Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Mike Winkeljohn says Jon Jones 'loves' Dominick Reyes matchup
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2019
Jon Jones is looking to defend his light heavyweight title once again when he battles Dominick Reyes on Feb. 8. For “Bones” it came down to “Dom” or Corey Anderson, but according to coach, Mike Winkeljohn, he believes Reyes posed the biggest challenge. And, it is a matchup Jones loves.
Dan Lambert expects Joanna Jedrzejczyk to fight Weili Zhang in early 2020
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2019
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is expected to fight strawweight champion Weili Zhang in early 2020. When Jedrzejczyk fought Michelle Waterson at UFC Tampa, the expectation was that she would get a title shot with a win. She ended up earning a dominant decision win, so for American Top Team owner Dan Lambert and everyone at Jedrzejczyk’s training headquarters of American Top Team, it’s now just a question of when it happens.
Josh Thomson previews Bellator London
Natasha Hooper - November 22, 2019
MMA analyst and fighting veteran, Josh Thomson discusses his predictions for this Saturday’s blockbuster Bellator London event with BJPenn.com’s Natasha Hooper. During the interview, Thomson also explained why UFC President Dana White is scared of engaging in a cross-promotion fight and who he believes would win in Bellator vs UFC showdown.
Josh Thomson taunts UFC President Dana White: ”Don’t be scared homie”
Natasha Hooper - November 22, 2019
Josh Thomson explains why UFC President Dana White is afraid of cross-promotional fights. During Thomson’s recent interview with BJPenn.com’s Natasha Hooper, the former Strikeforce lightweight Champion compared Bellator fighters to the top-ranked UFC welterweights. He said:
Allen Crowder announces retirement from MMA: 'I’ve had some memory problems'
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2019
Allen Crowder has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. The former UFC heavyweight went 1-2 inside the Octagon.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg skeptical 'Iranian Hulk' will do well in BKFC
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
During the broadcast of last weekend’s BKFC 9 card, it was announced that the “Iranian Hulk” Sajad Gharibi has joined the bare knuckle promotion’s roster. Gharibi, who allegedly weighs almost 400lbs, is expected to make his debut in 2020.
Jason Knight open to Artem Lobov trilogy but also wants to shut up Johnny Bedford
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2019
Jason Knight is now 1-1 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship as he TKO’d Artem Lobov at BKFC 9 over the weekend. It was a very good performance for Knight, who predicted he would finish Lobov. But he believes, had he not hurt his hand, the knockout would have come a lot sooner.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg eager for more fights, bigger opportunities in BKFC ring
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
When Isaac Vallie-Flagg walloped his fellow UFC veteran — and former roommate — Melvin Guillard to a stoppage win at BKFC 7 in August, he improved to 3-0 as a bare knuckle fighter. To long-time fans of MMA or boxing, that record might not seem like much, but in a sport as new as North American bare knuckle fighting, it’s about as impressive as it gets. In the brief period that bare knuckle fighting has been legal on this side of the world, very few people have had as much success as Vallie-Flagg.
Dan Lambert breaks down Colby Covington vs. Kamaru Usman
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2019
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington will finally share the Octagon in the main event of UFC 245. The two have been rumored to fight each other ever since Usman won the title at UFC 235. Yet, until now, the two sides could never agree to a contract.
How Rich Franklin became the Anthony Bourdain of combat sports
Tom Taylor - November 14, 2019
Where in the world is Rich Franklin? Depending on when you ask that question, the answer might be Singapore, Mongolia, Australia, Myanmar, Pakistan — any far-flung corner of the planet you can imagine. As the President and host of ONE Warrior Series, the former UFC middleweight champion is almost always on the move.
UFC Sao Paulo | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Souza
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2019
In the main event of UFC Sao Paulo, Jan Blachowicz is looking to make it two in a row when he welcomes Ronaldo Souza to the light heavyweight division. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a -200 favorite while ‘Jacare’ is a +160 underdog. Ahead of the action, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. The majority are leaning towards Blachowicz and some see the Polish fighter getting another knockout win. Many also believe the size difference will play a factor.
Jake Shields not retired but not looking for fights
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2019
Jake Shields is keeping his options open. The 40-year-old has not fought since October 2018 at PFL 10 when he lost by TKO to Ray Cooper III for the second time in the year. He wanted to try out the tournament format, but at his age, he said he didn’t know if he wanted to fight so often to do it again.
UFC São Paulo | Jan Blachowicz believes he has to KO 'Jacare' in the first round to earn a title shot
Cole Shelton - November 11, 2019
After Jan Blachowicz knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239, many expected the Polish fighter to get the next title shot. Yet that opportunity has continued to elude Blachowicz. Instead of fighting for the title next, he’ll welcome former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to the light heavyweight division in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo.
Johnny Walker says he doesn't feel the motivation to fight: 'I was sad with a lot of problems'
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2019
Johnny Walker says he was not in the right place mentally or emotionally for his UFC 244 fight against Corey Anderson. In the fight, the Brazilian suffered his first defeat inside the Octagon, losing by first-round TKO. While he is reluctant to make excuses or take anything away from Anderson, he feels he was not in the right headspace ahead of the fight.
Curtis Millender discusses UFC release, reveals he signed with Bellator and has fight booked
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2019
It was recently announced that Curtis Millender was released from the UFC after going 3-2 in the promotion. He was coming off back-to-back losses, yet those losses were to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Belal Muhammad, who are borderline top-15 fighters. Millender isn’t upset about getting cut but does have a chip on his shoulder now.
Muhammed Lawal believes Greg Hardy beats and possibly finishes Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2019
American Top Team coach and MMA legend Muhammed Lawal is impressed with the progress Greg Hardy has made in MMA. The former NFL star is in his first year in the UFC and set for his fifth fight in the co-main event on Saturday when he takes on Alexander Volkov. The fight represents a massive step up in competition for Hardy, who has only fought UFC newcomers and prospects thus far.
Jake Shields says Dillon Danis calls for rematch, then ghosts promoters: 'Maybe he does a bunch of coke at night'
Cole Shelton - November 6, 2019
Jake Shields doubts Dillon Danis actually wants to grapple him again. The two first met at Submission Underground 4, where Shields won the bout via fastest escape time over the three rounds. Despite this loss, Danis still claims he’s the best grappler in MMA.
Bellator 233 | Muhammed Lawal targets one last win to end career
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2019
Muhammed Lawal is ready to hang up the gloves for good. He just has one thing to take care of first. The 38-year-old already retired once following his loss to Jiri Prochazka at RIZIN 15 earlier this year. Yet retiring on a loss was not easy to stomach, and he decided to fight once more, this time at Bellator 233.