Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Aung La N Sang: The Beekeeper who Became a World Champion
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2019
Long before Aung La N Sang became a professional fighter, he worked as a professional beekeeper. Surprisingly, there are a number similarities between these two gigs.
Lyoto Machida plans KO of Gegard Mousasi, then Bellator title win
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2019
Lyoto Machida has planned out the rest of 2019 and the beginnings of 2020. In the co-main event of Bellator 228, the former UFC light heavyweight champion Machida is taking on Gegard Mousasi. This middleweight fight is a rematch of their 2014 fight, which Machida won by decision.
Jared Cannonier expects to KO Jack Hermansson in UFC Copenhagen main event
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2019
Jared Cannonier is now 2-0 in the middleweight division and set to headline his first UFC card. In the main event of UFC Copenhagen, the American will take on Jack Hermansson in a pivotal middleweight bout. Cannonier, who is coming off of a very impressive TKO win over Anderson Silva, is eager to be the main event.
Kevin Belingon seeking decisive finish in fourth Bibiano Fernandes fight
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019
Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes have a long and complicated history together. The two stars will look to write a decisive final chapter to their shared story when they collide for the ONE Championship bantamweight title at ONE: Century – Part 2 on October 13 in Tokyo, Japan. This Tokyo showdown will mark the fourth time they share the cage together.
Colby Covington responds to Dustin Poirier: 'He knows where to find me'
Cole Shelton - September 20, 2019
Colby Covington has been at odds with American Top Team teammate Dustin Poirier ever since Poirier lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242. After 242, Poirier was asked if he would be willing to fight a training partner at American Top Team, and he said no because he isn’t a sellout like Colby Covington.
John Lineker talks potential Demetrious Johnson matchup, ONE Super Series bouts
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2019
John Lineker is currently dialed in on his ONE Championship debut, which will pit him against the ferocious Muin Gafurov at ONE: Dawn of Valor in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 25. Yet that doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about his future under the ONE banner. Lineker’s ONE debut will occur in the 145-pound ONE bantamweight division. That being said, one of the biggest fights available to him in ONE Championship would be a collision with fellow UFC veteran Demetrious Johnson, who calls the 135-pound ONE flyweight division home.
UFC Mexico City | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2019
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, top-10 featherweights collide as Yair Rodriguez takes on Jeremy Stephens. Heading into the fight, the Mexican in Rodriguez is a -110 underdog while the American is the -120 favorite, meaning it is practically a pick’em fight. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe it will be a close fight but give a slight edge to the local fighter.
Colby Covington will '100 percent' stay at ATT; partially switches management group
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Colby Covington has gotten some heat from fellow American Top Team (ATT) fighters as of late. ‘Chaos’ has taken shots at both Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier with both firing right back at the former UFC interim welterweight champion. It got to the point that Covington admitted a brawl may take place at ATT and he could very well have to leave the gym.
Cris Cyborg confident Amanda Nunes rematch would go differently
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Although Cris Cyborg is no longer in the UFC and recently signed with Bellator, she still hopes she can rematch Amanda Nunes one day. The two fought back at UFC 232, when Nunes moved up in weight and shockingly knocked Cyborg out in just 51 seconds. Since then, the former featherweight champion and the UFC had arguments over whether or not she wanted the rematch.
John Lineker determined to entertain in ONE Championship debut
Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019
John Lineker, a native of Brazil and a current resident of Florida, never imagined he’d fight in Indonesia. Yet on October 25, he’ll take to the cage in Jakarta to ply his trade against Tajikistan’s Muin Gafurov. Lineker’s trip to the bustling metropolis of Jakarta is the result of his recent move from the UFC to ONE Championship.
Colby Covington slams UFC for 'slave labor negotiations'
Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019
Colby Covington is once again butting heads with the UFC. The former interim welterweight champ was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the undisputed welterweight title at UFC 244 this November, but this plan fizzled when the fighters and the promotion could not come to an agreement that worked for all parties involved.
UFC Vancouver winner Tristan Connelly eyeing return to lightweight — unless Diego Sanchez wants to fight
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2019
Tristan Connelly made his name known at UFC Vancouver. The Canadian was stepping up on short notice to take on Michel Pereira. He would also be fighting in his home city, which made his debut even more surreal. Given the circumstances, many did not expect him to win the fight. He was the biggest underdog on the card, but the Canadian pulled off the upset winning by unanimous decision.
Agilan Thani ready to topple another veteran in Yushin Okami
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Agilan Thani entered the year 2019 on shaky ground. The Malaysian welterweight had been stopped in his last two fights of 2018, first succumbing to Zebaztian Kadestam’s strikes, then, then tapping to a Kiamrian Abbasov rear-naked choke. Despite this rough patch, Thani’s first contest of the year was a big one. In June, he was tasked with welcoming Japanese MMA legend Yoshihiro Akiyama to the ONE Championship cage.
Al Iaquinta says Cowboy loss provided 'wake-up call'
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Back in May, in the main event of UFC Ottawa, New York’s Al Iaquinta stepped into the cage with the dangerous Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Iaquinta’s objective was to gun down Cowboy and take a big step toward a shot at lightweight gold. Unfortunately for Al Iaquinta and his team, this fight didn’t go as planned, as he was defeated by unanimous decision.
Paulo Costa trashes 'skinny clown' Israel Adesanya, says Dana White has promised him next title shot
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2019
Paulo Costa will be in attendance at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. But, he will not be there as a backup fighter to weigh-in. Instead, he will be there to watch the main event and see who he is fighting next. Of course, the main event of the card is the middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya. According to Paulo Costa, UFC President Dana White has promised him the next title shot.
Cris Cyborg believes women's featherweight is 'one of the deepest in terms of talent'
Cole Shelton - September 13, 2019
Cris Cyborg officially signed with Bellator two weeks ago. The former UFC featherweight champion was released from the Las Vegas-based promotion after her UFC 240 bout — partly due to her crumbling relationship with UFC President Dana White. Cris Cyborg talked to many promotions when her free agency began, but she always knew she would land with Bellator.
Al Iaquinta critiques Poirier's performance, talks Nurmagomedov's next move
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2019
As one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division, New York’s Al Iaquinta was watching last weekend’s Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier fight very closely. In fact, Iaquinta had some pretty unique insight into this Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier matchup, having battled the former to a decision loss in a short-notice fight in early 2018. In the end, Nurmagomedov defeated Poirier by submission. With the dust settled, Iaquinta shared his thoughts on the fight on the latest episode of BJPENN.com Radio.
Colby Covington details surprising beginning of Jorge Masvidal beef
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2019
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal have been friends for a long time, but the pair’s relationship has recently curdled. As both fighters close in on shots at the UFC welterweight title, they’ve become heated rivals. In fact, things have gotten so tense between them that there’s been talk of violence occurring at American Top Team, where they both still train.