Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Diego Sanchez fires back at people who think he has CTE and brain damage: "I will get out of this sport if I ever have one underlying factor of CTE"
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Diego Sanchez is tired of people saying he has brain damage and CTE. Sanchez has been fighting professionally since 2002 and has fought a total of 44 times. Although all those matches have been in MMA, he will be making his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 3 on February 17 against a former boxing world champion, Austin Trout.
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.
Cody Stamann plans to show Luan Lacerda "there are levels to this game" at UFC 283: "I'm going to set this kid down early and eventually get him out of there"
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2023
Cody Stamann didn’t want to go to Brazil to fight a UFC newcomer, but that’s the fight he was offered. After Stamann knocked out Eddie Wineland in June in less than a minute, he wanted a quick turnaround. Yet, for different reasons, it never came to fruition and he was then offered UFC newcomer, Luan Lacerda at UFC 283 which he accepted.
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.
Isaac Dulgarian explains why the Full Send deal with the Nelk Boys hasn't come to fruition yet: "I'm hoping we get something figured out"
Cole Shelton - January 12, 2023
Isaac Dulgarian earned a UFC contract last February and was offered to be the Full Send fighter. Back at FAC 12, which served as a Dana White Lookin’ For A Fight episode, the UFC was teaming up with the Nelk Boys so they could sponsor a fighter and get them into the UFC. The Las Vegas-based promotion made it a big deal and it was Dulgarian – who scored a first-round KO – who got the offer, but nearly a year later it still has yet to come to fruition for a few reasons.
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.
Adrian Yanez warns Rob Font of thinking he is a tune-up fight: "It's going to be far more than a tune-up, he has to be ready for war"
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Adrian Yanez was glad to finally be booked against Rob Font. After Yanez knocked out Tony Kelley in June at UFC Austin, a month later he was in discussions to fight Rob Font at Madison Square Garden. Yet, it never came to fruition, and Yanez was offered some different opponents but those too never happened.
Ben Rothwell eyes return at KnuckleMania, says he doubts Greg Hardy will ever fight in BKFC
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2022
Ben Rothwell couldn’t have had a better BKFC debut. Rothwell made his promotional debut at BKFC 30 and scored a 19-second knockout win over Bobo O’Bannon. Heading into the fight, the longtime UFC veteran was confident he would have success in BKFC but didn’t expect his debut to go that well.
Brandon Royval details "frustrating" end to 2022, expects to face Matheus Nicolau next: "It would be an interesting style to fight"
Cole Shelton - December 23, 2022
Brandon Royval has had a rough ending to 2022. Royval kicked off the year in January with a decision win over Rogerio Bontorin and then submitted Matt Schnell in May. He was then booked to face Askar Askarov in October but the Russian botched his weight cut and the fight was off.
BKFC president says the contract they will offer Nate Diaz will make it "hard for him to say no," hopes to make Mike Perry fight
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2022
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president, David Feldman thinks the offer BKFC will give Nate Diaz will be tough to turn down. After Diaz fought out his contract at UFC 279 with a submission victory over Tony Ferguson he became one of the biggest free agents in recent memory. Most of the promotions will be after him, and BKFC is no different as they have already reached out to his camp and plan on making a solid offer.
BKFC president says if Paige VanZant doesn't re-sign "it was a good ride and a good decision," but still open to extending her contract
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2022
David Feldman isn’t ruling out Paige Vanzant extending her contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. VanZant shocked many when she fought out her UFC contract and signed with BKFC. However, she has lost both of her fights with promotion, suffering losses to Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich. Since her second loss in July of 2021, she hasn’t fought since. But, Feldman hopes the former UFC fighter will return in February at KnuckleMania 3.
Billy Quarantillo says he knew he would break Alexander Hernandez at UFC 282, wants Edson Barboza next
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2022
Billy Quarantillo was expecting a dog fight when he fought Alexander Hernandez at UFC 282 and that is exactly what he got. When Quarantillo got the call to face Hernandez, he was surprised Alexander was dropping down to featherweight. Yet, after studying him, Quarantillo knew the first round would be tough, which is exactly what happened.
Journey Newson expects a "high-pace" fight against Sergey Morozov but believes he will KO him: "I can easily KO this guy, honestly"
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2022
Journey Newson wanted to get one more fight this year and he has gotten his wish. Newson ended his layoff in May at UFC 274 as he beat Fernie Garcia by decision. After the win, the plan was to fight at the end of the year and he will return at UFC Vegas 66 against Sergey Morozov.