Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Kai Kara-France plans to put on a "clinic" against Rogerio Bontorin en route to a stoppage win
Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021
Kai Kara-France is excited to be on UFC 259. Although Kara-France is on the prelims, he will be competing with some of his teammates in Carlos Ulberg and Israel Adesanya, as well as his Tiger Muay Thai teammate in Petr Yan. It’s a massive event for the UFC and for City Kickboxing.
Petr Yan plans a "very violent finish" to defend his belt against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259
Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021
Petr Yan is confident he will remain the UFC’s bantamweight champion after Saturday night. In the first of three title fights on the stacked pay-per-view card, Yan is set to defend his belt against Aljamain Sterling. It’s a very intriguing matchup as the Russian is a striker while Sterling should have a grappling advantage. However, Yan isn’t worried about Sterling’s grappling.
John Castaneda says fighting and knocking out "legend" Eddie Winleand was "surreal"
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2021
John Castaneda was honored to fight Eddie Wineland. At UFC Vegas 19, Castaneda was set for his second UFC fight, and on the other end of his contract was Eddie Wineland. For Castaneda, he says it was surreal to get the chance to fight the former WEC champion.
Dustin Jacoby admits he didn't know who Maxim Grishin was, confident he will KO him
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2021
Dustin Jacoby was surprised to see Maxim Grishin’s name on the other side of his bout agreement. Jacoby made his return to the Octagon on Halloween night and scored a first-round TKO win over Justin Ledet. After the win, Jacoby figured he would get a known name but was offered Grishin who fought in PFL and is 1-1 in the UFC. Although the Factory X fighter wanted a known name, he just wants to get back in there and string together some wins.
Alexander Hernandez expects to pick Thiago Moises apart and "dismantle" him
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2021
Alexander Hernandez is extremely confident he will extend his winning streak to two on Saturday night. On the prelims of UFC Vegas 20, Hernandez is set to return to the Octagon against Thiago Moises. It’s an intriguing matchup but it did come as a surprise that “The Great” didn’t get a ranked opponent. However, Hernandez says he didn’t want a ranked foe.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik plans to "shine" against "phenomenal" Ciryl Gane in UFC Vegas 20 main event
Cole Shelton - February 23, 2021
Jairzinho Rozenstruik has heard all the talk about Ciryl Gane being a future UFC heavyweight champion. Rozenstruik and Gane were originally supposed to be the co-main event on March 13 but were moved to the main event this weekend. It’s an intriguing matchup and for Rozenstruik fighting two weeks earlier isn’t that big of a deal.
Alexa Grasso "very happy" with win over Maycee Barber, believes title shot isn't far off
Cole Shelton - February 23, 2021
Alexa Grasso picked up one of the biggest wins of her career as she beat Maycee Barber at UFC 258. Entering the fight, all the hype was around Barber making her return. However, as Grasso was quietly going about her business, in the co-main event, she proved to everyone just how good she is.
Gabe Green hoping to be active in 2021, wants Christian Aguilera after he "KO'd four of my friends"
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2021
Gabe Green is glad he finally got his hand raised. To open up UFC 258, Green fought Phil Rowe in a battle of two promising welterweight prospects. Early on in the fight, Green used leg kicks to try and get inside of Rowe’s lengthy reach. However, as the fight wore on, the leg kicks started to hurt Rowe.
Itsuki Hirata hopes win over Miku Nakamura will set up future bouts with Meng Bo, Angela Lee
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2021
Itsuki Hirata, one of the brightest prospects on the ONE Championship roster, is days out from a potentially career-altering fight. The 21-year-old will collide with Miku Nakamura in the main event of Road to ONE on February 22 in her native Tokyo. A win in this matchup could launch her into the anticipated ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix, and open the door to fights with some of the promotion’s fiercest fighters.
Jared Gordon glad Charles Oliveira loss happened, expects to finish Danny Chavez
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021
Jared Gordon is set for his second fight at featherweight when he takes on Danny Chavez at UFC Vegas 19. Why Gordon made the drop down to featherweight was simple. After he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Charles Oliveira in Brazil, he knew he no longer belonged at lightweight. He then made the drop down to featherweight and beat Chris Fishgold in the summer. Without the loss, to Oliveira, Gordon admits his move back down to 145lbs wouldn’t have happened so he’s glad the loss took place.
Pro fighters make their picks for Curtis Blaydes vs Derrick Lewis
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 19, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis will finally fight one another. Heading into the fight, Blaydes is a -450 favorite while “The Black Beast” is a +325 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 Blaydes uses his wrestling to get the job done.
Deiveson Figueiredo wants Brandon Moreno rematch in June according to manager
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2021
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 2 will happen later than expected. After Figueiredo and Moreno fought to a draw at UFC 256 in December, it was clear an immediate rematch was in order. However, the Brazilian was calling out Henry Cejudo and the Cody Garbrandt fight is still there. Yet, according to Wallid Ismail, who manages Figueiredo, the champ’s next fight will be against Moreno but they want it to be in June.
Drakkar Klose frustrated with UFC, plans to test free agency: "The UFC already knows who they want to be champion"
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2021
Drakkar Klose is frustrated with how the UFC is matchmaking fights. After Klose got knocked out by Beneil Dariush at UFC 248 in March of 2020, he did not get another fight for the rest of the year. It was a frustrating time for Klose who says he no longer cares about rankings and is just looking to make as much money as possible.
Julian Marquez credits James Krause for bringing out "the animal inside me" to get comeback win at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Julian Marquez was making his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 258 on Saturday night. Marquez was set for his first fight in 953 days after dealing with an injury. In the lead-up to the fight, “The Cuban Missile Crisis” said ring rust wouldn’t be a factor but admits his timing was a bit off early in the fight.
Alexey Oleynik expecting a tough fight against Chris Daukaus in his 75th professional MMA fight
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Alexey Oleynik will make the walk for his 75th professional MMA fight on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 19. On the main card, the Russian is set to face unranked, Chris Daukaus in a very intriguing fight. Oleynik is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Derrick Lewis in August in the main event of the card. Although the Russian is not fighting a ranked opponent or another legend, Oleynik is still looking forward to the fight.
Maycee Barber says UFC 258 loss "was a bitter pill to swallow," eyes May return
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Maycee Barber’s return to the Octagon did not go her way. In the co-main event of UFC 258, Barber fought Alexa Grasso in her first fight since she lost to Roxanne Modafferi at UFC 246 in a fight she also tore her ACL. Entering the scrap, Barber didn’t think ring rust would be a factor but admits she had a hard time finding her timing in the first two rounds.
Julian Marquez responds to claims that he blew it with Miley Cyrus: "I didn't miss my chance, I can tell you that"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2021
Julian Marquez had an interesting callout after his win at UFC 258, as he requested for Miley Cyrus to be his Valentine. To some surprise, Cyrus responded with intetest but Marquez then supplied her with an ultimatum. That decision caused Daniel Cormier and most of the MMA community to say Julian blew his chance. However, Marquez doesn’t think that is true.
Anthony Hernandez expects to pick apart "very hittable" Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2021
Anthony Hernandez knows people are counting him out. At UFC 258, Hernandez is the biggest underdog on the card at +325, as he faces undefeated grappling wizard, Rodolfo Vieira. Although not many people would want to face Vieira, Hernandez said this is a fight he is very interested in.