Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Ben Rothwell eyes return at KnuckleMania, says he doubts Greg Hardy will ever fight in BKFC
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2022
Ben Rothwell couldn’t have had a better BKFC debut. Rothwell made his promotional debut at BKFC 30 and scored a 19-second knockout win over Bobo O’Bannon. Heading into the fight, the longtime UFC veteran was confident he would have success in BKFC but didn’t expect his debut to go that well.
Brandon Royval details "frustrating" end to 2022, expects to face Matheus Nicolau next: "It would be an interesting style to fight"
Cole Shelton - December 23, 2022
Brandon Royval has had a rough ending to 2022. Royval kicked off the year in January with a decision win over Rogerio Bontorin and then submitted Matt Schnell in May. He was then booked to face Askar Askarov in October but the Russian botched his weight cut and the fight was off.
BKFC president says the contract they will offer Nate Diaz will make it "hard for him to say no," hopes to make Mike Perry fight
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2022
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president, David Feldman thinks the offer BKFC will give Nate Diaz will be tough to turn down. After Diaz fought out his contract at UFC 279 with a submission victory over Tony Ferguson he became one of the biggest free agents in recent memory. Most of the promotions will be after him, and BKFC is no different as they have already reached out to his camp and plan on making a solid offer.
BKFC president says if Paige VanZant doesn't re-sign "it was a good ride and a good decision," but still open to extending her contract
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2022
David Feldman isn’t ruling out Paige Vanzant extending her contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. VanZant shocked many when she fought out her UFC contract and signed with BKFC. However, she has lost both of her fights with promotion, suffering losses to Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich. Since her second loss in July of 2021, she hasn’t fought since. But, Feldman hopes the former UFC fighter will return in February at KnuckleMania 3.
Billy Quarantillo says he knew he would break Alexander Hernandez at UFC 282, wants Edson Barboza next
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2022
Billy Quarantillo was expecting a dog fight when he fought Alexander Hernandez at UFC 282 and that is exactly what he got. When Quarantillo got the call to face Hernandez, he was surprised Alexander was dropping down to featherweight. Yet, after studying him, Quarantillo knew the first round would be tough, which is exactly what happened.
Journey Newson expects a "high-pace" fight against Sergey Morozov but believes he will KO him: "I can easily KO this guy, honestly"
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2022
Journey Newson wanted to get one more fight this year and he has gotten his wish. Newson ended his layoff in May at UFC 274 as he beat Fernie Garcia by decision. After the win, the plan was to fight at the end of the year and he will return at UFC Vegas 66 against Sergey Morozov.
Saidyokub Kakhramonov believes he will "make it look easy" against Said Nurmagomedov, vows to fight for the belt by the end of 2023
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2022
Saidyokub Kakhramonov is confident he will beat Said Nurmagomedov with ease. Kakhramonov is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 66 against Nurmagomedov as the 27-year-old wanted to fight one more time this year. He improved to 2-0 in the UFC back in July with a decision win over Ronnie Lawrence. Now, he will fight on the final card of the year against Nurmagomedov.
Bryan Battle plans to "make a statement" against Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 66: "It will be a really bad night for him"
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2022
Bryan Battle was preparing to fight by the end of the year. After Battle knocked out Takashi Sato in 44 seconds in June, he wanted a quick turnaround. Yet, that did not come to fruition so when Michael Morales was forced out of his fight against Rinat Fakhretdinov, Battle immediately took the scrap on short notice.
Cody Brundage believes Michal Oleksiejczuk has holes in his game that he will "exploit" at UFC Vegas 66: "I think I can get him out of there"
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2022
Cody Brundage is excited to fight one more time in 2022. Brundage was supposed to face Rodolfo Vieira in November but the Brazilian pulled out on fight week. The news was disappointing for Brundage as no replacement opponent was found – despite him being offered one.
Julian Erosa believes Alex Caceres won't be able to keep up with his pressure, plans to "break him in the third round" at UFC Vegas 66
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2022
Julian Erosa has gotten his wish for the third straight fight. After Erosa beat Charles Jourdain, he called out Steven Peterson and got that fight and won a decision. He then called out Hakeem Dawodu – and once again got his wish. Then, after his win over Dawodu, he called out Alex Caceres who he will fight at UFC Vegas 66.
Sean Strickland can beat Jared Cannonier "pretty easily" at UFC Vegas 66 if he fights smart, says teammate: "He should do well in this if he fights with his head and not his pride"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2022
Chris Curtis believes Sean Strickland should beat Jared Cannonier with ease in the main event of UFC Vegas 66 on Saturday. Strickland and Cannonier were supposed to fight in October but the bout was rescheduled due to Strickland’s finger being infected. Although the two have more time to prepare for one another, Curtis and everyone at Xtreme Couture after confident Strickland will get his hand raised if he fights smart. Yet, that is the big question of if he will fight smart.
Jonathan Pearce eyes Giga Chikadze or Dan Ige next after win over Darren Elkins: "I know there is not a guy in this division that can beat me"
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2022
Jonathan Pearce knew it would be hard to finish Darren Elkins, but is happy with his performance. Pearce was looking to improve to 5-0 at featherweight at UFC Orlando and was taking on Elkins. He had a ton of confidence heading into the scrap and he believes he showcased all his skills and showed how good he is.
Jay Perrin sends a wanrning to Raul Rosas Jr., confident he'll "clean this guy up" at UFC 282: "I'm a dog brother and you have never been in a dog fight"
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2022
Jay Perrin is ready to shock the world. Perrin’s first two UFC fights have not gone his way as he lost to Mario Bautista on short notice. He then dropped a very close decision to Aoriqileng at UFC 278. Yet, those losses have given him the chance to fight 18-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC 282 which Perrin is excited about.
Billy Quarantillo expects to "break" Alexander Hernandez at UFC 282: "I'm trying to drag it into deep waters and make it a grimy, grueling fight"
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2022
Billy Quarantillo was surprised when he got the call to face Alexander Hernandez at UFC 282. After Quarantillo lost to Shane Burgos at UFC 268 last year, he wasn’t sure what would be next for him. He was then supposed to face Bill Algeo at UFC Long Island. However, Quarantillo had to pull out due to an injury which was heartbreaking for him.
UFC 282 | Pro fighters make their picks for Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2022
In the co-main event of UFC 282, a lightweight scrap goes down as Paddy Pimblett makes his pay-per-view debut against Jared Gordon. Heading into the fight, Pimblett is a -250 favorite while the American is a +190 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Pimblett’s hype is real and will likely get a stoppage win here and continue his rise and improve to 4-0 in the UFC.
Danny Sabatello plans to "expose" and "dominate" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 289 to win interim belt: “I'm more than pumped to go f**k this guy up”
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2022
Danny Sabatello is happy he can finally share the cage with Raufeon Stots. Sabatello and Stots are set to headline Bellator 289 in a semi-final matchup of the grand prix. The fight is also for the interim bantamweight title – as Stots looks to defend it for the first time. It’s also a fight Sabatello has wanted for quite some time and is excited it’s finally happening.
UFC 282 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev title fight
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2022
In the main event of UFC 282, the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Jan Blachowicz takes on Magomed Ankalaev. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a +200 underdog while the Russian is a -265 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Ankalaev is the real deal and will become the UFC’s new light heavyweight champion.
Chris Daukaus plans to make it an "MMA fight" against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 282: "I do think I'm a bad matchup for him and better in all areas"
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2022
Chris Daukaus wasn’t sure who was going to be next for him. After Daukaus lost back-to-back fights to Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes, he knew he needed to take some time off. After taking several months off, he was booked to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik in October. Yet, the fight got pushed back to UFC 282 which Daukaus is fine with.