Exclusive MMA Interviews News
TUF 28 winner Juan Espino explains absence, gives timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - August 26, 2019
If you watched The Ultimate Fighter 28 you would know the two winners were Juan Espino and Macy Chiasson. Since winning it, Chiasson has fought twice and has her third fight booked. Juan Espino, meanwhile, has still yet to fight. He beat Justin Frazier at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale in November of 2018 and has been out of action since. There has been no news on when he will fight, and no details on whether he was hurt or on what was keeping him out of the Octagon.
Mark De La Rosa is ready to make some noise in the flyweight division
Natasha Hooper - August 26, 2019
Mark De La Rosa is ready to up the ante as he faces off against Kai Kara-France at UFC Shenzhen. The former 135-pounder is moving down to flyweight for the second time to face Kara-France in China on Saturday, August 31. Despite losing his most recent fight to Alex Perez earlier this year, De La Rosa is feeling confident about his upcoming fight.
Austin Vanderford gives update on wife Paige VanZant
Cole Shelton - August 23, 2019
Paige VanZant has not fought since January of this year, when she submitted Rachael Ostovich. Since then, she has been sidelined due to yet another broken arm. For her husband Austin Vanderford, it has been hard to see her be on the shelf once again. “The hardest part of our relationship has been her arm. It is hard to relate it to anything else. Really, it just takes away from what she wants to do,” Vanderford told BJEPNN.com. “She has her foot in a lot of things and is very smart and has built her brand to go further than fighting. But, her fighting is the most important thing. If anything has proven that is this injury. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t get to see that. She is a fighter first and foremost.”
Volkan Oezdemir hopes to battle Jan Blachowicz or KO Dominick Reyes
Cole Shelton - August 23, 2019
Switzerland’s Volkan Oezdemir has wanted to run it back with Dominick Reyes ever since his controversial loss to the American earlier this year. But Reyes is set to take on Chris Weidman, so the fight isn’t possible right now. For that reason, Oezdemir is turning his attention to Jan Blachowicz.
Austin Vanderford wants 'marquee names' after Bellator 225
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2019
Austin Vanderford will return to the cage at Bellator 225 and will take on Joseph Creer. Both men are undefeated. When he makes the walk to the cage he will be fighting at middleweight for the first time. He decided to move up a division for a simple reason, but also notes a return to welterweight is not impossible.
Javy Ayala expects Vitaly Minakov fight to be 'fireworks'
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2019
Javy Ayala is coming off of the biggest win of his career, as he TKO’d Frank Mir back in December. Now, in the co-main event of Bellator 225 this weekend, he’s set to take on the former champion in Vitaly Minakov. Although Javy Ayala hasn’t fought since December, he isn’t worried about his layoff. Instead, he says he used that time to better his game and was excited when he finally got a fight offer — especially when he saw Minakov’s name on the contract.
Anthony Smith rips Luke Rockhold and gives advice to Chris Weidman
Cole Shelton - August 21, 2019
Anthony Smith and Luke Rockhold have had a heated rivalry for quite some time. Ever since “Lionheart” moved up from the middleweight division and began having success at light heavyweight, the former middleweight champion Rockhold has been critical of him. Yet when Rockhold made his own debut at 205-pounds, he was knocked out in the second round by Jan Blachowicz. For Anthony Smith, this was good to see as it forced Rockhold eat his words. But, even after Rockhold’s failed light heavyweight debut, Smith isn’t done trash-talking his rival.
Anthony Smith believes he would get a rematch against Jon Jones right now if he was healthy
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2019
Anthony Smith is confident that, if he were healthy, he could be getting a rematch against Jon Jones immediately. The two fought back at UFC 235. Jones won the fight by unanimous decision. Since then, “Lionheart” has submitted Alexander Gustafsson, while “Bones” beat Thiago Santos.
Anthony Smith believes Kinektic grappling 'could be the future' of grappling competition
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2019
Kinektic grappling is starting off with a bang. On Aug. 16, they will have their first event, which is a team grappling competition. The promotion is co-founded by Urijah Faber and features the likes of MMA stars Chael Sonnen, Chris Lytle, and Anthony Smith. For Smith, when the Kinektic team asked him to be a part of it, he was extremely excited about it.
UFC 241 | Pro fighters make their picks for Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2019
Two of the sport’s greatest heavyweights will imminently run it back. In the main event of UFC 241, Daniel Cormier is looking to defend his heavyweight title for the second time when he takes on Stipe Miocic, the most dominant champ in the UFC heavyweight division’s history. It will be a rematch of their fight at UFC 226, which ‘DC’ who won by knockout. Heading into this fight, the champ as a -145 favorite while Miocic is a +115 underdog.
Cory Sandhagen plans to jump Sterling, Yan in title picture with UFC 241 win
Mike Heck - August 15, 2019
Cory Sandhagen is on the short list of fighters in the bantamweight title discussion and he believes he can get right to the top of that list Saturday night. Sandhagen will square off against perennial contender Raphael Assuncao at UFC 241. The event takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. with the 135-pound clash taking place during the ESPN prelims.
UFC 241 | Ian Heinisch believes he will 'physically and mentally' break Derek Brunson
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2019
Ian Heinisch expects a dominating performance at UFC 241 when he takes on Derek Brunson. The 31-year-old called for this fight and for a good reason. He doesn’t believe Brunson is on his level and plans on exploiting him come Saturday.
Paulo Costa makes confident prediction for Yoel Romero fight
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2019
Paulo Costa has high expectations for himself heading into his UFC 241 fight against Yoel Romero. The Brazilian has been asking for this fight for a long time and now, after three previous attempts failed, the two will finally meet.
Tim Elliott says opponent Deiveson Figueiredo looked 'sloppy' in last fight
Natasha Hooper - August 14, 2019
Last week, it was confirmed by Combate that flyweight contenders Tim Elliott and Deiveson Figueiredo will be going head-to-head at UFC San Francisco on October 21. Figueiredo is riding high since picking up a unanimous decision win over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 240. It was a solid performance, but you can’t please everyone. His future opponent, Tim Elliott, was not overly impressed.
UFC 241 | Pro fighters make their picks for Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - August 13, 2019
The UFC has stacked the deck for UFC 241, with the heavyweight title on the line and some very intriguing bouts on the main card. In one of those bouts, former middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero will take on Brazilian knockout artist Paulo Costa, who has been asking for this fight for a long time. Heading into the scrap, Romero is a -155 favorite while Costa is a +125 underdog.
Jim Miller details what surprised him about Clay Guida fight
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2019
Jim Miller and Clay Guida met in the co-main event of UFC Newark in a battle of two lightweight veterans. Miller picked up the win in Newark, setting up a submission by rocking his foe on the feet. That being said, he too found himself on wobbly legs after Guida landed on him right before the fight ended.
UFC Uruguay | Valentina Shevchenko preparing for any surprises Liz Carmouche may have
Cole Shelton - August 9, 2019
Valentina Shevchenko is preparing for a different Liz Carmouche. In the main event of UFC Uruguay, the flyweight title will be on the line. It will also be a rematch nine years in the making. In Shevchenko and Carmouche’s first fight, it was Carmouche who won by doctor stoppage, yet with no video, that outcome has become a subject of debate.
Jim Miller reacts to getting his 20th win in the UFC, talks retirement plans
Tom Taylor - August 9, 2019
In the long history of the UFC, only a few fighters have managed to earn 20 wins inside the Octagon. They are: Georges St-Pierre, Michael Bisping, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Demian Maia, and as of last Saturday, lightweight veteran Jim Miller. Miller earned his 20th career win when he submitted fellow veteran Clay Guida in the co-main event of UFC Newark.