Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Jim Miller expects to "overwhelm" Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84, has an "inclination" of who he will fight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
Jim Miller always wanted to fight one more time before UFC 300. For years, Miller has been vocal that he wants to compete at UFC 300, given he has competed at both UFC 100 and 200. However, many were surprised when Miller was booked to fight at UFC Vegas 84 on Jan. 13, exactly three months before the historic event.
Louis Smolka entering tech world as fighting future in doubt after UFC release: "I went back to school"
Cole Shelton - January 8, 2024
Louis Smolka has done a complete 180 with his career. After Smolka suffered a KO loss to Davey Grant at UFC Vegas 54 in May of 2022, which was his second straight loss, he was released from the UFC. With Smolka having been cut from the promotion for the second time, the Hawaiian wasn’t sure what his future held, so he decided to go back to school with an eye toward a tech job.
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 296, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja takes on Brandon Royval in a rematch of their 2021 fight. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -205 favorite while the challenger is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 296. The pros lean towards Pantoja retaining his flyweight title and likely doing so by submission as he did in the first fight.
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
On the main card of UFC 296, an intriguing lightweight bout goes down as Paddy Pimblett takes on Tony Ferguson. Heading into the fight, Pimblett is a sizeable -330 favorite while ‘El Cucuy’ is a +240 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 296. Many of the pros made it clear they are rooting for Ferguson to turn back the clock to get the win, but don’t think it will happen.
Brian Kelleher confident he can bring out the "old" Cody Garbrandt in a "firefight" at UFC 296: "He's an emotional guy"
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Brian Kelleher is relieved to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Kelleher hasn’t fought since June of 2022 when he suffered a submission loss to Mario Bautista. He was supposed to face Journey Newson in April of this year, but was removed from the scrap on fight week as he had a neck issue that needed to be fixed.
Ian Machado Garry plans to do "something pretty spectacular" against Vicente Luque at UFC 296: "100 percent”
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Ian Machado Garry is ready to make a statement at UFC 296 on Saturday. Garry is set to take on Vicente Luque in a very intriguing welterweight fight. The two are former teammates at Kill Cliff and have trained and sparred with one another in the past. However, despite their history, he had no hesitation to take the fight as the Irishman had changed his camp to Chute Box.
Vicente Luque eager for "striking match" against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 296: "It will be the Fight Night"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Vicente Luque is confident he will derail the hype of Ian Machado Garry at UFC 296. Luque returned to the win column back in August with a decision win over Rafael dos Anjos in a Fight Night main event. It was his first fight in a year, and after the win, Luque made it clear that he wanted to fight one more time in 2023.
Jan Blachowicz calls for Jiri Prochazka headliner in Europe after he returns from shoulder surgery
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is hopeful to face Jiri Prochazka in the main event of a Fight Night card in Europe. Blachowicz is set for shoulder surgery, hopefully in the next week or two, he revealed to BJPENN.com on Friday. The plan is for the Pole to return in the summer, once he does the rehab and gets a training camp in.
Jan Blachowicz details shoulder injury, lays out timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz says his shoulder injury was something that has hindered him for years now. On Thursday it was revealed that Blachowicz was forced out of his UFC 297 rematch against Aleksandar Rakic due to him needing shoulder surgery. Speaking exclusively to BJPENN.com on Friday afternoon, Blachowicz revealed the injury is something he has been dealing with for years but finally gave out, which forced him to need the surgery.
Drakkar Klose calls for "the easiest fight in the UFC" Mark Madsen at UFC 299 after slam KO win
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2023
Drakkar Klose was relieved to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Klose was returning to action for the first time since tearing his ACL and when he squared off with Joe Solecki at UFC Austin. Heading into the fight, he said he wasn’t worried about the ring rust as he had full confidence in his training camp.
Cody Brundage believes he can "break" Zach Reese at UFC Austin: "I'm not a guy they feed people to"
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2023
Cody Brundage wasn’t sure if he was going to get another fight in the UFC. Brundage is coming off a DQ win over Jacob Malkoun after the Australian was disqualified for illegal shots to the back of the end. The win snapped his three-fight losing skid, but it was also the final fight of his deal.
Pro fighters make their picks for Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2023
In the main event of UFC Austin, a battle of top-eight lightweights goes down as Beneil Dariush takes on Arman Tsarukyan. Heading into the fight, Dariush is a sizeable +250 underdog while the Armenian is a -310 favorite. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the fight. The pros slightly lean towards Dariush getting his hand raised at UFC Austin.
Drakkar Klose eyes KO win over Joe Solecki at UFC Austin in return from torn ACL to prove he deserves a ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - November 29, 2023
Drakkar Klose is no stranger to dealing with injuries and layoffs. Klose was supposed to fight last October against Mark O. Madsen but he tore his ACL which forced him on the sidelines for over a year. Although Klose was able to return to training six months after the surgery, he says he was extra cautious to make sure he was 100 percent before returning to action.
Jimmie Rivera expecting a "brawl" against Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 56: "I'm going in there for a war"
Cole Shelton - November 28, 2023
Jimmie Rivera is excited to throw down with Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 56. Rivera hasn’t fought since May when he beat Bekhzod Usmonov by decision in his second BKFC fight. While Rivera admits he was hopeful to return sooner, he is glad he was patient and now gets to be on a massive BKFC 56 card.
Beneil Dariush vows to "break" Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Austin: "I'm going to go out there and put on a show"
Cole Shelton - November 28, 2023
Beneil Dariush is ready for his first UFC main event. Dariush will make the walk to the Octagon for the 23rd time on Saturday at UFC Austin against Arman Tsarukyan, and it’s his first time being in the main event.
Chase Hooper explains why he was "surprised" to finish Jordan Leavitt in the first round at UFC Vegas 82
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Chase Hooper has his first win streak in the UFC. Hooper moved up to lightweight back in May and scored a decision win over Nick Fiore. He was then booked to face Jordan Leavitt at UFC Vegas 82 in a scrap he was a sizeable betting favorite.
Danny Sabatello plans to "dominate, motherf****r" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 301: "We know he has a brittle chin"
Cole Shelton - November 15, 2023
Danny Sabatello called for a rematch with Raufeon Stots ever since they fought in October of 2022. Sabatello and Stots fought in the semi-finals of the bantamweight Grand Prix, and Stots ended up winning a split decision. Since then, Sabataello was adamant he won the fight and called for a rematch.
Patchy Mix admits he was unsure Bellator 301 title fight would happen, vows to "break" Sergio Pettis
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Patchy Mix wasn’t sure if he was going to get the chance to fight Sergio Pettis. After Mix knocked out Raufeon Stots back in April to become the interim champ and the grand prix winner, it secured him a title shot. He was booked to face the bantamweight champ, Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301. But, with all the rumors that the promotion would be sold, Mix wasn’t sure if this fight was going to happen.