Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Kevin Lee wants Sean Brady fight rebooked for UFC 265 after pulling out of UFC 264 due to a "minor" rib injury
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Kevin Lee is disappointed he won’t be making the walk to the Octagon on July 10 at UFC 264. Lee was set to move back up to welterweight to face Sean Brady in a highly-anticipated bout. Yet, on Thursday, Brady revealed Lee was out of the fight due to an injury which Lee confirmed to BJPENN.com.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 30, Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov meet in a battle of top-five heavyweights. Gane is the -157 favorite while the Russian is a +130 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 Volkov will pull off the upset as his striking and range will be too much for Gane.
Ike Villanueva expects to KO Marcin Prachnio at UFC Vegas 30: "If I touch that chin it will be a short night"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Ike Villanueva is glad to be fighting back at the UFC Apex as he’s looking for some redemption in Las Vegas. The last time Villanueva fought in Vegas was when he suffered a TKO loss to Jordan Wright which was stopped by cut. Now, he’ll return on Saturday at UFC Vegas 30 against Marcin Prachnio where Villanueva likes the style matchup.
Tim Johnson passed up waiting for Ryan Bader for interim title fight, expects a decision win over Valentin Moldavsky
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Tim Johnson could’ve waited for a title shot against Ryan Bader. After Johnson earned a split decision win over Cheick Kongo last October he cemented himself as the number one contender at heavyweight. The plan was for the UFC veteran to face Ryan Bader in the first quarter of 2021 for the heavyweight title. Yet, Bader went into the light heavyweight grand prix and instead of waiting, Johnson will face Valentin Moldavsky in the main event of Bellator 261 for the interim heavyweight title.
Khaos Williams eyes fall return but won't give "anyone extra clout" by calling them out: "I'll let my hands do the talking"
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Khaos Williams was happy he got back into the win column on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 29. Williams broke onto the UFC scene with two sub-30 second KOs over Alex Morono and Abdul Razak Alhassan. In his third fight, he suffered a close decision loss to Michel Pereira, but on Saturday he earned a hard-fought decision win over Matt Semelsberger which Williams was happy about.
Artem Lobov expecting a "Fight of the Year candidate" in bare-knuckle fight against Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Artem Lobov is eager to face Denys Berinchyk on July 24. In the main event of Mahatch FC, Lobov will face the current undefeated WBO international lightweight champ boxer in Berinchyk. He’s also an Olympic silver medalist, winning the medal in 2012. His résumé speaks for itself which is why Lobov is excited about the fight.
Matt Brown pondering fighting future after KO win: "I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't fight again"
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Matt Brown doesn’t know if he’ll make the walk to the Octagon again. At UFC Vegas 29, Brown returned to the win column in a big way as he scored a violent second-round KO over Dhiego Lima. The first round was a back-and-forth one, but after the round ended, Brown saw some tendencies that allowed him to land the big power punch.
Anderson Silva reveals his favorite memory from his MMA career
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2021
Anderson Silva has accomplished a ton in his MMA career, but there is one moment that sticks out the most for him. Throughout Silva’s legendary MMA career, he won titles in Shooto, Cage Rage, and the UFC, including defending his middleweight title 10 times and holding the belt for 2457 days. He’s considered one of the best ever but his favorite memory from his career is when he earned a decision win over Hayato Sakurai at Shooto 7 on August 26, 2001, to win the Shooto middleweight title, which was the first title the Brazilian won in MMA.
Anderson Silva says he spoke to Chris Weidman after he broke his leg at UFC 261, confident he'll return
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2021
Anderson Silva immediately knew what Chris Weidman was going through. On the main card of the stacked UFC 261 card, Weidman and Uriah Hall were having a rematch years in the making. It was an important fight for the middleweight division but on the first kick Weidman threw, his leg snapped just like Silva’s did against Weidman. Once the dust settled of the injury, the Brazilian reached out to Weidman and gave him some advice and support.
Ramona Pascual ushering in fresh start after return victory and environmental changes
Drake Riggs - June 16, 2021
Ramona Pascual continues to put Hong Kong on the map with her goal of reaching the UFC firmly in mind. This past Friday saw the 32-year-old return from a two-year layoff at iKON 7. In doing so, Pascual put her opponent away in two minutes and 50 seconds with an Americana – her first submission win.
Steven Peterson ready to "make a run" at featherweight after Chase Hooper win, wants "loudmouth Nate Landwehr"
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2021
Steven Peterson is happy he beat Chase Hooper at UFC 263 but he did want the finish. Entering the fight, Peterson knew he could hang with Hooper on the ground and thought on the feet there would be a massive gap in skill. That ended up being the case as Peterson even had moments on the ground and just pieced up Hooper on the feet. For the Fortis MMA product, he says he’s pleased with his performance.
Matt Brown expecting to have a "great performance" against Dhiego Lima, eyes rematches with Lawler and Cerrone
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2021
Matt Brown is eager to step back into the Octagon. At UFC Vegas 29, Brown will face Dhiego Lima in what should be a very exciting fight. Although they are fighting in the middle of June, the fight was announced in early March which gives the veteran a ton of notice when he says he asked for.
Dan Ige eyes stoppage win over Korean Zombie in a "statement" win: "He can't take damage from me"
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2021
Dan Ige called his shot and got his wish as he’ll headline UFC Vegas 29 against Korean Zombie on Saturday. After Ige scored a 22-second KO win in March he called out Korean Zombie. Immediately after the callout, Ige was told the UFC liked the fight and they were quick to book it for the main event.
Eryk Anders says he's "not really" happy with his UFC 263 performance, wants Ed Herman next
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Eryk Anders wasn’t thrilled with his UFC 263 win over Darren Stewart. On Saturday night, Anders and Stewart were running back their fight in March that ended in a No Contest. In the first bout, Anders nearly finished the Brit before throwing an illegal knee and entering the rematch, “Ya Boi” said the gameplan was very similar.
Stipe Miocic should get immediate trilogy fight against Francis Ngannou, confident he'd "get his belt back," says teammate
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Aleksa Camur, a longtime teammate of Stipe Miocic is confident the former heavyweight champ can reclaim his title. At UFC 260, Miocic lost by second-round KO to Francis Ngannou to lose his heavyweight title. Although he got finished, he had moments in the fight and even rocked Ngannou. With that, Camur says Miocic deserves the trilogy bout, but if not, a scrap against Jon Jones makes sense.
Brian Maxwell believes he would've beat Chad Johnson if it was judged, says he plans on training with 'Ochocino' ahead of BKFC return
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2021
Brian Maxwell didn’t really believe he was fighting Chad Johnson until fight week came along. Maxwell, a combat sports veteran, was messaged out of the blue to box the NFL Pro Bowler of the Mayweather-Paul undercard. It was surreal for Maxwell, but he says even though it was a massive fight, he wasn’t nervous.
Matt Frevola believes Ottman Azaitar had IVs to "hide the steroids he's on," plans to give him "a beating he deserves"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Matt Frevola had a crazy 2020 as he had three canceled fights due to COVID-19 and Frevola fracturing his foot. He was then set to return at UFC 257 but his 2021 also got off to a hectic start. Frevola was set to face Ottman Azaitar at UFC 257 in a highly-anticipated bout. However, on the day of weigh-ins, it was revealed Azaitar was out of the fight due to sneaking people into Fight Island. He ended up having to fight Arman Tsarukyan which he says is a fight he wants back.
UFC 263 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
In a very intriguing five-round welterweight bout at UFC 263, Leon Edwards welcomes back fan favorite Nate Diaz. Heading into the fight, Edwards is the biggest favorite on the card at -600 while the Stockton native is a +450 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, the majority believe Edwards will get his hand raised as many don’t see a path to victory for Diaz.