Exclusive MMA Interviews News

Cole Shelton - March 5, 2021

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is looking to add Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem to their heavyweight roster. It was recently revealed both dos Santos and Overeem were removed from the heavyweight ranks. Shortly thereafter, it was reported both men were released from the promotion and they both confirmed the news on their social media.

Cole Shelton - March 4, 2021

Drew Dober always had his eye on Islam Makhachev. On the main card of Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 event, Dober is set to return against Makhachev. Although not many were interested in fighting the Russian, Dober was the one who asked for this fight.

Cole Shelton - March 4, 2021

Petr Yan is hoping to be active in 2021. In 2020, Yan only got to step foot in the Octagon once, but he made good of that one time as he scored a fifth-round TKO win over Jose Aldo to become the new bantamweight champion. After the fight, it was clear Aljamain Sterling would be next in line, and months later the fight has been made.

Cole Shelton - March 4, 2021

In the co-main event of UFC 259, Amanda Nunes is set to defend her featherweight title as she battles Megan Anderson. Heading into the fight, Nunes is a massive -1000 favorite while the challenger is a +600 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe Nunes gets the job done and likely does so by stoppage.

Cole Shelton - March 3, 2021

In the first of three title fights on the stacked UFC 259 pay-per-view, Petr Yan is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time. Heading into the fight, Yan is a -120 favorite with the comeback on the American at -110. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are actually split on this one just like the odds have it as a pick’em fight.

Cole Shelton - March 2, 2021

Jan Blachowicz knew Israel Adesanya would be his next opponent. After Blachowicz TKO’d Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 to become the new light heavyweight champion, and Adesanya beat Paulo Costa on the same card, the promotion was quick to offer the fight. Not even a full day went past and Dana White and company were suggesting that the fight could headline UFC 256. But, with a baby on the way, Blachowicz asked for the contest to take place in March.

Cole Shelton - March 2, 2021

In the main event of UFC 259, Jan Blachowicz is set to defend his light heavyweight title against middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a +190 underdog while “The Last Stylebender” is a -240 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Adesanya’s striking is too good and will beat Blachowicz to become a champ-champ.

Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021

Kai Kara-France is excited to be on UFC 259. Although Kara-France is on the prelims, he will be competing with some of his teammates in Carlos Ulberg and Israel Adesanya, as well as his Tiger Muay Thai teammate in Petr Yan. It’s a massive event for the UFC and for City Kickboxing.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2021

John Castaneda was honored to fight Eddie Wineland. At UFC Vegas 19, Castaneda was set for his second UFC fight, and on the other end of his contract was Eddie Wineland. For Castaneda, he says it was surreal to get the chance to fight the former WEC champion.

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2021

Dustin Jacoby was surprised to see Maxim Grishin’s name on the other side of his bout agreement. Jacoby made his return to the Octagon on Halloween night and scored a first-round TKO win over Justin Ledet. After the win, Jacoby figured he would get a known name but was offered Grishin who fought in PFL and is 1-1 in the UFC. Although the Factory X fighter wanted a known name, he just wants to get back in there and string together some wins.

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2021

Julian Erosa knows Nate Landwehr went out for a second. At UFC Vegas 19, Erosa pulled off another upset win as he scored a first-round TKO win via flying knee. However, when the ref stopped the fight, Landwehr immediately complained about the stoppage. For Erosa, he says Landwehr went out and the only people that are still mad over the stoppage are people who bet on Landwehr to win.

Cole Shelton - February 24, 2021

Alexander Hernandez is extremely confident he will extend his winning streak to two on Saturday night. On the prelims of UFC Vegas 20, Hernandez is set to return to the Octagon against Thiago Moises. It’s an intriguing matchup but it did come as a surprise that “The Great” didn’t get a ranked opponent. However, Hernandez says he didn’t want a ranked foe.

Cole Shelton - February 23, 2021

Alexa Grasso picked up one of the biggest wins of her career as she beat Maycee Barber at UFC 258. Entering the fight, all the hype was around Barber making her return. However, as Grasso was quietly going about her business, in the co-main event, she proved to everyone just how good she is.

Cole Shelton - February 19, 2021

Gabe Green is glad he finally got his hand raised. To open up UFC 258, Green fought Phil Rowe in a battle of two promising welterweight prospects. Early on in the fight, Green used leg kicks to try and get inside of Rowe’s lengthy reach. However, as the fight wore on, the leg kicks started to hurt Rowe.

Cole Shelton - February 19, 2021

Chris Gutierrez was patiently waiting to get a fight offer and when he finally got one, it happened to be on day’s notice against Andre Ewell at UFC 258. It was a very intriguing matchup and one that had a storyline behind it. At UFC 247, Ewell edged out a split decision win over Jonathan Martinez. It was a very close fight and many thought Martinez should’ve gotten the win. However, that was not the case so entering this fight, Gutierrez admits there was some thought of avenging his friend and teammate.

Tom Taylor - February 19, 2021

Itsuki Hirata, one of the brightest prospects on the ONE Championship roster, is days out from a potentially career-altering fight. The 21-year-old will collide with Miku Nakamura in the main event of Road to ONE on February 22 in her native Tokyo. A win in this matchup could launch her into the anticipated ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix, and open the door to fights with some of the promotion’s fiercest fighters.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021

In the main event of UFC Vegas 19, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis will finally fight one another. Heading into the fight, Blaydes is a -450 favorite while “The Black Beast” is a +325 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 Blaydes uses his wrestling to get the job done.

Cole Shelton - February 17, 2021

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 2 will happen later than expected. After Figueiredo and Moreno fought to a draw at UFC 256 in December, it was clear an immediate rematch was in order. However, the Brazilian was calling out Henry Cejudo and the Cody Garbrandt fight is still there. Yet, according to Wallid Ismail, who manages Figueiredo, the champ’s next fight will be against Moreno but they want it to be in June.