Exclusive MMA Interviews News
UFC 239 | Mike Winkeljohn says the future is still bright for Diego Sanchez
Cole Shelton - July 1, 2019
Diego Sanchez has rejuvenated his career as of late. The 37-year-old has been fighting professionally since 2002 and in the UFC since 2005. And, throughout his career, he has beaten some of the top names in the sport and even fought for the UFC title against B.J. Penn at UFC 107. Now, the veteran is on a two-fight winning streak and is set to take on Michael Chiesa at UFC 239. If he wins, he could very well have a number beside his name in the welterweight rankings.
UFC 239 | Michael Chiesa believes he will hand Diego Sanchez his first submission loss
Cole Shelton - July 1, 2019
Don’t call it a legend tour. Michael Chiesa is set to fight longtime veteran of the sport, Diego Sanchez at UFC 239. And, after beating another veteran in Carlos Condit last time out, many are saying he is fighting legends of the sport. But, the 31-year-old makes it very clear, Sanchez is not a washed-up legend like fans are making him out to be.
Bibiano Fernandes makes prediction for fourth fight with Kevin Belingon
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2019
Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon have a long and complicated history under the ONE Championship banner. The pair first fought in 2016, when the Team Lakay product Belingon challenged Brazil’s Fernandes for the ONE Championship bantamweight title. On that night, Fernandes quickly took care of business, defeating his challenger with a first round armbar.
UFC Minneapolis | Dan Lambert believes no one should count out Junior dos Santos against Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2019
Junior dos Santos is set to take on Francis Ngannou in the main event of UFC Minneapolis. The expectation is that the winner will fight for the heavyweight title next. According to American Top Team owner, Dan Lambert, this is a tough fight for dos Santos, but he says no one should count out the former heavyweight champion.
Colby Covington explains why he accepted fight with 'incredible' Robbie Lawler
Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019
Colby Covington was widely expected to get the first crack at new UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but after a series of twists and turns, he ultimately found himself booked for a crucial welterweight contender bout with the former champion Robbie Lawler instead. Surprisingly, Covington seems to be just fine with this matchup. He gave his take on how it all came to be on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio.
Jorge Masvidal explains why he 'loves' Henry Cejudo's trash talk
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is not a big fan of trash talk. The welterweight contender prefers to do his talking in the Octagon. But there is one person who Masvidal can get behind in terms of trash talking, and that is Henry Cejudo. He likes the Olympic gold medalist’s talk because the champ-champ backs it up.
UFC Minneapolis | Pro fighters make their picks for Francis Ngannou vs. Junior dos Santos
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2019
The Octagon returns to Minnesota this Saturday for UFC Minneapolis. In the main event of the card, Francis Ngannou is taking on Junior dos Santos in a pivotal heavyweight clash. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. In this case, a few believe Ngannou will be able to knock out dos Santos, while the rest think the Brazilian will use his wrestling and experience to win this fight.
Alex Volkanovski says he will be at UFC 240 'on weight ready to fill in'
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019
After Alex Volkanovski beat Jose Aldo at UFC 237, he along with many others expected he would the next title shot. Yet, that was not the case. Instead, the Aussie was passed over as Frankie Edgar will next face Max Holloway at UFC 240 for the featherweight title. Obviously, this was disappointing news for the 30-year-old, but he says he will make the trip to Edmonton, Alberta to be on hand for the fight.
UFC Minneapolis | Eryk Anders expects to KO Vinicius Moreira to get back into win column
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2019
Eryk Anders did not expect to fight this soon. The 32-year-old is coming off of a brutal decision loss to Khalil Rountree at UFC 236 where he was knocked down several times. But, when the call came to step in on short notice to take on Vinicius Moreira at UFC Minneapolis, it was an easy decision for the former Alabama football star.
Mike Winkeljohn believes Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy fight will happen
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2019
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have arguably the biggest rivalry in MMA. The two have fought two times before. They first fought at UFC 182, when Jones beat Cormier by decision to defend the light heavyweight title. They fought for a second time at UFC 214. This time, it was “DC” who was the champion, but Jones once again came out on top. However, the fight was eventually ruled a no-contest after Jones tested positive for turinabol.
Eddie Alvarez: 'I don't see how Max wins' against Frankie Edgar
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar is currently gearing up for a title fight with reigning UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway, scheduled for UFC 240 on July 27. One of Edgar’s main training partners for this fight will be former Bellator and UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, who is gearing up for a ONE: Dawn of Heroes showdown with former champ Eduard Folayang. Over the years Alvarez and Edgar have spent as training partners, under the tutelage of legendary coach Mark Henry, they have grown very close. They’ve spent countless hours grinding away, side-by-side, and have seen their efforts in the gym pay dividends in the cage.
Eryk Anders believes UFC wasn't interested in Elias Theodorou's 'antics'
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2019
After Elias Theodorou lost to Derek Brunson back at UFC Ottawa, he was released from the promotion. This news came as a surprise as the Canadian went 8-3 inside the Octagon and was an ‘Ultimate Fighter’ winner. Yet, that was not enough to keep Theodorou around, as his style was not the most entertaining. He was booed in his last two fights, and the UFC had seemingly seen enough. Although many, like Joe Rogan, don’t understand why the Las Vegas-based promotion released Theodorou, Eryk Anders, who fought the Canadian at UFC 231 believes he knows exactly why.
Alex Volkanovski explains why he's 'a very bad matchup' for Max Holloway
Tom Taylor - June 21, 2019
Alex Volkanovski will be watching Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar’s upcoming featherweight title fight very closely, as he’s more than likely to fight the winner sometime later this year. Speaking on a recent episode of BJPenn.com Radio, Volkanovski divulged that he envisions Edgar giving the champion Holloway some problems in this fight. That being said, Volkanovski believes he’s an even more dangerous test for Holloway than Edgar is.
Jorge Masvidal 'would love to' scrap Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
Ahead of UFC 235, it was reported Nick Diaz would return to the Octagon to take on Jorge Masvidal. But, the Stockton native said he never signed a contract and the fight never happened.”Gamebred” then fought Darren Till, who he knocked out back in March. Now, at UFC 239, Masvidal is taking on Ben Askren in a fight that could earn the winner a title shot. Although the stakes are high for this one, “Gamebred” is already eyeing a future opponent in Nate Diaz, Nick’s little brother.
BKFC 6 | Pro fighters make their picks for Artem Lobov vs. Paulie Malignaggi
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns this Saturday for their biggest card to date. In the card’s main event, Artem Lobov welcomes Paulie Malignaggi into BKFC. Ahead of this fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. And, the majority believe the boxer will get it done, but some think Lobov will be too much for Malignaggi.
Valentina Shevchenko discusses call with President of Kyrgyzstan, lobbies for UFC event in country
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Earlier this month, in the co-main event of UFC 238 in Chicago, Kyrgyzstan’s Valentina Shevchenko defended the UFC flyweight title with a beautiful head kick knockout of challenger Jessica Eye. Shortly after this dazzling victory, she received a congratulatory phone call from Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. This isn’t the first this has happened, but it was still a pretty special moment for the flyweight champ.
Jorge Masvidal: Ben Askren could get Leon Edwards treatment if he oversteps
Mike Pendleton - June 19, 2019
In a fight that likely has some title implications in the welterweight division, Jorge Masvidal has a personal goal for his UFC 239 opponent, Ben Askren. Since his arrival into the UFC, “Funky” Ben Askren has gotten under the skin of a lot of fighters, especially in the welterweight division, but Masvidal isn’t here for any jokes or games. Askren is coming off a controversial win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235, the first fight of his UFC career, after a long beef with Dana White kept him away from the promotion. During a recent interview with BJPenn.com Radio, Masvidal discussed his fight with Askren and said he’d like to break the wrestling specialist’s face “on a personal note.”
UFC Greenville | Pro fighters make their picks for Renato Moicano vs. Korean Zombie
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
The Octagon heads to South Carolina for UFC Greenville this Saturday. In the main event, Renato Moicano is taking on Chan Sung Jung aka “The Korean Zombie”. There, both fighters are looking to get back into the win column after recent losses. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. In this case, it was almost unanimous, as most believe Korean Zombie will be too much for Moicano.