Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Pro fighters make their picks for Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2020
In the main event of the UFC Vegas 17 which is the final UFC event of 2020, Stephen Thompson returns to the Octagon against rising contender, Geoff Neal. Heading into the fight, Neal is a -120 favorite while “Wonderboy” is a -110 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe it will be Thompson getting the job done and remaining a top-five welterweight.
Dave Leduc responds to callouts from Simon Marcus, Yohan Lidon
Tom Taylor - December 17, 2020
As “The King of Lethwei,” Dave Leduc is well accustomed to receiving callouts from prospective opponents keen to usurp his throne. This month, however, has been particularly busy for the French Canadian Lethwei legend.
Rob Font expects to put the bantamweight division on notice with a KO win over Marlon Moraes
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020
Rob Font didn’t expect to be fighting Marlon Moraes in his return fight. Font is on a two-fight winning streak but has not fought since last December when he defeated Ricky Simon by decision. Rob has been sidelined with injuries but at UFC Vegas 17 he will return to the Octagon against Moraes.
Marlon Vera expects to KO Jose Aldo and "let the division know I’m going to be a world champion"
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020
Marlon Vera is expecting to get into a slugfest on Saturday night. In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 17, Vera is set to battle Jose Aldo in a fight that was supposed to happen at both UFC 255 and 256. However, due to visa issues, the fight was delayed but for “Chito” he is just glad the fight got made.
Geoff Neal expects to finish Stephen Thompson and earn welterweight title shot
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
Geoff Neal didn’t expect Stephen Thompson to accept the fight. After Neal was forced to pull out of his fight against Neil Magny in August, he wasn’t sure if he would get a ranked opponent in his return. However, he was then offered Thompson and was surprised “Wonderboy” accepted it.
Alex Morono expects to finish Anthony Pettis, eyes future fights with Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2020
Alex Morono didn’t expect to be fighting Anthony Pettis. Morono started the year with a disappointing KO loss to Khaos Williams at UFC 247. The Fortis MMA product then returned at UFC Vegas 14 with a decision win over Rhys McKee. After the win, Morono was hoping he could make a quick turnaround but never expected it to be against Pettis.
Peter Barrett expects to KO Chase Hooper in the first: "He blocks punches with his face"
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2020
Peter Barrett believes the UFC and Chase Hooper made a mistake by taking this fight. At UFC 256, Hooper is set to return to the Octagon after his first career loss to battle Barrett, who lost his promotional debut earlier this year. However, for the 34-year-old in Barrett, he believes the UFC is rooting for Hooper to win as they have high expectations for him.
Conor McGregor will KO Dustin Poirier in the first round again, according to Artem Lobov
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2020
Artem Lobov believes Conor McGregor will beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 the same way he did at UFC 178. Back in 2014, McGregor was making his rise up the featherweight division and scored a first-round KO over Poirier. The Irishman said he would do exactly that, but at UFC 257 they are rematching at lightweight with many believing it will be a more competitive fight.
Artem Lobov open to boxing Jake and Logan Paul if the money is right
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Artem Lobov is open to boxing either of the Paul brothers. After Jake Paul knocked out Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, the 23-year-old called out the likes of Dillon Danis and Conor McGregor. Given those are his teammates, Artem Lobov says if those fights don’t come to fruition, he would take the fight and beat up Paul if he is paid accordingly.
Tyler McGuire plans to put friendship with Agilan Thani aside to earn statement win
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
This Friday, at ONE: Big Bang II, Tyler McGuire will make his long awaited return to the ONE Circle when he takes on Agilan Thani. The bout will be McGuire’s first since he came up short in a welterweight title fight with Zebaztian Kadestam in late 2018—his first taste of defeat as a pro mixed martial artist.
UFC 256 | Pro fighters make their picks for Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 256, Tony Ferguson is set to return to the Octagon against rising contender, Charles Oliveira. Heading into the fight, Ferguson is a -175 favorite while the Brazilian is a +145 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Ferguson gets it done but they aren’t counting out Oliveira.
Renato Moicano reveals three ranked fighters turned him down, looking to "put on a show" against Rafael Fiziev
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2020
Renato Moicano thought he would be fighting a ranked opponent at UFC 256. Moicano was a perennial contender at featherweight and was one win away from getting a title shot at 145-pounds. However, he suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Jose Aldo and Korean Zombie which triggered a move to lightweight.
Brandon Moreno plans for "upset of the year" with stoppage win of Deiveson Figueiredo
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
Brandon Moreno plans to shock the world. In the main event of UFC 256, Moreno is making a three-week turnaround to battle Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title. It is a very intriguing matchup given both men just fought at UFC 255.
Artem Lobov focused on getting million-dollar paydays, plans on retiring in two years
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
Artem Lobov was supposed to make his return to MMA. Lobov was expected to headline ARENA Fight 2 against Ylies Djiroun for the lightweight title, however, it was announced on Tuesday the event is canceled. Although this is a promotion many didn’t expect him to sign with, for Lobov, he just wanted to fight once in 2020.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship interested in signing Yoel Romero: "He has BKFC written all over him"
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2020
David Feldman is hoping to meet with Yoel Romero in the coming days. On Friday, it was revealed Romero was shockingly released from the UFC. Immediately, many thought the middleweight would sign with Bellator or PFL. However, on Monday, it was reported both promotions aren’t interested in bringing in the 43-year-old.
Gina Mazany in no rush to move up flyweight ranks after TKO win over Rachael Ostovich
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2020
Gina Mazany is back in the win column. At UFC Vegas 15, Mazany dropped down to flyweight to battle Rachael Ostovich. In the lead-up to the fight, Mazany was unsure how she would feel at 125-pounds but says it was the easiest weight cut of her career and it showed as she TKO’d Ostovich in the third.
Marvin Vettori expects Jan Blachowicz to "clean the mat with Israel Adesanya"
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2020
Marvin Vettori doesn’t believe Israel Adesanya’s light heavyweight run will go well. Sometime in early 2021, it is expected that Adesanya will move up in weight to battle Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title. Although many don’t think the fight should happen all signs point to that being the case.
Cody Durden expects to KO Jimmy Flick and end his hype
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2020
Cody Durden is eager to derail the hype of Jimmy Flick. At UFC Vegas 16, Durden is set to make the walk to the Octagon for the second time but will be doing so at flyweight this time around. In his debut, he stepped up on a week’s notice and fought Chris Guttierrez to a draw at bantamweight. Following that fight, he realized he should be competing at 125-pounds and made the move to down in weight.