Exclusive MMA Interviews News
UFC 284 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev looks to defend his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -400 favorite while the Aussie is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Makhachev winning due to his size and strength but some do think Volkanovski can pull off the upset.
Jimmy Crute plans to "have a performance of a lifetime" against Alonzo Menifield in his return at UFC 284: "I'm a terrible matchup for every single person in this division"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
Jimmy Crute is set to end his 14-month layoff at UFC 284. Crute last fought in December of 2021 when he suffered a KO loss to Jamahal Hill. A couple of months later, Crute revealed he would be going under the knife for a serious knee injury. After rehabbing it, the timing worked out for him to have his return fight at home in Australia.
Modestas Bukauskas expects to finish Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 in his return to the Octagon: "The comeback story isn't a comeback story until I win in the UFC"
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2023
Modestas Bukauskas is back in the UFC. Bukauskas made his debut in 2020 on Fight Island and scored a first-round TKO win over Andreas Michailidis. However, he then lost his next three fights – losing by TKO to Jimmy Crute, dropping a controversial decision to Michal Oleksiejczuk, and losing by TKO to Khalil Rountree.
Max Rohskopf glad he's getting thrown "right into the mix" at lightweight at Bellator 290, says he doesn't "need to prove anything to anyone"
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Max Rohskopf will finally make his Bellator debut on Saturday at Bellator 290. Rohskopf was supposed to make his debut last October but on the day of the fight, he was scratched from the card after not being cleared by the commission. Rohskopf was frustrated by that as he says he was cleared by three separate doctors to compete.
Kyle Nelson believes he's got Doo Ho Choi "beat pretty much everywhere", expects to put him "to sleep" at UFC Vegas 68
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2023
Kyle Nelson will be dropping back down to featherweight. After Nelson lost by third-round KO to Billy Quarantillo, he said he would be moving up to lightweight for good. He then took on Jai Herbert at 155lbs but lost a decision. With that, he will now be returning to 145lbs at UFC Vegas 68 to face Doo Ho Choi.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2023
In the main event of Bellator 290, the heavyweight title is up for grabs as Ryan Bader rematches Fedor Emelianenko, in the Russian’s retirement fight. Heading into the fight, Bader is a -330 favorite while the Russian is a +275 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Bader gets his hand raised again but many are rooting for Emelianenko to get the win.
Johnny Eblen plans to "maul" Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 290 to defend title, eyes becoming champ-champ soon: "I'm gonna put it on him, man. It's going to be fun"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2023
Johnny Eblen knew Anatoly Tokov would be next for him. Eblen became Bellator’s middleweight champion last June with a dominant decision win over Gegard Mousasi. After the win, Eblen didn’t know when he would fight but after the Nemkov-Romero scrap was called off, he figured his first title defense would be added to Bellator 290.
Devin Clark plans "ground and pound" finish in the second round against Da Un Jung at UFC Vegas 68: "I have to get control of him"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2023
Devin Clark was excited to go to South Korea to face Da Un Jung. When Clark originally got the matchup to face Jung the bout was set to be in Seoul, South Korea. It was a trip Clark was looking forward to as he wanted to see a different part of the world, but just before Christmas he got word the event was moving to Las Vegas.
Cody Stamann eyes Daniel Marcos after UFC 283 win over Luan Lacerda: "I love derailing people's hype and shutting down a hype train"
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2023
Cody Stamann knew fighting a Brazilian in Rio de Janeiro would be tough. Stamann was taking on UFC newcomer, Luan Lacerda at UFC 283, and going into the fight, the American made it clear he would give it back to the Brazilian fans if need be. Yet, throughout fight week, the fans surprised him by being nice and talking to him, but once he got into the arena, he says the fans were brutal.
Diego Sanchez rips the Nevada State Athletic Commission for not sanctioning BKFC but allowing Power Slap
Cole Shelton - January 27, 2023
Diego Sanchez doesn’t get why the Nevada State Athletic Commission won’t sanction Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. BKFC has been sanctioned in several states but Nevada is the most prominent state the promotion and sport haven’t been allowed into. Yet, many have been critical of that decision after the NSAC allowed Power Slap to be a thing.
Thiago Moises says if Melquizael Costa didn't tap at UFC 283 he would've broken "his face", uncertain if the promotion gives him Paddy Pimblett
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Thiago Moises was worried he wasn’t going to fight at UFC 283 in Brazil. Moises was supposed to face Guram Kutateladze but the Georgian pulled out of the fight just weeks prior to the event. With that, Moises was worried the UFC wouldn’t find him a replacement, but they ultimately did as he took on UFC newcomer Melquizael Costa.
Diego Sanchez fires back at people who think he has CTE and brain damage: "I will get out of this sport if I ever have one underlying factor of CTE"
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Diego Sanchez is tired of people saying he has brain damage and CTE. Sanchez has been fighting professionally since 2002 and has fought a total of 44 times. Although all those matches have been in MMA, he will be making his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 3 on February 17 against a former boxing world champion, Austin Trout.
Cody Stamann says he'll need a "private escort" out of Brazil after UFC 283: "I'm f*****g flipping these guys off and throwing their beer cans back at them"
Cole Shelton - January 20, 2023
Cody Stamann is ready to be in hostile territory on Saturday. Stamann is set to take on UFC newcomer, Luan Lacerda at UFC 283 in Brazil as Lacerda gets to make his debut at home. Although Stamann has never fought in Brazil, he did corner his teammate Daron Cruickshank and is familiar with the Brazilian fans chanting ‘Uh vai morrer’ which translates to ‘You Will Die.’
UFC 283 | Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Neil Magny
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2023
On the main card of UFC 283, a welterweight fight goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Neil Magny. Heading into the fight, Burns is a massive -500 favorite while the American is a +340 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros expect Burns to get it done with his grappling and can likely even get a submission win at home in Brazil.
UFC 283 | Pro fighters make their picks for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4 title fight
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 283, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Deiveson Figueiredo looks to defend his strap as he and Brandon Moreno settle the score as they fight for the fourth time. Figueiredo enters the fight as a +102 underdog while the Mexican is a -130 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The fighters are nearly unanimous in thinking Moreno gets it done and becomes the champ again, in likely another competitive fight.
Cody Stamann plans to show Luan Lacerda "there are levels to this game" at UFC 283: "I'm going to set this kid down early and eventually get him out of there"
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2023
Cody Stamann didn’t want to go to Brazil to fight a UFC newcomer, but that’s the fight he was offered. After Stamann knocked out Eddie Wineland in June in less than a minute, he wanted a quick turnaround. Yet, for different reasons, it never came to fruition and he was then offered UFC newcomer, Luan Lacerda at UFC 283 which he accepted.
Terrance McKinney plans to silence the crowd at UFC 283 with a KO win over Ismael Bonfim: "I think it might be something crazy, fans should expect something insane"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Terrance McKinney has said his dream was to fight in Brazil and he now gets his wish at UFC 283. McKinney is set to face Ismael Bonfim at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although McKinney is fighting a UFC newcomer, he says the reason he took this fight is because it is in Brazil, which has been his dream to fight there.
Johnny Walker not ruling out grappling with Paul Craig, plans to get a stoppage win at UFC 283: "If 2023 goes the way I want, I get the title shot in 2024"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Johnny Walker is prepared to grapple at UFC 283. Walker is set to be on the pay-per-view main card against Paul Craig in an intriguing matchup at light heavyweight. It’s also exciting for Walker as he gets to fight at home in Rio de Janeiro in front of his friends and family.