Exclusive MMA Interviews News

Tom Taylor - February 6, 2017

Back in December of 2016, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was scheduled to rematch a fellow former champ in Fabricio Werdum. The winner of this fight was expected to challenge reigning champ Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight crown. Unfortunately, Velasquez was forced out of this anticipated heavyweight showdown with an injury just days before it was supposed to go down. This marked the latest incident in the long string of injuries that have marred the recent years of his otherwise incredible career.

Scott Hernandez - February 4, 2017

At UFC 208, #8 ranked middleweight Derek Brunson will step into the Octagon with #7 ranked middleweight, former UFC middleweight kingpin, Anderson Silva. The fight is one that has drawn the attention of MMA fans, who are eager to see Brunson and Silva step into the Octagon for a fight that has the stylistic makings of a thrilling scrap. Since signing with the promotion in 2012, Brunson has been on a tear, going 7-2 over the course of the past five years. In 2014, Brunson suffered the first defeat of his UFC career at the hands of Yoel Romero in a fight he was arguably winning. After out-striking Romero, and taking the Olympic wrestler down three times throughout the first two rounds, Brunson was TKOd in the third round. Fortunately for the All-American Wrestler, he bounced back in dominant fashion, going on a 5-fight win streak that saw him finish four of the wins in the very first round. On the cusp of a title shot in 2016, Brunson stepped into the Octagon with streaking middleweight Robbie Whittaker in a scrap that was promoted to the main event just weeks before the fight. The fight proved to be a thrilling one, however Brunson was TKOd in the first round. While the top ranked middleweight has never made excuses for the loss, he admits that the experience of going from a 3-round fight to a 5-round fight threw him off:

Tom Taylor - January 30, 2017

On Saturday night, the UFC touched down in Denver, Colorado with UFC on Fox 23. In the evening’s co-main event, hometown hero Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone looked to extend his welterweight record to 5-0 with a win over the ever-dangerous Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal, however, had other plans. After very nearly finishing Cowboy in the first, the American Top Team staple put his his foe down with a series of hooks to the body in the second. Just over 24 hours removed from this massive win, Masvidal took time out of his busy schedule to speak with Chris Taylor of BJPenn.com.

Russell Ess - January 27, 2017

Jorge Masvidal is more than excited to meet Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in the middle of the Octagon at UFC on FOX 23 on January 28. Masvidal was a guest on Wednesday’s episode of BJPENN.COM Radio and told host Jason “Kinch” Kindschy that he knew it was just a matter of time that he would be fighting Cerrone, and now is looking to step in front of him in the rankings at welterweight for his climb up to a title shot.

Chris Taylor - January 22, 2017

Former two division UFC champion BJ Penn returned to the octagon at last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 103 event in Phoenix, Arizona. The UFC Hall of Famer, Penn, squared off with surging featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez in the evening’s main event.

Chris Taylor - January 22, 2017

UFC welterweight fighter Mike Perry suffered the first loss of his professional career at last month’s UFC on FOX event in Sacramento dropping a decision against surging division contender Alan Jouban. Prior to the setback, “Platinum” had put together a very impressive win streak which included six first-round finishes.

Chris Taylor - January 22, 2017

Welterweight knockout artist Mike Perry burst on to the UFC scene in 2016 scoring electrifying stoppage victories in his first two fights with the promotion. Unfortunately for fans of “Platinum”, the 170-pound slugger suffered his first career setback at December’s UFC on FOX event in Sacramento, dropping a decision loss to surging welterweight contender Alan Jouban on the evenings main card.

Russell Ess - January 16, 2017

It was not the outcome that BJ Penn and his loyal fans were looking for on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 103 in Phoenix, Arizona. The UFC Hall of Fame legend ended up losing to rising UFC star Yair Rodriguez in the main event of the evening in the second round as referee “Big” John McCarthy called a stop to the fight after Rodriguez dropped Penn for the first time in his career and followed up with a flurry of punches on the ground.

Chris Taylor - January 14, 2017

Later tonight UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn will return to the octagon for the first time since July of 2014 when he squares off with dangerous striker Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 103. Prior to tonight’s highly anticipated ‘UFC Phoenix’ main event, the former two division UFC champion delivered one final message for his fans. “I am very happy that I get to perform in front of my fans today. I’m going to leave it all out there for you guys tonight. I hope you guys all enjoy it and thank you so much for supporting me over the years. I started fighting in the UFC in 2001 and you guys still support me today in 2017. I am just so humbled and all I can say is thank you guys so much!”

Chris Taylor - January 14, 2017

Earlier this month, we interviewed top UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson about his upcoming rematch with current division title holder Tyron Woodley. Thompson told BJPENN.com that he wasn’t “Mentally there” in his first fight with Woodley at UFC 205 and added that fans would see a different “Wonderboy” in their rematch at UFC 209.

Chris Taylor - January 14, 2017

Current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will return to the octagon on March 4 in Las Vegas where he will rematch top contender Stephen Thompson in the main event of UFC 209. Thompson and Woodley first met at this past November’s UFC 205 event in New York, and after a five-round war the title fight was ruled a majority draw by the judges in attendance.

Chris Taylor - January 14, 2017

UFC welterweight standout Alan Jouban (15-4 MMA) is coming off arguably the finest performance of his octagon career at last month’s UFC on FOX 22 event in Sacramento, where he handed Mike Perry (9-1 MMA) the first loss of his professional career via unanimous decision. The victory marked Alan Jouban’s third win in a row and fifth in his past six octagon appearances.

Chris Taylor - January 12, 2017

UFC Hall of Famer and former two division world champion BJ Penn will return to the octagon this Sunday night in Phoenix when he meets surging featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 103. ‘The Prodigy’ recently caught up with BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor where he discussed his upcoming fight and unveiled his all-star corner for Sunday’s highly anticipated contest.

Russell Ess - January 10, 2017

UFC Hall of Fame legend BJ Penn makes his way back into the Octagon this Sunday at UFC Fight Night 103, which takes place in Phoenix, Arizona. The former two-time, two-division UFC champion will take on rising UFC star Yair Rodrigez in the main event of the evening.

Chris Taylor - January 10, 2017

Last month we reported that a UFC welterweight title fight rematch between top contender Stephen Thompson and current title holder Tyron Woodley was in the works for March’s UFC 209 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. Yesterday that title fight rematch became official, as Tyron Woodley announced on his podcast that he had accepted a rematch with “Wonderboy” for the March 4 event.

Chris Taylor - January 9, 2017

Last month we reported that a UFC welterweight title fight rematch between top contender Stephen Thompson and current title holder Tyron Woodley was in the works for March’s UFC 209 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. Earlier today that title fight rematch became official, as Tyron Woodley announced on his podcast that he had accepted a rematch with “Wonderboy” for the March 4 event.

Chris Taylor - January 8, 2017

Top UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson was last seen in action at November’s UFC 205 event where he battled current division title holder Tyron Woodley to a majority draw. The scrap between Woodley and Thompson was given “Fight of the night” honors and shortly after the event UFC president Dana White announced that an immediate rematch between the two would be booked by the promotion.

Chris Taylor - January 8, 2017

Cuban sensation Yoel Romero scored one of the most electrifying knockouts of 2016 when he devastated former division title holder Chris Weidman with a flying knee on the main card of November’s UFC 205 event in New York. With the win, “The Soldier of God” became the UFC 185-pound divisions top contender and secured himself a future title shot with current champion Michael “The Count” Bisping.