Exclusive MMA Interviews News
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.
ONE Championship's Iuri Lapicus discusses upcoming title fight with Christian Lee
Alfredo Zullino - February 26, 2020
When Iuri Lapicus stepped foot in ONE Championship’s ring for the first time, back in May of 2019, nobody but the most hardcore fight fans knew who the undefeated Italian-Moldavian athlete was. During that debut fight, Iuri Lapicus (14-0 MMA, 2-0 ONE) was able to bring home the victory with a slick rear-naked choke on Thai veteran Shannon Wiratchai in the third round. But it was earlier this month that he made a huge statement and shocked the entire MMA community, finishing former ONE and M-1 Global featherweight belt-holder Marat Gafurov with Gafurov’s own signature move, the rear-naked choke.
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.
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.
Felicia Spencer expects a 'dominating' performance at UFC Norfolk to earn title shot against Amanda Nunes
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Felicia Spencer knows the stakes are high for her co-main event spot at UFC Norfolk. Spencer, who’s coming off a decision loss to Cris Cyborg at UFC 240, is set to return to the Octagon on Saturday against Zarah Fairn dos Santos in the co-main event. For the Canadian, after getting the chance to share the Octagon with Cyborg, she is feeling more than prepared for this fight.
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.
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.
Myles Jury says Bellator 239 fight is 'the most important' of his career, plans on finishing Brandon Girtz
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2020
Myles Jury is set for his second Bellator fight in the co-main event of Bellator 239 when he battles Brandon Girtz. In his promotional debut, he was the main event of Bellator 227 where he dropped a decision to Benson Henderson. Although he lost the fight, he was pleased with his performance.
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.
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.
Jimmy Crute reveals simple game plan for Michal Oleksiejczuk: 'I’m testing his f***ing chin'
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2020
Jimmy Crute is looking to return to the win column at UFC Auckland when he battles Michal Oleksiejczuk. Crute is coming off a first-round submission loss to Misha Cirkunov at UFC Vancouver where a win would have put him in the top-15. In the fight, the Aussie was close to finishing it but he says he let his emotions get the better of him.
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.
Scott Holtzman says it's 'surreal' to fight Jim Miller, believes win puts him in 'elite company'
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2020
Scott Holtzman is set for the biggest fight of his career at UFC Rio Rancho when he fights one of the OGs of MMA in Jim Miller. For Holtzman, this was not an opponent he had asked for, but when the UFC offered him the fight, he immediately accepted.
Leon Edwards believes he's in Tyron Woodley's head, might walk out to former champ's music
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2020
Leon Edwards knows Tyron Woodley did not want to come to London and believes he was forced into doing so. He also believes he has gotten under the skin of the former champion. In the main event of UFC London on March 21, Woodley will return to the Octagon for the first time since losing his belt to Kamaru Usman. Edwards, meanwhile, has been active and is considered to be one win away from a title shot.