Exclusive MMA Interviews News
Dan Ige says KO of Andre Fili was "pretty gangster," eyes return at The Sphere against any ranked featherweight
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2024
Dan Ige returned to the win column in a big way at UFC Vegas 86. Ige was fighting in the co-main event as he took on short-notice replacement Andre Fili. The Hawaiian was originally supposed to fight Lerone Murphy, but the Brit was forced out of the bout. Fili ended up being the replacement opponent, which was tough for Ige as he says the two are friends and have trained together in the past.
UFC 298 | Pro fighters make their picks for Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
On the main card of UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim, California, top-three bantamweights collide as Merab Dvalishvili takes on Henry Cejudo. Heading into the fight, Dvalishvili is a -205 favorite while ‘Triple C’ is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight fight at UFC 298. Ultimately, the pros are siding with the favorite as they believe Merab Dvalihvili’s cardio and relentless wrestling will be too much for Cejudo at UFC 298.
UFC 298 | Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 298, a pivotal middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa goes down on Saturday in Anaheim. Heading into the fight, Whittaker is a -265 favorite while the Brazilian is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the fight at UFC 298. The pros are expecting Whittaker to return to the win column in a big way as the fighters think he’s too technical for Costa.
Geoff Neal wants a "slobber knocker" of a fight against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 298
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2024
Geoff Neal is looking to cause chaos at UFC 298 and make his fight against Ian Machado Garry a wild one. Neal is set to face Garry in a rescheduled bout after the two were supposed to fight back in August. Neal was forced to pull out of their initial booking with an injury, and according to ‘Handz of Steel’ the Irishman wasn’t originally keen on rebooking the fight.
Robert Whittaker excited to go out and "hurt" Paulo Costa at UFC 298: "I'm coming for violence"
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2024
Robert Whittaker is glad he and Paulo Costa will finally fight. Whittaker and Costa have been scheduled to fight one another twice previously, including last February, but both times the Brazilian was the reason for the proposed contest falling apart. Despite that, when Whittaker was offered to face Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim, he jumped at the chance to do so.
David Zawada to face OKTAGON MMA foe: "I know Hojat"
Zain Bando - February 9, 2024
David Zawada (18-9 MMA, 1-0 OKTAGON MMA) returns to the OKTAGON MMA cage for the second time to secure his first victory since June 2022 when he faces No. 5 ranked middleweight Hojat Khajevand (7-3 MMA) on Saturday afternoon (stateside) in Germany. Zawada is a long-time combat sports veteran, having competed in PFL and the UFC.
Devin Clark planning for a "dominant" win over Marcin Prachnio on last fight of his deal at UFC Vegas 86
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
Devin Clark knows he could be fighting for his job on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 86. Clark hasn’t fought since May of last year when he suffered a submission loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu. After that, he was hoping to fight one more time in 2023, but he decided to spend time with his family and get his mindset right for his next fight.
On last fight of deal Max Griffin excited to prove himself against "dog" Jeremiah Wells at UFC Vegas 86
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
Max Griffin is facing a do-or-die scenario at UFC Vegas 86. Griffin is coming off a disappointing decision loss to Michael Morales last July, in a fight where he didn’t think he fought up to his standards. After that, he wanted to return ASAP but that didn’t happen. Instead, he was held to just one fight in 2023, which frustrated Griffin.
Jack Hermansson believes he has to "make a statement" against Joe Pyfer at UFC Vegas 86 to prove he's still a title contender
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Jack Hermansson isn’t surprised people are overlooking him and doubting him going into his UFC Vegas 86 main event fight against Joe Pyfer. Hermansson hasn’t fought since December of 2022 when he suffered a TKO loss to Roman Dolidze. He was later booked to fight Brendan Allen in June, but an injury forced him to withdraw as he was out of action for all of 2023, which was frustrating for ‘The Joker’.
OKTAGON's Matěj Peňáz says "direct offer to UFC" is goal
Zain Bando - January 25, 2024
OKTAGON’s Matěj Peňáz returns to the cage for the first time since December on a two-fight winning streak opposite Matthew Bonner (16-9-1 MMA) on Saturday at OKTAGON 52 in Newcastle, England. The event airs live on DAZN and the promotion’s official website (via internet pay-per-view), beginning at noon ET/9 a.m. PT in the U.S. Peňáz (8-1 MMA) spoke to BJPenn.com ahead of his middleweight fight about his training camp, Bonner as an opponent, and future MMA career aspirations.
Bruce Buffer always knew the UFC would be one of "the biggest things in sports worldwide"
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2024
Bruce Buffer has seen it all throughout his time in the UFC. Buffer will have been the voice of the Octagon for 29 years next month, and when he first joined the company, MMA wasn’t very popular, and the UFC was struggling to stay afloat. However, Buffer had full confidence the UFC could become the biggest thing in combat sports, but also one of the biggest things in sports, period.
Jimmy Flick claims he's the reason Malcolm Gordon is in the UFC ahead of UFC 297 fight: "It's not going 15 minutes"
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2024
Jimmy Flick knows his UFC job is on the line this Saturday night in Toronto. Flick is set to face Malcolm Gordon in the first fight of the night at UFC 297. The flyweights are opening the card, which is thrilling for Flick who gets to fight in front of a crowd for the first time in his UFC career.
Gillian Robertson trained with UFC 297 opponent Polyana Viana in the past, eyes TKO victory in front of hometown crowd
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2024
Gillian Robertson is eager to fight back home in Canada. Robertson hasn’t fought in Canada since July of 2019 at UFC 240, where she scored a first round TKO victory over Sarah Frota. After missing out on the UFC’s return to Vancouver last June, Robertson was ecstatic when she found out she’d be on UFC 297 in Toronto.
UFC 297 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis title fight
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
In the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Sean Strickland looks to defend his belt for the first time against Dricus Du Plessis. Heading into the fight, Strickland is a small -138 favorite while the South African is a +108 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 297. The pros believe Strickland will get it done, as they think the American can edge out a decision win, as his pressure will be too much for Du Plessis to deal with.
Bruce Buffer very excited "to perform for the Canadians" at UFC 297: "The fans are rabid and they love the UFC"
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Bruce Buffer was excited to see the UFC returning to Canada in 2024, and Toronto for that matter. Buffer has been to plenty of countries, where he has introduced several fighters inside of the Octagon. Buffer knows no matter where the UFC goes the crowd is always loud and electric, but the voice of the UFC says Canada, and especially Toronto, is always one of the rowdiest and loudest crowds of the year.
Marcus McGhee ready for a "three-round war" against Gaston Bolanos at UFC Vegas 84
Cole Shelton - January 12, 2024
Marcus McGhee is ready to build off of his success in 2023. McGhee made his UFC debut in April of last year where he scored a second-round submission win over Journey Newson. He then followed that up with a first-round knockout over JP Buys in August. Although McGhee went 2-0 with two Performance of the Night Bonuses and is becoming more known, he says that doesn’t add any pressure to him.
Mario Bautista confident he can "put out" Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 84 to send a "statement" to the bantamweight division
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
Mario Bautista is excited to finally get his chance to fight a ranked opponent. Bautista is coming off a decision win over Da’Mon Blackshear in August, in a fight where he was originally supposed to take on Cody Garbrandt, but the former bantamweight champion was forced out of the bout due to an injury. After the win over Blackshear, Bautista wanted a ranked opponent next, and he got his wish as he will take on Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 84.
Jim Miller expects to "overwhelm" Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84, has an "inclination" of who he will fight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
Jim Miller always wanted to fight one more time before UFC 300. For years, Miller has been vocal that he wants to compete at UFC 300, given he has competed at both UFC 100 and 200. However, many were surprised when Miller was booked to fight at UFC Vegas 84 on Jan. 13, exactly three months before the historic event.