Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Ciryl Gane says keeping the distance is key to defeating Francis Ngannou, wants to be the first person to finish him
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Ciryl Gane is well-aware of Francis Ngannou’s power due to the time they spent training with one another. Gane and Ngannou used to train with each other years ago and during that time, the Frenchman says he remembers the power of the champ. He also says he enters every fight knowing he can get knocked out so nothing changes in preparation to face Ngannou.
Rob Font vs. Cory Sandhagen next "makes sense," says coach Tyson Chartier
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2022
Tyson Chartier was proud of Rob Font as he believes he fought a very good fight against Jose Aldo. Font had a ton of success but there were a couple of points where he made a mistake and Aldo capitalized and dropped him. According to Chartier, he believes the first knockdown that broke Font’s orbital bone set the tone for the rest of the scrap, as Aldo won a decision. Yet, he is proud of his pupil as he believes they can take a lot of good from it.
Joseph Holmes expects to finish "one-dimensional" Jamie Pickett at UFC Vegas 46
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2022
Joseph Holmes is eager to finally make his UFC debut. Holmes won by submission on the Contender Series but Dana White decided he wanted to see some more. He then competed at Dana White’s Lookin’ For A Fight, where he scored a KO win and got a UFC contract. After getting the deal, he agreed to a short-notice fight to face Jamie Pickett at UFC Vegas 46 which he’s excited about.
Chase Sherman knows Jake Collier fight is do-or-die for his UFC career: "This is the last fight on my contract"
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2022
Chase Sherman says his UFC Vegas 46 co-main event fight against Jake Collier is do-or-die for his UFC career. Sherman is coming off back-to-back losses to Parker Porter and Andrei Arlovski and after the last loss, he wasn’t sure what would be next for him. When he got the call to fight Collier he immediately accepted as he believes it will be a fun fight for the fans.
Ramiz Brahimaj plans to become the second person ever to finish Court McGee, wants to go 4-0 in 2022
Cole Shelton - January 12, 2022
Ramiz Brahimaj is known as a finisher and he wants to prove that on Saturday at UFC Vegas 46. Brahimaj is set to make his third walk to the Octagon as he battles TUF 11 winner and 18-fight UFC veteran, Court McGee. It’s an intriguing matchup and when Brahimaj heard he was fighting McGee, it was an immediate yes from him.
Greg Hardy fighting out UFC contract against Aleksei Oleinik at UFC 270: "It's been a hell of a ride"
Cole Shelton - January 12, 2022
Greg Hardy knows the stakes are high for his UFC 270 fight against Aleksei Oleinik at UFC 270. Hardy is set to make the walk to the Octagon for the 10th time but is doing so on the last fight of his UFC deal. He knows he is a big name in the sport and even though he’s on a two-fight losing skid, he asked for the biggest challenge available which came in the form of Aleksei Oleinik.
Pro fighters make their picks for Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze
Cole Shelton - January 12, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 46, top-10 featherweights collide as Calvin Kattar looks to return to the win column against Giga Chikadze. Entering the fight, Kattar is a +200 underdog while the Georgian is a -250 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Chikadze’s striking will be too much for Kattar as he will get the win and remain undefeated in the UFC.
Coach: Calvin Kattar "has the option" to wrestle Giga Chikadze at UFC Vegas 46: "This isn't Glory kickboxing, it's an MMA fight"
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Calvin Kattar will finally make his return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Vegas 46. Kattar last fought back in January of 2021 on the first card of the year and suffered a decision loss to Max Holloway. In the fight, Kattar absorbed 445 significant strikes and after the fight, his head coach, Tyson Chartier said they wanted him to take a full year off which is what happened.
BJ Penn credits Hulk Hogan for inspiring his eventual UFC title run: “That was the moment I knew that I wanted to be that guy one day”
Susan Cox - December 22, 2021
UFC legend BJ Penn has credited professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan for inspiring his eventual UFC title run. Penn, 43, originally captured UFC gold in January of 2004 when he shocked the world with a first round submission victory over longtime welterweight champion Matt Hughes.
Chris Daukaus explains why Derrick Lewis is more dangerous than Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2021
Chris Daukaus believes Derrick Lewis is more dangerous than Francis Ngannou. Daukaus is set to face Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 45, which serves as the final card of 2021. Entering the fight, Daukaus is the betting favorite and he believes he has all the tools to outwork Lewis to get the win.
Erin Blanchfield happy with dominant win over Miranda Maverick, 'wouldn't be opposed' to rebooking Maycee Barber fight
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2021
Erin Blanchfield knew she surprised a lot of people at UFC 269. Blanchfield entered her UFC 269 fight against Miranda Maverick as the betting underdog but she dominated the fight to win a clear-cut decision. Although this was Blanchfield’s second UFC fight, she knew after the opening seconds of the fight, she would be able to control Maverick with ease.
Andre Ewell aiming to win bonus money against Charles Jourdain at UFC Vegas 45: 'It's going to be a banger'
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2021
Andre Ewell always knew he would end up fighting at featherweight in the UFC, he just didn’t think it would happen this soon. At UFC Vegas 45, Ewell will move to 145lbs to take on Charles Jourdain. It is a move a long time in the making as Ewell says he would throw up in order to make bantamweight, so he’s eager to fight at 145lbs.
Pro fighters make their picks for Derrick Lewis vs. Chris Daukaus
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 45, top-10 heavyweights collide as Derrick Lewis is set to face rising contender, Chris Daukaus. Entering the fight, Lewis is a +120 underdog while the seventh-ranked heavyweight is -140. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Lewis can eventually find the KO punch and will get back into the win column in a big way.
Kevin Lee jokingly explains the difference between Khabib and Dana White as promoters, believes Eagle FC will become the second-best promotion
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2021
Kevin Lee is impressed with Eagle FC so far. On Wednesday, Lee officially signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion. It surprised many but right when he began talking to Eagle FC, he notice how legit the promotion is.
Diego Ferreira says he has no pressure on him ahead of Mateusz Gamrot fight despite losing streak
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2021
Diego Ferreira isn’t putting any pressure on him ahead of his UFC Vegas 45 fight against Mateusz Gamrot on Saturday. Ferreira is on a two-fight losing streak after losing to Beneil Dariush and Gregor Gillespie earlier this year. Now, the 12th-ranked lightweight is set to face Gamrot, but that was not his original opponent. The Brazilian was supposed to fight Grant Dawson in October but an injury forced him out and he’ll now take on the former KSW lightweight champ.
Kevin Lee reveals he's getting paid in bitcoin for his fights in Eagle FC: 'It gives me a lot more financial security'
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2021
Kevin Lee wants to be known as a trailblazer and will be just that when he fights for Eagle FC. Lee will make his debut for the promotion on March 11, against an opponent TBD – although Diego Sanchez is the name being thrown around. Although he doesn’t have his first fight booked, his multi-fight deal was announced on Wednesday which he’s excited about.
Kevin Lee says Diego Sanchez will probably be his first opponent in Eagle FC: 'I'm going to kick his head into the third row'
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2021
Kevin Lee is the newest fighter to sign with Eagle FC and his debut fight is being closed to begin made. Lee was shockingly released from the UFC late last month and on Wednesday, Khabib Nurmagomedov officially signed Lee to a multi-fight contract. “The Motown Phenom” will have his debut on March 11 and according to Lee, he will likely be fighting Diego Sanchez.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley 2
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2021
In the main event of a Showtime boxing pay-per-view and on Fite TV, Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley are set to rematch. Heading into the fight, Paul is a -260 favorite while the former UFC champion is a +210 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the boxing match. The majority believe Woodley can get it done as long as he throws more punches although some think Paul is just the better boxer.