Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder
Cole Shelton - July 23, 2025
In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, a middleweight bout goes down on Saturday as former champion Robert Whittaker takes on Reinier de Ridder. Heading into the bout, Whittaker is a -160 favorite, while the Dutch fighter is a +124 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC Abu Dhabi, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the intriguing middleweight bout. The majority of pros believe Whittaker will be able to keep the fight standing and get a win, and possibly even finish de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Marcus McGhee ecstatic to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi: "My game is to finish guys"
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Marcus McGhee was surprised he got the call to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi. McGhee is ranked 13th at bantamweight and thought he’d get a top-10 opponent next. Yet, he got the call to fight former champion and third-ranked bantamweight Petr Yan at UFC bantamweight, which was a surprise to him.
UFC 318 | Pro fighters make their picks for Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier 3 BMF title fight
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2025
In the main event of UFC 318, the BMF title is on the line as Max Holloway defends the strap in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. Heading into the fight, Holloway is a -132 favorite while ‘The Diamond’ is a +104 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the BMF title fight at UFC 318, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are leaning toward Poirier getting the job done in his retirement fight and going 3-0 against Holloway in his career.
Austen Lane eager to throw down with Vitor Petrino at UFC Nashville: "The dude is always down to brawl"
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2025
Austen Lane is glad to be fighting again so soon as he looks to get back into the win column. Lane is coming off a KO loss to Mario Pinto back in March. After the loss, Lane had to deal with some personal stuff involving his stepdad, but is now ready to return and is eager to fight in front of fans at UFC Nashville.
Steve Garcia confident he will be first person to KO Calvin Kattar at UFC Nashville: "We are going to swing and watch someone fall"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2025
Steve Garcia is ready to make a statement and prove he is a top-ranked featherweight at UFC Nashville. Garcia was supposed to face Edson Barboza at UFC Seattle in February, but the Brazilian had to pull out. After he withdrew, it was disappointing for Garcia, as it was going to be a big-name opponent he could build his name off of.
Terrance McKinney vows to "test" Viacheslav Borshchev's chin early at UFC 317: "I'm coming for the first-round finish"
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2025
Terrance McKinney is looking to put on a statement at UFC 317. McKinney is set to take on Viacheslav Borshchev in an intriguing lightweight scrap. McKinney is coming off a dominant win over Damir Hadzovic back in February. After the win, McKinney wasn’t sure what would be next, but he was thrilled when he got the call to fight at International Fight Week.
UFC 317 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira title fight
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2025
In the main event of UFC 317, the vacant lightweight title is up for grabs as Ilia Topuria takes on Charles Oliveira. Heading into the fight, Topuria is a sizeable -500 favorite while the Brazilian is a +340 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the lightweight title fight at UFC 317, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Topuria is too good on the feet and will be able to land big shots to likely KO Oliveira to become the lightweight champ and a two-weight champ.
Beneil Dariush expects to "smash" Renato Moicano at UFC 317 after watching Islam Makhachev bout
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2025
Beneil Dariush has plenty of confidence that he will beat Renato Moicano at UFC 317. Dariush was supposed to fight Moicano back in January, but the Brazilian ended up getting a title shot against Islam Makhachev on a day’s notice after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out. After Dariush lost the fight, he was hoping to return sooner, but is glad he is getting a chance to face Moicano.
Michael Chiesa not hiding game plan against Court McGee at UFC Atlanta: "I'll stick to my strengths, it's no secret what that is"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2025
Michael Chiesa is glad to fight a veteran like Court McGee at UFC Atlanta. Chiesa was rumored to be fighting in Seattle earlier this year, but it didn’t come to fruition. Although he was disappointed not to fight at home, he says this timeline is better for him.
UFC 316 | Pro fighters make their picks for Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison title fight
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, the women’s bantamweight title is up for grabs as Julianna Pena defends her belt against Kayla Harrison. Heading into the fight, Pena is a massive +450 underdog while the challenger is a -720 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC 316, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the women’s bantamweight title fight. The pros expect Harrison to become the new champ, but many fighters think it will be a much closer fight than the odds suggest.
Tristan Hamm fires back at Uly Diaz as talks for boxing match intensify: "He did not beat me up in sparring"
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2025
Tristan Hamm is looking to bring Uly Diaz into the influencer boxing scene. Diaz recently spoke to BJPENN.com and called out Hamm for a boxing match in Misfits in Miami. They used to spar together, and Diaz wants to prove how much better he is than Hamm. However, the Canadian disagreed and fired back at what Diaz had to say.
UFC 316 | Pro fighters make their picks for Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2025
In the main event of UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Merab Dvalishvili defends his belt against Sean O’Malley in a rematch of their fight last September. Heading into the fight, Dvalishvili is a -310 favorite while ‘Suga’ is a +230 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC 316, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the bantamweight title fight. The pros believe Dvalishvili will be too much for O’Malley again as he will be able to take ‘Suga’ down and get a decision win to defend his belt.
Jack Hermansson is "quite happy" to make return against Gregory Rodrigues at UFC 317
Cole Shelton - May 20, 2025
Jack Hermansson will finally make his return to the Octagon at UFC 317 on June 28. Hermansson hasn’t fought since February of 2024 when he beat Joe Pyfer by decision. Since then, he has dealt with some injuries that have kept him sidelined, but he’s glad to return on such a big card in front of fans.
Julian Erosa expects to secure D'Arce choke against Melquizael Costa at UFC Vegas 106
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2025
Julian Erosa is ecstatic to be making a quick turnaround. Erosa is coming off a first-round stoppage win over Darren Elkins back at UFC 314. Just over a month later, he will return at UFC Vegas 106 when he takes on Melquizael Costa.
Thiago Moises confident he will finish Jared Gordon in a "fun fight" at UFC Vegas 106: "I have the skills to beat him"
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2025
Thiago Moises has plenty of confidence in his skills ahead of his UFC Vegas 106 fight against Jared Gordon. After Moises beat Trey Ogden in January, he wanted to fight again as he and his wife are expecting a girl at the beginning of June. So, Moises is thankful the UFC granted his wish as he will return on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 106.
Jack Hermansson details the reason for his 16-month layoff ahead return at UFC 317
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2025
Jack Hermansson will finally make his return to the Octagon at UFC 317 at the end of June. Hermansson last fought in February of 2024 when he beat Joe Pyfer by decision in a five-round main event. After that fight, Hermansson suffered some injuries that forced him to be on the sidelines and not be able to fight.
UFC 315 | Pro fighters make their picks for Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena title fight
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025
In the main event of UFC 315, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Belal Muhammad takes on Jack Della Maddalena. Heading into the fight, Muhammad is a -188 favorite while the challenger is a +146 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the welterweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Muhammad’s pace and wrestling will be too much as he will defend his belt, most likely by decision.
Modestas Bukauskas eyes stoppage win in an "explosive" fight against Ion Cutelaba at UFC 315: "Steal the show"
Cole Shelton - May 6, 2025
Modestas Bukauskas is expecting a wild and explosive fight against Ion Cutelaba at UFC 315. After Bukauskas and Cutelaba both won at UFC Seattle, he called for the fight as he thought it would be exciting and would make sense. The UFC agreed and made the fight quickly as the two will fight not even three months later.