Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Jan Blachowicz says he'll get title shot with win over Anderson, confident he'd finish Jones
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2020
Jan Blachowicz always wanted to rematch Corey Anderson. The two first fought back at UFC 191 where it was Anderson who used his wrestling to score a unanimous decision win. Now, in the main event of UFC Rio Rancho, they will run it back where the stakes are higher, as the winner is expected to receive the next title shot against Jon Jones.
Mirsad Bektic believes teammate Georges St-Pierre will fight again
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2020
Mirsad Bektic believes his Tristar teammate Georges St-Pierre will fight inside the Octagon again. St-Pierre has not fought since he submitted Michael Bisping at UFC 217 to win the middleweight title and become a champion in two divisions. Since that fight, which was his return from a four-year layoff, many have wondered if the Canadian will fight again. He has hinted at a Khabib Nurmagomedov matchup but the UFC wasn’t interested in it.
Part-time manager Dan Ige aims to show the world what he's capable of as a fighter at UFC 247
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2020
For many in the combat sports world, the name Dan Ige was familiar even before the featherweight was in the UFC. He works under Ali Abdelaziz for Dominance MMA and helps Abdelaziz manage top clients like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, and Henry Cejudo. Although that has helped Ige establish a name in MMA, he wants to be known more than a manager. At UFC 247, he has that opportunity as he will take on Mirsad Bektic on the main card where a win should get him ranked.
Colby Covington proclaims himself Jorge Masvidal's 'daddy'
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2020
Colby Covington believes Jorge Masvidal won’t do a thing when they cross paths at American Top Team. Following Covington’s TKO loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 245 for the welterweight title, he spent time in Oregon and has yet to go back to train at ATT. With “Chaos” not being back in nearly two months since the fight, Jorge Masvidal said that the former interim champion left the gym for good.
UFC 247 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes title fight
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2020
In the main event of UFC 247, Jon Jones is looking to defend his light heavyweight belt once again when he battles Dominick Reyes. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -500 favorite while the undefeated challenger is a +350 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight and the pros are unanimous in this one believing Jones defends his belt.
Leon Edwards makes prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal fight
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Leon Edwards is not a fan of Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal’s altercation at Radio Row during Super Bowl week. The two were doing radio shows to talk about what’s next for them when they saw each other and got into a verbal altercation. Immediately, it went all over social media and UFC president Dana White said he was not a fan of it. For Edwards, he agrees with White and says it makes MMA and the UFC look fake like the WWE.
Ilir Latifi says he's coming for the heavyweight division and it starts with Derrick Lewis
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Ilir Latifi always wanted to fight Derrick Lewis and now he has gotten his wish. On the main card of UFC 247, Latifi will move up in weight to battle Lewis.
Mirsad Bektic looking to put losses and injuries behind him in 2020: 'It was a very dark time for me'
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Mirsad Bektic admits after losing to Josh Emmett in July it was hard for him mentally. Bektic made his return to the Octagon for the first time in over a year after multiple injuries and a canceled fight to Renato Moicano at UFC 231. After the loss, Bektic started to reflect on the past year and admits he was in a dark place.
Newly retired Josh Thomson opens up on future plans
Natasha Hooper - January 31, 2020
This week on his Weighing In podcast, Josh Thomson announced his official retirement from fighting. “I can say that I’m officially retired,” Thomson began.
Montel Jackson explains inspiration behind memorable UFC Raleigh walkout
Mike Heck - January 31, 2020
While there were two big events in the MMA world on Saturday night — UFC on ESPN+ 24 and Bellator 238 — Montel Jackson may have won the entire weekend before his fight with Felipe Colares even began. Prior to his unanimous decision win over Colares in Raleigh, NC, Jackson walked to the Octagon to a song very few combat sports fans expected to hear: Whitney Houston’s mega-hit song released in November 1992, I Will Always Love You.
After brief retirement, UFC veteran Ryan LaFlare looking to sign with PFL and fight Rory MacDonald
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2020
Ryan LaFlare is looking to end his retirement. LaFlare went 7-3 in UFC and headlined a card against Demian Maia and had a notable win over Santiago Ponzinibbio. Yet, he had to end his MMA career after a knockout loss to Anthony Rocco Martin at UFC 229 due to his injuries.
Kevin Lee says Islam Makhachev can 'still get it' after he fights Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2020
Kevin Lee has made it clear he is looking to sign two bout agreements at once. Lee is set to headline UFC Brasilia against Charles Oliveira on March 14, yet many expected him to fight Islam Makhachev. After Lee knocked out Gregor Gillespie, he and the Russian went back-and-forth and agreed to fight one another on social media. But, according to “The Motown Phenom” why it isn’t happening next is because Makhachev wanted to wait until June.
Teacher by day, fighter by night: The story of Samuel Toscano
Alfredo Zullino - January 28, 2020
Amongst the most hardcore of fight fans, interest is growing in an extremely brutal combat sport: Lethwei. Also called Burmese bare knuckle boxing, Lethwei is far older than other combat sports like MMA, as there are records of matches taking place as far back as the third century in Myanmar. Lethwei, nicknamed “The Art of Nine Limbs” because it includes head-butts, punches, elbows, kicks and knees, is considered one of the most violent sports in the world. Clinches, sweeps, and throws are accepted techniques as well, which makes the sport even more dangerous.
Sodiq Yusuff says UFC 246 win over Andre Fili made him a top guy at featherweight
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2020
Sodiq Yusuff is now a perfect 4-0 inside the Octagon, and ranked in the featherweight top-15. At UFC 246, Yusuff competed in the biggest fight of his career when he took on Andre Fili. The Nigerian-American knew it was going to be a tough fight but was confident he would get his hand raised. That is exactly what happened as he edged out a decision victory.
Diego Ferreira says best is yet to come after UFC 246 win, eyes Al Iaquinta or Felder-Hooker winner next
Cole Shelton - January 27, 2020
Diego Ferreira knows the best is yet to come. At UFC 246, Ferreira picked up the biggest win of his career when he submitted Anthony Pettis in the second round. The victory got the Brazilian a spot in the UFC rankings, and it also happened to take place on his birthday which he says was a great present.
Kevin Lee declares himself the 'uncrowned champion' of the lightweight division
Cole Shelton - January 27, 2020
Kevin Lee believes he’s the true champion of the lightweight division. Lee recently returned to the win column with a massive knockout win over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244. Following the win, “The Motown Phenom” is set to headline UFC Brasilia against Charles Oliveira. He then plans to fight Islam Makhachev in Russia.
Cris Cyborg looking to make history as MMA's first 'Grand Slam Champion'
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2020
Cris Cyborg knows she will go down as one of the greats but at Bellator 238 she can cement her legacy even more. In the main event, Cyborg is making her Bellator debut and taking on Julia Budd for the featherweight title. Should she win, she would become the first person to win belts in Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC, and Bellator. Or, as Cyborg calls it, a “Grand Slam Champion.”
Bellator 238 | Pro fighters make their picks for Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg title fight
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2020
In the main event of Bellator 238, Julia Budd is looking to defend her featherweight title against Cris Cyborg who’s making her promotional debut. Heading into the fight, Budd is a +325 underdog while the Brazilian is a -450 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe this is a closer fight than the odds suggest but the majority are leaning towards Cyborg becoming the new champion.