Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Maycee Barber expects to dominate and finish Alexa Grasso and fight Joanne Calderwood next
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2021
Maycee Barber plans to remind the world just how good she is. In the co-main event of UFC 258, Barber is set to return after her first career loss and a torn ACL to battle Alexa Grasso. It’s a very intriguing matchup but many fans are surprised this is the fight because both Barber and Grasso are two up and comer prospects.
Frankie Edgar "upset" he never got the chance to face Conor McGregor while he was at featherweight
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2021
Frankie Edgar and Conor McGregor were linked to one another a couple of times but for whatever reason, it never came to fruition. As McGregor was making his rise up the featherweight ranks, Edgar was a top contender and many figured they would fight. However, the Irishman faced Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo and then moved up in weight.
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.
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.
Pro fighters make their picks for Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 18, Alistair Overeem is looking to continue his final run to a heavyweight title shot as he battles Alexander Volkov. Heading into the fight, Overeem is a +155 underdog while the Russian is a -190 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. Maybe to some surprise, nearly all the pros have Overeem edging it out as he will mix in his striking and wrestling.
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.
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.
Ben Saunders hopes to sign with a promotion soon and be active to earn way back into the UFC
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2021
Despite not fighting in 2020, Ben Saunders knows his year wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. After Saunders was knocked out by Matt Brown at UFC 245, his contract with the UFC was over and they chose not to re-sign him. The hope for the veteran was to quickly sign with another promotion and get back to the UFC. However, like most people’s 2020, Saunders’ year did not go as planned as no opportunities came up. With his dad battling a rare form of blood cancer, it also put Saunders in a difficult spot.
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.
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.
Matt Frevola plans to drag Ottman Azaitar to the "deep waters and drown him" and derail his hype
Cole Shelton - January 20, 2021
Matt Frevola is ready to remind everyone he is a force to be reckoned with at lightweight. Frevola, like most, had a rough 2020 as he had two fights canceled due to COVID-19 and had to pull out of another with an injury. However, the good news for Frevola was the injury allowed him to get on the main card of a Conor McGregor pay-per-view in UFC 257 which he is excited about.
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.
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.
Ike Villanueva plans to KO Vinicius Moreira in "do-or-die" fight for his UFC career: "This is my Game 7"
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2021
Ike Villanueva knows he enters his UFC Fight Island 8 fight in a must-win scenario. Villaneuva is currently 0-2 in the UFC, but his first loss against Chase Sherman should be overturned to a no-contest due to Sherman being flagged by USADA. However, Villaneuva knows he still lost that fight, and in his last one, lost by cut stoppage which was heartbreaking for him.