Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Mike Winkeljohn details why Diego Sanchez left JacksonWink: 'There was some goofball in our gym'
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2019
UFC 239 was expected to be a big card for JacksonWink. They had Jon Jones defending his light heavyweight title in the main event, Holly Holm challenging for the bantamweight strap in the co-main. Also on the main card was Diego Sanchez battling Michael Chiesa. Yet, just days before the fight, Sanchez left JacksonWink and was cornered by one person: a self-awareness coach with no martial arts experience.
Dan Lambert believes UFC should re-book Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2019
Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz were expected to fight at UFC 230 in late 2018. It was a fight many fans were excited about, but it ended up not happening. Diaz accused Poirier of pulling out due to a hip injury, yet Poirier said when he pulled out of the fight the Stockton, California native already withdraw.
ATT owner believes Volkov loss will be a 'pivotal moment' in Greg Hardy's career
Cole Shelton - November 26, 2019
Greg Hardy finally got that step up in competition everyone has been clamoring for. At UFC Moscow, the former NFL star stepped up on short notice to take on Alexander Volkov, who was a top-10 heavyweight. The fight did not go Hardy;s way as he lost by decision. But, according to American Top Team owner Dan Lambert, he believes that loss will be crucial in Hardy’s career.
Mike Winkeljohn says Jon Jones 'loves' Dominick Reyes matchup
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2019
Jon Jones is looking to defend his light heavyweight title once again when he battles Dominick Reyes on Feb. 8. For “Bones” it came down to “Dom” or Corey Anderson, but according to coach, Mike Winkeljohn, he believes Reyes posed the biggest challenge. And, it is a matchup Jones loves.
Josh Thomson previews Bellator London
Natasha Hooper - November 22, 2019
MMA analyst and fighting veteran, Josh Thomson discusses his predictions for this Saturday’s blockbuster Bellator London event with BJPenn.com’s Natasha Hooper. During the interview, Thomson also explained why UFC President Dana White is scared of engaging in a cross-promotion fight and who he believes would win in Bellator vs UFC showdown.
Josh Thomson taunts UFC President Dana White: ”Don’t be scared homie”
Natasha Hooper - November 22, 2019
Josh Thomson explains why UFC President Dana White is afraid of cross-promotional fights. During Thomson’s recent interview with BJPenn.com’s Natasha Hooper, the former Strikeforce lightweight Champion compared Bellator fighters to the top-ranked UFC welterweights. He said:
VIDEO | Fabian Edwards talks Bellator London fight, Leon Edwards, and more
Natasha Hooper - November 21, 2019
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Allen Crowder announces retirement from MMA: 'I’ve had some memory problems'
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2019
Allen Crowder has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. The former UFC heavyweight went 1-2 inside the Octagon.
Jason Knight open to Artem Lobov trilogy but also wants to shut up Johnny Bedford
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2019
Jason Knight is now 1-1 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship as he TKO’d Artem Lobov at BKFC 9 over the weekend. It was a very good performance for Knight, who predicted he would finish Lobov. But he believes, had he not hurt his hand, the knockout would have come a lot sooner.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg eager for more fights, bigger opportunities in BKFC ring
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
When Isaac Vallie-Flagg walloped his fellow UFC veteran — and former roommate — Melvin Guillard to a stoppage win at BKFC 7 in August, he improved to 3-0 as a bare knuckle fighter. To long-time fans of MMA or boxing, that record might not seem like much, but in a sport as new as North American bare knuckle fighting, it’s about as impressive as it gets. In the brief period that bare knuckle fighting has been legal on this side of the world, very few people have had as much success as Vallie-Flagg.
ATT owner wants Jorge Masvidal to fight Conor McGregor or Nick Diaz next
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is now the owner of the UFC’s BMF title, and he could very well be fighting for the welterweight title in his next fight. Yet Dan Lambert, the owner of American Top Team, is hoping for something else for “Gamebred” next. Lambert and the team at ATT know Masvidal wants the biggest payday so they are hoping a Conor McGregor fight can come to fruition. If that fight doesn’t materialize, Lambert believes Nick Diaz makes the most sense for Masvidal.
Dan Lambert breaks down Colby Covington vs. Kamaru Usman
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2019
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington will finally share the Octagon in the main event of UFC 245. The two have been rumored to fight each other ever since Usman won the title at UFC 235. Yet, until now, the two sides could never agree to a contract.
UFC Sao Paulo | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Souza
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2019
In the main event of UFC Sao Paulo, Jan Blachowicz is looking to make it two in a row when he welcomes Ronaldo Souza to the light heavyweight division. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a -200 favorite while ‘Jacare’ is a +160 underdog. Ahead of the action, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. The majority are leaning towards Blachowicz and some see the Polish fighter getting another knockout win. Many also believe the size difference will play a factor.
Jake Shields not retired but not looking for fights
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2019
Jake Shields is keeping his options open. The 40-year-old has not fought since October 2018 at PFL 10 when he lost by TKO to Ray Cooper III for the second time in the year. He wanted to try out the tournament format, but at his age, he said he didn’t know if he wanted to fight so often to do it again.
Kevin Lee eyes early 2020 bout with Paul Felder or Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - November 11, 2019
Kevin Lee returned to the win column in a big way at UFC 244, when he knocked Gregor Gillespie out cold with a head kick in the first round. The win snapped his two-fight losing streak and put him into the top-10 of the lightweight division. For Lee, the exact head kick was not planned, but after a few exchanges, he knew the opening was there but was hesitant to throw it due to an injury.
UFC São Paulo | Jan Blachowicz believes he has to KO 'Jacare' in the first round to earn a title shot
Cole Shelton - November 11, 2019
After Jan Blachowicz knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239, many expected the Polish fighter to get the next title shot. Yet that opportunity has continued to elude Blachowicz. Instead of fighting for the title next, he’ll welcome former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to the light heavyweight division in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo.
Curtis Millender discusses UFC release, reveals he signed with Bellator and has fight booked
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2019
It was recently announced that Curtis Millender was released from the UFC after going 3-2 in the promotion. He was coming off back-to-back losses, yet those losses were to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Belal Muhammad, who are borderline top-15 fighters. Millender isn’t upset about getting cut but does have a chip on his shoulder now.
Muhammed Lawal believes Greg Hardy beats and possibly finishes Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2019
American Top Team coach and MMA legend Muhammed Lawal is impressed with the progress Greg Hardy has made in MMA. The former NFL star is in his first year in the UFC and set for his fifth fight in the co-main event on Saturday when he takes on Alexander Volkov. The fight represents a massive step up in competition for Hardy, who has only fought UFC newcomers and prospects thus far.