Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Randy Costa excited for Tony Kelley matchup at UFC 269: 'I expect us to meet in the middle and throw'
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Randy Costa knows his UFC 269 fight against Tony Kelley is a fan-friendly one. After Costa suffered a TKO loss to Adrian Yanez in July, he wanted to fight one more time this year. Although he wasn’t sure what would be next when he got the fighter offer to face Kelley at UFC 269 it was an immediate yes for Costa.
UFC 269 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier title fight
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2021
In the main event of UFC 269, the lightweight title is up for grabs as Charles Oliveira looks to defend the belt for the first time against Dustin Poirier. Heading into the fight, Oliveira is the betting underdog as he’s +140 while the challenger is a -160 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe it will be Poirier finally becoming a UFC champion as he will dethrone Oliveira.
Eryk Anders expects to KO Andre Muniz at UFC 269: 'I'm looking to do me and put hands on him'
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2021
Eryk Anders is excited to get the chance to fight one more time before the year is up. Anders was supposed to fight on November 13 but after testing positive for COVID-19 he was pulled from the fight. Shortly after recovering, he got the call to face Andre Muniz at UFC 269 which Anders accepted as he says it is a similar style matchup to Roman Dolidze who he was supposed to face back in November.
Dustin Poirier added size and strength to overwhelm Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, says coach
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2021
Dustin Poirier spent the last couple of months adding size and strength to help him overwhelm Charles Oliveira at UFC 269. After Poirier beat Conor McGregor again at UFC 264, it cemented the fact he would be fighting Oliveira for the lightweight title. Once camp began, Poirier’s strength and conditioning coach, Phil Daru said they wanted to add strength. He believes that will overwhelm Oliveira and be the difference-maker in the fight.
Josh Emmett preparing for a '15-minute war' against Dan Ige at UFC 269 but hopes for a KO win to cement himself as a title contender
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Josh Emmett is excited to finally get back into the Octagon. Emmett tore his ACL in the opening seconds of his June 2020 win over Shane Burgos. Since then he has been rehabbing and had other setbacks. During that time, Emmett admits he didn’t know how he would be when he was able to return.
John Lineker 'not surprised' by Demetrious Johnson's loss, open to eventual fight
Drake Riggs - November 27, 2021
For the vast majority of the time that John Lineker spent in the UFC, he found himself chasing the all-time great, Demetrious Johnson. Now, he’s chasing Johnson’s teammate. Despite Lineker being the heavier of the two with a new target in sight, “Hands of Stone” remains open to the prospect of taking on “Mighty Mouse”. Training with current ONE Championship flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, Lineker wasn’t too shocked by seeing his fellow Brazilian manage to knock out Johnson.
Pro fighters make their picks for Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo
Cole Shelton - November 26, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 44 on December 4, top-five bantamweights are set to throw down as Rob Font will take on Jose Aldo. Heading into the fight, Font is a -145 favorite while the former featherweight king is a +125 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros are picking the underdog in Aldo to be able to outstrike Font and continue his winning ways at bantamweight.
Vince Morales expecting a 'dog fight' against Louis Smolka, believes he can pull off a submission win
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2021
Vince Morales was surprised when he got the fight offer to face Louis Smolka at UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. Morales is Ricky Simon’s cousin, who is a training partner of Smolka. Although that has put Simon in a weird position, Morales does expect the fight to be a good one.
Louis Smolka admits he 'didn't want the fight' against Vince Morales due to relationship with Ricky Simon
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2021
Louis Smolka was disappointed he couldn’t fight Sean O’Malley at UFC 264 but is glad he is fighting before the year is up. Smolka was supposed to fight O’Malley in July, but an infection forced him out of the fight. For the Hawaiian, when he had to pull out of the bout, he was upset and frustrated as he knew it would be a big fight for him.
Kyoji Horiguchi doesn't see Sergio Pettis as 'real champion' ahead of Bellator 272 title clash
Drake Riggs - November 24, 2021
Kyoji Horiguchi is a man on a mission. The current RIZIN FF 135-pound bantamweight king recaptured the title he never officially lost on New Year’s Eve 2020 and hasn’t fought since. Now, Horiguchi has signed with Bellator in a rare deal that sees him remain the RIZIN champ and seeks the other title he relinquished when sidelined in all of 2020 recovering from an ACL tear.
Rob Font expects to 'pick apart' Jose Aldo and earn stoppage win to enter title conversation at bantamweight
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Rob Font is eager to be able to share the Octagon with an MMA legend in Jose Aldo. Font and Aldo are set to headline UFC Vegas 44 on December 4 and when Font got the call for the fight, he immediately accepted as it is a massive opportunity for him.
Matt Brown preparing for a 'war' against Bryan Barberena, eyes a violent KO by elbow or knee
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Matt Brown is excited for his matchup against Bryan Barberena at UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. When Brown got the fight offer, he admits he didn’t know a ton about Barberena. But, after watching tape on him, Brown began getting excited as he is expecting a very fan-friendly fight.
Cody Durden confident he'll 'dominate' and finish Aoriqileng, plans to send a message to the 'boring' flyweight divison
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2021
Cody Durden is finally making the walk to the Octagon again as he will face Aoriqileng at UFC Vegas 43 on Saturday. Durden tore his ACL in his last fight against Jimmy Flick which is a fight he lost by submission. Although it happened last December, he said he was able to fight a month or so ago and that is due to the work he put in, in his rehab.
Khaos Williams happy with KO win over Miguel Baeza, says 'anyone can get it' next
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2021
Khaos Williams showed off his KO power once again last Saturday at UFC Vegas 42. Williams was fighting Miguel Baeza in a highly-anticipated fight. It was a back-and-forth fight but in the third round, it was Williams who found the KO shot to get the massive win. Overall, the welterweight contender is pleased with his performance.
Loopy Godinez excited to make history against Loma Lookboonmee, confident she'll get her hand raised
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2021
Loopy Godinez will be making UFC history when she makes the walk to the Octagon on Saturday at UFC Vegas 43. Godinez will make modern UFC history as she’ll have three fights in just 43 days which is the quickest ever. She fought two times in seven days and a week ago, she got the call to face Loma Lookboonmee this Saturday which she immediately accepted.
Adrian Yanez says 'it's inevitable' he'll be the first person to KO Davey Grant: 'I'll put him to sleep'
Cole Shelton - November 16, 2021
Adrian Yanez is excited for his UFC Vegas 43 fight against Davey Grant. Yanez is 3-0 in the UFC with three KO’s and three Performance of the Night bonuses, so with that, many thought a ranked opponent would be next. Yet, that won’t be the case as he will face Grant on Saturday, which is a fight he is looking forward to.
After 'some really dark times' of dealing with severe medical issues for three years, Leah Letson 'excited' to return against Felicia Spencer
Cole Shelton - November 12, 2021
Leah Letson thought her career might have been over. After Letson competed on TUF 28 and beat Julija Stoliarenko in the third-place matchup on the show, she was awarded a UFC contract. However, since that fight on November 30, 2018, Letson hasn’t fought since.
Dustin Jacoby 'happy' with win over John Allan at UFC 268 wants any ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - November 11, 2021
Dustin Jacoby was always going to be in attendance at UFC 268 he just didn’t think he would be inside the Octagon fighting. Jacoby was set to corner his teammate and training partner in Jordan Williams ahead of his fight against Ian Garry. With the work done, Jacoby and a few friends went away for the weekend to start a hunting trip.