Exclusive MMA Interviews News
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 296, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja takes on Brandon Royval in a rematch of their 2021 fight. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -205 favorite while the challenger is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 296. The pros lean towards Pantoja retaining his flyweight title and likely doing so by submission as he did in the first fight.
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
On the main card of UFC 296, an intriguing lightweight bout goes down as Paddy Pimblett takes on Tony Ferguson. Heading into the fight, Pimblett is a sizeable -330 favorite while ‘El Cucuy’ is a +240 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 296. Many of the pros made it clear they are rooting for Ferguson to turn back the clock to get the win, but don’t think it will happen.
Dustin Jacoby expecting a "battle" against Alonzo Menifield at UFC 296, believes stars are aligning for rematch against Alex Pereira
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Dustin Jacoby will be getting a chance to end 2023 on a high note. Jacoby snapped his two-fight losing streak back in August with a first-round TKO over Kennedy Nzechukwu. After the win, Jacoby was hoping to fight one more time this year, and when he got the call to face Alonzo Menifield at UFC 296 he jumped at the chance.
Brian Kelleher confident he can bring out the "old" Cody Garbrandt in a "firefight" at UFC 296: "He's an emotional guy"
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Brian Kelleher is relieved to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Kelleher hasn’t fought since June of 2022 when he suffered a submission loss to Mario Bautista. He was supposed to face Journey Newson in April of this year, but was removed from the scrap on fight week as he had a neck issue that needed to be fixed.
Vicente Luque eager for "striking match" against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 296: "It will be the Fight Night"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Vicente Luque is confident he will derail the hype of Ian Machado Garry at UFC 296. Luque returned to the win column back in August with a decision win over Rafael dos Anjos in a Fight Night main event. It was his first fight in a year, and after the win, Luque made it clear that he wanted to fight one more time in 2023.
Jan Blachowicz calls for Jiri Prochazka headliner in Europe after he returns from shoulder surgery
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is hopeful to face Jiri Prochazka in the main event of a Fight Night card in Europe. Blachowicz is set for shoulder surgery, hopefully in the next week or two, he revealed to BJPENN.com on Friday. The plan is for the Pole to return in the summer, once he does the rehab and gets a training camp in.
OKTAGON's Vladimir Lengal compares boxing vs. MMA: "It really is a different sport"
Zain Bando - December 8, 2023
Vladimir Lengal has had an interesting combat sports career thus far. Before transitioning to MMA entirely in February, the undefeated Lengal (12-0, 6-0 MMA) took up boxing and became a Czech world champion, further showcasing his skills as a prospect to look out for moving forward.
Jan Blachowicz details shoulder injury, lays out timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz says his shoulder injury was something that has hindered him for years now. On Thursday it was revealed that Blachowicz was forced out of his UFC 297 rematch against Aleksandar Rakic due to him needing shoulder surgery. Speaking exclusively to BJPENN.com on Friday afternoon, Blachowicz revealed the injury is something he has been dealing with for years but finally gave out, which forced him to need the surgery.
Cody Brundage believes he can "break" Zach Reese at UFC Austin: "I'm not a guy they feed people to"
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2023
Cody Brundage wasn’t sure if he was going to get another fight in the UFC. Brundage is coming off a DQ win over Jacob Malkoun after the Australian was disqualified for illegal shots to the back of the end. The win snapped his three-fight losing skid, but it was also the final fight of his deal.
Pro fighters make their picks for Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2023
In the main event of UFC Austin, a battle of top-eight lightweights goes down as Beneil Dariush takes on Arman Tsarukyan. Heading into the fight, Dariush is a sizeable +250 underdog while the Armenian is a -310 favorite. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the fight. The pros slightly lean towards Dariush getting his hand raised at UFC Austin.
Joe Solecki explains the "key" to beating Drakkar Klose at UFC Austin
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2023
Joe Solecki is excited to fight a well-known guy like Drakkar Klose at UFC Austin. After Solecki picked up a submission win back in February, he said he likely needed some time off to deal with some nagging injuries and the pending birth of his second child.
Drakkar Klose eyes KO win over Joe Solecki at UFC Austin in return from torn ACL to prove he deserves a ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - November 29, 2023
Drakkar Klose is no stranger to dealing with injuries and layoffs. Klose was supposed to fight last October against Mark O. Madsen but he tore his ACL which forced him on the sidelines for over a year. Although Klose was able to return to training six months after the surgery, he says he was extra cautious to make sure he was 100 percent before returning to action.
Beneil Dariush vows to "break" Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Austin: "I'm going to go out there and put on a show"
Cole Shelton - November 28, 2023
Beneil Dariush is ready for his first UFC main event. Dariush will make the walk to the Octagon for the 23rd time on Saturday at UFC Austin against Arman Tsarukyan, and it’s his first time being in the main event.
Chase Hooper explains why he was "surprised" to finish Jordan Leavitt in the first round at UFC Vegas 82
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Chase Hooper has his first win streak in the UFC. Hooper moved up to lightweight back in May and scored a decision win over Nick Fiore. He was then booked to face Jordan Leavitt at UFC Vegas 82 in a scrap he was a sizeable betting favorite.
Chad Anheliger thought he and Jose Johnson would fight on the regional scene, expects it to be a fun striking fight at UFC Vegas 82
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2023
Chad Anheliger wasn’t sure when he would be able to fight again. Anheliger suffered a shoulder injury during his loss to Alatengheili back at UFC 279 in September of 2022. After the loss, the Canadian knew he needed to get his shoulder healed which took a bit longer than expected.
Danny Sabatello plans to "dominate, motherf****r" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 301: "We know he has a brittle chin"
Cole Shelton - November 15, 2023
Danny Sabatello called for a rematch with Raufeon Stots ever since they fought in October of 2022. Sabatello and Stots fought in the semi-finals of the bantamweight Grand Prix, and Stots ended up winning a split decision. Since then, Sabataello was adamant he won the fight and called for a rematch.
Chase Hooper says UFC Vegas 82 fight against Jordan Leavitt is a battle of the "two of the least intimidating guys in UFC history"
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Chase Hooper believes he’s finally coming into his own as a fighter. Hooper is set for his second lightweight fight in the UFC as he takes on Jordan Leavitt this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 82. It will be just his second fight this year, as he previously beat Nick Fiore by decision in May.
John Castaneda confident he'll submit Kyung Ho Kang at UFC 295: "I'm expecting a pretty decisive win"
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2023
John Castaneda is excited to walk to the Octagon in Madison Square Garden for UFC 295. Castaneda is coming off a decision win over Muin Gafurov back in June and after the win, he knew he wanted to fight one more time this year. He ended up getting the chance to face Kyung Ho Kang on Nov. 18, but after agreeing to the fight, it ended up getting moved to Nov. 11 at UFC 295.