UFC Fight Night 148: Thompson vs. Pettis

by Damon Smith · Published March 23, 2019 · Updated March 23, 2019

It’s Time…… I can almost hear Buffer’s voice booming out one of my favorite sounds. Yes indeed fight fans it is UFC Fight Night in Nashville. Thompson vs Pettis headline this event and we might be in for one helluva main event.

#3 Stephen”Wonderboy” Thompson 14-3-1 vs. Anthony Pettis 21-8
Ranked as the number 3 welterweight contender, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, looks to fight his way into the 170-pound title picture with a win over ex-lightweight champion, Anthony “Showtime” Pettis. Thompson comes in as big favorite in this fight but don’t expect Pettis to look at it that way. Both fighters are coming off a loss. Thompson s decision loss to Darren Till and Pettis lost via TKO to Tony Ferguson. Pettis makes another jump in divisions with this move to welterweight and that is a concern but he always brings the fight. Striking game advantage goes to “Wonderboy” but “Showtime” is better on the ground and has a good striking game of his own. I think the key to victory is for Thompson to hold his range use his kickboxing skills and throw high volume strikes.
Prediction Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson TKO round 3

#4 Curtis “Razor” Blaydes 10-2 vs. #10 Justin Willis 8-1
Blaydes is coming off a TKO loss to Francis Ngannou and needs a win to get back into the title shot talk. “Raxor” had won six straight prior to his last fight fight and both loses have come at the hands of Ngannou who perhaps just has his number. 6;4″ with a 80″ reach Blaydes is a wrestler first and foremost but he is getting better as a striker and is viscous in his ground and pound and loves to destroy people.
Willis lost his pro debut then rattled off 8 straight wins. Defeating names like Chase Sherman and Mark Hunt, he has risen in the ranks and wanted a top 5 contender. “Big Pretty” goes 6;1″ and carries a 78″ reach his wrestling training with Daniel Cormier should help him against Blaydes and he is an athletic big man who can strike.
Prediction: Curtis :Razor” Blaydes TKO round 2

John “The Bull” Makdessi 16-6 vs Jesus “El Mudo” Pinedo 16-4-1
Makdessi has won two straight against Abel Trujillo and Ross Pearson but has lost 4 of his last 8 including a beating by Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone that lead to a head kick that broke the bulls jaw.
Pinedo suffered a loss to Alonso Verona then banged out 7 straight wins. Jesus tends to finish his fights and can end it via TKO or submission. I love his versatility and fighting spirit I just haven’t seen him against enough strong competition to pick him to win. However I wouldn’t be surprised if he stole a victory in this one.
Prediction: John “The Bull” Makdessi decision

Jussier Formica 22-5 vs Deiveson Figueiredo 15-0
Formica has won three straight against Ulka Sasaki,Ben Nguyen and Sergio Pettis. Jussier tends to win via decision but gas some submission skills in his tool bag. I think this should be a good fight and Formica has a shot to win this if he can avoid the punches in a flurry by Deiveson .
Figueiredo rolls in undefeated as a professional at 15-0. His last two wins came against Joseph Morales and John Moraga finishing both fights via punches. Fprmica is an experienced veteran and will provide a challenge to the undefeated streak.
Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo TKO round 3

Luis Pena 5-1 vs Steven Peterson 17-7
Luis “Violent Bob Ross” Pena failed to make weight for this fight. and I am unsure of the ramifications from that by the UFC. Coming off a loss to Mike Trizano by split decision Pena was hoping to get back on track against Peterson. I expected to see Pena rally over the veteran and get a big win.
Peterson brings plenty of experience and gives cause for concern. Coming off a split decision win over Matt Bessette a victory over the rising star Pena would go a long way. Two decision loses to Benito Lopez and Brandon Davis should give him reason to try and finish this fight.
Prediction: Luis “Violent Bob Ross” Pena decision

Maycee “The Future” Barber 6-0 vs JJ Aldrich 7-2
These two beauties go into beast mode as Barber puts her undefeated streak on the line. Wins over Jamie Colleen and Hannah Cifers grabbed everyone’s attention. Aldrich poses a real threat and will look to change her future against Maycee, but the future may already be written
Aldrich is on a 3 fight win streak and has won 5 of her last 6. fights. UD wins over Chan Mi Jeon, Danielle Taylor and Polyana Viana have her poised to make a huge statement yet again against Maycee. This fight has a lot of promise and looks to be very entertaining.
Prediction: Maycee “The Future” Barber TKO round 3