Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Ryan Hall details plethora of injuries and surgeries that has led to layoff
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2024
Ryan Hall is looking to make the walk to the Octagon again. Hall hasn’t fought since December of 2021 when he beat Darrick Minner. Since then, the fan-favorite has dealt with plenty of injuries and has had 19 surgeries since his last fight.
Chad Anheliger expects to "run through" Cody Gibson at UFC Edmonton: "I'm as sharp as I've ever been"
Cole Shelton - October 31, 2024
Chad Anheliger will finally get to fight in Canada for the UFC. Anheliger has fought four times in the UFC, but he hasn’t been booked to fight on any of the Canadian cards. But, after his last win, which was also the final fight of his deal, the promotion re-signed him and offered him Cody Gibson at UFC Edmonton.
UFC 308 | Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 308, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Robert Whittaker takes on Khamzat Chimaev. Heading into the bout, Whittaker is a +200 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -265 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the pivotal middleweight fight. The pros believe Whittaker will be able to pull off the upset as they think he can drag the fight into the later rounds and get the win.
Dan Ige expecting a "fun fight" against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308, hopes for a big fight next: "It lines me up for something big"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Dan Ige is expecting a fun fight against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308. Ige is coming off a decision loss to Diego Lopes back at UFC 303 in a fight he took on only a couple of hours’ notice. It was a hectic day for the Hawaiian and he says he was glad he did it as he proved to everyone just how good he is.
Mario Bautista puts blame on Jose Aldo for lackluster UFC 307 fight, eyes Cory Sandhagen rematch
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2024
Mario Bautista knew getting past Jose Aldo would be tough, and he did what he needed to do to win. Bautista edged out a split decision win over Aldo at UFC 307 in what was considered by many to be a lackluster fight. Heading into the bout, the wrestling and clinch weren’t part of Bautista’s game plan until it was there for him to use.
Josh Fremd expecting a brawl against Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 98: "Try to take each other's heads off"
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2024
Josh Fremd wasn’t sure if he was going to get another fight in the UFC. Fremd suffered a lackluster decision loss to Andre Petroski back at UFC Denver in a fight that he thought was super boring. He was frustrated with how the fight played out and after the scrap, he wasn’t sure what would be next. Luckily, the UFC quickly offered him Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 98 and he jumped at the offer.
Alex Morono looking to prove he's much better than his last outing at UFC Vegas 98: "I performed horribly"
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2024
Alex Morono is glad to be making a quick turnaround at UFC Vegas 98 as he hopes to get the bad taste out of his mouth. Morono is coming off a dissapointing decision loss to Niko Price at UFC 302 in June. It was a frustrating fight for Morono who said nothing went right for him all fight week.
Mario Bautista plans to bring the fight to Jose Aldo at UFC 307: "I'm going to make him fight"
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
Mario Bautista is excited and honored to fight a legend like Jose Aldo at UFC 307. Bautista is coming off a decision win over Ricky Simon back in January. Since then, he had been campaigning for a fight but nine months later, he will return to the Octagon on Saturday. Although it is a much longer wait, he says the opponent is well worth it.
Vince Morales confident he will "break" Taylor Lapilus at UFC Paris
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2024
Vince Morales wasn’t sure if he would ever fight in the UFC again. Morales was released from the UFC in January of 2023 and went on to fight in various promotions including RIZIN. Since his release, Morales won five straight fights. Then, as he noticed Taylor Lapilus was still without an opponent at UFC Paris, he asked his manager to try to get him that fight.
Bryan Battle eager to go into enemy territory at UFC Paris, expects to finish Kevin Jousset in "spectacular fashion"
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2024
Bryan Battle jumped at the chance to go into enemy territory to face Kevin Jousset at UFC Paris. Battle is coming off a No Contest against Ange Loosa in March due to an accidental eye poke. It was a fight Battle was winning early on, and he says because of that, the UFC matchmakers saw enough to not have to rebook the bout.
Pro fighters make their picks for Benoit Saint-Denis vs Renato Moicano
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2024
In the main event of UFC Paris, a pivotal lightweight bout goes down as Benoit Saint-Denis takes on Renato Moicano. Heading into the fight, Saint-Denis is a -290 favorite while the Brazilian is a +215 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros believe Saint-Denis will get his hand raised, as he will be able to KO Moicano early in the fight to get a big win at home.
Matt Frevola planning to bring Fares Ziam into a "dogfight" at UFC Paris: "He will finally have an exciting fight"
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2024
Matt Frevola is excited to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Frevola is set to return on Saturday at UFC Paris against Fares Ziam. It’s his first since November of last year when he suffered a KO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis. Since then, his wife welcomed their son into the world, so he took time to be a dad. But, once he was ready to return, he says he pushed to be on this Paris card.
UFC 306 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title fight
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
In the main event of UFC 306, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Sean O’Malley looks to defend his belt for the second time against Merab Dvalishvili. Heading into the fight, O’Malley is a slight -140 favorite while the Georgian is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight title fight. The majority of pros believe O’Malley will remain the bantamweight champ as they expect him to KO Dvalishvili.
Tristan Hamm expects to KO Ashley Rak-Su at Misfits 18, eyes rematch with Le'Veon Bell
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2024
Tristan Hamm is looking to silence the doubters at Misfits 18. Hamm is coming off a decision loss to former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell back in May. After the loss, the Canadian influencer decided to drop down to his natural weight class of 175lbs and will take on Ashley Rak-Su on Saturday in Newcastle, England.
Isaac Dulgarian confident he will finish Brendon Marotte "early" at UFC Vegas 97: "I'm the better fighter"
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024
Isaac Dulgarian is set to return to the Octagon against Brendon Marotte at UFC Vegas 97. It will be Dulgarian’s first fight since he suffered his first career loss. That loss came back in March and was a controversial decision defeat to Christian Rodriguez which is a fight Dulgarian still believes he won.
Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 97, a pivotal welterweight bout goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Sean Brady. Heading into the fight, Burns is a +150 underdog while the American is a -194 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight fight. The pros believe Burns will pull off the upset and get the win over Brady on Saturday.
UFC 305 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya title fight
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2024
In the main event of UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Dricus Du Plessis looks to defend his belt for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a slight -104 underdog while ‘The Last Stylebender’ is a -122 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the middleweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Adesanya will reclaim his middleweight title.
Michael Chiesa pleads with Tony Ferguson to retire for good after UFC Abu Dhabi
Cole Shelton - August 13, 2024
Michael Chiesa thinks Tony Ferguson needs to stop competing after UFC Abu Dhabi. On the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Chiesa scored a first-round submission win over Ferguson in a one-sided performance. After the fight, Ferguson half-announced his retirement but has since walked back on that, and now Chiesa is pleading with Ferguson to retire.