Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Raphael Assuncao not focusing on Cody Garbrandt's past losses, knows a win puts him in title contention
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2020
Raphael Assuncao believes his UFC 250 co-main event fight against Cody Garbrandt could very well have title implications on the line. Assuncao is currently on a two-fight losing streak while Garbrandt is on a three-fight skid. Yet, both are still ranked in the top-10, with Assuncao at five.
UFC 250 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer title fight
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2020
In the main event of UFC 250, Amanda Nunes is looking to defend her featherweight belt for the first time when she takes on Felicia Spencer. Heading into the fight the champ is a massive -650 favorite while the Canadian challenger is a +425 underdog. 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 Amanda Nunes will get it done, with many thinking it will be by stoppage.
Sean O'Malley planning for "viral knockout" of Eddie Wineland at UFC 250
Cole Shelton - June 2, 2020
Sean O’Malley is expecting to add to his highlight reel at Saturday’s UFC 250 event. The undefeated bantamweight prospect will be opening up the main card pay-per-view against veteran Eddie Wineland. For “Sugar” he says he’s excited to get back in there just three months after his last fight. He also believes Wineland is the perfect opponent for him.
Coach would be "surprised" if Jon Jones never fights again but adds he is "serious about vacating the belt"
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn says Jon Jones is happy with vacating the light heavyweight belt and walking away from the sport for a few years. Recently, Jones and Dana White have not seen eye-to-eye about his pay to move up to heavyweight and fight Francis Ngannou. “Bones” has come out and said he would walk away from the sport and on Sunday night claimed he was vacating the belt. According to his coach in Winkeljohn, the champ is 100 percent serious about it.
Giga Chikadze wants Edson Barboza next: "It would be the Fight of the Year"
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2020
Giga Chikadze has all the accolades in kickboxing and karate and he’s looking to add to that in MMA. Chikadze, who’s 10-2 in MMA and 3-0 in the UFC, is coming off a decision win over Irwin Rivera back at UFC on ESPN 8.
Dan Ige doesn't “see the argument” that he didn’t beat Edson Barboza, wants Jeremy Stephens next
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
Dan Ige doesn’t understand how people thought Edson Barboza beat him. Back at UFC on ESPN 8, Barboza made his featherweight debut against the 15th-ranked, Dan Ige. Early on in the fight, the Brazilian dropped Ige but the Hawaiian rallied in the second and third rounds to win a split decision.
Pro fighters make their picks for Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 9, Tyron Woodley returns to the Octagon to battle the streaking Gilbert Burns. Heading into the fight, the former champion in Woodley is a -190 favorite while the Brazilian is a +155 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe it is a much closer fight than the odds suggest but the majority lean towards Burns pulling off the upset win to extend his winning streak.
Blagoy Ivanov confident he earns first UFC finish against Augusto Sakai: "I’m taking him into deep waters"
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2020
Blagoy Ivanov is confident he will earn his first UFC finish this Saturday night when he battles Augusto Sakai. Ivanov is coming off a split decision loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 in a fight he thought he won. It was a disappointing outcome for the Bulgarian as a win over “The Black Beast” would’ve changed his career.
Cortney Casey on quick turnaround during pandemic: "It's my job to go out there and fight"
Mike Pendleton - May 26, 2020
Getting back to normalcy is tough during a worldwide pandemic, but fighters, especially those in the UFC are known and credited for their toughness, one way or another. As the UFC works it’s way back to normalcy and continues to put on events, fighters like Cortney Casey are getting back to their jobs. Casey most recently picked up a win at UFC Fight Night on ESPN with a first-round submission win over Mara Romero Borella, and now has accepted a quick turnaround and will meet Gillian Robertson on June 20 for a matchup of flyweights looking to climb up in the division.
Tim Elliott says he's "no longer chasing wins," focused on collecting bonuses
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2020
Tim Elliott has changed his approach to fighting. The former UFC flyweight title challenger and TUF winner will return to the Octagon on Saturday to battle newcomer Brandon Royval. He’s also looking to snap his two-fight losing streak, but for him, he says wins and losses no longer matter. Instead, he wants to win bonuses and be known as an exciting fighter.
Muay Thai star Rodtang Jitmuangnon interested in future MMA bouts
Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020
ONE flyweight Muay Thai titleholder Rodtang Jitmuangnon, widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports, is interested in trying his hand at MMA in the future. The 22-year-old Thai, who has also captured the Max Muay Thai 126-pound title and the Omnoi Stadium 130-pound title, is drawing inspiration from his girlfriend, Stamp Fairtex.
Francis Ngannou says he’s "more confident" in a rematch with Stipe Miocic than a potential fight with Daniel Cormier
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2020
Francis Ngannou believes he’d have an easier time in a rematch with Stipe Miocic than he would in a potential fight against Daniel Cormier. Yet, for Ngannou, he just hopes he can fight one of them soon as he says the UFC needs to make the heavyweight division active.
Coach: Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa will be "the greatest middleweight title fight in history"
Cole Shelton - May 20, 2020
Eric Albarracin has high expectations for Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa have been going back-and-forth at one another for months a fight between them seems likely. It would see both men put their undefeated records on the line, in what Albarracin says will be the greatest middleweight title fight in history.
Francis Ngannou wishes Jairzinho Rozenstruik fight went longer so he could have showcased his ground game
Cole Shelton - May 20, 2020
Francis Ngannou didn’t expect to knock out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds at UFC 249 and is semi-disappointed that he did. Entering the fight, Ngannou was on a three-fight winning with all three wins coming by knockout in under two minutes. Against Rozenstruik, however, Ngannou wanted to show off his much-improved cardio and ground game to prove to people he was ready for a title shot.
Francis Ngannou doesn't believe Jon Jones fight happens but confident he'd KO "Bones" if it does
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2020
Francis Ngannou doesn’t think Jon Jones truly wants to fight him. Ever since Ngannou knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds at UFC 249, Jones has taken to social media to say he wants to fight Ngannou. He has hinted at a move to heavyweight for some time now, but the heavyweight contender is skeptical he actually means it.
Edson Barboza says if UFC doesn't give him his win bonus he won't cut back down to 145
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2020
Edson Barboza hopes the UFC and Dana White finally show him some love and respect following his split decision loss to Dan Ige. At UFC on ESPN 8, Barboza dropped down to featherweight to take on 15th ranked Ige. Many had wondered how the Brazilian would fare in his debut and early on he had a ton of success by even dropping Ige in the first.
Sayif Saud making Fortis MMA into a top gym with five ranked UFC fighters
Cole Shelton - May 18, 2020
Sayif Saud didn’t expect Fortis MMA to become this successful so early on. Saud, who used to be an MMA fighter and trained at JacksonWink MMA, became a coach due to injuries limiting his pro career. After coaching around at various gyms, Saud, alongside former NBA player Deron Williams opened up Fortis MMA in 2017.
Ryan Bader says he will rematch Cheick Kongo and fight Rampage Jackson after bizarre Bellator 226
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2020
Ryan Bader makes it very clear he is not scared of Cheick Kongo and will rematch him after he defends his light heavyweight title. In the main event of Bellator 226 last September, Bader was looking for his first title defense at heavyweight against Kongo. Early on the champ-champ was having success yet there was an accidental eye poke leaving Kongo unable to continue and the fight ended in a no-contest.