Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Agilan Thani ready to topple another veteran in Yushin Okami
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Agilan Thani entered the year 2019 on shaky ground. The Malaysian welterweight had been stopped in his last two fights of 2018, first succumbing to Zebaztian Kadestam’s strikes, then, then tapping to a Kiamrian Abbasov rear-naked choke. Despite this rough patch, Thani’s first contest of the year was a big one. In June, he was tasked with welcoming Japanese MMA legend Yoshihiro Akiyama to the ONE Championship cage.
Al Iaquinta says Cowboy loss provided 'wake-up call'
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Back in May, in the main event of UFC Ottawa, New York’s Al Iaquinta stepped into the cage with the dangerous Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Iaquinta’s objective was to gun down Cowboy and take a big step toward a shot at lightweight gold. Unfortunately for Al Iaquinta and his team, this fight didn’t go as planned, as he was defeated by unanimous decision.
Paulo Costa trashes 'skinny clown' Israel Adesanya, says Dana White has promised him next title shot
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2019
Paulo Costa will be in attendance at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. But, he will not be there as a backup fighter to weigh-in. Instead, he will be there to watch the main event and see who he is fighting next. Of course, the main event of the card is the middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya. According to Paulo Costa, UFC President Dana White has promised him the next title shot.
Cris Cyborg believes women's featherweight is 'one of the deepest in terms of talent'
Cole Shelton - September 13, 2019
Cris Cyborg officially signed with Bellator two weeks ago. The former UFC featherweight champion was released from the Las Vegas-based promotion after her UFC 240 bout — partly due to her crumbling relationship with UFC President Dana White. Cris Cyborg talked to many promotions when her free agency began, but she always knew she would land with Bellator.
Al Iaquinta critiques Poirier's performance, talks Nurmagomedov's next move
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2019
As one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division, New York’s Al Iaquinta was watching last weekend’s Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier fight very closely. In fact, Iaquinta had some pretty unique insight into this Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier matchup, having battled the former to a decision loss in a short-notice fight in early 2018. In the end, Nurmagomedov defeated Poirier by submission. With the dust settled, Iaquinta shared his thoughts on the fight on the latest episode of BJPENN.com Radio.
Colby Covington details surprising beginning of Jorge Masvidal beef
Tom Taylor - September 12, 2019
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal have been friends for a long time, but the pair’s relationship has recently curdled. As both fighters close in on shots at the UFC welterweight title, they’ve become heated rivals. In fact, things have gotten so tense between them that there’s been talk of violence occurring at American Top Team, where they both still train.
UFC Vancouver | Pro fighters make their picks for Donald Cerrone vs. Justin Gaethje
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2019
In the main event of UFC Vancouver, two fan favorites will collide as Donald Cerrone will take on Justin Gaethje. ‘Cowboy’ is looking to return to the win column, while Gaethje is looking to extend his winning streak to three. Heading into the fight, Justin Gaethje is a -210 favorite while ‘Cowboy’ is a +170 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. They all agree it will be a fan-friendly fight and a tough one to call.
Paulo Costa believes he is 'the toughest fight in the division' after beating Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2019
Paulo Costa picked up the biggest win of his career at UFC 241 when he beat Yoel Romero. The win improved his record to a sterling 13-0. Following the win over Romero, Costa now believes he is the toughest fight in the middleweight division.
UFC Vancouver | Uriah Hall outlines path to victory against Antonio Carlos Junior
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019
Uriah Hall will make his first walk to the Octagon of 2019 at UFC Vancouver. He will do so with a new coach, Sayif Saud, after switching to Fortis MMA. The reason Hall decided to switch camps coming off a win is simple. He fell in love with the camp right when he walked in.
Edson Barboza eyes Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, explains how he helped Dustin Poirier prepare
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
Edson Barboza will be fighting Paul Felder in the co-main event of UFC 242. In the main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to defend his title against Dustin Poirier. For the Brazil’s Barboza, the fight atop the card is one he is eager to watch for two reasons. First, Barboza fought Nurmagomedov back at UFC 219 in 2017 and lost the fight by decision, and is interested in a rematch. Second and more importantly is the fact that Poirier is Barboza’s teammate and the pair spent a lot of time training together for UFC 242.
Bellator 226 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo title fight
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
In the main event of Bellator 226, Ryan Bader looks to defend his heavyweight title for the first time when he takes on Cheick Kongo. The champion is currently a -350 favorite at 5Dimes while the challenger is a +250 underdog. Ahead of this Bellator 226 fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. This time around, the pros are unanimous as they all believe Ryan Bader will defend his belt against the 44-year-old Frenchman.
UFC 242 | Pro fighters make their picks for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier title fight
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2019
In the main event of UFC 242, undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wil look to defend his belt against Dustin Poirier. Heading into this fight, the champ is a -500 favorite on Bovada, while the challenger is a +350 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Khabib Nurmagomedov, but they think it is a closer fight than the odds suggest.
Brian Ortega: The Korean Zombie is 'due for another L'
Tom Taylor - September 3, 2019
Brian Ortega is ready to step back into the UFC’s Octagon and separate himself from a late 2018 loss to reigning featherweight champion Max Holloway. He even knows who he wants to fight in his return to action: “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. While this matchup with The Korean Zombie still isn’t official, Ortega believes it makes plenty of sense. He also likes his chances against the fan favorite Korean fighter.
Edson Barboza not looking for another Fight of the Night in Felder rematch
Cole Shelton - September 3, 2019
Edson Barboza is set for the first rematch of his career when he takes on Paul Felder in the co-main event of UFC 242 this weekend. The two first fought back at UFC on FOX 16 in 2015, when Barboza won by decision. The fight was honored as the Fight of the Night. Now, however, when the two step back into the Octagon, Barboza, who is from Brazil and trains at American Top Team, is not looking for another Fight of the Night.
Cheick Kongo: win over Bader makes me 'the best heavyweight in the world'
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2019
Cheick Kongo will soon have a chance to become a heavyweight champion in a major promotion for the first time in his career. The 44-year-old Frenchman will take on Ryan Bader in the main event of Bellator 226 this Saturday. The training camp preparing for Bader has not been an easy one for Kongo. He knows the Bellator champion is an elite wrestler so in preparation he brought in world class, Olympic-level wrestlers to help him for this camp.
Andrea Lee fighting for a lot more than title contention at UFC 242
Mike Heck - August 30, 2019
Andrea Lee has put herself in a position where a title shot is getting closer and closer. She will look to take a big step in that direction next Saturday night when she faces Joanne Calderwood at UFC 242. The event will take place at The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and the women’s flyweight matchup will be the featured preliminary bout.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos not frustrated by having to fight unranked opponents
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2019
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is currently ranked 14th in the UFC welterweight division and is on a seven-fight winning streak. Despite his success, the Brazilian continues to be matched up with unranked opponents. Yet dos Santos doesn’t care if he fights ranked or unranked opponents. Instead, he is just focused on fighting.
Jessica Andrade plans to call out Valentina Shevchenko after UFC Shenzhen
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2019
UFC strawweight champ Jessica Andrade is days out from her first title defense, as she’s set to take on Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC Shenzhen this Saturday. Although Zhang is a tough opponent, the Brazilian champ is already eyeing her next fight, and she wants it to be a super fight. She has been talking about fighting Valentina Shevchenko and now plans on calling her out if she wins on Saturday.