Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Ode Osbourne quit job and moved to Las Vegas to train full-time ahead of UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2021
Ode Osbourne made a significant change in his career after he lost to Manel Kape at UFC 265 in August. Osbourne suffered a first-round flying knee TKO loss, but many thought it was an early stoppage. The loss put him to 1-2 in the UFC and now ahead of UFC 268, which could be do-or-die for him, Osbourne quit his job to move to Las Vegas full-time to train at Syndicate MMA.
Frankie Edgar knows Marlon Vera is 'dangerous' but is prepared to do 'whatever it takes' to win at UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Frankie Edgar still has title aspirations and that continues on Saturday night in Madison Square Garden at UFC 268. Edgar is set to return to the Octagon against Marlon Vera, and for Edgar, when he heard the UFC was going to be back at MSG he jumped at the chance to be on the card.
Ian Garry plans to prove 'the hype is real' with a first-round KO over Jordan Williams at UFC 268: 'I want him stiff'
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Ian Garry knows he’s the next big thing in the UFC and he plans to prove that at UFC 268. Garry is the former Cage Warriors welterweight champion and he’s an undefeated Irish phenom. He’ll make his debut at Madison Square Garden against Jordan Williams and Garry knows the UFC sees something special in him.
UFC 268 | Pro fighters make their picks for Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Opening up UFC 268 from Madison Square Garden, Justin Gaethje takes on Michael Chandler which promises to be fireworks for however long it lasts. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is a -210 favorite while the former Bellator champ is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros lean towards Gaethje getting it done by KO as they trust his durability more than Chandler.
UFC 268 | Pro fighters make their picks for Rose Namajunas vs. Weili Zhang 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 268, Rose Namajunas and Weili Zhang are running it back just seven months after Namajunas scored a 78-second TKO win. Heading into the fight, the champ is a +100 underdog while Zhang is the -120 favorite. 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 Namajunas defends her belt again and likely does it by stoppage again.
Billy Quarantillo expects to 'put on a show' against Shane Burgos at UFC 268 and get the stoppage win
Cole Shelton - November 2, 2021
Billy Quarantillo is excited to fight a ranked opponent and do so at Madison Square Garden. On the main card of UFC 268, Quarantillo is getting his chance to fight 14th-ranked Shane Burgos. It’s an intriguing matchup and when Quarantillo got the call for this fight, he says it was an immediate yes.
Chris Curtis says Sean Strickland pleaded with Mick Maynard to sign him, expects to drown Phil Hawes and 'make him quit' at UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 2, 2021
Chris Curtis thought his dream of fighting in the UFC was over. Curtis competed on DWCS in 2018 and scored a highlight-reel head kick KO win but didn’t get the contract. It was his seventh win in a row but Dana White passed on him and since then, he has been competing in PFL and on the regional scene and a few weeks ago, he got the call on Thursday night to weigh-in and fight Phil Hawes in two days.
UFC 268 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - November 2, 2021
In the main event of UFC 268, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington are set to have their highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the fight, Usman is a -320 favorite while the challenger is a +250 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking we hear ‘And Still’ as Usman will not only beat but will finish Covington once again.
Jiri Prochazka says his next fight is for the UFC title, explains why he turned down 'disrespectful' Aleksandar Rakic
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2021
Jiri Prochazka believes his next fight will be for UFC gold. Prochazka served as the backup fighter for the UFC 267 main event between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira. Although he was not needed as both men made weight, Prochazka believes his next fight is for the title, which is why he turned down Aleksandar Rakic.
Jeff Molina expected to KO Daniel Da Silva, open to fighting anyone but interested in facing Francisco Figueiredo next
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2021
Jeff Molina was confident he would be able to finish Daniel Da Silva at UFC Vegas 41. Molina was coming off his successful UFC debut and early on against Da Silva it was a back-and-forth fight. Da Silva was searching for submissions but didn’t get one and when the fight went into the second round, Molina knew his opponent was gassed.
Ricky Glenn confident Grant Dawson went out with the choke, wants to 'run it back'
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2021
Ricky Glenn knew going into the third round he needed a dominant round or a finish if he was going to get his hand raised over Grant Dawson at UFC Vegas 41. Glenn stepped up on short notice and after the first two rounds, he was well aware he lost both of them. Entering the third round, his team told him he needed to get the finish, and right from the get-go, Glenn was able to dominate the round. He then got ahold of a choke but the bell rang and the fight went the distance. However, Glenn says he knew Dawson’s body went limp and the fight should’ve been stopped.
Marcin Tybura trained with Jan Blachowicz for Alexander Volkov fight, eyes second round stoppage
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2021
When Marcin Tybura found out he would be fighting Alexander Volkov on the same card as Jan Blachowicz was defending his belt, he made a call to his old friend so the two could train with one another. Tybura and Blachowicz trained together years ago but the two went their separate ways but have always stayed in contact. Now, as both men have massive fights at UFC 267, the two sparred a couple of times which Tybura says was a good look for him.
Grant Dawson frustrated with draw against Ricky Glenn, admits he was 'saved by the bell' with the choke
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2021
Grant Dawson admits he beat himself up over his draw against Ricky Glenn at UFC Vegas 41. Dawson was supposed to take on Diego Ferreira but the Brazilian was forced out of the bout with an injury. Glenn ended up stepping up on short notice and even before the fight, Dawson knew it would be a tough fight but in the scrap, he says he made a huge mental error which cost him the win.
UFC 267 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixiera title fight
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2021
In the main event of UFC 267, Jan Blachowicz is set to defend his light heavyweight title for the second time as he battles Glover Teixeira. Ahead of the fight, Blachowicz is a -310 favorite while the challenger is a +245 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe we will hear ‘And Still’ as Blachowicz will be too much for Teixeira.
Volkan Oezdemir plans to KO Magomed Ankalaev and shut up Aleksandar Rakic again next time out
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2021
Volkan Oezdemir didn’t think he would be off for this long after his last fight. Back at UFC 251 last July, Oezdemir suffered a KO loss to Jiri Prochazka and since then, he has not been able to fight due to a variety of different reasons. However, he will finally make his return on the main card of UFC 267 against Magomed Ankalaev.
Paige VanZant will return early next year in final fight of BKFC contract, says president David Feldman
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2021
Paige VanZant will indeed fight out the final fight of her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship contract. VanZant surprised many and signed with BKFC last year and came up short in her debut to Britain Hart. She then dropped a decision to Rachael Ostovich in her second fight and after the fight, BKFC president, David Feldman said he wasn’t sure if VanZant would fight the final fight of her deal.
Jiri Prochazka eager to be the backup fighter for the UFC 267 main event, so he 'can smell the energy of my opponents and their power'
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2021
Jiri Prochazka is excited to possibly be fighting for UFC gold on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. In the main event of UFC 267, Jan Blachowicz is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Glover Teixeira. When the fight was announced, it was rumored Prochazka would serve as the backup fighter, which he says he confirmed right away.
Jan Blachowicz expects Glover Teixeira to wrestle him but confident he'll KO him to defend his belt
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2021
Jan Blachowicz is confident he will score another KO win to defend his light heavyweight for the second time. After Blachowicz defeated Israel Adesanya back in March to defend his belt for the first time, he knew his next fight would be against Glover Teixeira. The two will meet in the main event of UFC 267, and the Pole knows this will be the best Teixeira ever, due to the fact this is his final title shot.