Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Adam Fugitt believes he proved he "deserves" to be in the UFC with short notice fight, eyes KO win over Yusaku Kinoshita at UFC Vegas 68
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Adam Fugitt believes UFC Vegas 68 is his true Octagon debut. Fugitt stepped up on short notice back at UFC 277 and suffered a third-round TKO loss to Michael Morales. However, he was a massive underdog in the fight and had some success early on which he believes proves he belongs in the Las Vegas-based promotion.
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.
Johnny Eblen plans to "maul" Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 290 to defend title, eyes becoming champ-champ soon: "I'm gonna put it on him, man. It's going to be fun"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2023
Johnny Eblen knew Anatoly Tokov would be next for him. Eblen became Bellator’s middleweight champion last June with a dominant decision win over Gegard Mousasi. After the win, Eblen didn’t know when he would fight but after the Nemkov-Romero scrap was called off, he figured his first title defense would be added to Bellator 290.
Diego Sanchez "would love to" have retirement fight in the UFC: "I'm going to hit up Dana"
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2023
Diego Sanchez is open to fighting one last time in the UFC. Sanchez was supposed to have his UFC retirement fight back in May of 2021 against Donald Cerrone, yet Sanchez was released from the UFC due to his relationship with former champion, Joshua Fabia. The exit was not a good one, but Sanchez left Fabia and is now set for his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 3 on February 17.
Cody Stamann eyes Daniel Marcos after UFC 283 win over Luan Lacerda: "I love derailing people's hype and shutting down a hype train"
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2023
Cody Stamann knew fighting a Brazilian in Rio de Janeiro would be tough. Stamann was taking on UFC newcomer, Luan Lacerda at UFC 283, and going into the fight, the American made it clear he would give it back to the Brazilian fans if need be. Yet, throughout fight week, the fans surprised him by being nice and talking to him, but once he got into the arena, he says the fans were brutal.
Diego Sanchez rips the Nevada State Athletic Commission for not sanctioning BKFC but allowing Power Slap
Cole Shelton - January 27, 2023
Diego Sanchez doesn’t get why the Nevada State Athletic Commission won’t sanction Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. BKFC has been sanctioned in several states but Nevada is the most prominent state the promotion and sport haven’t been allowed into. Yet, many have been critical of that decision after the NSAC allowed Power Slap to be a thing.
Thiago Moises says if Melquizael Costa didn't tap at UFC 283 he would've broken "his face", uncertain if the promotion gives him Paddy Pimblett
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Thiago Moises was worried he wasn’t going to fight at UFC 283 in Brazil. Moises was supposed to face Guram Kutateladze but the Georgian pulled out of the fight just weeks prior to the event. With that, Moises was worried the UFC wouldn’t find him a replacement, but they ultimately did as he took on UFC newcomer Melquizael Costa.
Marcus Brimage, eight-fight UFC veteran who fought Conor McGregor announces retirement from MMA
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2023
Marcus Brimage is done with MMA. Brimage last competed in MMA in July 2021 at XMMA 2 when he lost a decision to Kyle Bochniak to drop his pro record to 7-8. Since then, Brimage has signed with BKFC and is focused on bare-knuckle and after having his BKFC fight he says he is done with MMA.
Cody Stamann says he'll need a "private escort" out of Brazil after UFC 283: "I'm f*****g flipping these guys off and throwing their beer cans back at them"
Cole Shelton - January 20, 2023
Cody Stamann is ready to be in hostile territory on Saturday. Stamann is set to take on UFC newcomer, Luan Lacerda at UFC 283 in Brazil as Lacerda gets to make his debut at home. Although Stamann has never fought in Brazil, he did corner his teammate Daron Cruickshank and is familiar with the Brazilian fans chanting ‘Uh vai morrer’ which translates to ‘You Will Die.’
UFC 283 | Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Neil Magny
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2023
On the main card of UFC 283, a welterweight fight goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Neil Magny. Heading into the fight, Burns is a massive -500 favorite while the American is a +340 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros expect Burns to get it done with his grappling and can likely even get a submission win at home in Brazil.
UFC 283 | Pro fighters make their picks for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4 title fight
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 283, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Deiveson Figueiredo looks to defend his strap as he and Brandon Moreno settle the score as they fight for the fourth time. Figueiredo enters the fight as a +102 underdog while the Mexican is a -130 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The fighters are nearly unanimous in thinking Moreno gets it done and becomes the champ again, in likely another competitive fight.
UFC 283 | Pro fighters make their picks for Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill title fight
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2023
In the main event of UFC 283, the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Glover Teixeira takes on Jamahal Hill. Heading into the fight, Teixeira is a +104 underdog while the American is a -132 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Hill getting his hand raised and likely doing so by knocking out Teixeira.
Terrance McKinney plans to silence the crowd at UFC 283 with a KO win over Ismael Bonfim: "I think it might be something crazy, fans should expect something insane"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Terrance McKinney has said his dream was to fight in Brazil and he now gets his wish at UFC 283. McKinney is set to face Ismael Bonfim at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although McKinney is fighting a UFC newcomer, he says the reason he took this fight is because it is in Brazil, which has been his dream to fight there.
Johnny Walker not ruling out grappling with Paul Craig, plans to get a stoppage win at UFC 283: "If 2023 goes the way I want, I get the title shot in 2024"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Johnny Walker is prepared to grapple at UFC 283. Walker is set to be on the pay-per-view main card against Paul Craig in an intriguing matchup at light heavyweight. It’s also exciting for Walker as he gets to fight at home in Rio de Janeiro in front of his friends and family.
Dan Ige details the mental struggles of losing three fights in a row, says he spoke to a sports psychologist: "I was depressed for a little bit"
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2023
Dan Ige says he had to get past the stigma of men being weak in order to deal with the mental struggles of losing three fights in a row. After Ige knocked out Gavin Tucker, he got a main event fight against Korean Zombie in what could be a title eliminator. Unfortnately, Ige suffered a decision loss and then lost two more fights to Josh Emmett and Movsar Evloev.
Damon Jackson thinks his bout with Dan Ige at UFC Vegas 67 will be the "Fight of the Year”
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2023
Damon Jackson is excited to throw down with Dan Ige at UFC Vegas 67. After Jackson scored a first-round knockout over Pat Sabatini, the hope was to get a top-15 guy. The Fortis MMA product says he messaged several fighters including Ige to ask for the fight and the Hawaiian was one of the only fighters to message back and show interest in the fight.
Dan Ige plans to remind everyone he's "still a force to be reckoned with" at UFC Vegas 67: "I'm ready to go out there and kill someone"
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2023
Dan Ige is looking to prove to everyone he is as dangerous as ever at UFC Vegas 67. Ige is set to return in the co-main event against Damon Jackson in a pivotal fight for his career as he’s on a three-fight losing skid. Last time out, he dropped a decision to Movsar Evloev. It was a tough loss for him, and he wanted to return right away, but that didn’t happen.