Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Tyron Woodley interested in facing Jake Paul in PFL, blasts people for saying he took a dive: "If you stand still and let someone punch you as hard as they can, you can die!"
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2023
Tyron Woodley believes he and Jake Paul could fight again, but this time in MMA. Woodley made his boxing debut against Paul in August of 2021, with Jake winning a split decision in a fight the former UFC champion thought he won. The two then rematched a few months later in December but this time around, it was Paul winning by KO.
Tyron Woodley not ruling out a return to UFC as free agency continues: "I don't get my feelings hurt in business"
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2023
Tyron Woodley isn’t ruling out fighting in the UFC again. Woodley is the former UFC welterweight champion and fought in the promotion from 2013 to 2021. He went 9-6-1 in the Octagon and defended his title three times. However, after having some disputes with Dana White and losing four straight fights, he was ultimately released from the UFC.
John Dodson says it's "embarassing" Reggie Barnett Jr. turned him down at KnuckleMania 3, vows to KO him in the first round to win BKFC flyweight title
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2023
John Dodson was supposed to be fighting for the inaugural BKFC flyweight title at KnuckleMania 3. Dodson was offered to face Reggie Barnett Jr. at KnuckleMania 3 – who is the current interim bantamweight champ – but Dodson says Barnett Jr. turned him down. With that, Jarod Grant took the fight in what BKFC billed as a number-one contender bout. The fight ended up not lasting long as Dodson made quick work scoring a first-round knockout.
Blake Bilder pleased with upset win over Shane Young at UFC 284, hopes to be active in 2023: "This is a race to the belt"
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2023
Blake Bilder knew going to Australia to fight Shane Young at UFC 284 would pose some problems. Bilder was making his debut against Young who hails from New Zealand and is used to the time zone and didn’t have a long flight. Along with that, with what time the card was on in Australia, it meant fighters not having the usual time to rehydrate as well as an early wake-up call to fight.
Modestas Bukauskas responds to Tyson Pedro claiming he was sick the night before UFC 284, hopes to get on UFC 286
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2023
Modestas Bukauskas knew he always belonged in the UFC. Bukauskas earned a first-round TKO victory in his Octagon debut but went on to lose his next three fights and was subsequently released from the promotion. He then picked up two wins in Cage Warriors including winning the light heavyweight title. After that, he re-signed with the UFC to step up on short notice to face Tyson Pedro at UFC 284.
Zac Pauga plans to "test" Jordan Wright's cardio at UFC Vegas 69, expects to "redeem" himself after KO loss: "He's a super dangerous fighter"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2023
Zac Pauga wasn’t sure if he would get to make his UFC debut. Pauga competed on TUF 30 and lost in the finale by KO to Mohammed Usman. Although before the fight, Pauga signed a contract should he win or lose the contest, he still wasn’t guaranteed to get a UFC bout.
John Dodson expects to "break" Jarod Grant in the first round at KnuckleMania 3, plans to be BKFC and RIZIN champ by end of 2023
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2023
John Dodson was excited when he got the call to be on KnuckleMania 3. Dodson returned to MMA on New Year’s Eve and scored a first-round TKO at RIZIN 40 as the former UFC title challenger inked a multi-fight deal with the promotion. Although he is signed with RIZIN, Dodson remains on the BKFC roster and wanted to be part of KnuckleMania 3, and he got his wish.
Austin Trout plans to be a champion in boxing and BKFC, vows to KO Diego Sanchez at KnuckleMania 3: "Shoutout to him for signing up to take this ass-whooping"
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
Austin Trout surprised many when he signed with BKFC. Trout is the former WBA light middleweight champion and still a top-five contender and many expected him to try and get a title shot this year. The former champ has fought the likes of Canelo Alvarez and the Charlo twins, but he wanted to be more active so inked a deal with BKFC.
Blake Bilder plans to "put on a show" and finish Shane Young in his debut at UFC 284: "It will bring a spotlight and a lot of eyes on me"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2023
Blake Bilder is excited to finally make his UFC debut. After Bilder submitted Alex Morgan in the first round on the Contender, the 32-year-old earned a UFC deal. Although he was hoping to make his debut in 2022, he was offered to fight Shane Young at UFC 284.
Adam Fugitt knew he'd be able to finish Yusaku Kinoshita on the ground: "Kind of like a chess player, I switch up my strategy"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2023
Adam Fugitt was confident he’d pull off the upset and finish Yusaku Kinoshita at UFC Vegas 68. Fugitt was set for his second UFC fight against Kinoshita and was a sizeable underdog. Many were thinking the Japanese fighter would run through him and get the stoppage win. However, in the first round, Fugitt got Kinoshita down and got a TKO win.
Don Shainis knows he can't leave it up to the judges against local fighter Jack Jenkins at UFC 284: "I know deep down if it is a close decision it probably isn't going my way"
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Don Shainis knows he has to finish Jack Jenkins at UFC 284 if he is going to win. Shainis made his UFC debut last October on short notice and was submitted in 30 seconds against Sodiq Yusuff. Although the fight didn’t go his way, he already had his eye on Jenkins as he watched the Contender Series live the week of his fight and saw Jenkins get a win.
UFC 284 | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett interim title fight
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 284, Yair Rodriguez is set to take on Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title. Heading into the fight, Rodriguez is a -196 favorite while the American is a +152 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Rodriguez getting it done, likely by decision to become the interim featherweight champ.
UFC 284 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev looks to defend his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -400 favorite while the Aussie is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Makhachev winning due to his size and strength but some do think Volkanovski can pull off the upset.
Jimmy Crute plans to "have a performance of a lifetime" against Alonzo Menifield in his return at UFC 284: "I'm a terrible matchup for every single person in this division"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
Jimmy Crute is set to end his 14-month layoff at UFC 284. Crute last fought in December of 2021 when he suffered a KO loss to Jamahal Hill. A couple of months later, Crute revealed he would be going under the knife for a serious knee injury. After rehabbing it, the timing worked out for him to have his return fight at home in Australia.
Modestas Bukauskas expects to finish Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 in his return to the Octagon: "The comeback story isn't a comeback story until I win in the UFC"
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2023
Modestas Bukauskas is back in the UFC. Bukauskas made his debut in 2020 on Fight Island and scored a first-round TKO win over Andreas Michailidis. However, he then lost his next three fights – losing by TKO to Jimmy Crute, dropping a controversial decision to Michal Oleksiejczuk, and losing by TKO to Khalil Rountree.
Max Rohskopf glad he's getting thrown "right into the mix" at lightweight at Bellator 290, says he doesn't "need to prove anything to anyone"
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Max Rohskopf will finally make his Bellator debut on Saturday at Bellator 290. Rohskopf was supposed to make his debut last October but on the day of the fight, he was scratched from the card after not being cleared by the commission. Rohskopf was frustrated by that as he says he was cleared by three separate doctors to compete.
Kyle Nelson believes he's got Doo Ho Choi "beat pretty much everywhere", expects to put him "to sleep" at UFC Vegas 68
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2023
Kyle Nelson will be dropping back down to featherweight. After Nelson lost by third-round KO to Billy Quarantillo, he said he would be moving up to lightweight for good. He then took on Jai Herbert at 155lbs but lost a decision. With that, he will now be returning to 145lbs at UFC Vegas 68 to face Doo Ho Choi.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2023
In the main event of Bellator 290, the heavyweight title is up for grabs as Ryan Bader rematches Fedor Emelianenko, in the Russian’s retirement fight. Heading into the fight, Bader is a -330 favorite while the Russian is a +275 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Bader gets his hand raised again but many are rooting for Emelianenko to get the win.