Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Jorge Masvidal calls new KO record 'a real f**king achievement'
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is now a UFC record holder. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” took on Ben Askren. To start the fight, he ran across the cage and landed a perfectly placed flying knee that knocked his foe out cold. The official time of the knockout was five seconds, which is still the record. But, as Joe Rogan pointed on the broadcast, had the ref gotten in position faster, it could have very well been two or three seconds.
Marvin Vettori wants Israel Adesanya rematch, confident he 'will finish him'
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Israel Adesanya is 17-0 as a pro mixed martial artist and 6-0 inside the UFC’s Octagon. While many of his UFC wins have looked quite effortless, others have come a little less easily, such as his second bout, which saw him defeat Marvin Vettori by split decision. At UFC on FOX 29, Adesanya fought Vettori and ended up winning, but it was close. One judge sided with the Italian, who is still the only person to win a judge’s favor against Adesanya in the UFC. Now, the 25-year-old wants the rematch against the interim champion and is confident he not only wins but finishes Adesanya.
Bibiano Fernandes discusses potential bout with John Lineker
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Shortly after John Lineker announced that he has signed with ONE Championship, he set his sights on two of the Singapore-based promotion’s brightest shining stars: flyweight contender Demetrious Johnson and bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes. “He’s an excellent athlete, a great fighter, but I’m coming,” Lineker told MMA Fighting of the bantamweight champ Fernandes. “I want to do my best in there and put on a show for the fans. Bibiano is a great athlete, has a good ground game and heavy hands, but I’m going there to give them a show.”
Jorge Masvidal: Kamaru Usman is 'not going to hold me down'
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal didn’t need to show off his impeccable defensive grappling in his UFC 239 fight with Olympic wrestler Ben Askren — you know, because he knocked him out in five seconds. That being said, Masvidal will likely have to exercise his defensive wrestling if he finds himself in the cage with reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, like Askren, is a tremendous takedown artist, and will probably look to punish Masvidal on the canvas.
Ricky Simon: It's a 'bad idea' for Urijah Faber to return against me
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Ricky Simon did not expect to get the offer to fight UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber. Simon believed the UFC would give Urijah Faber a winnable fight in his return to action, and assures that he is not that. The 26-year-old is 15-1 as a pro and undefeated in the UFC. He is coming off of a decision win over Rani Yahya at UFC 234, which cemented him as a top-15 bantamweight. While he was waiting for his next fight contract, he was in the midst of planning a wedding and honeymoon, which he had to cancel the latter when the call to fight Faber came.
Colby Covington says win over Robbie Lawler makes him 'the best welterweight of all time'
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Colby Covington will return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Newark. On this card former interim champion will not be fighting for the welterweight title, as many expected. Instead, he is set to take on the former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler. It will no doubt be an exciting fight, which “Chaos” admits, but he also wanted this fight for another reason. He believes a win over “Ruthless” will improve his legacy even more, and make him the greatest welterweight of all time.
Jorge Masvidal expects next fight to be finalized in 'less than 30 days'
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
After his record-breaking, five-second knockout of Ben Askren, surging UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal is on the hunt for big fights and big paydays. In fact, he met with some higher-ups at the UFC to discuss just those topics on Monday evening.
Michael Chiesa glad he no longer has to worry about 'the Conor effect'
Cole Shelton - July 5, 2019
Michael Chiesa is set for his second welterweight fight this Saturday at UFC 239, where he will take on Diego Sanchez. Moving up to welterweight was something was considering for a long time given how big he is. He says he would wake up a “couple of pounds” over 180 pounds with two-weeks until fight night — quite a distance from the lightweight division’s 156-pound limit. Not having to cut as much weight as a welterweight is a huge bonus and a big stress reliever for Chiesa.
UFC 239 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos title fight
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2019
In the main event of UFC 239, Jon Jones will be looking to defend his light heavyweight title when he takes on Thiago Santos. Heading into the fight, “Bones” is a -700 favorite, while the challenger is a hefty +450 underdog. Ahead of the title fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise most are picking the champ. But, one fighter believes it will be Santos’ day and he will be able to shock the world.
UFC 239 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm title fight
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2019
In the co-main event of UFC 239, Amanda Nunes is looking to defend her bantamweight title against the former champ Holly Holm. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -380 favorite while the challenger is a +290 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Most are leaning towards Amanda Nunes defending her title. Some, like coach Mike Winkeljohn, believe Holly Holm will shock the world again.
UFC 239 | Mike Winkeljohn explains what makes Thiago Santos a dangerous opponent for Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2019
Since Jon Jones has returned from his suspension he has been very active. He will fight for the third time since December when he takes on Thiago Santos this Saturday at UFC 239. The Brazilian will be fighting for UFC gold for the first time in his career and is riding a four-fight winning streak with three wins at light heavyweight, with all coming by TKO/KO.
UFC 239 | Mike Winkeljohn: Holly Holm can 'shock the world again' by beating Nunes
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2019
Holly Holm is no stranger to shocking the world. Back in 2015 at UFC 193, Holm was taking on bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who was considered unbeatable. But, “The Preacher’s Daughter” did what no one expected her to do as she knocked out “Rowdy” to win the title. Holm was a +825 underdog, and at UFC 239 the similarities are hard to ignore.
UFC 239 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ben Askren vs. Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2019
UFC 239 is set to go down from Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. The card is headlined by two title fights, and also on the card is an intriguing welterweight fight between Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal, where the winner could very well get the next title shot. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Although Askren is a -250 favorite, while Masvidal being the +195 underdog, the majority of the pros are leaning towards Masvidal giving Askren his first professional loss.
UFC 239 | Mike Winkeljohn says the future is still bright for Diego Sanchez
Cole Shelton - July 1, 2019
Diego Sanchez has rejuvenated his career as of late. The 37-year-old has been fighting professionally since 2002 and in the UFC since 2005. And, throughout his career, he has beaten some of the top names in the sport and even fought for the UFC title against B.J. Penn at UFC 107. Now, the veteran is on a two-fight winning streak and is set to take on Michael Chiesa at UFC 239. If he wins, he could very well have a number beside his name in the welterweight rankings.
UFC 239 | Michael Chiesa believes he will hand Diego Sanchez his first submission loss
Cole Shelton - July 1, 2019
Don’t call it a legend tour. Michael Chiesa is set to fight longtime veteran of the sport, Diego Sanchez at UFC 239. And, after beating another veteran in Carlos Condit last time out, many are saying he is fighting legends of the sport. But, the 31-year-old makes it very clear, Sanchez is not a washed-up legend like fans are making him out to be.
Bibiano Fernandes makes prediction for fourth fight with Kevin Belingon
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2019
Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon have a long and complicated history under the ONE Championship banner. The pair first fought in 2016, when the Team Lakay product Belingon challenged Brazil’s Fernandes for the ONE Championship bantamweight title. On that night, Fernandes quickly took care of business, defeating his challenger with a first round armbar.
'Losing sucks,' but Angela Lee vows to grow from the experience
Tom Taylor - June 28, 2019
ONE Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee recently had her first taste of defeat. This unappetizing dish was served up at ONE: A New Era in Tokyo in March when, after a four frenetic rounds of action, she was stopped by a volley of fifth-round strikes from ONE Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan. Lee does not plan on having a second serving.
Colby Covington explains why he accepted fight with 'incredible' Robbie Lawler
Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019
Colby Covington was widely expected to get the first crack at new UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but after a series of twists and turns, he ultimately found himself booked for a crucial welterweight contender bout with the former champion Robbie Lawler instead. Surprisingly, Covington seems to be just fine with this matchup. He gave his take on how it all came to be on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio.