Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Bryce Hall explains why he decided to fight in BKFC, confident he'll KO Gee Perez at BKFC 48: "I bet I can put him down"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2023
Bryce Hall surprised many when it was revealed he was set to fight at BKFC 48. Hall is a massive influencer with over 6.5 million followers on Instagram. He also is no stranger to fighting as he boxed YouTuber Austin McBroom in June of 2021 when he suffered a TKO loss.
Vicente Luque believes Rafael dos Anjos is the "perfect fight" for his return at UFC Vegas 78: "I do believe I can finish him"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2023
Vicente Luque needed to make some changes after losing back-to-back fights. Luque is coming off a knockout loss to Geoff Neal and before that dropped a decision to Belal Muhammad. After his last loss, he suffered a brain hemorrhage which is why he hasn’t fought for over a year.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals other States have reached out to host ONE Championship after "record-breaking" event in Denver
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong admits he was surprised with the reception the promotion got for their United States debut. Back in May, ONE made its promotional debut in the States as ONE Championship held an event in Denver, Colorado. It was something the promotion has talked about for years, but Chatri Sityodtong was still uncertain how the US fans would like ONE Championship.
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.
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.
Billy Quarantillo plans to "smoke" Damon Jackson at UFC Nashville and prove he belongs: "A finish is what I am after"
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2023
Billy Quarantillo is looking to remind everyone just how good he is. Quarantillo is well-aware that MMA fans only remember people’s last fights. Unfortunately for Quarantillo, his last fight was a KO loss to Edson Barboza in the first round.
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.
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.
UFC 291 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 BMF title fight
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
In the main event of UFC 291, the vacant BMF title is up for grabs as Dustin Poirier takes on Justin Gaethje in a highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the scrap, Poirier is a -162 favorite while ‘The Highlight’ is a +126 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Poirier will get the win in a rematch but most, to no surprise, are expecting it to be a potential Fight of the Year contender.
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.
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.
Evan Elder knows he's fighting for his job at UFC Vegas 77 but is confident he'll finish Genaro Valdez
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2023
Evan Elder knows his UFC Vegas 77 against Genaro Valdez is do-or-die for his career. Elder is 0-2 in the UFC, but last time out, he suffered a stoppage loss to Nazim Sadykhov due to a cut in a fight where he was up 20-18 on all three judges’ scorecards. Despite the disappointing result, Elder gained a lot of confidence from that fight.
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.
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.