Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Austen Lane expecting a "bloody war" against Mario Pinto at UFC Vegas 103: "We can both throw leather"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2025
Austen Lane wasn’t sure if he was going to get another fight in the UFC. Lane picked up his first UFC win as he beat Robelis Despaigne by decision back in October. It was a massive win for him as it was the final fight on his deal, but he admitted he wasn’t sure if the UFC would re-sign him.
John Castaneda plans to walk down Douglas Silva de Andrade at UFC Vegas 103: "I'm going to hurt him"
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025
John Castaneda expects to be the aggressor in his UFC Vegas 103 fight against Douglas Silva de Andrade. Castaneda is set to fight for the first time since June, in a much longer layoff than he wanted. However, the bantamweight contender says he used the time to get better in the gym.
Modestas Bukauskas eager to fight "dangerous" Raffael Cerqueira at UFC Seattle
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2025
Modestas Bukauskas is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC Seattle on Saturday. Bukasukas is coming off a submission win over Marcin Prachnio and will now face Raffael Cerqueira. The light heavyweight contender hasn’t fought since July which was frustrating, but he’s eager to get to fight in front of fans in America.
Pro fighters make their picks for Henry Cejudo vs Song Yadong
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2025
In the main event of UFC Seattle, former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo takes on Song Yadong. Heading into the fight, Cejudo is a +220 underdog while the eighth-ranked bantamweight is a -295 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the bantamweight main event. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Song Yadong will get his hand raised and beat Henry Cejudo, likely by decision.
Vince Morales expecting a "fun scrap" against former training partner Elijah Smith at UFC Vegas 102
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2025
Vince Morales was eager to get a full camp and prove to everyone just how good he is. Morales returned to the UFC in Paris last September against Taylor Lapilus on short notice and he lost a decision. After the fight, Morales and his team realized they needed to start taking fights with a full camp which they will get here against Elijah Smith at UFC Vegas 102.
Andre Petroski says he's "confident no matter where" his UFC Vegas 102 fight goes againt Rodolfo Vieira
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2025
Andre Petroski has been saying he wants to prove he’s the best grappler in the UFC and his latest fight is a chance to further prove that. Petroski is set to take on Rodolfo Vieira at UFC Vegas 102 in an intriguing matchup. It’s a fight that Petroski has wanted and asked about, and he’s thrilled the bout is taking place.
Youssef Zalal eager to "solve the puzzle" of Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 102: "Shake up the division"
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2025
Youssef Zalal is excited to prove he’s a true title contender at UFC Vegas 102. Zalal was brought back into the UFC last year and went 3-0 to show he’s a true contender. He will now get a tough test as he will face Calvin Kattar in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday night at the Apex.
Kody Steele focused on putting on "entertaining fights" ahead of debut at UFC 312: "I'm there to put on a show"
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2025
Kody Steele wants to become a fan favorite due to his exciting fighting style. Steele is set to make his UFC debut on Saturday at UFC 312 against Rongzhu. The undefeated fighter will be making the trip to Australia and he says he has talked to several fighters about how to adjust to the long flight and handle his weight cut.
Jimmy Crute eager for "tough fight" against Rodolfo Bellato at UFC 312 after stepping away from MMA
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
Jimmy Crute is eager to be back and fighting in Australia. Crute announced he’d be stepping away from MMA after his submission loss to Alonzo Menifield in July of 2023. The light heavyweight will now return at UFC 312 in Australia, as he says the time is right for him to come back.
UFC 312 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
In the main event of UFC 312, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Dricus Du Plessis rematches Sean Strickland. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a -215 favorite while the challenger is a +164 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. The pros expect it to be another close fight, but the slight majority believe it will be Strickland getting his hand raised at UFC 312 to become the new champ.
Terrance McKinney believes he got the "perfect" opponent in Damir Hadzovic at UFC Saudi Arabia
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2025
Terrance McKinney is ready to prove that he’s a contender at lightweight. McKinney is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Saudi Arabia against Damir Hadzovic. It’s his first fight since May when he was knocked out by Esteban Ribovics. After the loss, McKinney wanted to make sure he was completely healthy and made a change in his camp, which led to a longer layoff.
Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2025
In the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Israel Adesanya takes on Nassourdine Imavov. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -164 favorite while the Frenchman is a +128 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. Ultimately, the pros believe Adesanya will get a win over Imavov, as most of the fighters interviewed believe Izzy’s striking will be the difference. They also believe the former champ’s cardio over five rounds will help him edge out a win.
UFC 311 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jamahal Hill vs Jiri Prochazka
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2025
On the main card of UFC 311, a pivotal light heavyweight bout goes down as Jamahal Hill takes on Jiri Prochazka. Heading into the bout, Hill is a -142 favorite while the former champ is a +112 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the light heavyweight fight. The pros believe Hill will get the job done. But, all the pros expect the fight to end by knockout one way or another.
UFC 311 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025
In the main event of UFC 311, the lightweight title is on the line as Islam Makhachev takes on Arman Tsarukyan. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a sizeable -400 favorite while the challenger is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. The pros believe Makhachev will beat Tsarukyan again to remain the UFC’s lightweight champ after UFC 311. However, all the pros believe it should be a very competitive fight as they feel like these are the two best lightweights.
UFC 311 | Pro fighters make their picks for Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov title fight
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC 311, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as current champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on Umar Nurmagomedov. Heading into the fight, the champ is a +240 underdog while the challenger is a -330 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the bantamweight title fight at UFC 311. The pros believe Merab Dvalishvili will be able to pull off the upset and hand Nurmagomedov his first career loss at UFC 311.
Diego Ferreira expecting a "scrap" against Grant Dawson at UFC 311: "Look for the finish"
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025
Diego Ferreira is looking to remind the lightweight division that he’s still a legit contender. Ferreira is coming off a comeback win over Mateusz Rebecki in May. After the victory, the hope for Ferreira was to fight again before the year was up, but that didn’t happen after the UFC couldn’t find him a fight.
Drakkar Klose explains why he doesn't think Joel Alvarez fight at UFC Tampa "makes sense"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2024
Drakkar Klose was expecting to fight a ranked opponent in his next fight. After Klose defeated Joaquim Silva at UFC 301 in May to extend his win streak to four in a row, the goal was to return later this year and against a ranked opponent. But, Klose suffered a minor injury in his win which he needed to take care of.
Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs Joaquin Buckley
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
In the main event of UFC Tampa, a massive welterweight bout takes place as Colby Covington takes on Joaquin Buckley. Heading into the fight, Covington is a +230 underdog while Buckley is a -310 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the fight. The pros believe Buckley will get the biggest win of his career on Saturday night at UFC Tampa. Many of the pros wonder if Covington is past his prime and believe the short notice will also impact him.