Jay Primetown gives his thoughts on each of the fighters who competed at UFC on ESPN+ 6 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jay gives his letter grades for each fighter on TheMMA-Analysis podcast which can be found on MMAOddsbreaker.com.
Jordan Espinosa vs. Eric Shelton
Espinosa: His speed translated well in this matchup as he was able to avoid much of the power punches of his opponent. Defensively, he needs to be careful because he keeps his hands low. He certainly has some variety on the feet and is a good enough wrestler to stick around in the UFC. Debut grade is C-
Shelton: It took him awhile to get going in this bout. The problem was that he struggled to keep the pressure on Espinosa. It was a close bout, but he just couldn’t make a lasting impact on the bout. Grade remains C-
Chris Gutierrez vs. Ryan MacDonald
Gutierrez: His technical kicking game confused his opponent so much that he didn’t have to fend off much of an attack. An easy win for Gutierrez, but it doesn’t tell us much about his future prospects. Grade remains D
MacDonald: He had no idea how to handle Gutierrez’s kicking game. He was beat before the fight even started and based on this performance doesn’t belong in the UFC. Debut grade is F
Angela Hill vs. Randa Markos
Hill: While competitive on the feet, the second she was put on the mat she was completely dominated. A bad loss for Hill and a true setback in her career. Downgraded from C to C-
Markos: A very good for Markos as she dominated a fighter who she had a personally history with and was able to settle the score. Upgraded from C- to C
Alexis Davis vs. Jennifer Maia
Davis: When she was able to get Maia to the mat in the second round, she was dominant. However, she struggled with Maia’s power on the feet and that was the difference in the result. Grade remains C+
Maia: Her power certainly is good in this weightclass and she picked apart Alexis Davis to earn a hard-fought decision win. Maia is certainly a top 15 fighter in this division. Upgraded from C to C+
Frankie Saenz vs. Marlon Vera
Saenz: The first clean shot he absorbed put him on the canvas. At 38 years old, this could very well be his last fight in the UFC. Downgraded from C- to D+
Vera: He has now finished his last three opponents and continues to show he belongs in the UFC. Upgraded from C- to C
Bryce Mitchell vs. Bobby Moffett
Mitchell: He surprised on the feet dropping Moffett in round one, but where he excels is on the mat. He is very creative on the ground and had Moffett in trouble throughout the fight. A very good win for Mitchell. He has a bright future ahead. Upgraded from D+ to C
Moffett: He seemed to have figured out Mitchell, but he lost top position in the third round and then was controlled on the mat to drop the round and the fight. We now what level Moffett is at and it is right near the middle of the featherweight division. Downgraded from C to C-
JJ Aldrich vs. Maycee Barber
Aldrich: She came out strong in this fight with an effective game plan keeping Barber at distance. She had real success in the opening round on the counter. Once her opponent got comfortable, it went downhill for Aldrich who was beat up on the feet and eventually finished. She had more success against Barber than all of her previous opponents combined, so there are certainly some positives she can take away from the bout. Grade remains C
Barber: She faced adversity for the first time in her career in this bout as she was dropped in the opening round. She made fantastic adjustments after the first round and started to land heavy punches in round two. It wasn’t long before she smelled blood and was able to find a finish. Barber is already one of the best in the sport in when she has an opponent vulnerable that she can finish her off. Upgraded from C+ to B-
Luis Pena vs. Steven Peterson
Pena: In his first matchup at featherweight, he showed an array of striking skills that had Peterson struggling to keep up. He was sloppy at points and put himself in mild danger, but overall a sound performance. Upgraded from D+ to C-
Peterson: He’s tough and durable, but other than that the rest of his game has not translated at all to the UFC. Peterson takes a lot of damage with little ability to inflict his own. Downgraded from D+ to D
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Jussier Formiga
Figueiredo: He could not crack the Formiga code. He was taken to the mat in each round and outside of an elbow he landed that cut Formiga in round two, he had little answer to stop Formiga’s ground exploits. A disappointing way to lose his first ever fight. Downgraded from B to B-
Formiga: He once again was able to secure takedowns and win rounds. He may not do well against the elite, but he’s certainly a level above the fighters outside of the top three. Grade remains B+
John Makdessi vs. Jesus Pinedo
Makdessi: A typical John Makdessi performance where he was the much more accomplished striker. He doubled up the strikes landed overall and landed at least double in two of the three rounds. Grade remains C
Pinedo: He was never in this fight and just isn’t as a technical of a striker as his opponent is. Grade remains D
Curtis Blaydes vs. Justin Willis
Blaydes: He employed an excellent game plan using his size and wrestling prowess to wear out his opponent. He was excellent on the mat utilizing both ground and pound as well as long periods of control. He was never in trouble in this bout and is on the cusp of title contention. Upgraded from B+ to A-
Willis: He came into this bout confident, but he should be completely humbled by how he was dominated in this fight. He had no answers for Blaydes’ takedown attempts and on the feet didn’t land much either. Downgraded from B to C+
Anthony Pettis vs. Stephen Thompson
Pettis: He was getting picked apart on the feet, but it all turned around with one superman punch. He dropped “Wonderboy” and finished him in dramatic fashion just before the end of the second round for one of the best wins of his career. Upgraded from B- to B
Thompson: He looked comfortable and confident in this bout. The first clean punch he absorbed sent him to the canvas. A brutal loss for Thompson who appeared well on his way to victory. At his advanced age, durability issues are now coming into question. Downgraded from A- to B
