Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Joanna Jedrzejczyk recalls almost quitting MMA, 'There was no money'
Drake Riggs - May 14, 2021
In some parallel universe, Joanna Jedrzejczyk never goes on the historic run that she did as UFC strawweight champion from 2015 to 2017. But it very well could have been this universe. Every UFC fighter’s last fight before joining the biggest stage in the sport holds significance in their career. For Jedrzejczyk, if she never got her opportunity to shine against Rosi Sexton in London, that could have been it for her time as a competitor.
Beneil Dariush jokes he will try and "avoid" Justin Gaethje fight as long as possible like Darren Till did with Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2021
Beneil Dariush has taken notice of what Darren Till said about Yoel Romero, and he believes he has the same thing going on with Justin Gaethje. In the lead-up to UFC 249 in May of 2020, Dariush was a big part of Gaethje’s training camp to prepare for Tony Ferguson. Since then, the two have become good friends and have trained together. However, the ninth-ranked lightweight, jokes he will be avoiding the Gaethje fight as long as possible.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk targets late August return, 'not interested' in Marina Rodriguez
Drake Riggs - May 13, 2021
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is excited to get back in the Octagon now that crowds are a reality once again. The UFC brought back full capacity events for UFC 261 on April 24. In the card’s co-main event, MMA fans around the globe saw the strawweight title once held by Jedrzejczyk (16-4) change hands once again.
Jack Hermansson expects to be able to finish Edmen Shahbazyan on the ground, but ready to strike with him
Cole Shelton - May 13, 2021
Jack Hermansson is eager to return to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 27 on May 22. Hermansson is coming off a decision loss to Marvin Vettori, in a fight Hermansson was scheduled to face Darren Till and then Kevin Holland. Early on in the fight, the Swede broke his orbital which he says impacted him greatly in the fight.
Edson Barboza "very happy" with new UFC contract, excited for a "war" against Shane Burgos at UFC 262
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2021
Edson Barboza didn’t know what his future in the UFC was going to be like after he beat Makwan Amirkhani last time out. After Barboza won, he said he either wanted to be released from the UFC or sign a new contract. The Brazilian ended up working with the UFC to sign a new deal which he says is a very fair deal.
UFC 262 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler title fight
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2021
In the main event of UFC 262, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler are set to fight for the vacant lightweight title. Heading into the fight, Oliveira is a -135 favorite while the former Bellator champ is a +115 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Charles Oliveira will claim gold, but as the odds suggest it is a very close fight.
Beneil Dariush says he will match Tony Ferguson's craziness, eyes stoppage win: "It's going to be a spectacular 15 minutes or a finish"
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021
Beneil Dariush didn’t expect Tony Ferguson to accept the fight. Every since Dariush scored a highlight-reel KO win over Drakkar Klose, he has been calling to face a top-ranked opponent. Unfortunately, that did not go his way as he ended up facing Scott Holtzman and then Diego Ferreira. After two more wins, Dariush gets his shot against Tony Ferguson at UFC 262.
TJ Brown frustrated with backlash after win over Kai Kamaka III: "I would be lying if I said the backlash didn't bother me"
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2021
TJ Brown wants the fans to respect his and Kai Kamaka III’s fight, rather than focus on the judge’s scorecards. At UFC Vegas 25, Brown and Kamaka III had a phenomenal fight which was a back-and-forth one. When it went to the scorecards, many thought Kamaka III won, but it was a close fight. For Brown, he knew it was close but after watching it back he truly believes he won.
Patrick Mix expects to finish Albert Morales, blasts James Gallagher: "I put together an amazing camp to whoop his ass and he didn't show up"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2021
Patrick Mix had a feeling James Gallagher wouldn’t end up fighting him. At Bellator 258, Mix and Gallagher were booked to fight one another. Yet, just over a week before the fight, it was revealed the Irishman was out of the fight. For Mix, he wasn’t surprised when he got the news.
Diego Ferreira expects to finish Gregor Gillespie "impressively" at UFC Vegas 26, wants Dan Hooker or Paul Felder next
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2021
Diego Ferreira wanted a quick turnaround after his loss to Beneil Dariush in February and he got his wish. On the main card of UFC Vegas 26, Ferreira took a short notice fight against Gregor Gillepsie on a month’s notice. Although it is a tough matchup, Ferreira says it was an immediate yes to accept the fight.
Alex Morono eyes third-round KO of Donald Cerrone, says a win will be "bittersweet" for him: "I'm ready to throw down"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2021
Alex Morono was staying ready for a short-notice opportunity and he got his wish this week. When Donald Cerrone and Diego Sanchez were booked to fight one another on May 8, Morono called his coach, Sayif Saud, to tell the UFC he will be ready in case either of them pull out. Then, late last week, it was revealed Sanchez was out of the fight and Morono got the call asking if he was still open to filing in and he jumped at the chance to fight a legend in “Cowboy.”
Geoff Neal eyeing first or second round KO over Neil Magny to get top-ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Geoff Neal is excited he finally gets the chance to face Neil Magny. Last August, Neal and Magny were scheduled to fight but Neal had serious health problems that hospitalized him and forced him out of the scrap. The two then got different fights and Neal ended up losing a decision to Stephen Thompson back in December, which he says was a good learning experience.
Jon Jones "will dominate the heavyweight division" once he gets Ngannou fight, says teammate Devin Clark
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender, Devin Clark has seen Jon Jones training for his heavyweight move and has sky-high expectations for him. After Jones beat Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to defend his light heavyweight title, he vacated the belt as the plan was to move up to heavyweight. However, a deal is not done and Dana White has said Jones has priced himself out of the negotiations.
Jeff Molina admits he "was f****d up" after getting rocked in final 10 seconds: "I was hurt for like 10 minutes after the fight"
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2021
Jeff Molina promised he would put on a show at UFC 261 and he did just that. Molina made his UFC debut against Aoriqileng in the second fight of the night. In the lead-up to the scrap, the Contender Series winner thought he would be able to finish Aoriqileng. The game plan was to use leg kicks to eventually get his hands down and land something up top. Yet, Molina knew after the first round he had to make some big adjustments.
Pro fighters make their picks for Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 25 on May 1, Dominick Reyes is looking to snap his two-fight losing streak as he battles Jiri Prochazka. Entering the fight, Reyes is a +110 underdog while the former RIZIN champ is a -130 favorite. 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 lean towards Prochazka picking up his second UFC win.
Michelle Waterson confirms flyweight main event fight on May 8 against Marina Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2021
Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez will headline UFC Vegas 26 on May 8, but the fight will take place at flyweight, Waterson revealed to BJPENN.com. After TJ Dillashaw was forced out of the headlining spot against Cory Sandhagen due to a nasty cut, the UFC reached out to Waterson and Rodriguez to step up on short notice to headline the card. Now, according to “The Karate Hottie” the fight is a done deal and the scrap will happen at 125lbs.
Dustin Jacoby expects to KO Ion Cutelaba "early" and fight a ranked guy next
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2021
Dustin Jacoby is eager to share the Octagon with Ion Cutelaba on Saturday night. Cutelaba was originally set to face Devin Clark but Clark was forced out of the bout. After that happened, the UFC called Jacoby who jumped at the opportunity to face a well-known name in Cutelaba.
Cody Stamann doesn't understand why he's an underdog against Merab Dvalishvili, says he will KO him: "I'm going to put him to sleep"
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2021
Cody Stamann doesn’t understand the hype around Merab Dvalishvili. Stamann and Dvalishvili are set to finally meet at UFC Vegas 25 after being scheduled two times previously. After the fight has fallen apart two times previously, Stamann says he had some reluctance to accept the fight for the third time until Dvalishvili started to train at his gym and some of his training partners told him he would be able to win the fight with ease.