Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Mike Rodriguez looking to move past Ed Herman controversy with KO win over Danilo Marques
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2021
Mike Rodriguez is looking forward to putting the Ed Herman controversy behind him. At UFC Vegas 10 in September, Rodriguez landed a knee to the body of Herman that dropped him. Rodriguez would’ve needed a few punches to finish the fight, but the ref called time for a groin strike. However, video replay wasn’t used and Herman got five minutes to recover from a body shot and ended up submitting Rodriguez in the third.
Bare knuckle fighters rate Paige VanZant's chances in BKFC
Tom Taylor - February 4, 2021
Paige VanZant is days out from her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) debut. The former UFC star will battle Britain Hart, sans gloves, at BKFC: Knuckle Mania this Friday in Lakeland, Florida. Ahead of VanZant’s imminent BKFC debut, we reached out to several experienced bare knuckle fighters to get their thoughts on how she’ll perform in the ring.
Cody Stamann uninterested in fighting Merab Dvalishvili next: "There are a lot bigger fish in the sea"
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2021
Cody Stamann isn’t sure he fights Merab Dvalishvili next. Stamann and Dvalishvili were supposed to fight on December 5 and February 6. Yet, Stamann hurt his back the first time it was booked and Dvalishvili got COVID-19 the second. For the 13th-ranked bantamweight in Stamann, he says having the fight postponed again wasn’t an option.
The Golden Cage looks to make MMA mainstream in Italy—starting Feb. 6 on UFC FIGHT PASS
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Italy is as sports-crazed as any country on earth, but so far, mixed martial arts has not caught on inside its famous, boot-shaped border. The Golden Cage, an upstart MMA promotion based in Rome, is hoping to change that. TGC is the brainchild of President Luigi Perillo, a tax lawyer and the president of the Swiss MMA Federation, and Steve Dapper, a music industry executive and expert in linguistics. After two successful events in 2017 and 2018, the TGC team will promote its third this Saturday in Rome. The card, which will feature 10 pro bouts and 10 amateur bouts, will mark the promotion’s debut on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Diego Ferreira preparing for a "brawl" against Beneil Dariush, eyes Felder or RDA next
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Diego Ferreira is excited to rematch Beneil Dariush. At UFC 179 in October of 2014, Dariush edged out a decision against Ferreira in a fight the Brazilian took on short notice. Since then, however, both men have become top-15 lightweights and the Fortis MMA product believes the rematch just makes sense.
Frankie Edgar plans to "turn some heads" with a "stellar performance" over Cory Sandhagen
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Frankie Edgar knew he would end up fighting Cory Sandhagen. At UFC Raleigh in January of 2020, Edgar was booked to make his bantamweight debut against Sandhagen. However, the former lightweight champion ended up accepting a short notice fight against Korean Zombie and the bout against Sandhagen was canceled.
Ben Saunders reveals Bellator and Bjorn Rebney almost made him retire
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2021
Ben Saunders was close to walking away from MMA in 2012 and 2013. After Saunders’ first stint in the UFC, he signed with Bellator. The hope for Saunders was to win a Bellator tournament and become the face of the promotion or eventually get back to the UFC. However, throughout his time in the promotion, he realized Bellator and Bjorn Rebney had him in a horrible contract that nearly made him walk away from the sport.
Ike Villanueva on bonus snub for walk-off KO: "I went to bed heartbroken like the first time I found out Santa Claus wasn't real"
Cole Shelton - January 27, 2021
Entering UFC Fight Island 8, Ike Villanueva was calling his fight against Vinicius Moreira his Game 7 and it was do-or-die for his UFC career. Both men were winless in the UFC. But, Villanueva knew if he touched the chin of Moreira he would go down. However, early on in the fight, the Brazilian had a high guard. That forced Villanueva to attack the body which would then set up the KO punch.
Dan Hooker knows he could fight Conor McGregor next with a win over Chandler and the perfect callout
Cole Shelton - January 22, 2021
Dan Hooker wanted on UFC 257 for one specific reason, a chance to fight Conor McGregor next time out. In the co-main event of the pay-per-view card, Hooker is set to welcome Michael Chandler to the UFC. For the “Hangman” he says to be on this card will only help him moving forward as he knows there will be a ton of eyes on him.
UFC 257 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - January 22, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 257, Dan Hooker is set to welcome, Michael Chandler to the UFC in a really intriguing bout. Heading into the fight, Hooker is a -135 favorite while the former Bellator lightweight champion is a +105 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The slight majority of pros believe Dan Hooker gets it done by using his reach advantage to piece up Chandler.
Dan Hooker plans to "spoil" the UFC and Michael Chandler's plans with a "statement" win
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2021
Dan Hooker plans to ruin the UFC and Michael Chandler’s plans just one-fight into his UFC tenure. In the co-main event of UFC 257, Hooker is set to welcome Michael Chandler to the UFC in a really intriguing bout. Although many top lightweights weren’t wanting to fight Chandler in his debut, Hooker knew it was a chance to steal some of his hype.
UFC 257 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 2
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2021
In the main event of UFC 257, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor are set to have their highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a +250 underdog while the Irishman is a -325 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The slight majority believe it will be Conor McGregor winning again and likely doing so by knockout.
Roxanne Modafferi is glad she isn't having another rematch, expects to submit Viviane Araujo
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2021
Roxanne Modafferi is happy she gets to fight someone new. Over her last several fights, she has rematched the likes of Andrea Lee, Sijara Eubanks, and Jennifer Maia. Now, at UFC Fight Island 8, she will fight Viviane Araujo for the first time, which Modafferi is very excited about.
Michael Chiesa expecting a "tough fight" against Neil Magny, views this as his "chance at redemption"
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2021
Michael Chiesa is eager to finally step back into the Octagon. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 8, Chiesa is set to battle Neil Magny in his first fight in nearly a year. Since Chiesa beat Rafael dos Anjos last January, he had a ton of momentum but injuries and the pandemic kept him out of the Octagon.
Jerome Rivera plans to take Francisco Figueiredo's "soul" and put the champ on notice
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2021
Jerome Rivera knows he can send a direct message to Deiveson Figueiredo on Wednesday. At UFC Fight Island 8, Rivera is set to welcome Deiveson Figueiredo’s brother in Francisco to the Octagon. It is a very intriguing matchup and when Rivera got the fight offer, it was an immediate yes.
Shinya Aoki has singular goal ahead of ONE Championship return: "Fight as long as I can"
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
Shinya Aoki is no longer motivated by money or world titles. The Japanese MMA legend strives only to continue doing what he loves as long as possible. Aoki, one of the most lethal submissions in MMA history, is set to return to action at ONE: Unbreakable next Friday in Singapore, where he’ll welcome former LFA welterweight champion James Nakashima to the lightweight division.
Brendan Fitzgerald reveals the under-the-radar fight he's looking forward to on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2021
The UFC is set to kick off 2021 with a bang as they will hold three-events in a week. The main events of the three cards see Max Holloway take on Calvin Kattar, Neil Magny vs. Michael Chiesa, and Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 2. However, for UFC commentator, Brendan Fitzgerald, he knows those are good fights but says Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell has all the capabilities of being the best fight of the week.
Tyson Nam expects to KO Matt Schnell to become a top-10 flyweight
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2021
Tyson Nam wasn’t surprised the UFC booked him against Matt Schnell for the third time. Nam and Schnell were supposed to fight on September 12 and December 19 but a botched weight cut by Schnell and Schnell pulling out canceled both of those fights. However, Nam knows the UFC likes the matchup and is eager to share the Octagon with him.