Exclusive MMA Interviews News
In third UFC stint, Julian Erosa's plan is "to be like Gaethje, where win or lose I put on exciting fights"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2020
Julian Erosa wants to be known as a fan-favorite, where win or lose, he takes home a $50,000 Performance on the Night bonus. At UFC on ESPN 12, Erosa returned to the UFC for the third time to take on the undefeated Sean Woodson. For “Juicy J” after he was cut for the second time by the Las Vegas-based promotion, he didn’t think he’d fight inside the Octagon again.
After another upset win, Khama Worthy eyes "war" with Ottman Azaitar
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2020
Khama Worthy is now 2-0 inside the Octagon with both wins being upsets. In his UFC debut at UFC 241, Worthy took the fight on super short notice and knocked out a highly touted prospect in Devonte Smith. The 33-year-old then pulled off a third-round submission win over Luis Pena at UFC on ESPN 12 where he was another sizeable underdog
Colby Covington suggests winner take all fight with Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
Colby Covington is interested in a winner take all fight with his former friend and training partner Jorge Masvidal. Covington and Masvidal spent many years as stablemates at American Top Team in Florida, but as the pair reached the top of the UFC welterweight division, they relationship began to fray. Today, they’re two of the fiercest rivals in MMA.
Colby Covington on ATT Departure: 'My Brand Was Being Held Back'
Jason Kindschy - July 1, 2020
Colby Covington has never been one to hold his tongue, no matter the consequences. With that considered, it should have not come as a surprise when the former interim UFC welterweight champ parted ways with American Top Team. Having been at odds with several of ATT’s top talents, it seemed like only a matter of time before the end of Colby’s relationship with the gym became an eventuality. Even though Covington always gave praise to facility owner Dan Lambert, the Oregon native felt that he was being held back by bureaucracy.
Youssef Zalal promises there "will be a finish" in UFC on ESPN 12 fight against Jordan Griffin
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
Youssef Zalal is looking to go 2-0 inside the UFC Octagon when he battles Jordan Griffin this Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 12. Zalal made his UFC debut on short notice against Austin Lingo where he scored a decision win. Now, his second UFC appearance will also be happening on short notice, which for the Morrocan, says is normal.
Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 12, Dustin Poirier returns to the Octagon to battle Dan Hooker. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a -225 favorite, while the Kiwi is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe this could be one of the best fights we see in 2020 but the majority lean towards Poirier getting it done.
Maurice Greene gives opponent Gian Villante advice: If you don't wrestle, you’re going "to get knocked the f****d out"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2020
Maurice Greene is excited to welcome Gian Villante to the heavyweight division on the main card of UFC on ESPN 12 this Saturday night. Greene enters this fight on a two-fight losing streak where last time out, he was submitted by Alexey Oleynik. Although some think it is a must-win for Greene to remain in the UFC, he isn’t thinking about that.
Justin Jaynes open to drop to featherweight to fight Alex Caceres after KO win over Frank Camacho
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2020
Justin Jaynes had been fighting professionally since 2013. But, he has been doing unsanctioned amateur fights in Michigan since 2007 and finally got the call to the UFC last weekend. At UFC on ESPN 11, Jaynes replaced Matt Frevola to fight Frank Camacho in a lightweight scrap. For the 30-year-old, to finally get the UFC call was a massive relief. But, he admits seeing people he beat on the regional scene getting chances on the Contender Series or shots in the UFC was frustrating.
Gray Maynard plans to continue fighting, wants fourth scrap against Frankie Edgar
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2020
Gray Maynard says his MMA career is not done yet. Maynard has not fought since UFC 229 where he suffered a TKO loss to Nik Lentz. The former UFC title challenger was released from the Las Vegas-based promotion after the defeat. Since then, the now 41-year-old says he still is interested in fighting.
Tyson Nam wants to get "one back for Hawaii" against Matt Schnell after highlight-reel KO win
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2020
Tyson Nam had a hectic fight week for what was a do-or-die fight for his UFC career. At UFC on ESPN 10, Nam was expected to fight Ryan Benoit. Yet, Benoit had to pull out and was replaced by longtime Glory kickboxer, Zarrukh Adashev.
Cung Le looks back on drug-testing fiasco with UFC: They "threw me under the bus"
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2020
In 2014, shortly after a TKO loss to Michael Bisping in Macau, Cung Le tested positive for elevated levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). The UFC promptly handed Le a nine-month suspension, which was later elevated to a twelve-month term. Fight fans were quick to pile-on and vilify Le—but things were not as cut-and-dry as they seemed.
Pro fighters make their picks for Curtis Blaydes vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 11, aka UFC Vegas 3, Curtis Blaydes looks to extend his winning streak when he battles perennial contender, Alexander Volkov. Heading into the fight, Blaydes is a -380 favorite while the Russian is a +290 underdog. Some sportsbooks have the American wrestler as big as a -490 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. It is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, but the pros are with the odds as the majority think Blaydes’ wrestling will be too much for Volkov.
Josh Emmett plans "on making a statement" with KO win over Shane Burgos
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2020
Josh Emmett knows all he needs to do is land one punch to end the fight and it’s no different ahead of his co-main event scrap against Shane Burgos. Emmett will be making the walk for the first time since UFC Sacramento last July where he scored a first-round TKO win over Mirsad Bektic. Since the fight, Emmett was looking to return a lot sooner. But, he couldn’t get a fight booked and was then planning on testing free agency before inking a new deal.
Cung Le is pushing for better fighter pay, believes Jon Jones and Conor McGregor can help
Tom Taylor - June 16, 2020
Cung Le is one of the UFC’s most vocal and dedicated critics. Le, who previously competed in the UFC middleweight division and held the Strikeforce middleweight title, is currently involved in an anti-trust lawsuit against the UFC, and is never afraid to share his thoughts on the promotion’s business practices.
Gray Maynard slams UFC over pay: They keep us broke and starving
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2020
Gray Maynard has spoken out about the way the UFC conducts its business and fighter pay. Maynard has been a UFC staple since 2007 where he had the two back-to-back title fights against Frankie Edgar including one being the Fight of the Year in 2011. Yet, for his efforts, he was only paid $26,000.
Patrick Mix eyes submission win over Juan Archuleta for vacant belt, trashes James Gallagher
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2020
Patrick Mix is looking to claim Bellator’s vacant bantamweight title. Bellator MMA is currently on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the promotion is eyeing a July return. If they do return in July, Mix is hoping to be on the first card and is eyeing a fight against Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight title.
Sean O'Malley "knew it wouldn’t take me long" to finish Eddie Wineland at UFC 250
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2020
Sean O’Malley is pleased with his UFC 250 win over Eddie Wineland. In the lead up to the fight, O’Malley told BJPENN.com he was expecting a viral knockout. He wanted something spinning, but says the one-punch walk-off KO win is good enough for him.
Devin Clark says he will "dominate" Alonzo Menifield for 15 minutes to end his hype
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2020
Devin Clark is confident he will be the first one to hand Alonzo Menifield a loss. Menifield is currently 9-0 and returning to the Octagon after a year away due to a neck injury. For Clark, he thinks the year away from the cage might impact the prospect, but he isn’t counting on it.