Exclusive MMA Interviews News
After back-to-back KO wins, Tyson Nam wants Joseph Benavidez next
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2020
Tyson Nam is looking to jump up the UFC rankings and fight Joseph Benavidez. Nam, who was once considered one of the best fighters not signed to the UFC, made his debut in 2019 and dropped a decision to Sergio Pettis. Nam then lost his next fight to Kai Kara-France but has since rallied off back-to-back KO wins.
Brandon Royval planning on bringing the fight to Kai Kara-France: "I’m known to finish motherf*****s"
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2020
Brandon Royval is looking to go 2-0 in the UFC with two stoppage wins. On the main card of UFC 253, Royval is set to fight Kai Kara-France in a pivotal flyweight bout. For the former LFA flyweight champion in Royval, it is surreal for him to already be fighting someone ranked in the top-10 this early into his UFC tenure. Yet, he knows he belongs and plans to prove that on Saturday.
UFC 253 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz title fight
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 253, the vacant light heavyweight title is on the line as Dominick Reyes takes on Jan Blachowicz. Heading into the fight, Reyes is a -300 favorite while the Pole is a +230 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 it will be Reyes winning the fight and finally becoming the champion after many thought he beat Jon Jones last time out.
Kai Kara-France was forced to live in the gym, planning to make a "statement" against Brandon Royval at UFC 253
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
Kai Kara-France was forced to live at City Kickboxing in order to train for his UFC 253 fight against Brandon Royval. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing New Zealand to lockdown again, Eugene Bareman got Kara-France, Israel Adesanya, Shane Young, and Brad Riddell to bring their mattresses and live at the gym in order to train. After weeks of doing that, the CKB team left for Fight Island which adds confidence for Kai Kara-France.
UFC 253 | Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa title fight
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
In the main event of UFC 253, Israel Adesanya is looking for his second title defense when he battles Paulo Costa. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -185 favorite while the Brazilian challenger is a +150 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe it will be Adesanya using his technical striking to piece up Costa and defending his belt.
TUF 28 winner Juan Espino ecstatic to be able to fight again, promises "entertaining fight" against Jeff Hughes
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Juan Espino is back. The 39-year-old, Espino has not fought since he won The Ultimate Fighter 28 back in November of 2018. Since then, many were eager to see how the heavyweight would do inside the Octagon given his wrestling and jiu-jitsu background.
Jan Blachowicz plans to prove he's "better than Jon Jones" by finishing Dominick Reyes
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Jan Blachowicz wants to do what no one has done before. Finish Dominick Reyes. Blachowicz and Reyes are set to fight in the co-main event of UFC 253 for the vacant light heavyweight title. For Blachowicz, he knew he would be fighting for UFC gold after he beat Corey Anderson, but didn’t know the date or against who.
David Dvorak believes people are overlooking him, remains focused on beating Jordan Espinosa at UFC Vegas 11
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2020
David Dvorak knows he is not being talked about as much as most of the other flyweight contenders. The Czech Republic native is on a 14-fight winning streak including being 1-0 inside the Octagon. At UFC Vegas 11, the 28-year-old in Dvorak is set for his toughest test to date when he takes on Jordan Espinosa. Yet, this was not his original opponent.
Andre Ewell is looking to return to his "old ways and be dominant" against Irwin Rivera
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2020
Andre Ewell is looking to get his first Octagon finish this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 11 when he battles Irwin Rivera. When this fight was announced, many fans were confused by the matchup given Ewell is near the rankings while Rivera is just 1-1 in the UFC. Yet, for Ewell, he believes this is a good matchup for him as he returns from a broken arm and reveals he was offered Cody Stamann earlier this year but wasn’t cleared to fight.
Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 11, Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley will finally be sharing the Octagon. Heading into the fight, Covington is a -350 favorite while the former champion is a +265 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Covington’s pace will be too much for Woodley and he will get his hand raised.
Randy Costa ecstatic to be fighting Journey Newson: "I’m expecting this to be a fan-friendly fight"
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2020
Randy Costa couldn’t be more excited when he found out he was fighting Journey Newson. Costa was set to fight in March but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the loyal Massachusetts native packed up and headed to Florida to train at American Top Team due to the restrictions Massachusetts had.
After getting back into the win column, Hunter Azure looking to turn around quickly and build up some momentum
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Hunter Azure knew that he needed to beat Cole Smith back at UFC Vegas 9. Azure was entering the fight coming off a knockout loss to Brian Kelleher at 145-pounds. Although he is a natural bantamweight, due to the pandemic and the lack of training, his fight with ‘Boom’ was up a weight class.
Roosevelt Roberts says he "didn't show up" in loss to Jim Miller, plans to call for a rematch
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2020
Roosevelt Roberts is looking to rematch Jim Miller. Roberts and Miller met back on June 20, and heading into the fight, Roberts was a sizeable -265 favorite. He has been a hyped-up prospect and many thought he would be able to beat Jim Miller and have that name on his record. Yet, that didn’t happen as he was submitted in the first round.
Patrick Mix trashes James Gallagher: "I don’t even think he is better than CM Punk"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2020
Patrick Mix doesn’t believe James Gallagher is a very good fighter. Ever since Mix signed to Bellator, Gallagher called him out, but as of late, Mix has noticed Gallagher hasn’t been saying his name. For “Patchy” he isn’t worried about that at all given he is set to fight for the bantamweight title on Saturday night while Gallagher hasn’t even been in a number one contender fight.
Tyson Nam confident he will KO Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 10: "I just have to land the right hand once"
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2020
Tyson Nam expects to earn another knockout win when he faces Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 10. Nam is coming off his first UFC win as he scored a 32-second knockout win over Zarrukh Adashev back in June. For the Hawaiian, after the win, he was looking to make a quick turnaround and had his eye on Schnell.
Mike Rodriguez expecting a "three-round war" against Ed Herman at UFC Vegas 10
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2020
Mike Rodriguez wanted to get another fight this year but did not expect it to happen just three weeks following his latest contest. Rodriguez fought back on August 22 and scored a first-round knockout over Marcin Prachnio in what was the final fight on his contract. After the fight, the UFC made it clear they wanted to re-sign him and get another fight quickly. So, Rodriguez stayed in shape and when he got the call to fight Ed Herman, it was an immediate yes.
Kyle Nelson doesn't believe Billy Quarantillo is a "killer", expects to KO him in the first round
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Kyle Nelson isn’t impressed with Billy Quarantillo and his fighting style. Nelson, who has not fought since he knocked out Polo Reyes last September, didn’t have Quarantillo on his radar but is excited to fight him.
Patrick Mix expects dominant performance over Juan Archuleta to win vacant title: "I finish him in three rounds, I will break him"
Cole Shelton - September 8, 2020
Patrick Mix knows he will be Bellator’s bantamweight champion. On Saturday night in the main event of Bellator 246, Mix is set to take on Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight title. Yet, for the undefeated Patrick Mix, he doesn’t believe Archuleta deserves the title shot at 135-pounds.