Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Pro fighters make their picks for Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 50, top-10 light heavyweights collide as Thiago Santos takes on Magomed Ankalaev. Heading into the fight, Ankalaev is a massive -600 favorite while the Brazilian is a +425 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. To no surprise, as the odds suggest, the pros are actually nearly split on this one as some think Santos is too much of a step-up while others believe Ankalaev is the real deal.
Jalin Turner wants to return at UFC 277 in Anaheim, but needs to sign a new contract first
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Jalin Turner is pleased with his UFC 272 TKO win over Jamie Mullarkey. Heading into the fight, Turner knew Mullarkey was durable as no one had finished him in the UFC but he was confident he would change that. The two traded shots in the first but in the second, he landed a big shot and quickly finished it to get the biggest win of his career.
Terrance McKinney eyes "something spectacular" to finish Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50: "Expect some fireworks"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Terrance McKinney said he wanted a quick turnaround and he is doing just that. After defeating Fares Ziam by first-round submission at UFC Vegas 49, ‘T.Wrecks’ has stepped up on a weeks’ notice to face Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50. It’s an intriguing matchup and one McKinney wanted right when he saw Ricky Glenn was out of the fight.
Diego Sanchez says UFC would rather "go under" than pay fighters more money: "It's a greedy organization"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Diego Sanchez isn’t mad at the UFC for the way things ended but doesn’t like how they treat fighters. Sanchez was supposed to face Donald Cerrone last May in a potential retirement fight, but the promotion decided to cut him due to his ties with Joshua Fabia. After that, Sanchez explored his options and signed with Eagle FC where he will face Kevin Lee on Friday night.
Kevin Lee reveals his plans for Diego Sanchez at Eagle FC 46: "I'm going to break his body where he can't take it anymore"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2022
Kevin Lee expects to beat Diego Sanchez badly on Friday night in the main event of Eagle FC 46. After Lee was released by the UFC, he was quick to sign with Eagle FC and after his press conference, he told BJPENN.com he was told it’s likely Sanchez would be his first opponent. That ended up being the case which he is excited about.
Diego Sanchez fighting for legacy at Eagle FC, confident he will upset Kevin Lee to earn a title shot: "The guy he's watching on tape is not the guy who I am"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2022
Diego Sanchez says he’s fighting for his legacy on Friday night. Sanchez is set to headline Eagle FC 46 in Miami against Kevin Lee in an intriguing matchup. Before the fight came together, he was rumored to sign with BKFC which he says was nearly done until he realized he had unfinished business in MMA.
Dustin Jacoby believes Michal Oleksiejczuk scrap has "Fight of the Night written all over it," eyes stoppage win at UFC 272
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2022
Dustin Jacoby is excited to face Michal Olesiejczuk at UFC 272 as he believes it’s a fun fight for the fans. Jacoby is coming off a decision win over John Allan at UFC 268 which was his second in a row and since returning to the UFC, he’s 4-0-1. Against Oleksiejczuk, he knows this will be a fun fight as he believes they will stand and trade with one another.
Jalin Turner plans to finish "durable" Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 272: "He relies on his durability, that's not good when you fight me"
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2022
Jalin Turner is excited to share the Octagon with Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 272. Turner and Mullarkey were booked to fight one another at UFC Auckland, the card headlined by Paul Felder and Dan Hooker, but Mullarkey was forced out of the bout. Now, they are set to meet on Saturday night and Turner’s confidence has only grown.
UFC 272 | Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2022
In the main event of UFC 272, a grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal goes down. Covington is a sizeable -320 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +250 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are going with Covington as they believe his wrestling will be too much while some think Masvidal finds the KO.
Tim Elliott says there's no "danger factor" against Tagir Ulanbekov, plans to finish him early at UFC 272
Cole Shelton - March 1, 2022
Tim Elliott says he’s finally excited to fight for the first time in a long time. Elliott is set to return at UFC 272 against Tagir Ulanbekov and the former UFC flyweight title challenger is stoked to be fighting in front of fans again.
Terrance McKinney says UFC needs to put him "with a ranked opponent before one of these guys gets hurt" after victory over Fares Ziam
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2022
Terrance McKinney hopes he can get a ranked opponent next. McKinney made good of his second UFC fight as he submitted Fares Ziam in the first round at UFC Vegas 49. In his debut, he knocked out Matt Frevola in seven seconds and he says this fight was all about proving it wasn’t a fluke.
David Onama proud to be first Uganda fighter to win in UFC, hopes to lead the way for more to join him
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2022
David Onama made history on Saturday night as he became the first fighter from Uganda to win in the UFC. Onama became the first fighter from Uganda to make it to the UFC last October, but at UFC Vegas 48 he scored a first-round KO win over Gabriel Benitez. It was a great performance from Onama but early on, Benitez punched him in the eye that Onama admits messed up his vision for a bit.
Micheal Gillmore believes he'll have more success at welterweight after TUF stint: "I achieved a goal of getting to the UFC but the next step is to get a UFC win"
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2022
Micheal Gillmore always planned on dropping to welterweight. Gillmore competed on The Ultimate Fighter 29 where he was an alternate on the show. He quit his job to be an alternate and got his shot on short notice but suffered a stoppage loss to Gilbert Urbina. He then got a short-notice fight against Andre Petroski in his debut and suffered a submission loss.
Terrance McKinney plans to follow up 7-second KO with "something spectacular" against Fares Ziam at UFC Vegas 49
Cole Shelton - February 23, 2022
Terrance McKinney is looking to build off his seven-second KO win over Matt Frevola in his debut. Back in June at UFC 263, McKinney stepped up on short notice and scored the KO win. He was then booked to fight Fares Ziam in November, but after a cornerman tested positive for COVID-19 the fight was scrapped. He will now face Ziam on Saturday at UFC Vegas 49 where he’s expecting to finish the fight in spectacular fashion.
Renato Moicano eyes main event fight against Bobby Green or Brad Riddell after UFC 271 win
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2022
Renato Moicano has his eyes on two possible opponents for his next fight after submitting Alexander Hernandez at UFC 271. Moicano had success on the feet and appeared to rock Hernandez and ended up getting ahold of his back and submitting Hernandez. It was the first time Hernandez was submitted in his career and the Brazilian says he is very happy with his performance.
Chad Anheliger shares bold prediction for his UFC Vegas 48 fight with Jesse Strader: “There is no way he makes it 15 minutes”
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2022
Chad Anheliger is ready to finally make his UFC debut. The 36-year-old, Alberta native started his MMA career out 2-5 but has since rallied off nine wins in a row, including his last on the Contender Series. He will now make his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 48 against Jesse Strader which is a fight he’s excited about.
Parker Porter plans to take Alan Baudot into "deep waters" to get the finish, eyes rematch with Chris Daukaus in the future
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Parker Porter thought about retiring before getting a call from the UFC and now he’s focused on entering the rankings. Porter made his UFC debut on just days’ notice at UFC 252 and suffered a first-round TKO loss to Chris Daukaus. Since then, however, he beat Josh Parisian and Chase Sherman by decision. He will now return at UFC Vegas 48 against Alan Baudot who’s 0-1 with one No-Contest in the UFC. Despite Baudot being on a skid, Porter says he isn’t surprised they are matched up with one another. He also likes the matchup for him.
Kyle Daukaus expects to finish Jamie Pickett early and earn a ranked opponent next: "I don't see him lasting very long"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2022
Kyle Daukaus is glad he will still be fighting on Saturday at UFC Vegas 48. Daukaus was originally set to face Julian Marquez but less than two weeks out, he was forced to withdraw from the fight. After hearing of the news, Daukaus asked the UFC to find him a replacement and they did just that as he will now take on Jamie Pickett at UFC Vegas 48, but the bout will be a 195lbs catchweight.