MMAjunkie Radio co-host and MMAjunkie contributor Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC on ESPN+ 6.
UFC on ESPN+ 6 takes place Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The event streams on ESPN+.
Stephen Thompson (14-3-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC)
Staple info:
- Height: 6’0″ Age: 36 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 75″
- Last fight: Decision loss to Darren Till (May 27, 2018)
- Camp: Upstate Karate (South Carolina)
- Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
- Risk management: Good
Supplemental info:
+ Kempo karate black belt
+ 5x kickboxing world champion
+ 7 KO victories
+ 1 submission win
+ 5 first-round finishes
+ KO power
^ Knocked down 6 of past 9 opponents
+ Superb feints and footwork
^ Plays in and out of striking range
+ Accurate shot selection
^ Intercepting punches and dynamic kicks
+ Improved wrestling ability
+ Underrated clinch game
^ Good head position/strikes off breaks
Anthony Pettis (21-8 MMA, 8-7 UFC)
Staple info:
- Height: 5’10” Age: 32 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 72″
- Last fight: TKO loss to Tony Ferguson(July 6, 2018)
- Camp: Roufusport (Milwaukee, Wis.)
- Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
- Risk management: Fair
Supplemental info:
+ Former UFC and WEC lightweight champ
+ Tae kwon do black belt (third degree)
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 9 KO victories
+ 8 submission wins
+ 12 first-round finishes
+ Good footwork and feints
+ Improved boxing
^ Accurate counter-cross
+ Diverse kicking game
^ Dangerous body attacks
+ Improved wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Excellent submission grappler
Point of interest: Traditional-style standoff
The main event in Nashville features a fun pairing of two traditional martial artists who have been successful at translating their styles at the highest levels inside the octagon.
Anthony Pettis, who initially comes from a taekwondo base, has been able to bring a spectacular array of kicking techniques into the cage. Balancing out his traditional stylings under the tutelage of Duke Roufus, Pettis has rounded out his attacks with punches and feints to help set up his fight-ending kicks.
As flashy as some of the kicks on his highlight reel may be, Pettis’ body kick seems to be his bread and butter, unloading them from either stance with authority. Considering the tall stature of his opponent, I would not be surprised to see Pettis unleash a healthy amount of liver kicks – which quite possibly may be his best shot at stopping his durable foe.
The former lightweight champion also has an underrated counter cross that could come in handy when looking at the successes of his current counterpart’s past foes. However, I’m not sure how much of Pettis’ punching power will translate up a division.
Enter Stephen Thompson.
One of the other few fighters to successfully translate traditional martial arts into MMA at a high level, Thompson brings an interesting influence of both kenpo karate and point-fighting stylings to the table. The South Carolina native also incorporates some boxing fundamentals and principles that should serve him well in this matchup.
With footwork often being the quiet killer in the upper echelons of combat sports, Thompson’s switch-stance stylings afford him options in regards to taking away or reducing the threats, depending on what his opposition is doing.
In facing one of the more sound welterweight strikers in Rory MacDonald, Thompson was able to take away the Canadian’s jab using superb outside-foot awareness. Keeping his lead foot just outside of his MacDonald’s lead foot, Thompson was able to shut down the traditional striking lanes, leaving the former UFC title challenger looking hesitant.
Thompson is, of course, also known for his dynamic kicks and counters, but I’m not sure how hard he will open with those techniques given that Pettis is no stranger to traditional-style kicks (or their counters). For that reason, I suspect Thompson will be the one trying to counter the stylistic spitfire that is likely headed his way.
Next point of interest: Potential grappling stanzas
Point of interest: Potential grappling stanzas
Despite this match feeling like it’ll be striking-heavy from the onset, I would not be surprised to see Pettis try and open up opportunities for his superior submission game to shine.
Working with the likes of Ben Askren and Izzy Martinez, Pettis has shown his wrestling improvements in moments throughout his career. The former champion can competently hit level-changing shots when he needs to, as well as execute crafty takedowns from the clinch. But given his foe’s fleet-of-foot stylings, getting a good grasp could prove troublesome.
An underrated clinch fighter, Thompson wastes little time or intention when caught in close. The nine-year pro keeps a good posture that’s hard to break down, and his overhook and underhook applications appear to be well intact. Once able to separate, Thompson usually does so with quick strikes off the break.
With the help of Chris Weidman and others, Thompson has also made strides to his wrestling ability outside of just takedown defense. The kenpo karate black belt does not seem lost when having to scramble, demonstrating solid positional awareness in the way in which he floats and strikes in transit. And when he is taken down, Thompson shows a comfortability and competency that’s likely a nod to his black belt in Japanese jiu-jistu.
That said, whatever the position may be, he does not want to grapple with Pettis for long.
Though Pettis has only recently received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the former champion has been operating at that level for quite some time. Whether he is setting guillotine traps in a scramble or reminding you that the guard still works in MMA, Pettis – without a doubt – will be a danger to Thompson any time they touch the mat.
Next point of interest: Odds, opinion and prediction
Point of interest: Odds and opinions
The oddsmakers and public seem to be siding with the larger man, listing Thompson -460 and Pettis +365 as of this writing.
Though the spread of the line can feel a bit steep considering a former champ is on the wrong end of it, I can’t say that I’m too surprised. I, like many (apparently), believe that this could be a tough matchup for Pettis.
Not only will he be giving up size in this fight, but – more importantly – he will be on the wrong end of the reach equation.
Sure, these obstacles alone are something that the former lightweight champ can overcome. But when you incorporate the potential friction of styles and Thompson’s almost-unrivaled ability to manage distance, I can’t help but see and frustrating feat for Pettis.
That said, Pettis does have an x-factor in the fight, which is his coach Duke Roufus. One of the best coaches in the game (especially when it comes to melding traditional martial arts styles into more muay thai-style kickboxing), Roufus has seen and successfully cornered against Thompson’s style before.
Should Roufus have a pliable playbook for Pettis, then we will likely see it’s implementation attempted in the first round. However, if that gameplan involves the same type of countering we saw Tyron Woodley try for, then I’m not sure how much faith I would have in Pettis if it turns into that kind of fight.
In fact, I see Pettis’ dogged nature playing a huge role in both his failures and successes. Pettis is still a dangerous, championship-level fighter who is down to scrap with anyone, but the trend of him suffering his only three stoppage losses in his last five fights is a bit worrisome.
Although I could see Pettis making this a close fight on the cards if he can lull Thompson into a point-fighting pace (especially when you consider how the judges typically score Thompson’s counter-fighting style), I’m just not sure that the former champ will be able to maintain the discipline to not sell out for something within five rounds. For that reason, I see Thompson frustrating the lighter man with his surprising speed, sparking off a finish in the third round with his patent one-two down the pipe.
Prediction: Thompson inside the distance
For more on UFC on ESPN+ 6, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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