Exclusive MMA Interviews News

Cole Shelton - September 25, 2020

After May 23, 2019, Damon Jackson thought his chances of getting back to the UFC were over. Jackson, who had three fights in the UFC from 2014-2016 and did not get a win and was cut, fought in LFA hoping to get another crack. Yet, after years of trying nothing came up. So, Jackson signed with the PFL and hoped winning the tournament would open that door again. However, in his first fight, he was knocked out by Movlid Khaibulaev in just 10 seconds by a flying knee. He was then pulled from the tournament and he asked for his release.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020

Sijara Eubanks is making history on Saturday night as she will tie Hannah Cfiers for the fastest turnaround for a female fighter in UFC history. She will also be the first fighter in this COVID-19 era to fight in Jacksonville, the UFC Apex and Fight Island, the three spots the UFC has held events. Eubanks, who is coming off a decision win over Sept. 12, got a call just days later to fly out to Fight Island to fight Kelten Vieira.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - September 18, 2020

Journey Newson had to look up Randy Costa when he got the call to fight him at UFC Vegas 11. Newson is coming off a KO win over Domingo Pilarte back at UFC 247. However, it was overturned to a no-contest due to Newson testing positive for marijuana. Although it is a no-contest on his record, the 31-year-old is still viewing it as a win. So, following that quick KO, he expected to get someone with more notoriety than Costa.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020

Johnny Walker is on a two-fight losing streak and thus has made some career changes ahead of his upcoming fight. At UFC Vegas 11, Walker is set to take on Ryan Spann in a very intriguing matchup. Normally, Walker trains at Tristar in Montreal, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he could not get into Canada so he decided to send John Kavanagh a message to train at SBG Ireland.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020

Roxanne Modafferi handed Andrea Lee her first professional loss back at Invicta FC 10 with a split decision win and expects the same result at UFC Vegas 10. Now, nearly six years later, the two will have their rematch in the UFC. Since they fought they have become friends. Although Modafferi would prefer to not fight someone she is close with, she knows this is a business and has to fight anybody the UFC tells her to.

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.