Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Chatri Sityodtong reveals Angela Lee will make a "big statement" in September regarding her fighting future
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong says Angela Lee will be providing an update on her career soon. It was back in December of 2022 that Victoria Lee passed away at the tender age of 18. Since then, both of her siblings, Angela and Christian Lee, have opted against competing and Sityodtong says there is no rush on them to fight again, despite their championship status. For now, he says he’s left the Lee family to grieve and deal with the heartbreaking news.
Damon Jackson expects Billy Quarantillo scrap to be a "dog fight" at UFC Nashville: "Right from the bell it will be crazy firework"
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2023
Damon Jackson knows his scrap at UFC Nashville against Billy Quarantillo will be a dog fight. Jackson is coming off a KO loss to Dan Ige back in January and after that, he went on vacation to celebrate his 10-year anniversary with his wife. Once he was ready to return, Jackson was booked to fight at UFC Nashville which he is thrilled by as he hasn’t fought in front of fans during his entire second stint in the UFC.
Dustin Jacoby expecting to make a "statement" with KO win over Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC Nashville
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2023
Dustin Jacoby is looking to get the bad taste out of his mouth. Jacoby had his nine-fight unbeaten streak snapped back in October in a controversial split decision to Khalil Rountree. He then dropped a decision to Azamat Murzakanov back in April and after that fight, Jacoby wanted a quick turnaround.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2023
In the main event of an ESPN+ pay-per-view boxing match, Jake Paul is set to return from his first career loss as he takes on UFC veteran Nate Diaz. Heading into the bout, Paul is a sizeable -460 favorite while the Stockton native is a +320 underdog in what serves as his pro boxing debut on Saturday night in Dallas, Texas.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals ONE Championship hasn't talked to free agent Michael Page
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong says the promotion hasn’t reached out to Michael Page yet, and they are uncertain if they will. Michael Page recently revealed that he fought out his contract and was a free agent and was looking forward to seeing what is out there.
Trevin Giles expects Gabriel Bonfim to gas out at UFC 291 but says the Brazilian "isn't skilled enough to beat me" anyways
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
Trevin Giles is confident he will hand Gabriel Bonfim his first career loss. Giles is on a two-fight win streak and is coming off a decision win over Preston Parsons back in March. After the fight, Giles said his elbow was a bit banged up so he needed to take a bit of time off.
UFC 291 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 291, Jan Blachowicz is set to welcome former middleweight champion Alex Pereira to the light heavyweight division. It’s a fight the Pole asked for and heading into the scrap, Blachowicz is a -122 favorite while the Brazilian is a -102 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Blachowicz getting the job done at UFC 291. The pros expect Blachowicz to use his size to wrestle Pereira and get the win.
Stephen Thompson expecting a 'Fight of the Year' contender against Michel Pereira at UFC 291: "Preparing for the hardest fight ever"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Stephen Thompson is excited to finally get the chance to face Michel Pereira. After Thompson lost back-to-back fights to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns he told BJPENN.com he wanted to be matched up with Pereira next. However, he ended up facing Kevin Holland and scored a TKO win but will now face Pereira at UFC 291.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he asked the UFC for Alex Pereira matchup, plans to "test" his striking against the Brazilian at UFC 291
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
Jan Blachowicz wanted some time off after his last fight. Blachowicz last competed back in December and fought Magomed Ankalaev to a draw for the vacant lightweight title. After the fight ended, Blachowicz wanted some time off to heal for some injuries, and he said the plan was to return in the summer.
Jai Herbert expecting an "entertaining fight" and to "put on a show" against Fares Ziam at UFC London
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2023
Jai Herbert will be fighting in London for the fourth straight time. Herbert will be taking on Fares Ziam at UFC London on Saturday and is coming off a draw against L’udovit Klein back in March. Prior to that, he beat Kyle Nelson in July and lost to Ilia Topuria by KO the previous March. Although this is Herbert’s fourth straight fight in London, he says he still is excited to fight at home and put on a show for his people.
Brandon Royval uncertain if he's getting next title shot but knows Alexandre Pantoja rematch plays out much differently
Cole Shelton - July 14, 2023
Brandon Royval is hoping he is next in line for the flyweight title. At UFC 290, Alexandre Pantoja became the promotion’s next flyweight champion with a split-decision win over Brandon Moreno. Before the fight happened, Royval weighed-in as the backup fighter which he hoped secured him the next title shot.
Austin Lingo expects to outwork and tire out Melquizael Costa at UFC Vegas 77: "He gassed in his debut"
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2023
Austin Lingo believes his pace is the key to beating Melquizael Costa at UFC Vegas 77.. Lingo is coming off a submission loss to Nate Landwehr in a fight he took on less than two weeks’ notice after his fight against Ricardo Ramos was off. Although he lost the fight, he says he already knew what he did wrong and went back to the gym to correct it.
Terrance McKinney plans to prove Nazim Sadykhov is not the "guy he thinks he is" with a first-round finish at UFC Vegas 77
Cole Shelton - July 11, 2023
Terrance McKinney is excited to show off his improvements. McKinney is coming off a KO loss to Ismael Bonfim back in January at UFC 283 and after the defeat, he decided to change camps. Terrance McKinney decided to go down to Texas and start training with Kevin Holland which he says has been a major benefit to him.
Kamuela Kirk reveals the three goals he has for his UFC 290 fight against Esteban Ribovics
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2023
Kamuela Kirk is finally back in action. Kirk has not fought since March of 2022 when he suffered a submission loss to Damon Jackson in his second UFC fight. In his debut, he beat Makwan Amirkhani after stepping up on short notice. After the loss, Kirk realized it was time to move to lightweight. Once he made the move, he was booked to face Esteban Ribovics at UFC 285 in March.
Shannon Ross plans to show fans he belongs with stoppage win over Jesus Aguilar at UFC 290
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2023
Shannon Ross is looking to prove to the doubters that he belongs in the UFC. Ross suffered a TKO loss to Vinicius Salvador on the Contender Series, but it was revealed he fought with appendicitis, so Dana White signed him. In his debut, he suffered a 59-second knockout loss to Kleydson Rodrigues and wasn’t sure what would be next after the setback.
Grant Dawson expects to face winner of Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker after one-sided victory over Damir Ismagulov
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2023
Grant Dawson knows he sent a message to the lightweight division with his win over Damir Imsagulov. Dawson was taking on Ismagulov in the co-main event, and the ATT fighter dominated Ismagulov over all three rounds to get the decision win. Although Grant Dawson wanted the stoppage win, he says he is happy with his performance as he dominated Ismagulov more than Arman Tsarukayn did.
Dricus Du Plessis claims Israel Adesanya is already viewing him as "the champion" ahead of potential title fight
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis is fully focused on Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 but knows a matchup against Israel Adesanya would be massive. Du Plessis is set to take on Whittaker in a title eliminator bout with the winner expected to face Adesanya in September. Although it is a quick turnaround, Dricus Du Plessis says if the fight plays out as he expects he will be ready to fight Israel Adesanya for the belt in Australia. He also knows if that is the matchup, it will be a massive fight for the UFC.
UFC 290 backup fighter Brandon Royval breaks down Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2
Cole Shelton - July 5, 2023
Brandon Royval is more than ready to fight for UFC gold on Saturday night at UFC 290. In the co-main event of UFC 290, Brandon Moreno is looking to defend his flyweight title as he takes on Alexandre Pantoja. The two have fought twice – with Pantoja winning both, although one was on TUF so it was ruled an exhibition.