision win over Cheick Kongo last October he cemented himself as the number one contender at heavyweight. The plan was for the UFC veteran to face Ryan Bader in the first quarter of 2021 for the heavyweight title. Yet, Bader went into the light heavyweight grand prix and instead of waiting, Johnson will face Valentin Moldavsky in the main event of Bellator 261 for the interim heavyweight title.
Renato Moicano plans to prove he belongs among lightweight best with win over Jai Herbert
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Renato Moicano was hoping to get some ranked opponents when he moved up to lightweight, but that hasn’t happened. The Brazilian was a top-10 featherweight but when he moved up he fought Damir Hadzovic and won by submission. In his next fight, he suffered a TKO loss to Rafael Fiziev. He will now face Jai Herbert at UFC Vegas 30.
Artem Lobov expecting a "Fight of the Year candidate" in bare-knuckle fight against Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Artem Lobov is eager to face Denys Berinchyk on July 24. In the main event of Mahatch FC, Lobov will face the current undefeated WBO international lightweight champ boxer in Berinchyk. He’s also an Olympic silver medalist, winning the medal in 2012. His résumé speaks for itself which is why Lobov is excited about the fight.
Matt Brown pondering fighting future after KO win: "I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't fight again"
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Matt Brown doesn’t know if he’ll make the walk to the Octagon again. At UFC Vegas 29, Brown returned to the win column in a big way as he scored a violent second-round KO over Dhiego Lima. The first round was a back-and-forth one, but after the round ended, Brown saw some tendencies that allowed him to land the big power punch.
Anderson Silva reveals his favorite memory from his MMA career
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2021
Anderson Silva has accomplished a ton in his MMA career, but there is one moment that sticks out the most for him. Throughout Silva’s legendary MMA career, he won titles in Shooto, Cage Rage, and the UFC, including defending his middleweight title 10 times and holding the belt for 2457 days. He’s considered one of the best ever but his favorite memory from his career is when he earned a decision win over Hayato Sakurai at Shooto 7 on August 26, 2001, to win the Shooto middleweight title, which was the first title the Brazilian won in MMA.
Aleksei Oleinik believes experience is key against Serghei Spivac, eyes submission win
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2021
Aleksei Oleinik is set for his 76th professional MMA fight as he takes on Serghei Spivac in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 29. Oleinik is coming off of back-to-back knockout losses to Chris Daukaus and Derrick Lewis. He last fought back in February and after that fight, he went back to the gym and was looking to fight again in the summer. He ended up getting his wish and is eager for the opportunity to show his skills once again.
Ramona Pascual ushering in fresh start after return victory and environmental changes
Drake Riggs - June 16, 2021
Ramona Pascual continues to put Hong Kong on the map with her goal of reaching the UFC firmly in mind. This past Friday saw the 32-year-old return from a two-year layoff at iKON 7. In doing so, Pascual put her opponent away in two minutes and 50 seconds with an Americana – her first submission win.
Steven Peterson ready to "make a run" at featherweight after Chase Hooper win, wants "loudmouth Nate Landwehr"
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2021
Steven Peterson is happy he beat Chase Hooper at UFC 263 but he did want the finish. Entering the fight, Peterson knew he could hang with Hooper on the ground and thought on the feet there would be a massive gap in skill. That ended up being the case as Peterson even had moments on the ground and just pieced up Hooper on the feet. For the Fortis MMA product, he says he’s pleased with his performance.