Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Ian Heinisch believes Brendan Allen is a "stepping stone," confident he will finish him
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Ian Heinisch and Brendan Allen have been talking about fighting one another for years now. Both Heinisch and Allen were fighting in LFA and Allen had been calling Heinisch out. But, “The Hurricane” went on to win the interim middleweight belt and get on the Contender Series and get a UFC contract. Allen, meanwhile, had to stay fighting in LFA for another year, but when he signed to the Las Vegas-based promotion, he started calling out Heinisch once more, and at UFC Vegas 13, they will finally fight.
President ecstatic for XFC relaunch, promises promotion "will have the most vicious fights"
Cole Shelton - November 2, 2020
Myron Molotky knew XFC wasn’t done. Back in December of 2015, XFC held their final event and went on the sidelines. During their time away, several companies reached out to buy the promotion, which even included Ari Emanuel and Endeavor, who bought the UFC.
James Krause continues to slam Joaquin Buckley: "I’ll beat the sh*t out of that kid"
Cole Shelton - October 30, 2020
James Krause is not a fan of Joaquin Buckley. After Buckley had his highlight-reel KO over Impa Kasanganay on Fight Island, word got around that he and Krause had a rivalry of sorts. That only intensified after both men said they would take the fight and for the Glory MMA & Fitness head coach in Krause, he said it all started about six weeks ago.
After near career-ending motorcycle accident, Sean Strickland looking to KO Jack Marshman in UFC return
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2020
Sean Strickland didn’t know if he would make the walk to the ever Octagon again. In the middle of December of 2018, Strickland was driving back from King MMA on his motorcycle when he was involved in a serious accident. The crash was not his fault, but he went unconscious and did not wake up until hours later. He also needed surgery and when he woke up, doctors told him his fighting career was likely over.
Pro fighters make their picks for Uriah Hall vs. Anderson Silva
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 12, Uriah Hall takes on Anderson Silva in a very intriguing middleweight bout. Heading into the fight, Hall is a -235 favorite while the former champion is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Silva has lost a step and it will be Hall beating the Brazilian in what is marketed as his final UFC fight.
After partially tearing his MCL, James Krause turns his attention back to his coaching career
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2020
James Krause knew he had to compete on Fight Island or he wouldn’t fight again for the rest of the year. Krause stepped up on just two weeks’ notice to fight Claudio Silva at UFC Fight Island 6. It was a fight he knew was a good stylistic matchup for him and he ended up edging out a clear-cut decision win.
Maurice Greene looking "to break" Greg Hardy on Halloween night at UFC Vegas 12
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2020
Maurice Greene knows his UFC Vegas 12 main card scrap against Greg Hardy will be a big one. Hardy is a massive name in the sport due to his career in the NFL and in the UFC, the promotion has been careful about who they give him. So, for Greene, he is surprised he is getting this fight but also understands the matchmaking.
Dave Leduc seeks to cement Lethwei legacy in Cyrus Washington rematch
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2020
Dave Leduc has participated in many big fights since he began dedicating his life to Lethwei. His next fight, however, might be the biggest to date. Leduc, a man fight fans know as “The King of Lethwei,” is set to defend his crown on November 7 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when he takes on his long-time rival Cyrus Washington in an anticipated rematch. The bout, which is being promoted by Sparta Sports and Entertainment, will air on pay-per-view at a price of $25.99 USD.
Miles Johns believes "things are going to get scary" in the later rounds for Kevin Natividad
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2020
Miles Johns is looking to get back into the win column. Entering the UFC, Johns had a lot of hype behind him given he was the LFA bantamweight champion and picked up a big win on the Contender Series. He then followed that up with a decision win over Cole Smith in his debut.
Alexander Hernandez shares bold prediction for fight with Chris Gruetzemacher
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2020
Alexander Hernandez believes fans will see version 2.0 of him on Halloween night against Chris Gruetzemacher. Hernandez is coming off a TKO loss to Drew Dober in May and following the loss changed camps and found a new home at Factory X under Marc Montoya. For Hernandez, he believes the change in camp will make him a new and better fighter.
Edson Barboza tells Max Holloway or Calvin Kattar to accept the fight: "It will be a great fight, let’s go"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2020
Edson Barboza has his eyes on Max Holloway or Calvin Kattar for his next fight. Barboza returned to the win column at UFC Fight Island 5 with a decision win over Makwan Amirkhani. The victory snapped his three-fight losing skid although many believe he beat Paul Felder and Dan Ige in his featherweight debut. So, when it was announced he won the fight, it was a major sigh of relief for the Brazilian.
Thanh Le on Martin Nguyen title fight: "All I have to do is touch him"
Tom Taylor - October 23, 2020
Thanh Le isn’t taking ONE featherweight champion Martin Nguyen lightly, but knows what he needs to do to usurp the division’s throne. Le will challenge Nguyen, one of ONE Championship’s most dominant titleholders, in one of four title fights on the ONE: Inside the Matrix bill on October 30. As the fight draws ever closer, the Vietnamese-American is confident that he has the skills to swipe the belt from Nguyen’s waist.
Casey Kenney wants to derail top prospects, expects to finish Nathaniel Wood at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2020
Casey Kenney wants to be the person to derail some fighters hype at bantamweight. At UFC 254, Kenney is making a quick turnaround to battle Nathaniel Wood on Fight Island. Despite Kenney competing on a card just three weeks ago, he went back home for 10 days to do a small training camp and is ready to return.
UFC 254 | Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 254, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Robert Whittaker battles Jared Cannonier. Heading into the fight, Whittaker is a -110 underdog as the American is a -120 favorite. Ahead of the bout, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. To some surprise, the pros are unanimous in thinking the former champ in Whittaker gets the job done.
Javier Mendez "wouldn’t be surprised" if Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2 is next
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Khabib Nurmagomedov, believes the Conor McGregor rematch is likely next if the champ can get past Justin Gaethje. At UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is set to defend his belt against Gaethje, in what some are considering the toughest challenge for the champ. However, Mendez has said he still believes McGregor is the toughest test and knows the UFC wants the rematch.
Sam Alvey knows the stakes are high for his UFC 254 showdown with Da Un Jung
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
Sam Alvey thought his time as a UFC fighter was over when he lost to Ryan Spann at UFC 249 but he’s getting one more shot at UFC 254. Alvey was on a three-fight losing streak and figured it was do-or-die for his career and dropped a very close split decision. Yet, weeks later, he got a fight offer to take on Da Un Jung at UFC 254 and knows he will be cut if he loses five in a row.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach believes McGregor is a tougher overall test when compared to Gaethje
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Javier Mendez believes Khabib Nurmagomedov has already fought the toughest challenge for his title and that was Conor McGregor. In the main event of UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is set to defend his lightweight title against the interim champion, Justin Gaethje. In the lead up to the fight, many pundits have said Gaethje will be Khabib Nurmagomedov’s toughest test, which Mendez disagrees with.
Aung La N Sang ready to hand Reinier de Ridder his first loss
Tom Taylor - October 19, 2020
Aung La N Sang, who currently holds the ONE middleweight and light heavyweight titles, never doubted he’d fight in 2020. Even amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Burmese champion had faith that ONE Championship would find a way to get him back into the cage. That faith proved well-placed, as he’s closing in on an October 30 middleweight title defense against unbeaten Dutchman Reinier de Ridder.