Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Michael Chiesa surprised he's the underdog at UFC 310, vows to rely on experience against Max Griffin
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2024
Michael Chiesa was hoping to get one more fight in 2024 and he got his wish. After Chiesa submitted Tony Ferguson, the goal was to return in December. He ended up getting his wish as he will face Max Griffin on Saturday night at UFC 310.
UFC 309 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2024
In the co-main event, a pivotal lightweight bout goes down as Charles Olivera rematches Michael Chandler. Heading into the bout, Oliveira is a -280 favorite while the American is a +210 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the lightweight bout. The pros are unanimous in thinking Oliveira will beat Chandler again at UFC 309.
Damon Jackson expecting a war against Jim Miller at UFC 309: "It's nice to get a big name"
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2024
Damon Jackson knew he couldn’t make the cut to featherweight next. Jackson is set to move up to lightweight to face Jim Miller at UFC 309. After Jackson said he killed himself in the last two weight cuts, he knew he needed to move up to lightweight.
UFC 309 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic title fight
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2024
In the main event of UFC 309, the heavyweight title is on the line as Jon Jones looks for his first defense against former champ Stipe Miocic. Heading into the bout, Jones is a sizeable -700 favorite while the former champ is a +440 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the heavyweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Jon Jones will remain the heavyweight champion with a victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
Ryan Hall hints at dropping down to bantamweight, but does want Bryce Mitchell fight first
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2024
Ryan Hall plans on returning in early 2025 and could do so at a new weight class. Hall hasn’t fought since December of 2021 when he beat Darrick Minner by decision. Since then, Hall has had a plethora of injuries, but he’s on the road to recovery and plans to return in early 2025.
Cody Stamann knows he's fighting for his job at UFC Vegas 100 against Da'Mon Blackshear: "Going to be an all-out war"
Cole Shelton - November 6, 2024
Cody Stamann knows his job is on the line on Saturday at UFC Vegas 100. Stamann is on a two-fight losing streak and is 2-5 in his last seven. Although Stamann hasn’t turned anyone down and has fought nothing but top guys, he knows his record is what it is.
Ryan Hall details plethora of injuries and surgeries that has led to layoff
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2024
Ryan Hall is looking to make the walk to the Octagon again. Hall hasn’t fought since December of 2021 when he beat Darrick Minner. Since then, the fan-favorite has dealt with plenty of injuries and has had 19 surgeries since his last fight.
Chad Anheliger expects to "run through" Cody Gibson at UFC Edmonton: "I'm as sharp as I've ever been"
Cole Shelton - October 31, 2024
Chad Anheliger will finally get to fight in Canada for the UFC. Anheliger has fought four times in the UFC, but he hasn’t been booked to fight on any of the Canadian cards. But, after his last win, which was also the final fight of his deal, the promotion re-signed him and offered him Cody Gibson at UFC Edmonton.
Dan Ige expecting a "fun fight" against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308, hopes for a big fight next: "It lines me up for something big"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Dan Ige is expecting a fun fight against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308. Ige is coming off a decision loss to Diego Lopes back at UFC 303 in a fight he took on only a couple of hours’ notice. It was a hectic day for the Hawaiian and he says he was glad he did it as he proved to everyone just how good he is.
UFC 308 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway title fight
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
In the main event of UFC 308, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Ilia Topuria looks to defend his belt for the first time against Max Holloway. Heading into the bout, Topuria is a -260 favorite while the challenger is a +196 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros believe it should be an exciting striking match but they are shockingly unanimous in thinking Holloway pulls off the upset to get the win.
Mario Bautista puts blame on Jose Aldo for lackluster UFC 307 fight, eyes Cory Sandhagen rematch
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2024
Mario Bautista knew getting past Jose Aldo would be tough, and he did what he needed to do to win. Bautista edged out a split decision win over Aldo at UFC 307 in what was considered by many to be a lackluster fight. Heading into the bout, the wrestling and clinch weren’t part of Bautista’s game plan until it was there for him to use.
Josh Fremd expecting a brawl against Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 98: "Try to take each other's heads off"
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2024
Josh Fremd wasn’t sure if he was going to get another fight in the UFC. Fremd suffered a lackluster decision loss to Andre Petroski back at UFC Denver in a fight that he thought was super boring. He was frustrated with how the fight played out and after the scrap, he wasn’t sure what would be next. Luckily, the UFC quickly offered him Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 98 and he jumped at the offer.
Mario Bautista plans to bring the fight to Jose Aldo at UFC 307: "I'm going to make him fight"
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
Mario Bautista is excited and honored to fight a legend like Jose Aldo at UFC 307. Bautista is coming off a decision win over Ricky Simon back in January. Since then, he had been campaigning for a fight but nine months later, he will return to the Octagon on Saturday. Although it is a much longer wait, he says the opponent is well worth it.
UFC 307 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree title fight
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
In the main event of UFC 307, the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira takes on Khalil Rountree. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a sizeable -560 favorite while the challenger is a +370 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros believe it should be an exciting striking match but the slight majority believe Pereira will get his hand raised. However, some do think Rountree will shock the world.
Vince Morales confident he will "break" Taylor Lapilus at UFC Paris
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2024
Vince Morales wasn’t sure if he would ever fight in the UFC again. Morales was released from the UFC in January of 2023 and went on to fight in various promotions including RIZIN. Since his release, Morales won five straight fights. Then, as he noticed Taylor Lapilus was still without an opponent at UFC Paris, he asked his manager to try to get him that fight.
Bryan Battle eager to go into enemy territory at UFC Paris, expects to finish Kevin Jousset in "spectacular fashion"
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2024
Bryan Battle jumped at the chance to go into enemy territory to face Kevin Jousset at UFC Paris. Battle is coming off a No Contest against Ange Loosa in March due to an accidental eye poke. It was a fight Battle was winning early on, and he says because of that, the UFC matchmakers saw enough to not have to rebook the bout.
Matt Frevola planning to bring Fares Ziam into a "dogfight" at UFC Paris: "He will finally have an exciting fight"
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2024
Matt Frevola is excited to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Frevola is set to return on Saturday at UFC Paris against Fares Ziam. It’s his first since November of last year when he suffered a KO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis. Since then, his wife welcomed their son into the world, so he took time to be a dad. But, once he was ready to return, he says he pushed to be on this Paris card.
UFC 306 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko 3 title fight
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 306, the women’s flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexa Grasso looks to defend her belt in the trilogy match against Valentina Shevchenko. Heading into the fight, Grasso is a slight -140 favorite while the challenger is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the women’s flyweight title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Grasso getting the win, as most of them think Shevchenko’s age has caught up to her and that she’s lost a step.