Exclusive MMA Interviews News

Austen Lane
UFC

Austen Lane guarantees violence against Jhonata Diniz at UFC Vegas 91: "I will turn it loose"

Cole Shelton - April 24, 2024

Austen Lane wasn’t surprised when he got offered to fight Jhonata Diniz at UFC Vegas 91. Lane is coming off a knockout loss to Justin Tafa back in September at UFC 293, this after their no-contest result. Following the loss, Lane wanted to return much sooner as he wanted to be as active as possible.

Cody Brundage
Cody Brundage

Cody Brundage believes he's too much of a "step-up in competiton" for Bo Nickal, confident he will finish him at UFC 300

Cole Shelton - April 12, 2024

Cody Brundage wanted to fight Bo Nickal and he was hoping he’d get the fight at UFC 300. Brundage is on a two-fight winning streak and after his last win, he thought it made sense for him to be Nickal’s next opponent. To no surprise, when his coach called with a fight offer, it was Nickal at UFC 300 which he jumped at.

Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan
Charles Oliveira

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsraukyan

Cole Shelton - April 11, 2024

On the main card of UFC 300, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira takes on Arman Tsarukyan in a potential No. 1 contender fight. Heading into the fight, Oliveira is a +176 underdog while the Armenian is a -230 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Oliveira as they feel like he is getting overlooked.

Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway
Justin Gaethje

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway BMF title fight

Cole Shelton - April 11, 2024

On the main card of UFC 300, Justin Gaethje looks to defend his BMF title for the first time as he takes on Max Holloway. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is a -178 favorite while the Hawaiian is a +138 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the BMF title fight. The pros are expecting Gaethje to get his hand raised in a highly-anticipated fight, as they think the size will play a factor.

Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan
UFC

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan

Cole Shelton - April 10, 2024

In the co-main event of UFC 300, the strawweight title is on the line as Zhang Weili looks to defend her strap against Yan Xiaonan. Heading into the fight, Weili is a sizeable -500 favorite while the challenger is a +340 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the strawweight title fight. To no surprise, the pros believe Zhang Weili will be too much for Yan Xiaonan as she will defend her title with ease.

Jim Miller
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Jim Miller plans to "frustrate" Bobby Green at UFC 300, lays out retirement plan

Cole Shelton - April 9, 2024

Jim Miller got his wish of fighting on UFC 300. Miller competed at UFC 100 and 200 and for the past couple of years, he has been campaigning to be on UFC 300. Originally the plan was for Miller to retire at UFC 300, but that is no longer the goal, so he says that has taken a bit away from the spectacle of the event.

Raul Rosas Jr and Ricky Turcios
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Coach reveals UFC "compensated" Ricky Turcios, claims Raul Rosas Jr. was cleared to fight at UFC Mexico City

Cole Shelton - April 9, 2024

Alex Morono, the head coach of Ricky Turcios says the UFC took care of the bantamweight after his canceled fight against Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Mexico City. Just minutes before Turcios was set to make the walk, it was revealed Rosas Jr. was sick and the fight was off. It was disappointing news for Morono and Turcios, who liked the style matchup against the 19-year-old.

Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson

Kyle Nelson eyes Cub Swanson or Nate Landwehr after first-round TKO over Bill Algeo at UFC Atlantic City

Cole Shelton - April 6, 2024

Kyle Nelson has won his third straight fight as the betting underdog. Nelson scored a first-round TKO win over Bill Algeo on the main card of UFC Atlantic City. The Canadian started strong as he landed a massive shot that wobbled Algeo and he kept landing punches that forced the ref to jump in and stop the fight.

Damon Jackson
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Damon Jackson expects Alexander Hernandez fight to be a "banger" for however long it lasts: "First round is going to be a fury"

Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024

Damon Jackson is expecting his UFC Vegas 90 co-main event fight against Alexander Hernandez to be wild and chaotic for however long it lasts. Jackson is coming off a decision loss to Billy Quarantillo back in August, which was his second straight defeat. After the loss, Jackson focused on getting healthy and says he is now back to one hundred percent.

Alex Morono
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Alex Morono excited to continue "legends tour" by facing Court McGee at UFC Vegas 90: "I'm going to go throw some heat"

Cole Shelton - April 2, 2024

Alex Morono is eager for the opportunity to face another veteran in Court McGee at UFC Vegas 90 on Saturday. Morono is set for his 20th UFC fight on Saturday as he will take on McGee who is someone he’s eager to compete against. Morono has fought the likes of Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone, and Tim Means among others, so he’s excited to add another OG name to his resume.

Andre Petroski
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Andre Petroski plans to continue to prove he's the best grappler at middleweight by beating Jacob Malkoun at UFC Atlantic City

Cole Shelton - March 28, 2024

Andre Petroski has made it clear that he believes he’s the best grappler in the middleweight division and he wants to continue to prove that. Petroski has been calling out the top grapplers since signing with the UFC and had a ton of success early on. However, in his last fight, he stepped up on short notice to face Michel Pereira and he suffered a first-round knockout loss.

Raquel Pennington
Julianna Pena

Raquel Pennington explains why she wants Julianna Pena and not Kayla Harrison as her first title defense

Cole Shelton - March 27, 2024

Raquel Pennington is hoping for her first title defense to be against Julianna Pena. Pennington won the vacant 135lbs title back in January with a decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva. Since then, she has been waiting for her first title defense, which she expects to happen in the fall. One possible opponent for Pennington’s first title defense is Kayla Harrison, who recently signed with the promotion and will make her debut opposite Holly Holm at UFC 300.

Kurt Holobaugh
UFC

Kurt Holobaugh says he's no longer just satisfied to be fighting in the UFC after winning TUF

Cole Shelton - March 21, 2024

Kurt Holobaugh is in his third stint with the UFC and he now has the tools to be a ranked lightweight. Holobaugh made his UFC debut in 2013 but after losing his first Octagon appearance, he was released. He worked his way back to the promotion, but after going 0-3 he was released from the promotion once again.

Julian Erosa
Julian Erosa

Julian Erosa plans to "drag" Ricardo Ramos into deep waters at UFC Vegas 89: "He has less stamina and less heart than I do"

Cole Shelton - March 21, 2024

Julian Erosa was hoping to return much sooner than he is at UFC Vegas 89. Erosa hasn’t fought since last April when he suffered a controversial first-round knockout loss to Fernando Padilla, in a fight many believed was an early stoppage. Since then, Erosa has changed his coaches which is partly why he wanted a bit of time off.

Rose Namajunas and Amanda Ribas
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Pro fighters make their picks for Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas

Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024

In the main event of UFC Vegas 89, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on Amanda Ribas at flyweight. Heading into the fight, Namajunas is a -235 favorite while the Brazilian is a +180 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the main event. The pros believe Namajunas will be too much for Ribas on the feet and get the victory to return to the win column.

Jeremy Kennedy
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Jeremy Kennedy expects to "break" Patricio Pitbull to win Bellator featherweight title: "It's not going to go five rounds"

Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024

Jeremy Kennedy jumped at the chance to face Patricio Pitbull at Bellator Belfast on Friday. Kennedy was originally supposed to fight James Gallagher on Friday night, but after Pitbull’s fight at the PFL vs. Bellator event was canceled, he wanted to fight ASAP so the promotion elevated Kennedy to a title fight.

Bryan Battle
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Bryan Battle plans an "emphatic" stoppage of Ange Loosa to become the first person to finish him: "Make a statement"

Cole Shelton - March 12, 2024

Bryan Battle is looking to make a statement against Ange Loosa on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 88. Battle is on a two-fight winning streak and thought he would get a ranked opponent next. However, when he was offered to fight Loosa, he was excited about the bout as he believes the style matchup makes it an exciting fight.

Gilbert Burns, Jack Della Maddalena
Gilbert Burns

UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena

Cole Shelton - March 7, 2024

On the main card of UFC 299 on Saturday, a welterweight bout goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Jack Della Maddalena. Heading into the fight, Burns is a +136 underdog while the Aussie is a -174 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight contest. The pros are going with the underdog in Gilbert Burns to beat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 as they believe it is too much of a step up in competition for the Aussie.