Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Gilbert Burns wants ranked opponents at welterweight after his 'biggest win' yet
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2019
Gilbert Burns is now 2-0 since returning to the UFC welterweight division. First, the former lightweight contender took a short notice welterweight bout against undefeated Alexey Kunchenko and handed him his first loss. A month and a half later, he took another short-notice fight, this time against fellow grappler Gunnar Nelson. He once again got his hand raised.
UFC 243 | Al Iaquinta believes Dan Hooker fight could be 'a 15-minute beatdown'
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2019
Al Iaquinta is looking to return to the win column at UFC 243 when he takes on Dan Hooker. The Long Island-native will be heading to Australia to take on the Kiwi in Hooker. It will no doubt be a very entertaining fight, yet Iaquinta believes he will get his hand raised and dominate the fight for the full 15 minutes. That, or score an early finish.
Four months into retirement, Jimi Manuwa's newest foe is the urge to fight again
Tom Taylor - October 2, 2019
Jimi Manuwa is feeling the itch to fight again, but he’s not sure if it’s an itch he should scratch. The long-time UFC light heavyweight contender retired in early June, days after an undeniably brutal knockout loss to Aleksandar Rakić. He did so with his health in mind, but admits the urge to dust off his gloves often out-muscles the concern that led him to retire in the first place.
Robert Whittaker clarifies coach's GSP comparison, admits reluctance to fighting former champ
Cole Shelton - October 1, 2019
Robert Whittaker’s longtime jiu-jitsu coach Alex Prates recently said his pupil is a better version of Georges St-Pierre. “Maybe you’ll see Robert Whittaker using a style that I think is the one that suits him better but he never really needed it because it was always comfortable for him on the feet for most of his fights,” Prates told MMA Fighting, discussing Whittaker’s looming showdown with Israel Adesanya. “With Yoel Romero, for example, it would have been stupid to try to take him down. But Robert has great wrestling and great timing. I honestly think Robert is a better version of GSP. And we might see this now.”
UFC 243 | Robert Whittaker plans on exploiting Israel Adesanya's striking defense
Cole Shelton - September 30, 2019
Robert Whittaker sees a clear path to victory against Israel Adesanya and it is not by using his wrestling as some would expect. At UFC 243, the UFC middleweight champion will return to the Octagon for the first time since June of 2018. He will make his return against the interim champ in Adesanya. It is a highly anticipated fight between an Australian and a Kiwi in Adesanya, and it’s being billed as the biggest fight in Oceanic history.
UFC Copenahen | Macy Chiasson confident she'll get another finish
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2019
Macy Chiasson expects to keep her finish streak alive at UFC Copenhagen The Fortis MMA product is 5-0 as a pro, with four wins by stoppage, including all three of her UFC bouts. When she takes on Lina Lansberg, she’s confident she’ll add another stoppage to her record.
Christian Lee details decision to replace Eddie Alvarez against "Dagi"
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
When Eddie Alvarez was forced out of his ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix final showdown with Saygid Guseyn “Dagi” Arslanaliev, ONE Championship began a frantic search for a replacement opponent. In the end, it was ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee who stepped up. Lee will now fight Dagi on the main card of ONE: Century – Part 1. Stateside, the card will air on Saturday, October 12 at 11:00pm ET on TNT.
Demetrious Johnson welcomes ONE Championship bouts on US soil
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
ONE Championship is plotting an expansion into the United States, and Demetrious Johnson is more than willing to be a part of those plans. Johnson, who will have fought twice in Tokyo and once in Manila by year’s end, discussed a potential return to US soil in a recent interview with BJPENN.com. He says he’s particularly interested in fighting in Hawaii, home to ONE Championship stars Christian and Angela Lee, and the perceived frontrunner for ONE’s US debut.
Bellator 228 | Pro fighters make their picks for Gegard Mousasi vs. Lyoto Machida 2
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2019
Bellator is back in Inglewood, California this Saturday night for a stacked Bellator 228 card. It features four Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix fights, and in the co-main event, a pivotal middleweight bout as Gegard Mousasi takes on Lyoto Machida in a rematch of their 2014 fight in the UFC. Heading into the tilt, Mousasi is a -300 favorite while the former UFC champ is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. Surprisingly, the pros are unanimous on this one.
UFC Copenhagen | Pro fighters make their picks for Jack Hermansson vs. Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2019
This Saturday, the Octagon touches down in Denmark for UFC Copenhagen. The main event will be a pivotal middleweight bout as Jack Hermansson takes on Jared Cannonier. Heading into the fight, the European Hermansson is a -250 favorite while the American is a +190 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. And, as the odds suggest, the majority are leaning towards Jack Hermansson to get it done.
UFC Copenhagen | Gilbert Burns believes Gunnar Nelson is the biggest fight of his career
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2019
Gilbert Burns is once again taking a welterweight short notice fight. Back in August, the Brazilian stepped up and took on Alexey Kunchenko and handed him his first loss. Now, on Saturday, at UFC Copenhagen, Burns will take on Gunnar Nelson having had just a week and a half to prepare.
Aung La N Sang: The Beekeeper who Became a World Champion
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2019
Long before Aung La N Sang became a professional fighter, he worked as a professional beekeeper. Surprisingly, there are a number similarities between these two gigs.
Jared Cannonier expects to KO Jack Hermansson in UFC Copenhagen main event
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2019
Jared Cannonier is now 2-0 in the middleweight division and set to headline his first UFC card. In the main event of UFC Copenhagen, the American will take on Jack Hermansson in a pivotal middleweight bout. Cannonier, who is coming off of a very impressive TKO win over Anderson Silva, is eager to be the main event.
Kevin Belingon seeking decisive finish in fourth Bibiano Fernandes fight
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019
Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes have a long and complicated history together. The two stars will look to write a decisive final chapter to their shared story when they collide for the ONE Championship bantamweight title at ONE: Century – Part 2 on October 13 in Tokyo, Japan. This Tokyo showdown will mark the fourth time they share the cage together.
Demetrious Johnson looks to cap off whirlwind 2019 with Grand Prix victory
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019
It’s been a hectic year for Demetrious Johnson. After signing with ONE Championship in late 2018, the former UFC Flyweight Champion has spent the duration of 2019 thus far bushwhacking his way through the perilous ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.
Colby Covington responds to Dustin Poirier: 'He knows where to find me'
Cole Shelton - September 20, 2019
Colby Covington has been at odds with American Top Team teammate Dustin Poirier ever since Poirier lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242. After 242, Poirier was asked if he would be willing to fight a training partner at American Top Team, and he said no because he isn’t a sellout like Colby Covington.
UFC Mexico City | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2019
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, top-10 featherweights collide as Yair Rodriguez takes on Jeremy Stephens. Heading into the fight, the Mexican in Rodriguez is a -110 underdog while the American is the -120 favorite, meaning it is practically a pick’em fight. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe it will be a close fight but give a slight edge to the local fighter.
Colby Covington will '100 percent' stay at ATT; partially switches management group
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Colby Covington has gotten some heat from fellow American Top Team (ATT) fighters as of late. ‘Chaos’ has taken shots at both Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier with both firing right back at the former UFC interim welterweight champion. It got to the point that Covington admitted a brawl may take place at ATT and he could very well have to leave the gym.




