It’s going down on Saturday night MMA betting buffs!
That’s right MMA betting enthusiasts, you’re going to be treated to what looks like a thrilling affair just waiting to happen when former title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson squares off against former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in a huge welterweight matchup that both fighters want – and need – to win to get back in the mix for a title shot at some point in the near future. UFC Fight Night 148 will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Now, let’s find out what’s going to go down this coming weekend.
UFC Fight Night 148 Odds, Predictions & Picks
The countdown is on for Maycee Barber to become the youngest champion in UFC history. #UFCNashville@MayceeBarber ⏳ @JonnyBones pic.twitter.com/dVjez2kL0n
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) 21 de marzo de 2019
- When: Saturday, Mar 23, 2019 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: Bridgestone Arena
- TV: ESPN+
- Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass
Main Card (ESPN+)
- Stephen Thompson vs Anthony Pettis (Welterweight)
- Curtis Blaydes vs Justin Willis (Heavyweight)
- John Makdessi vs Jesus Pinedo (Lightweight)
- Jussier Formiga vs Deiveson Figueiredo (Flyweight)
- Luis Pena vs Steven Peterson (Featherweight)
- Maycee Barber vs JJ Aldrich (Women’s Flyweight)
Preliminary Card (ESPN+)
- Bryce Mitchell vs Bobby Moffett (Featherweight)
- Frankie Saenz vs Marlon Vera (Bantamweight)
- Alexis Davis vs Jennifer Maia (Women’s Flyweight)
- Randa Markos vs Angela Hill (Women’s Strawweight)
- Ryan MacDonald vs Chris Gutierrez (Bantamweight)
- Eric Shelton vs Jordan Espinosa (Flyweight)
Curtis Blaydes (10-2) vs. Justin Willis (8-1)
- UFC Fight Night 148 Odds: Blaydes -260 / Willis +220
Curtis “Razor” Blaydes is 28-years-old and stands 6’4” with a 80-inch reach. Blaydes has recorded eight wins via KO and two by way of decision and comes into this affair off a stunning 45-second first round TKO (punches) loss against Francis Ngannou in November after falling to the No. 2 heavyweight back in April of 2016 as well.
Justin “Big Pretty” Willis is 31-years-old and stands 6’1” with a 79-inch reach. Willis has won eight straight fights since losing his first career MMA bout and comes into this affair off a unanimous decision win over Mark Hunt in December. Willis has recorded four wins via KO and four via decision while suffering one KO loss.
Prediction
While Curtis Blaydes got destroyed the last time out, he’s also the bugger, younger fighter in this matchup and has the edge in UFC experience. I know Justin Willis is big and strong, but Blaydes will be seriously motivated and I’ve got him getting the win by way of a series of bone-rattling shots that eventually drop Willis and end this bout in the second round.
UFC Fight Night 148 Pick: Curtis Blaydes Via Second Round KO
Stephen Thompson (14-3-1) vs. Anthony Pettis (21-8)
- UFC Fight Night 148 Odds: Thompson -390 / Pettis +320
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is 36-years-old and hails from South Carolina. The former welterweight contender stands 6’0” with a 75-inch reach and has recorded seven wins via KO, one by way of submission and six by way of decision while suffering a trio of decision losses and one draw. Thompson has lost two of his last three fights and comes into this bout off a unanimous decision loss against Darren Till in May.
Anthony “Showtime” Pettis is 32-years-old and hails from Milwaukee. The former lightweight champ has recorded nine wins via KO, eight by way of submission and four via decision. Pettis stands 5’10” with a 72.5-inch reach and has also suffered five decision losses and two by way of KO. Pettis has lost six of his last nine fights and comes into this affair off a second round TKO (corner stoppage) loss to Tony Ferguson in October.
Prediction
While I love the way that Anthony Pettis fights and goes all out every time he takes to the Octagon, I’m going to advise you to back Stephen Thompson to get the big win here, simply because Pettis has clearly lost the focus and discipline that once made him a household name in the UFC. Each of Pettis’ last three defeats have come by way of TKO and that just doesn’t bode well heading into this bout. Thompson is desperate and he’s the more focused fighter and that’s why he’s going to get the third round KO win in this huge matchup.
UFC Fight Night 148 Pick: Stephen Thompson via Third Round KO
