Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Khaos Williams eyes return at UFC Columbus following 'dream come true' debut
Mike Heck - February 27, 2020
After getting a short notice call to make his Octagon debut at UFC 247, Khaos Williams made a big statement in a short amount of time in Houston. Williams stepped in on less than two weeks notice to replace the injured Dhiego Lima and finished Alex Morono with a vicious KO in just 27 seconds. In a night of controversial judging and scorecards, the 25-year-old Michigan native left no question unanswered.
UFC Norfolk | Pro fighters make their picks for Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo title fight
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2020
In the main event of UFC Norfolk, the vacant flyweight title is on the line as Joseph Benavidez battles Deiveson Figueiredo. Heading into the fight, Benavidez is a slight -145 favorite while the Brazilian is a +115 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Joseph Benavidez finally becoming a UFC champion but they realize how dangerous Deiveson Figueiredo is.
Deiveson Figueiredo plans to finish Joseph Benavidez inside two rounds and send him into retirement
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo is confident he will become the UFC’s flyweight champion on Saturday. In the main event of UFC Norfolk, Figueiredo will battle Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title. When the Brazilian got the news that he would be fighting for the belt he knew it meant he could finally achieve his goal of being a UFC champion.
Janet Todd plots major upset in ONE title fight with Stamp Fairtex
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
In late February of 2019, Janet Todd battled Stamp Fairtex for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship. Todd lost that fight by decision, but in a few short days, she’ll get a second crack at Stamp under slightly different circumstances. This Friday, in the main event of ONE: King of the Jungle, Todd will challenge Stamp for the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship — the other belt in the Thai’s trophy case.
Juan Adams considers UFC run a 'good learning experience,' believes he could return to promotion
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Juan Adams didn’t have much time to develop as a fighter before he got the call to the UFC. Adams made his amateur debut in September of 2016 and quickly turned pro not even a full year later. As a pro, he started his career out 3-0 before getting a shot on the Contender Series and winning and earning a UFC contract.
Leon Edwards wishes he could've fought Darren Till at UFC London last year to prove he's 'the best in the UK'
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Leon Edwards thinks it’s crazy how different he and Darren Till’s careers went in 2019. Last March at UFC London, Till was the main event against Jorge Masvidal while Edwards was the co-main against Gunnar Nelson. Yet, during the press conference, it was the two Englishman going back-and-forth in trash-talking one another. Edwards admits that was the fight he would’ve rather had.
Megan Anderson embracing the art of 'not giving a s**t' what people think
Mike Heck - February 25, 2020
Heading into her upcoming fight on Saturday, Megan Anderson has found a new lease on life. The now 30-year-old will face the unbeaten Octagon debutante Norma Dumont at UFC on ESPN+ 27. The event takes place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. and will be headlined by Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figureiredo battling for the vacant UFC flyweight title.
Brent Primus hopes trilogy with 'punk a*s' Michael Chandler happens so he can 'knock him out'
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Brent Primus is not a fan of Michael Chandler and hopes their trilogy fight can happen. Primus and Chandler originally met at Bellator NYC in June of 2017 where Primus beat the champ by TKO via leg injury in the first round. The two then had a rematch a year and a half later at Bellator 212 where this time it was Chandler who got his hand raised by decision win the belt back.
Megan Anderson focused on Norma Dumont, not Amanda Nunes
Mike Heck - February 24, 2020
Megan Anderson believes a shot at Amanda Nunes and the UFC women’s featherweight title will come eventually. That’s why she is focused solely on this Saturday when she faces an unbeaten fighter that is hoping to make a big statement. Anderson will face Norma Dumont this Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 27. The event takes place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. and will be headlined by a fight for the vacant flyweight title between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk eyes potential first title defense against Rose Namajunas: 'I want that one'
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants her potential first title defense to be a big money fight and she believes that is the trilogy against Rose Namajunas. In the co-main event of UFC 248, Jedrzejczyk will take on Weili Zhang in the Chinese champion’s first title defense. It is a fight the Pole is confident she will win as she knows she’s the better fighter and will reclaim her throne on March 7.
Brent Primus claims he doesn't know anything about his Bellator 240 opponent
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2020
Brent Primus doesn’t know anything about his Bellator 240 opponent, Chris Bungard. When Primus makes the walk to the cage on Saturday it will be the first time he does so since May of last year, which has been frustrating for him. But he has finally gotten a fight and is focused on Bungard and extending his win streak to two.
Ed Ruth eyes finish over Yaroslav Amosov at Bellator 239, wants title shot by year's end
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2020
Ed Ruth will headline his first Bellator show at Bellator 239 when he takes on Yaroslav Amosov, who is 22-0. Ruth, 8-1 and on a two-fight winning streak, had his eye on the Ukrainian after seeing him steamroll over his three Bellator opponents.
UFC Auckland | Pro fighters make their picks for Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2020
In the main event of UFC Auckland, Paul Felder is heading to Dan Hooker’s backyard for a very intriguing lightweight scrap. Heading into the fight Felder is a +120 underdog while the Kiwi is a -150 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are split on this one but all agree it will be a fantastic fight.
Brent Primus frustrated with infrequency of fights in Bellator, considering free agency
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2020
Brent Primus has only fought once a year in Bellator, except in 2013 when he got two fights in. But, the former champion makes it clear that is not his doing. The 34-year-old expected to be more active, especially when he was the champion and now former champ. He became the lightweight champion in 2017 in his eighth professional fight when he beat Michel Chandler by doctor stoppage.
On last fight of contract, Jalin Turner says UFC Auckland is 'do-or-die' for UFC career
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Jalin Turner knows the stakes are high for his UFC Auckland fight against short-notice opponent, Joshua Culibao. Entering this fight, Turner is just 1-2 in the UFC with a debut loss to Vicente Luque at welterweight and most recently a decision loss to Matt Frevola. In his last fight, he admits he probably should have pulled out but with his kid being born just weeks after he needed the money and couldn’t risk being on the sidelines with no payday insight.
Kai Kara-France will be 'hunting' for finish against Tyson Nam in hometown fight at UFC Auckland
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
The last time the UFC was in Auckland, New Zealand was in 2017. There, Kai Kara-France was sitting front row cheering on his teammate Dan Hooker. During that event, Kara-France told himself he would be the one fighting next time the promotion came to his home city. And on the prelims of UFC Auckland this Saturday, Kara-France will complete his goal when he battles Tyson Nam. Yet, for a bit, many didn’t think it would happen after he fought just two months ago at UFC 245. There, he lost to Brandon Moreno. Since then, he quickly reflected on the fight and knows he made some mistakes.
Curtis Blaydes on Jon Jones: 'I could put him away'
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2020
Curtis Blaydes doesn’t think Jon Jones would fare too well at heavyweight. Jones has hinted at a possible move to heavyweight for quite some time now. But, after UFC 247 many think he should rematch Dominick Reyes or fight the winner of Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz. So a potential move to heavyweight could be delayed.
Colby Covington doubts Jorge Masvidal will sign contract to fight Kamaru Usman
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2020
Colby Covington thinks Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman won’t happen as expected. Following Masvidal and Usman’s confrontation at radio row during Super Bowl week, Dana White announced the two would fight at International Fight Week. But the welterweight champion Usman revealed the fight is not signed and also hinted at a Conor McGregor scrap.