UFC Nashville Predictions: Thompson vs. Pettis
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On Saturday, March 23, the UFC makes its way to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Top welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson takes on former lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis as he makes his welterweight debut. In the co-main event, top heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is looking to get back to his winning ways as he takes on top prospect Justin Willis.
See the UFC Nashville predictions below.
Maycee Barber vs JJ Aldrich (Flyweight)
Hiram: Barber is by far one of the biggest up-and-coming fighters the UFC has, she is truly going to be a superstar. Maycee does not stay quiet, speaks her mind, and most of all she can scrap. She is improving everyday and in each fight I always see something better that she does. She will also be moving up to flyweight and I expect her to be even stronger with not having to cut to 115-pounds. JJ Aldrich is an amazing fighter herself, she has been around for a while and has a solid game. This will not be an easy fight for Barber, I expect Aldrich to bring it and be in her face all night.
Maycee Barber def. JJ Aldrich via unanimous decision.
Connor: Maycee Barber is part of the new wave of mixed martial artists. She has been training in multiple disciplines since a young age with the goal of becoming an MMA fighter. Barber wants to stay active, and moved up in weight to fight Aldrich. Aldrich is a talented fighter, but Barber has been training for this career her whole life, and is ready for any test put in front of her. I believe Barber is on the right path to achieve her goal of becoming the youngest champion in UFC history, and she will look to continue to improve her resume and gain experience.
Maycee Barber def. JJ Aldrich via KO in round 3.
Luis Pena vs Steven Peterson (Featherweight)
Hiram: A product of the famous AKA gym, Luis Pena is a very talented up-and-comer and has the potential to do some great things in the UFC. Pena is still very young in the sport with a record of 5-1 and the one loss coming to the hand of The Ultimate Fighter winner, Michael Trizano. Peterson has also only fought in the UFC 3 times and is 1-2 since joining the promotion. He does have double the fights that Pena does, so experience could become a factor in this fight. I think this is a very good style match up for Pena, I am looking to see him put on a show and showcase his true skills.
Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson via TKO in round 3.
Connor: Pena was a standout when he was on The Ultimate Fighter, but he injured his foot which stalled his rise. Pena may have even been the winner of the show if not for his injury, but that we will never know. Peterson won his last fight while Pena was not as fortunate, both fighters are well rounded and should be able to put on a show for the crowd wherever the fight goes.
Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson via submission in round 2.
Jussier Formiga (1) vs Deiveson Figueiredo (4) (Flyweight)
Hiram: Although we have no clue what is going on with the flyweight division, the UFC keeps booking great fights and this is set to be a barn burner. Both of these men are close to a title shot, Jussier Formiga is on a 3 fight winning streak and his most noticeable win is against Sergio Pettis. Deiveson is a scary man with explosive speed and power, probably the hardest hitting flyweight on the UFC roster.
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Jussier Formiga via TKO in round 2.
Connor: Figueiredo is undefeated as a professional in MMA, and has shown that he controls the pace of the fight, and takes the fight where he wants to. Formiga is great at controlling the fight wherever it goes. I envision this fight being a battle of who is better on the ground. Formiga has battled with some of the best in the division in the UFC, and had mixed results. He will look to continue to add names to his victory list, as Figueiredo looks to stay undefeated.
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Jussier Formiga via in KO round 3.
John Makdessi vs Jesus Pinedo (Lightweight)
Hiram: John Makdessi is a veteran of the sport, he has fought and beaten some talented guys. This is a chance for both men to put on a show and be able to get some high-profile fights. Although Pinedo is a good fighter, I feel the experience will come into play and John will be able to edge out a decision.
John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo via split decision.
Connor: Pinedo is on a 7-fight win streak currently, and has shown that when he wants you on the ground, that is where you are going. Pinedo has complete control of where the fight goes with excellent takedowns and the takedown defense as well. All this is fantastic, but I have learned that Makdessi is never out of a fight. He has incredible pace, and can win a fight by out working fighters, and can keep the fight on the feet. Whoever controls where the fight goes will win this fight.
John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo via unanimous decision.
Curtis Blaydes (4) vs Justin Willis (10) (Heavyweight)
Hiram: This is a very great fight for the heavyweight division. Curtis Blaydes has been a top contender for a while now. He is easily the best wrestler in the heavyweight division after the champion, Daniel Cormier. Blaydes will be looking to put on a great performance and get back to his winning ways to remind the division he is a top title contender. Justin Willis is a very good prospect who has been making some noise as of late. He is 8-1 and is 2-1 in the UFC and now gets a chance to break into the top five.
Curtis Blaydes def. Justin Willis via unanimous decision.
Connor: Blaydes has shown great potential when he fights, it just seems like Francis Ngannou has been is kryptonite. Blaydes has lost to Ngannou twice, and is the only fighter to best Blaydes in his professional career. Willis is on an 8-fight win streak and looks to continue rolling through the division. As is typical for heavyweight fights, do not blink, this one could be over quickly.
Curtis Blaydes def. Justin Willis via KO in round 1.
Stephen Thompson (3) vs Anthony Pettis (8) (Welterweight)
Hiram: I expect this fight to be a technical striking battle. I will say, when it comes to the wrestling and jiu jitsu game, Anthony Pettis has the advantage and that’s where I feel he will be able to get the win. Wonderboy is bigger, longer, and is the master at creating distance while making the fight go at his pace. This will be the first time Anthony fights at 170-pounds, I do expect him to fight better but he must drag this fight to the ground and work from the bottom, a place were Anthony has been very dominant.
Anthony Pettis def. Stephen Thompson via submission in round 3.
Connor: Pettis was in the fight of the year in 2018, where he did not win the fight due to a broken hand in the 2nd round. I think he would have won that fight, but he is moving up in weight and taking on a very tough opponent in Stephen Thompson. Thompson is on a bit of a slide, but he is still one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. He has incredible striking and kicking ability, and does not get taken down. This could be an incredible fight, and I cannot wait to see the result.
Anthony Pettis def. Stephen Thompson via KO in round 3.
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