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The latest Fight Night offering from the UFC came from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee and was headlined by a mouth-watering clash between Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson and Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis.
A hard-hitting heavyweight contest between Curtis Blaydes and Justin Willis co-main evented the show while a host of other stylistically engaging match-ups rounded off the card.
As is the case with every card, UFC Fight Night 148 had a healthy mix of finishes, decisions and some high-quality performances in general, and ended up being an entertaining watch for fight fans watching around the globe.
So let's not waste any more time and get right into it! Here are the results of UFC Fight Night 148 from Nashville:
UFC Fight Night 148 Prelims Results:
* Bryce Mitchell def. Bobby Moffett via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
* Marlon Vera def. Frankie Saenz via TKO (Punches) (1:25, Round 1)
* Jennifer Maia def. Alexis Davis via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
* Randa Markos def. Angela Hill via Submission (Armbar) (4:24, Round 1)
* Chris Gutierrez def. Ryan MacDonald via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
* Jordan Espinosa def. Eric Shelton via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#1. J.J. Aldrich (7-2) vs. Maycee Barber (6-0) (Women's Flyweight)
The women from the 125 lbs division kicked things off on the main card as J.J. Aldrich moved up to Flyweight to take on the undefeated Maycee Barber.
Aldrich started off hot as she rocked Barber with a massive left shot. Barber went crashing to the mat but was conscious enough to get back up only to fall back into guard. They stood and exchanged combinations all throughout the first round. Barber connected with the jabs and 1-2s while Aldrich countered with hard strikes. Aldrich scored another takedown to end the round on a high.
Barber was the aggressor in the second round as she came in looking for the finish. She went on the offensive and tied up Aldrich against the cage. Barber reversed and unleashed a barrage of strikes. Aldrich was hurt and covered up. The referee had seen enough and stepped in to put Aldrich out of her misery.
Result: Maycee Barber def. J.J. Aldrich via TKO (Punches) (3:01, Round 2)
The undefeated Maycee Barber came back from potentially losing the fight to putting an end to Aldrich's 3-fight win streak. A great showing from Barber and a solid start to the main card.
#2. Luis Pena (5-1-0) vs. Steven Peterson (17-8-0) (Catchweight - Pena missed the Featherweight limit)
Pena came into this fight with a loss against Micahel Trizano from November 2018 while Steven Peterson had won his most recent fight in July 2018 against Matt Bessette.
The American Pena missed weight by 2.8 pounds and was charged 30% of his purse heading into the fight. However, the setback didn't deter him from putting on dominating performance as he outworked Peterson in a grueling three-round fight.
The first round saw Peterson try and lock in an armbar but Pena wriggled his way out and slammed Peterson down to the mat. Pena looked to work on the ground but Peterson found a way back up. Back on the feet, Pena got the better of the exchanges as he tagged Peterson with some clean striking. The strikes bloodied Peterson as Pena ended the round in his favor.
Peterson amped up the action in the second round as he took the fight to the ground. Pena worked his way back up to his feet but Peterson was adamant on keeping things on the floor.
Pena defended well and stood up again. He ended the second round well too with a combination of strikes and a flying knee.
Peterson pressed as the third round began but Pena answered with a string of stiff uppercuts. Peterson kept pushing and Pena countered in equal measure. The fight moved to the mat against as both men looked for submissions. Pena went for an unsuccessful Kimura while Peterson failed at trapping Pena in an Armbar. Pena ended all hopes of a comeback victory for Peterson by landing a high kick to end the fight.
Result: Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson vis Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Peterson probed as hard as he could but Pena was just too good, who put on a highly professional performance. A great fight.
#3. Deiveson Figueiredo (15-0) vs. Jussier Formiga (23-5)
#1 ranked Flyweight Jussier Formiga faced one of his stiffest tests yet inside the Octagon as he took on the undefeated Deiveson Figueiredo.
Formiga ended up being the better Brazilian on the night as he convincingly handed Figueiredo his first professional MMA loss. The top Flyweight contender connected with a spinning back fist, a lead right, and a few counter punches before taking Figueiredo down to the mat.
Formiga did a great job of pinning Figueiredo onto the fence and he finished the round by jumping into mount and unleashing a combination of elbows. Figueiredo rushed in with intent as the second round began but Formiga kept his cool and landed a single leg takedown.
Formiga controlled the fight on the ground as he scored points with short punches and strikes. He remained in half guard until the bell.
Figueiredo was lagging behind on the scorecards and needed a finish to win the fight. He charged in but Formiga remained focused and didn't do anything reckless. He was cautious but didn't have to do anything but get knocked out to ensure a win. Formiga capitalized on Figueredo's mistake of jumping guard on a guillotine and briefly controlled on the ground before they got back on their feet. The fight went the distance with Formiga landed landing a lead elbow.
Result: Jussier Formiga def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
It was a cruising victory for Formiga, who rightfully called out Henry Cejudo in his post-fight interview. Ir should be noted that Cejudo has already beaten Formiga once before, however, that was back in 2015 and it may finally be time for the much-anticipated rematch to come to fruition.
#4. John Makdessi (16-6) vs. Jesus Pinedo (16-4-1) (Lightweight)
Both fighters spent a majority of the first round finding their range. The fans predictably booed as the fighters shadow kicked without landing much.
There was just one noteworthy exchange in the first round which also didn't have a conclusive outcome. Cormier urged the fighters to get going on commentary. Yes, the action was that tepid.
Known as the city of action, the Nashville fans weren't happy and made their displeasure evident with a chorus of boos.
The second round started with a little more urgency as Makdessi caught a body kick from Pinedo, which imbalanced the latter. However, there still wasn't much to talk about until the final 30 seconds of the second round. Both men connected with a few leg kicks and body kicks until they engaged in a wild brawl in the dying stages of the second round.
Makdessi caught Pinedo's leg and unleashed a few close-range punches. Pinedo may have taken the round, though, as he landed a solid left high kick and got a few significant strikes to his name. It was still a very tough fight to score.
It was the same old story in the final round as Makdessi and Pinedo exchanged low and high kicks. Makdessi favored the right thigh of Pinedo, who got warned by Herb Dean to engage. Pinedo showed good movement but didn't back it up with the total strikes landed.
Makdessi was outstriking Pinedo by a 2:1 ratio as the fight entered the final 20 seconds. Pinedo kept taunting Makdessi, who was cautious enough to not take the bait.
They went the distance as the boos rained.
Result: John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
It may not have been the most fun fight to watch but Makdessi wouldn't complain as he notched up his 3rd straight victory. It was a disappointing showing by Pinedo, whose 7-fight win streak came to a lackluster halt.
#5. Curtis Blaydes (10-2-1 NC) vs. Justin Willis (8-1) (Heavyweight)
Grappler vs. Striker at Heavyweight. Doesn't that sound tantalizing enough? The potential of the co-main event of the night was self-explanatory by its tale of the tape. Blaydes was ranked #4 in the rankings while Willis stood at #10.
The fight began and It didn't take time for Blaydes to level-change and shoot for the takedown, however, Willis defended well with his back against the cage. His defense eventually crumbled as Blaydes tripped him down to the mat. It was all Blaydes from there on as he controlled the proceedings by using his frame to pin Willis down. Blaydes didn't let go of Willis' back for 2 minutes and scored points with knees and punches from the back.
The second round began and Blaydes connected with a picture-perfect lead right to Willis' jaw. Willis wobbled as Blaydes rushed in for the kill. Willis recuperated himself but left himself open for a takedown, and Blaydes obliged by slamming him down to the ground.
Blaydes' wrestling superiority was on full display as he was glued onto the back of Willis. The knees and strikes kept coming from the back. It was a Deja vu from the first round.
Willis defended well to avoid the takedown until Blaydes took the fight to familiar territory with 50 seconds left on the clock. It was Blaydes all the way in the fight as he got one knockdown and seven takedowns throughout the fight. Utter dominance.
Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Justin Willis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Blaydes returned to the win column with a major statement. When asked about who he would like to face next, Blaydes said that he would settle for either Stipe Miocic, Junior Dos Santos or Derrick Lewis.
#6. Stephen Thompson (14-3-1) vs. Anthony Pettis (21-8) (Welterweight)
A striking connoisseur's dream come true; Classic Taekwondo vs. Karate style. Wonderboy vs. Showtime. A potential striking clinic. It doesn't get any better than this!
Wonderboy began with a big high kick. No surprises there! Pettis kept pushing forward to cut the distance and landed a solid body kick. Unlike his previous fights, Thompson showed more urgency and looked for the finish as he had promised in the build-up to the bout.
Pettis matched Thompson kick-for-kick but Wonderboy landed additional strikes with his hands. Pettis was in Thompson's face and it was reminiscent of his war against Tony Ferguson. A good first round for Pettis but Thompson may have edged it on the scorecards.
Pettis was told to counter Thompson's kicks with kicks of his own. A smart strategy against a Karate style fighter. Thompson's left thigh was reddened by the constant low kicks by Pettis.
Pettis continued to target the left leg of Thompson but was wary of Wonderboy's quick jab. Pettis got pushed back to the cage by Wonderboy. Showtime catapulted back landed a highlight reel Superman Punch. It was more of a Superman hook but it was classic Showtime!
Wonderboy's lights went out as Pettis jumped in to land two monstrous punches before the referee stepped in to stop the fight. Showtime was backed up against the cage, had a busted nose, and was being swarmed by Thompson's unorthodox striking. He pulled out a Superman Punch outta nowhere! Now that's Showtime at his bes.
Result: Anthony Pettis def. Stephen Thompson via KO (4:55, Round 2)
Pettis knocked out one of the best Welterweights in the world on his debut in the 170 lbs division and that deserves a big applause. The former Lightweight Champion showed why he is one of the most exciting knockout artists in the world and is back to winning ways with the emphatic knockout.
