Exclusive MMA Interviews News
UFC Mexico City | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2019
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, top-10 featherweights collide as Yair Rodriguez takes on Jeremy Stephens. Heading into the fight, the Mexican in Rodriguez is a -110 underdog while the American is the -120 favorite, meaning it is practically a pick’em fight. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe it will be a close fight but give a slight edge to the local fighter.
Colby Covington will '100 percent' stay at ATT; partially switches management group
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Colby Covington has gotten some heat from fellow American Top Team (ATT) fighters as of late. ‘Chaos’ has taken shots at both Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier with both firing right back at the former UFC interim welterweight champion. It got to the point that Covington admitted a brawl may take place at ATT and he could very well have to leave the gym.
Colby Covington responds to Nick Diaz, claims he is 'scared to fight'
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Colby Covington and Nick Diaz have gone back-and-forth in interviews trash-talking one another. It even got to the point where Diaz challenged Covington to a fight. “I’m not gonna sit here and call the man a liar, I never heard about it, I just found out,” Diaz said of Covington’s trash talk to TMZ Sports. “If you wanna fight, you know where to find me. I’m not a hard guy to find. Step in my motherf**king range right here. Come at me, bro.”
Cris Cyborg confident Amanda Nunes rematch would go differently
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Although Cris Cyborg is no longer in the UFC and recently signed with Bellator, she still hopes she can rematch Amanda Nunes one day. The two fought back at UFC 232, when Nunes moved up in weight and shockingly knocked Cyborg out in just 51 seconds. Since then, the former featherweight champion and the UFC had arguments over whether or not she wanted the rematch.
Colby Covington slams UFC for 'slave labor negotiations'
Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019
Colby Covington is once again butting heads with the UFC. The former interim welterweight champ was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the undisputed welterweight title at UFC 244 this November, but this plan fizzled when the fighters and the promotion could not come to an agreement that worked for all parties involved.
UFC Vancouver winner Tristan Connelly eyeing return to lightweight — unless Diego Sanchez wants to fight
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2019
Tristan Connelly made his name known at UFC Vancouver. The Canadian was stepping up on short notice to take on Michel Pereira. He would also be fighting in his home city, which made his debut even more surreal. Given the circumstances, many did not expect him to win the fight. He was the biggest underdog on the card, but the Canadian pulled off the upset winning by unanimous decision.
Cheick Kongo opens up on controversial Ryan Bader fight
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2019
Cheick Kongo was fighting for the heavyweight title against Ryan Bader in the main event of Bellator 226. It was a chance for the 44-year-old Frenchman to win a major MMA title, something that has eluded him thus far in his career. Unfortunately for Kongo and his team, things didn’t go as planned. Instead, the fight was ruled a no-contest after an accidental eye poke from Bader. The champion has since gone on social media posting videos saying there was no eye poke. Kongo, however, says he was poked in the eye, and the nose.
Agilan Thani ready to topple another veteran in Yushin Okami
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Agilan Thani entered the year 2019 on shaky ground. The Malaysian welterweight had been stopped in his last two fights of 2018, first succumbing to Zebaztian Kadestam’s strikes, then, then tapping to a Kiamrian Abbasov rear-naked choke. Despite this rough patch, Thani’s first contest of the year was a big one. In June, he was tasked with welcoming Japanese MMA legend Yoshihiro Akiyama to the ONE Championship cage.
Paulo Costa trashes 'skinny clown' Israel Adesanya, says Dana White has promised him next title shot
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2019
Paulo Costa will be in attendance at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. But, he will not be there as a backup fighter to weigh-in. Instead, he will be there to watch the main event and see who he is fighting next. Of course, the main event of the card is the middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya. According to Paulo Costa, UFC President Dana White has promised him the next title shot.
Cris Cyborg believes women's featherweight is 'one of the deepest in terms of talent'
Cole Shelton - September 13, 2019
Cris Cyborg officially signed with Bellator two weeks ago. The former UFC featherweight champion was released from the Las Vegas-based promotion after her UFC 240 bout — partly due to her crumbling relationship with UFC President Dana White. Cris Cyborg talked to many promotions when her free agency began, but she always knew she would land with Bellator.
Colby Covington loyal to ATT, but acknowledges he might have to leave
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2019
Colby Covington’s list of allies at American Top Team is getting shorter and shorter. After alienating many of the gym’s Brazilian fighters with his previous comments, he’s now at odds with two of the gym’s top fighters in Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier. Speaking on the latest episode of BJPENN.com Radio, Covington admitted that things have gotten quite tense at American Top Team, and added that the gym’s owner Dan Lambert — also his manager — has become quite exasperated with the state of things.
Al Iaquinta critiques Poirier's performance, talks Nurmagomedov's next move
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2019
As one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division, New York’s Al Iaquinta was watching last weekend’s Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier fight very closely. In fact, Iaquinta had some pretty unique insight into this Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier matchup, having battled the former to a decision loss in a short-notice fight in early 2018. In the end, Nurmagomedov defeated Poirier by submission. With the dust settled, Iaquinta shared his thoughts on the fight on the latest episode of BJPENN.com Radio.
UFC Vancouver | Pro fighters make their picks for Donald Cerrone vs. Justin Gaethje
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2019
In the main event of UFC Vancouver, two fan favorites will collide as Donald Cerrone will take on Justin Gaethje. ‘Cowboy’ is looking to return to the win column, while Gaethje is looking to extend his winning streak to three. Heading into the fight, Justin Gaethje is a -210 favorite while ‘Cowboy’ is a +170 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. They all agree it will be a fan-friendly fight and a tough one to call.
Paulo Costa believes he is 'the toughest fight in the division' after beating Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2019
Paulo Costa picked up the biggest win of his career at UFC 241 when he beat Yoel Romero. The win improved his record to a sterling 13-0. Following the win over Romero, Costa now believes he is the toughest fight in the middleweight division.
Marvin Vettori vows to show Andrew Sanchez 'there are levels to this'
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019
Marvin Vettori is confident his UFC Vancouver opponent Andrew Sanchez is not on his level. Vettori, who took this fight on short notice, believes Sanchez does not have the cardio to keep up with him. Based on that, the Italian talent is confident he will be able to finish his American foe.
UFC Vancouver | Uriah Hall outlines path to victory against Antonio Carlos Junior
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019
Uriah Hall will make his first walk to the Octagon of 2019 at UFC Vancouver. He will do so with a new coach, Sayif Saud, after switching to Fortis MMA. The reason Hall decided to switch camps coming off a win is simple. He fell in love with the camp right when he walked in.
Bellator 226 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo title fight
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
In the main event of Bellator 226, Ryan Bader looks to defend his heavyweight title for the first time when he takes on Cheick Kongo. The champion is currently a -350 favorite at 5Dimes while the challenger is a +250 underdog. Ahead of this Bellator 226 fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. This time around, the pros are unanimous as they all believe Ryan Bader will defend his belt against the 44-year-old Frenchman.
UFC 242 | Pro fighters make their picks for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier title fight
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2019
In the main event of UFC 242, undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wil look to defend his belt against Dustin Poirier. Heading into this fight, the champ is a -500 favorite on Bovada, while the challenger is a +350 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 Khabib Nurmagomedov, but they think it is a closer fight than the odds suggest.