Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Isaac Vallie-Flagg previews BKFC 7 scrap with former roommate Melvin Guillard
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2019
Isaac Vallie-Flagg knows Melvin Guillard very well. The two UFC veterans previously trained together at JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque, and even lived together for a brief period. But now, they’re poised to pummel each other, sans gloves, as part of the BKFC 7 card in Biloxi, Mississippi on Saturday, August 10. Vallie-Flagg admits there was some reluctance to agree to a fist fight with a man he considers a friend, yet he knows he and his opponent both understand that it’s purely business.
UFC Uruguay | Liz Carmouche says she will finish Valentina Shevchenko again
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2019
Liz Carmouche is the only person to ever finish Valentina Shevchenko, and she expects to do that again. In the main event of UFC Uruguay, Carmouche will rematch Shevchenko for the UFC flyweight belt. The two fought back in 2010, and the American defeated the future UFC champ from Kyrgyzstan by stoppage. Although that was nine years ago, the outcome is still somewhat controversial.
Dan Lambert reveals UFC has promised Joanna Jedrzejczyk title shot with win
Cole Shelton - August 5, 2019
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has a lot riding on her next fight at strawweight. In the main event of UFC San Francisco, she will take on Michelle Waterson. It will also mark her first fight at 115-pounds since she beat Tecia Torres by decision back in July of 2018.
ATT owner: Jorge Masvidal should get title shot or Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2019
Count American Top Team Owner Dan Lambert among those that think Jorge Masvidal should either get Conor McGregor or a welterweight title shot next. For Lambert to see the knockout of Ben Askren in person was surreal. He saw Jorge Masvidal train the flying knee in the gym and heard him tell everyone in the gym that is how the fight would play out. Even though that is how it happened, it was still shocking for the ATT owner and everyone at the gym.
UFC Newark | Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs. Robbie Lawler
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2019
In the main event of UFC Newark, former interim welterweight champion,Colby Covington returns after over a year off to take on former undisputed champ Robbie Lawler. Heading into the fight, “Chaos” is a -235 favorite, while the former champ Lawler is a +185 underdog. 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, despite Covington being a big favorite.
Arjan Bhullar explains why he chose ONE Championship over the UFC
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
In May, at UFC Ottawa, former Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar picked up a decision victory over Juan Adams, extending his win-streak to two-straight and his overall UFC record to 3-1. Several weeks later, the Indian-Canadian heavyweight parted ways with the UFC and signed with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. Bhullar, who trains alongside Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy, is now set to make his ONE Championship debut against former Cage Warriors champion Mauro Cerilli at ONE: Dawn of Heroes on Friday, August 2.
ATT owner reveals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are no longer training together
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2019
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are best friends and have been for years. The two welterweight contenders always train with each other to help one another for their upcoming fights. But that is no longer the case. At least, not currently. Covington and Masvidal are two of the UFC’s top welterweights, and according to American Top Team owner Dan Lambert, they are no longer training together as they believe they’ll inevitably have to fight each other.
Dan Lambert believes Amanda Nunes belongs in the GOAT conversation
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Amanda Nunes is the reigning bantamweight and featherweight champion and is fresh off of a knockout win over Holly Holm at UFC 239. Now, Amanda Nunes is hoping to defend her featherweight title, but it’s hard to say who she’ll fight. Cris Cyborg could soon be a free agent, and other than that, there are no real contenders on win-streaks available for Nunes.
Jared Cannonier shares early thoughts on Jack Hermansson main event fight
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Jared Cannonier is set for his first UFC main event as he takes on Jack Hermansson at UFC Copenhagen. Cannonier is 2-0 since dropping down to middleweight win TKO wins over David Branch at UFC 230 and Anderson Silva at UFC 237. Although he has been on a roll, so too, has Hermansson. He submitted Branch in under a minute, then beat Jacare Souza by decision laying the foundation for this fight with Cannonier. Cannonier did not hesitate to accept this fight even with how good Hermansson has looked as of late.
The King of Lethwei: Dave Leduc is conquering the world's most brutal sport
Tom Taylor - July 29, 2019
Dave Leduc walks into Arts Martiaux Patenaude in Gatineau, Quebec like any other student might: quietly, with a bag slung over his shoulder, and a few minutes late. In fact, were it not for his size and his interesting tattoos, he might not warrant a second glance. Yet contrary to appearances, this Quebecer is a member of the martial arts pantheon; a fighting titan; a hero in a sport from half a world away. He is the King of Lethwei.
UFC 240 | Geoff Neal believes Niko Price bout will be 'Fight of the Night'
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2019
Geoff Neal did not expect to wait this long in between fights, but he is excited with the way things worked out. The Texan will now fight on the main card of UFC 240 against Niko Price in a fight that promises to deliver. “It is really cool. Everyone knows it will be a really fun fight,” Neal said to BJPENN.com. “This is the type of fight that I like to see, so I know fans will love to see. Just a great matchup.”
Frankie Edgar discusses possible featherweight title win, potential move to 135
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2019
In the main event of UFC 240, Frankie Edgar has the chance to become a two-division UFC champion. “The Answer” already held the lightweight title from 2010-2012. Since then, the 37-year-old has dropped down to featherweight, and has been chasing gold in the division ever since. At 145 pounds, Edgar has previously fought for the undisputed title and the interim title, both times against the former champ Jose Aldo, and both times losing by decision. Now, he has a chance to capture the belt once again, this time against reigning champ Max Holloway.
UFC 240 | Felicia Spencer believes she finishes Cris Cyborg in the first round
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2019
Felicia Spencer has a ton of confidence heading into the biggest fight of her career. In the co-main event of UFC 240, “Feenom” is taking on Cris Cyborg in just her second UFC fight, which is a surreal thing for the Canadian.
UFC 240 | Krzysztof Jotko promises to 'smash' Marc-Andre Barriault
Cole Shelton - July 23, 2019
Krzysztof Jotko is looking to build a winning streak on Saturday against Marc-Andre Barriault on the main card of UFC 240. The Polish fighter is coming off of a decision win over Alen Amedovski in April. This victory snapped a three-fight losing streak, as he has recently lost to David Branch, Uriah Hall, and Brad Tavares.
UFC 240 | Frankie Edgar believes he has to make Max Holloway 'second guess himself'
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2019
Frankie Edgar will soon get his long-awaited title shot against UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway. The two have been matched up at UFC 218 and UFC 222 but injuries nixed their matchup on both occasions. At UFC 240, however, the former lightweight champion Edgar is set to take on Holloway in the main event.
Germaine de Randamie wants Amanda Nunes rematch, but not at featherweight
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2019
After Germaine de Randamie beat Aspen Ladd by knockout in just 16-seconds at UFC Sacramento, many believe she is next for the title shot against reigning bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. After all, de Randamie was ranked number-one heading into the fight and beat the then fourth-ranked fighter. Yet, de Randamie isn’t certain if Nunes is next — especially if Nunes decides to defend her UFC featherweight title next.
Germaine de Randamie defends Aspen Ladd stoppage
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2019
Germaine de Randamie headlined her second UFC card on Saturday, taking on the undefeated Aspen Ladd in the main event of UFC Sacramento. But, fans were not happy with the ending of the fight as the former featherweight champion knocked out the 24-year-old in just 16 seconds with one punch. As soon as the fight was over, boos came down from the crowd, who evidently thought the referee intervened early. De Randamie had no idea if it was an early stoppage during the fight. But, now looking back on it, the Dutch fighter believes it was a good stoppage and wonders why fans want to see fighters take more damage than necessary.
Ryan Hall breaks down 'completely and utterly dominant' UFC Sacramento win
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2019
Last Saturday, Ryan Hall took to the Octagon in Sacramento and beat a local favorite, Darren Elkins, by decision. While Hall is known for his world class Brazilian jiu jitsu, it was his striking that was on display in this fight, as he was able to drop Elkins twice en route to his win. Although Hall didn’t get the finish, he says the fight went about as perfect as it could have.