Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Team Deiveson Figueiredo releases statement on weight miss, says doctors told him to stop cutting
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo was looking to become the new UFC flyweight champion on Saturday but that will no longer be the case. In the main event of UFC Norfolk, Figueiredo was set to take on Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title. Yet, on Friday morning, the Brazilian missed weight by 2.5 pounds and didn’t attempt to cut the remaining pounds. Meaning Benavidez will be the only one who can win the flyweight title on Saturday night.
Troy Worthen recounts his journey from Central Florida to the bright lights of ONE Championship
Tom Taylor - February 27, 2020
Troy Worthen was in line to ride Doctor Doom’s Fearfall at Universal Studios in Orlando when he got an email that changed his life. Several weeks prior, he applied to try out for Evolve MMA, a famed fight team based in Singapore — a world away from his Central Florida home. As he waited to get on the ride, he finally heard back.
Khaos Williams eyes return at UFC Columbus following 'dream come true' debut
Mike Heck - February 27, 2020
After getting a short notice call to make his Octagon debut at UFC 247, Khaos Williams made a big statement in a short amount of time in Houston. Williams stepped in on less than two weeks notice to replace the injured Dhiego Lima and finished Alex Morono with a vicious KO in just 27 seconds. In a night of controversial judging and scorecards, the 25-year-old Michigan native left no question unanswered.
UFC Norfolk | Pro fighters make their picks for Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo title fight
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2020
In the main event of UFC Norfolk, the vacant flyweight title is on the line as Joseph Benavidez battles Deiveson Figueiredo. Heading into the fight, Benavidez is a slight -145 favorite while the Brazilian 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 are leaning towards Joseph Benavidez finally becoming a UFC champion but they realize how dangerous Deiveson Figueiredo is.
Janet Todd plots major upset in ONE title fight with Stamp Fairtex
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
In late February of 2019, Janet Todd battled Stamp Fairtex for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship. Todd lost that fight by decision, but in a few short days, she’ll get a second crack at Stamp under slightly different circumstances. This Friday, in the main event of ONE: King of the Jungle, Todd will challenge Stamp for the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship — the other belt in the Thai’s trophy case.
ONE Championship's Iuri Lapicus discusses upcoming title fight with Christian Lee
Alfredo Zullino - February 26, 2020
When Iuri Lapicus stepped foot in ONE Championship’s ring for the first time, back in May of 2019, nobody but the most hardcore fight fans knew who the undefeated Italian-Moldavian athlete was. During that debut fight, Iuri Lapicus (14-0 MMA, 2-0 ONE) was able to bring home the victory with a slick rear-naked choke on Thai veteran Shannon Wiratchai in the third round. But it was earlier this month that he made a huge statement and shocked the entire MMA community, finishing former ONE and M-1 Global featherweight belt-holder Marat Gafurov with Gafurov’s own signature move, the rear-naked choke.
Juan Adams considers UFC run a 'good learning experience,' believes he could return to promotion
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Juan Adams didn’t have much time to develop as a fighter before he got the call to the UFC. Adams made his amateur debut in September of 2016 and quickly turned pro not even a full year later. As a pro, he started his career out 3-0 before getting a shot on the Contender Series and winning and earning a UFC contract.
Leon Edwards wishes he could've fought Darren Till at UFC London last year to prove he's 'the best in the UK'
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Leon Edwards thinks it’s crazy how different he and Darren Till’s careers went in 2019. Last March at UFC London, Till was the main event against Jorge Masvidal while Edwards was the co-main against Gunnar Nelson. Yet, during the press conference, it was the two Englishman going back-and-forth in trash-talking one another. Edwards admits that was the fight he would’ve rather had.
Brent Primus hopes trilogy with 'punk a*s' Michael Chandler happens so he can 'knock him out'
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Brent Primus is not a fan of Michael Chandler and hopes their trilogy fight can happen. Primus and Chandler originally met at Bellator NYC in June of 2017 where Primus beat the champ by TKO via leg injury in the first round. The two then had a rematch a year and a half later at Bellator 212 where this time it was Chandler who got his hand raised by decision win the belt back.
Felicia Spencer expects a 'dominating' performance at UFC Norfolk to earn title shot against Amanda Nunes
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Felicia Spencer knows the stakes are high for her co-main event spot at UFC Norfolk. Spencer, who’s coming off a decision loss to Cris Cyborg at UFC 240, is set to return to the Octagon on Saturday against Zarah Fairn dos Santos in the co-main event. For the Canadian, after getting the chance to share the Octagon with Cyborg, she is feeling more than prepared for this fight.
Megan Anderson focused on Norma Dumont, not Amanda Nunes
Mike Heck - February 24, 2020
Megan Anderson believes a shot at Amanda Nunes and the UFC women’s featherweight title will come eventually. That’s why she is focused solely on this Saturday when she faces an unbeaten fighter that is hoping to make a big statement. Anderson will face Norma Dumont this Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 27. The event takes place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. and will be headlined by a fight for the vacant flyweight title between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk eyes potential first title defense against Rose Namajunas: 'I want that one'
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants her potential first title defense to be a big money fight and she believes that is the trilogy against Rose Namajunas. In the co-main event of UFC 248, Jedrzejczyk will take on Weili Zhang in the Chinese champion’s first title defense. It is a fight the Pole is confident she will win as she knows she’s the better fighter and will reclaim her throne on March 7.
Ed Ruth eyes finish over Yaroslav Amosov at Bellator 239, wants title shot by year's end
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2020
Ed Ruth will headline his first Bellator show at Bellator 239 when he takes on Yaroslav Amosov, who is 22-0. Ruth, 8-1 and on a two-fight winning streak, had his eye on the Ukrainian after seeing him steamroll over his three Bellator opponents.
Myles Jury says Bellator 239 fight is 'the most important' of his career, plans on finishing Brandon Girtz
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2020
Myles Jury is set for his second Bellator fight in the co-main event of Bellator 239 when he battles Brandon Girtz. In his promotional debut, he was the main event of Bellator 227 where he dropped a decision to Benson Henderson. Although he lost the fight, he was pleased with his performance.
UFC Auckland | Pro fighters make their picks for Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2020
In the main event of UFC Auckland, Paul Felder is heading to Dan Hooker’s backyard for a very intriguing lightweight scrap. Heading into the fight Felder is a +120 underdog while the Kiwi is a -150 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 all agree it will be a fantastic fight.
Brent Primus frustrated with infrequency of fights in Bellator, considering free agency
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2020
Brent Primus has only fought once a year in Bellator, except in 2013 when he got two fights in. But, the former champion makes it clear that is not his doing. The 34-year-old expected to be more active, especially when he was the champion and now former champ. He became the lightweight champion in 2017 in his eighth professional fight when he beat Michel Chandler by doctor stoppage.
Kai Kara-France will be 'hunting' for finish against Tyson Nam in hometown fight at UFC Auckland
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
The last time the UFC was in Auckland, New Zealand was in 2017. There, Kai Kara-France was sitting front row cheering on his teammate Dan Hooker. During that event, Kara-France told himself he would be the one fighting next time the promotion came to his home city. And on the prelims of UFC Auckland this Saturday, Kara-France will complete his goal when he battles Tyson Nam. Yet, for a bit, many didn’t think it would happen after he fought just two months ago at UFC 245. There, he lost to Brandon Moreno. Since then, he quickly reflected on the fight and knows he made some mistakes.
Jimmy Crute reveals simple game plan for Michal Oleksiejczuk: 'I’m testing his f***ing chin'
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2020
Jimmy Crute is looking to return to the win column at UFC Auckland when he battles Michal Oleksiejczuk. Crute is coming off a first-round submission loss to Misha Cirkunov at UFC Vancouver where a win would have put him in the top-15. In the fight, the Aussie was close to finishing it but he says he let his emotions get the better of him.