Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Cody Stamann doesn't understand why he's an underdog against Merab Dvalishvili, says he will KO him: "I'm going to put him to sleep"
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2021
Cody Stamann doesn’t understand the hype around Merab Dvalishvili. Stamann and Dvalishvili are set to finally meet at UFC Vegas 25 after being scheduled two times previously. After the fight has fallen apart two times previously, Stamann says he had some reluctance to accept the fight for the third time until Dvalishvili started to train at his gym and some of his training partners told him he would be able to win the fight with ease.
Curtis Millender plans to "hurt" and "punish" Rory MacDonald at PFL 2 "to get some more respect on my name"
Cole Shelton - April 27, 2021
Curtis Millender jumped at the chance to compete in PFL and fight Rory MacDonald. After David Michaud was forced out of the fight, the PFL signed UFC and Bellator veteran, Curtis Millender to face MacDonald. It is a big opportunity for “Curtious” who says this is a bucket list fight for him.
Giga Chikadze says he will "knock Cub Swanson out cold," confident he will be featherweight champ by early 2022
Cole Shelton - April 27, 2021
Giga Chikadze has a ton of confidence entering his UFC Vegas 25 co-main event fight against Cub Swanson. Chikadze had an incredible 2020 going 4-0 and improved to 5-0 in the UFC. He made a name for himself and began calling out ranked featherweights and gets his chance to face a well-known name in Swanson.
Jeff Molina says he will earn a "dominant finish in the second round" over Aoriqileng
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
Jeff Molina is excited to finally make his UFC debut after a few canceled fights. Molina was supposed to fight Zarrukh Adashev in November but his opponent tested positive for COVID-19, they were then rebooked for January, but Molina tested positive for the virus. The fight was then scrapped, but Molina will face Aoriqileng on Saturday night at UFC 261 in front of fans, which “El Jefe” is excited about.
UFC 261 | Pro fighters make their picks for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade title fight
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2021
In the first of three title fights at UFC 261, Valentina Shevchenko looks to defend her flyweight belt against Jessica Andrade. Heading into the fight, Shevchenko is a -455 favorite with the challenger being a +340 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Valentina Shevchenko gets it done, with most thinking she gets the TKO win.
Tristan Connelly ecstatic to finally make return and featherweight drop at UFC 261, expects a "three-round war" against Pat Sabatini
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Tristan Connelly will finally make the walk to the Octagon at UFC 261 and will do so two weight classes lower than his debut fight. Connelly made his UFC debut on short notice against Michel Pereira at UFC Vancouver in 2019, he also moved up to welterweight for the fight. Connelly ended up pulling off a big upset and earned a decision win.
UFC 261 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
In the main event of UFC 261, Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal are running it back in front of a full capacity crowd in Jacksonville. Heading into the fight, Usman is a -400 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +300 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Usman beats Masvidal just like he did at UFC 251 as he will defend his welterweight title again.
Randy Brown expects to TKO Alex Oliveira in a "banger" of a fight: "I'm preparing for war"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Randy Brown is excited to share the Octagon with Alex Oliveira. Brown and Oliveira were supposed to meet in February, but Brown got COVID-19. Yet, the good news was the fight was rebooked for a sold out crowd in Jacksonville at UFC 261, which Brown is excited about.
Edmen Shahbazyan opens up on first career loss to Derek Brunson: "I used it to motivate me to come back better"
Cole Shelton - April 18, 2021
Edmen Shahbazyan has opened up on his first career loss to Derek Burnson last August. At UFC Vegas 5, Shahbazyan and Brunson were promoted to the main event and were set to fight five rounds. Entering the scrap, many expected Shahbazyan to get an early KO, and so too did the rising star. However, after the first round, he began to gas out and suffered a third-round TKO loss.
Frank Mir uncertain when he will retire, still plans to compete for BKFC
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2021
Frank Mir knows he doesn’t have much longer in his career. The former UFC heavyweight champion is 41-years-old and is set to turn 42, isn’t putting a timeline on his retirement. Mir admits three years ago when he was in Bellator, he wanted to retire, but after taking care of his body, he says he’s in really good shape and isn’t sure when he will retire now.
Ben Askren says it's "highly unlikely" he will take another MMA fight, but would consider it if "the right opportunity presented itself"
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2021
Ben Askren is ending his retirement to box Jake Paul on Saturday night, and given he’s getting back into combat sports, many wondered if he would return to MMA. When Askren retired in November of 2019, he cited a hip injury, however, he said he was just retiring from being a professional fighter, and would take one-off fights. That is exactly how the Paul fight came to be. It’s a unique opportunity where Askren gets the chance to beat up a YouTuber for a ton of money.
Frank Mir believes his daughter, Bella "checks off every box to be a world champion, a Hall of Famer"
Cole Shelton - April 15, 2021
Frank Mir believes his daughter Bella has all the capabilities to be one of the best fighters ever. Bella is 2-0 as a pro and at just 18-years-old has shown some promise. According to Frank Mir, he says he tried to talk his daughter out of being a fighter due to how little fighters make. However, after some time, he liked the idea of her following in his footsteps and after two wins, Mir is confident she has what it takes to be a world champion one day.
Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Cole Shelton - April 15, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 24, Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum are finally set to meet. Whittaker enters the fight as a -265 favorite while the eighth-ranked middleweight is a +210 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Whittaker will get the job done as he is the better mixed martial artist.
Ben Askren says he'll call for "another stupid celebrity boxing match" after he beats Jake Paul: "I might do two or three more"
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
Ben Askren won’t be retiring from boxing after Saturday night if he beats Jake Paul. On April 17, Askren is set for his first professional boxing fight as he is set to face brash YouTuber, Jake Paul. It’s a highly-anticipated fight that has the combat sports world talking about it as “Funky” is far from a boxer.
Drakkar Klose excited to "throw down" with Jeremy Stephens, says he'll drop down to featherweight after he finishes him
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
Drakkar Klose is eager to welcome Jeremy Stephens back up to lightweight. With Stephens on a five-fight winless streak, the 10th-ranked featherweight decided to move up to lightweight and will face Klose at UFC Vegas 24. For Klose, he is much more excited about this fight than his past couple.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul boxing match
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
On April 17, Ben Askren is ending his retirement to box YouTuber, Jake Paul in a highly-anticipated bout. Heading into the fight, Askren is a +145 underdog while the YouTuber is a -175 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the bout. The pros have a slight lean towards Ben Askren getting his hand raised, while some believe Paul will be able to walk through the UFC veteran.
Ben Askren expects to make Jake Paul "quit" in boxing match: "I’ll make him hate his life"
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2021
Ben Askren jumped at the opportunity to box YouTuber, Jake Paul. After Paul knocked out Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, he called out several MMA fighters including Askren. Although “Funky” just had hip surgery and isn’t known as a striker, the former ONE Championship and Bellator champion knew this was a good opportunity to make a ton of money and beat up someone who he claims, isn’t a good fighter.
Julian Marquez reveals he nearly threw up before fighting Sam Alvey due to nerves: "I grew up watching him"
Cole Shelton - April 12, 2021
Julian Marquez was in no rush to return after his UFC 258 win over Maki Pitolo, but a short notice fight against Sam Alvey came up that Marquez jumped on. Originally, Alvey was set to drop down to middleweight to face Zak Cummings, who is Marquez’s teammate. Unfortunately, Cummings was forced out of the bout and when he told the team, “The Cuban Missile Crisis” knew it was a good fight for him.