Anthony "Showtime" Pettis had struggled over the past few years in UFC, trying to find a division to call home and making the jump to welterweight seemingly as a last-ditch effort. The result? Nothing less than a mind-blowing KO that thrilled the UFC Fight Night 148 crowd in Nashville.
Anthony Pettis (NR) def. Stephen Thompson (ranked No. 3 welterweight), by KO, 4:55 of second round
Pettis was getting picked apart and bloodied by Thompson for most of the first two rounds on Saturday night. Then, with his back against the cage as the clock wound down, Pettis threw a leaping "Superman" punch that landed flush on Thompson's chin and dropped him instantly. It was the first loss by stoppage in the 36-year-old Thompson's pro career.
The less severe weight cut looked like it did wonders for Pettis, who seemed to lose none of his power in moving up to 170 pounds from lightweight (155 pounds). The 32-year-old admitted after the fight that he felt better in the heavier weight class, but he has unfinished business in the lightweight division, where he is a former champion. It makes sense to see who's offered next at welterweight before asking for the winner of Justin Gaethje-Edson Barboza fight at lightweight.
This version of Pettis will have plenty of potential opponents in the welterweight division. Jorge Masvidal, who just defeated Darren Till with a nasty KO, would make for an exciting striking matchup. Pettis called out Rafael dos Anjos in his post-fight interview, and dos Anjos quickly responded, saying he would take the fight.
Thompson has to go back to the drawing board. He has won only one of his past five fights after starting his career by winning 13 of 14. His style is still confusing to most of his opponents, but former welterweight champ Tyron Woodley unlocked a code to beat the 6-foot kickboxer and others have followed suit. A rematch with Till or a fight with Leon Edwards could line up next for Thompson.
Curtis Blaydes (No. 4 ranked heavyweight) def. Justin Willis (No. 10), via unanimous decision
Blaydes still has just two defeats as a pro -- both to Francis Ngannou. Blaydes, a 262-pound former collegiate wrestler, tossed around the 266-pound Willis like something out of a WWE match. Willis looked out of his element on the ground as Blaydes picked him apart for the duration of the three rounds.
Still just 28 years old, Blaydes is the youngest heavyweight in the top 10 of the division. Though he has unfinished business with Ngannou, the top of the division offers a bunch of other fights he should be interested in: former champions Stipe Miocic and Junior Dos Santos, as well as top-five-ranked Derrick Lewis.
Lewis will be out for some time as he recovers from a long-delayed knee surgery. Miocic has been out since July 2018 after losing his title to Daniel Cormier in a first-round knockout, and has been adamant about getting a rematch. But Cormier, dealing with his own injury and with his eyes on Brock Lesnar, does not look as if he's going to grant Miocic that rematch anytime soon. Blaydes-Miocic seems like the most likely fight in the interim.
Maycee Barber def. J.J. Aldrich, via TKO, 3:01 of second round
The 20-year-old Barber, a fast-rising prospect in the women's flyweight division, is convinced she will be "as big, if not bigger" than Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. The 26-year-old Aldrich, on a three-fight win streak, held her own in the early going before getting too close and getting tagged by any elbow in the clinch in the second round. Barber continued the pressure and landed a solid punch to the nose that caused Aldrich to curl up.
Barber is still a ways away from fighting for the flyweight title, but she could crack the rankings very soon by lining up an opponent in the top 15. The less likely option is 24-year-old Paige VanZant, who suffered an injury toward the end of February and has pushed back her return to the cage. But No. 12 Montana De La Rosa, a 24-year-old Texan, is on a four-fight win streak and is looking for a fight after plans with VanZant were scuttled. Barber and De La Rosa offer a complete contrast in styles. Barber is known for her brawler tactics; De La Rosa dominates on the ground. It would be a nice test for the undefeated Barber (7-0).
If UFC wants to wait on a top-15 fight, Barber has plenty of other options, including 25-year-olds Ariane Lipski and Taila Santos. The two Brazilians are willing to stand and trade strikes, which should be right in Barber's wheelhouse. Don't be shocked to see one of these fights booked for UFC 237 in Brazil on May 11.
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