Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Pro fighters make their picks for Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
In the main event of UFC Jacksonville, a battle of ranked featherweights go down as Josh Emmett takes on Ilia Topuria. Heading into the fight, Emmett is a +280 underdog while the Georgian is a -390 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros lean towards Topuria getting the job done as they believe the Georgian is the real deal.
Gillian Robertson plans to call out Mackenzie Dern after she submits Tabatha Ricci at UFC Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2023
Gillian Robertson is making a quick turnaround. Robertson returned at strawweight back in April and submitted Piera Rodriguez in the first round. After the win, she called out Tabatha Ricci and was granted her wish as she will return just two months later at UFC Jacksonville.
Randy Brown admits he was shocked to get offered Wellington Turman, eyes a "dominant" performance to get a ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2023
Randy Brown took a chance and fought Jack Della Maddalena back in February and it didn’t go his way. Della Maddalena was someone not many people were eager to fight, but Brown is always up for the challenge, so he took the offer to fight him. Unfortunately, he suffered a first-round stoppage loss, and right away, he was asking the UFC to get him another fight.
Shane Burgos expects "fireworks" against Yamato Nishikawa at PFL 6 as he needs a finish to make playoffs
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2023
Shane Burgos knows his PFL 6 fight against Yamato Nishikawa is do-or-die for his season. Burgos left the UFC last year and proceeded to sign with PFL, competing at lightweight as part of their tournament format. Unfortunately, in his debut, ‘Hurricane’ suffered a decision loss to Olivier Aubin-Mercier. The setback was disappointing, but Burgos is just glad he gets to fight again so soon.
OKTAGON 44: Ronald Paradeiser says Andrew Fisher is the "right test" for him
Zain Bando - June 17, 2023
Lightweight Ronald Paradeiser continued his winning ways against Andrew Fisher Saturday at OKTAGON 44 in Germany, winning via third-round TKO. https://twitter.com/oktagonofficial/status/1670156399299493889?s=46&t=6IucOZrSJ7rj4VnSxXrDpA
Nikolas Motta shares his "dream" for UFC Vegas 75 fight against Manuel Torres
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2023
Nikolas Motta believes his UFC Vegas 75 fight against Manuel Torres will be a banger for as long as it lasts. Motta was supposed to face Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 287 in Miami in April, but he was forced out of the bout which was heartbreaking for him. But, luckily, he was able to return quickly and is set to fight on Saturday at UFC Vegas 75.
Kyle Daukaus reveals several opponents turned him down in first fight since UFC release, hopeful to sign with Bellator or PFL after CFFC 120
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
Kyle Daukaus could have still been a UFC fighter if he wanted. Daukaus lost back-to-back fights by knockout to Roman Dolidze and Eryk Anders and after the loss to Anders, he had fought out his contract. With him losing two in a row, Daukaus expected to get released but he was offered a short-notice fight at light heavyweight against Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 in Australia which he turned down. He was subsequently released shortly there after.
Pro fighters make their picks for Marvin Vettori vs. Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 75, a battle of top-five middleweights goes down as Marvin Vettori takes on Jared Cannonier. Heading into the fight, Vettori is a -120 favorite while the American is a slight -106 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC Vegas 75, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Vettori getting his hand raised, likely by decision in what should be a close, competitive fight.
Aspen Ladd plans to "start faster" at PFL 5 believing she needs "a first-round finish" to advance to playoffs
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Aspen Ladd knows the stakes are high for her 2023 PFL 5 fight against Karolina Sobek. Ladd lost her season-opening fight by a majority decision to Olena Kolesnyk. It was a close fight that Ladd really took over late in the bout, so with that, she knows she needs to start faster and be aggressive out of the gate.
Daniel Pineda disappointed he lost to Alex Caceres but "happy" he didn't go down from the body shots
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2023
Daniel Pineda had a chance to enter the featherweight rankings last weekend. Not even three months after Pineda submitted Tucker Lutz at the end of March, he took a fight against Alex Caceres at UFC Vegas 74. It was a chance for Pineda to enter the ranks, but in the end, it was Caceres who won by decision.
Beneil Dariush reveals he asked to fight Arman Tsarykuan after Charles Oliveira pulled out of UFC 288 fight
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2023
Beneil Dariush wanted to remain on the UFC 288 card and had an opponent in mind. Dariush had hoped to face Charles Oliveira at March’s pay-per-view event, but the fight wasn’t booked until UFC 288 in May. However, just under a month out, it was revealed Oliveira had suffered a minor injury and the fight would be pushed back to UFC 289 in June.
Jasmine Jasudavicius "super excited" to fight in Canada, expects UFC 289 scrap against Miranda Maverick to be a "banger"
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023
Jasmine Jasudavicius is getting the chance to fight in Canada for the first time in the UFC. Jasudavicius is set for her fourth fight inside of the Octagon at this Saturday’s event in Vancouver. She has gone 2-1 in the UFC and is coming off a victory over Gabriella Fernandes. After that win, Jasudavicius heard the UFC was coming back to Canada and she knew she had to be on the card.
Kyle Nelson ecstatic to be fighting back home in Canada, vows to KO Blake Bilder at UFC 289 and hand him his first career loss
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2023
Kyle Nelson gets to fight in his home country of Canada once again. Nelson made his UFC debut at UFC 231 in Toronto on short notice against Diego Ferreira. Since then, he hasn’t fought back in Canada – in large part due to the promotion not having an event in the country since 2019 – so he’s eager to get the chance to fight in his home Nation again.
UFC 289 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana title fight
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2023
In the main event of UFC 289, Amanda Nunes looks to defend her bantamweight title as she takes on Irene Aldana who stepped up after Julianna Pena was forced out of the scrap due to an injury. Heading into the fight, Nunes is a -350 favorite while the Mexican is a +255 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC 289, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, most are picking Nunes to remain the champ, although some think Aldana can make it difficult with her striking.
Dan Ige expects to have a "short, quick, easy night" against Nate Landwehr at UFC 289
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2023
Dan Ige is fine with fighting another unranked opponent. Ige snapped his three-fight losing skid back in January with a KO win over Damon Jackson and will now face Nate Landwehr at UFC 289. After Ige’s win, he says he wanted to return in June and in front of fans, which is exactly what he got.
Beneil Dariush says he has "no problem taking it to the ground" with Charles Oliveira at UFC 289: "Kill or be killed"
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2023
Beneil Dariush is ready to just fight. Dariush was hoping to return in March against Charles Oliveira, but the fight didn’t get booked until May. However, after the Brazilian suffered a minor injury, the fight was pushed back until UFC 289 in June which was frustrating for Dariush.
Daniel Pineda expects to KO Alex Caceres in the "first or second round" at UFC Vegas 74
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2023
Daniel Pineda wasn’t sure if he was going to fight again after his UFC San Antonio win. The fight was Pineda’s last on his contract and he admits he said he thought about retiring if the UFC didn’t pay him what he wanted. However, just days after his win, the UFC offered him a new five-fight deal which he was pleased to sign.
Randy Couture hopes the PFL doesn't "protect" Jake Paul when he eventually makes his MMA debut
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2023
Randy Couture is hoping that when Jake Paul does compete in MMA it won’t just be a walkover fight for him. Paul surprised many when he signed with the PFL as an ambassador and said he would fight in MMA down the line. At this moment, ‘The Problem Child’ is still focused on boxing, as he is set to face Nate Diaz on August 5.