Exclusive MMA Interviews News
UFC 245 | Ian Heinisch says Omari Akhmedov fight will be 'violent,' wants Jack Hermansson next
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2019
Ian Heinisch has violent intentions for Omari Akhmedov. Heinisch is taking on the Dagestani fighter at UFC 245 this weekend. The American is looking to return to the win column after a disappointing performance against Derek Brunson at UFC 241.
UFC 245 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Germaine de Randamie 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2019
At UFC 245, Amanda Nunes will look to defend her bantamweight title once again when she takes on Germaine de Randamie. The contest will be a rematch of a 2013 fight, which Nunes won by first-round TKO. Heading into the fight, the Brazilian champion is a -300 favorite while the challenger is a +230 underdog.
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane believes UFC did Liz Carmouche 'dirty', willing to fight her for Bellator belt
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is not happy about how the way the UFC released her friend and teammate Liz Carmouche. The two-time UFC title challenger Carmouche was released while she was in Washington D.C. doing promotional work for the company.
UFC 245 | Irene Aldana believes win over Ketlen Vieira earns her title shot; eyes being backup for Nunes-GDR
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Irene Aldana believes she is part of a No. 1 contender fight with Ketlen Vieira at UFC 245. Vieira, who is ranked No. 2 in the division, has not fought since March of 2018, so Aldana was surprised she was offered this fight.
Ben Saunders coming to 'steal the show with Matt Brown' at UFC 245
Mike Heck - December 10, 2019
Saturday night’s UFC 245 fight card is absolutely stacked. With three title fights and two very intriguing bantamweight matchups making up the main card, along with a slew of fascinating preliminary fights, the organization’s year end pay-per-view is shaping up to be one of 2019’s best. In addition, a welterweight matchup between Ben Saunders and Matt Brown — veterans of over 40 combined Octagon appearances — has a chance to steal the show away from the fights on the marquee. Saunders and Brown will compete during the ESPN2 preliminary card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “Killa B” is looking to snap a three fight skid against a performance bonus magnet in Brown, who hasn’t competed since knocking out Diego Sanchez over two years ago and briefly retired from the sport.
UFC 245 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington title fight
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2019
In the main event of UFC 245, Kamaru Usman will look to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he battles his arch rival, Colby Covington. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -185 favorite while “Chaos” is a +150 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. This time around, the pros are split, as the majority believe it will be a close fight where it could go either way.
UFC 245 | Geoff Neal wants to be the first person to put Mike Perry away
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2019
Geoff Neal is looking to be the first person to knockout Mike Perry at UFC 245. Although Neal is ranked and undefeated in the UFC, he is taking on an unranked Perry who is also coming off a loss. Yet, the Fortis MMA product doesn’t care as he knows “Platinum” is a big name.
Cody Stamann reacts to controversial UFC DC draw, plans to appeal
Mike Heck - December 9, 2019
One of the fights fans were looking forward to seeing most on Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 7 was a bantamweight fight between Cody Stamann and Song Yadong. While the fight featured a solid game plan from Stamann against a 2-1 favored opponent in the dangerous Yadong, it was mired in controversy following the reading of the judges score cards. Stamann, along with many members of the MMA community, believed he had done enough to get the nod against Yadong. However, one judge scored it for Stamann, while the others scored it an even 28-28 to lead to a majority draw — the first of two draws on the night.
Yana Kunitskaya believes boyfriend Thiago Santos beat Jon Jones, hopes for immediate rematch
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2019
Yana Kunitskaya believes her boyfriend, Thiago Santos, should be the UFC’s light heavyweight champion right now. Back in July at UFC 239, Santos took on Jon Jones. Many thought it would be an easy fight for the champion “Bones.” Yet, that is far from what happened, as Jones barely edged out a split-decision. Some, including Kunitskaya, thought Santos did enough to win.
Pro fighters make their picks for Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2019
This Saturday, the UFC is back after a two-week break with an exciting card in Washington D.C. The card will be topped by a heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Heading into the fight, Overeem is a -120 favorite while the short-notice replacement is a +110 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Alistair Overeem’s experience will be too much for Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Yana Kunitskaya says Aspen Ladd's last fight proved she is beatable
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Yana Kunitskaya is looking to put Aspen Ladd on losing streak for the first time in her career. On the main card of the UFC’s imminent return to Washington D.C., Ladd is returning after the quick 16-second knockout loss to Germaine de Randamie in July. Kunitskaya believes that fight proved Ladd is beatable and she is confident she will make it two losses in a row.
Mike Winkeljohn hopes atomweight division happens for Michelle Waterson; also want Namajunas rematch
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Michelle Waterson had a chance to earn a strawweight title shot with a win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the main event of UFC Tampa. Yet she lost by decision which sent her back to the drawing board. Her coach Mike Winkeljohn knows Waterson can be a top-fighter at 115-pounds but hopes the UFC starts an atomweight division. If that happens, he is confident Waterson would become a UFC champion.
Mike Winkeljohn says Holly Holm will return early 2020, wants Aspen Ladd fight
Cole Shelton - November 29, 2019
Holly Holm is coming off of a knockout loss to Amanda Nunes, which marked a failed bid to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title. She was expected to return against Raquel Pennington at UFC 243, but an injury forced her to pull out. Now, according to JacksonWink MMA coach, Mike Winkeljohn, the hope is that Holm will return in early 2020.
Dan Lambert says Amanda Nunes and ATT are 'extremely confident' ahead of Germaine de Randamie fight
Cole Shelton - November 29, 2019
Amanda Nunes is set to defend her bantamweight title against Germaine de Randamie at UFC 245. It will be a rematch of their 2013 bout, which Nunes won by TKO in the first round. Dan Lambert and the coaches at American Top Team are confident Nunes will get it done once again.
Mike Winkeljohn discusses possible heavyweight move for Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - November 29, 2019
One of the biggest question fans ask Jon Jones is when will he move to heavyweight and will he fight Daniel Cormier again? The Cormier trilogy is a massive fight, and many want to see him try his luck at heavyweight given he is practically cleared out the light heavyweight division. Yet, according to Jones’ coach in Mike Winkeljohn, “Bones” is committed to 205 pounds right now.
Mike Winkeljohn believes Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya will happen but it won't be a close fight
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2019
Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya have been going back-and-forth at one another on social media and a fight between the two seems likely. Yet, “The Last Stylebender” has said it won’t happen until 2021 once he clears out the middleweight division.
Dan Lambert believes UFC should re-book Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2019
Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz were expected to fight at UFC 230 in late 2018. It was a fight many fans were excited about, but it ended up not happening. Diaz accused Poirier of pulling out due to a hip injury, yet Poirier said when he pulled out of the fight the Stockton, California native already withdraw.
ATT owner believes Volkov loss will be a 'pivotal moment' in Greg Hardy's career
Cole Shelton - November 26, 2019
Greg Hardy finally got that step up in competition everyone has been clamoring for. At UFC Moscow, the former NFL star stepped up on short notice to take on Alexander Volkov, who was a top-10 heavyweight. The fight did not go Hardy;s way as he lost by decision. But, according to American Top Team owner Dan Lambert, he believes that loss will be crucial in Hardy’s career.