UFC Nashville results & highlights: Formiga, Barber among main card winners

On the UFC Nashville main card, Jussier Formiga picked up a quality decision win over Deiveson Figueiredo.

The UFC Nashville main card is in progress, and John Makdessi and Jesus Pinedo definitely had a match. The lackluster bout resulted with Makdessi walking away with the decision win, extending his winning run to three-straight. Before that, the UFC’s #1 ranked flyweight Jussier Formiga picked up a unanimous decision over the #4 ranked Deiveson Figueiredo. Formiga extends his winning streak to four, as he handed Figueiredo his first professional MMA loss. In his post-fight interview, Formiga called out the flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.

In a gritty war of attrition, Luis Pena leaned on his punching to earn a unanimous decision over a very game Steven Peterson. Pena finds himself back in the win column, despite missing weight by 2.5 pounds. Opening up the main card, Maycee Barber pulled out a second-round TKO of JJ Aldrich to stay undefeated. The 7-0 Barber remains on track to achieve her personal goal of becoming the youngest UFC champion of all-time, an honor owned by the light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Main card:

John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Lightweight

Makdessi took the center to start the fight with Pinedo playing the outside. A bit of a starring match broke out, and the crowd let the fighters know it. Not a lot happened in this round. Makdessi scored with several kicks to open up the second act, but then the action fell off. More measuring took place and the crowd continued to boo. Not a lot happened in this round either, but Pinedo did land a kick that wobbled Makdessi with seconds remaining. Makdessi landed more of his kicks in the final round and Pinedo struggled to get anything going. The crowd remained unimpressed due to the severe lack of action. Pinedo came alive at the end of the round again, landing a couple of hard shots, but nothing overly damaging.

Jussier Formiga def. Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Flyweight

Quite a bit of calculating occurred across the first-half of the opening round. With about two-minutes remaining in the round, Formiga secured a takedown up against the fence. Figueiredo remained calm and waited for his moment to explode up to his feet. Formiga came up with another takedown to finish up the frame in the full mount. Formiga returned to his takedown, planting Figueiredo on his back with ample time on the clock. Figueiredo struggled to do much from his back, but he did land an elbow that split open Formiga. Figueiredo did not return to his feet until the round expired.

Figueiredo landed a couple of hard punches to start the final round. Formiga clinched up and Figueiredo jumped a guillotine, gifting Formiga the top position. Figueiredo muscled his way back to his feet, but he was still stuck up against the fence. Figueiredo returned to open space, but was unable to come up with a fight-ending blow.

Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Featherweight

Peterson went right after Pena, shooting in and searching for the takedown. Pena rolled for a kimura and ended up on top. Pena blasted Peterson as he stood up, and then proceeded to mug him up against the fence. Peterson marched forward and blasted a takedown to kick of the second round. Peterson took the back standing, but Pena freed himself into open space. Peterson went back to the takedown, giving Pena zero space. Finally in open space, Pena scored with a series of punches.

Pena got his striking going early in the final round, putting it on his foe. Peterson shot in but it was Pena who ended up with the dominant position. Peterson worked his way back on top, but Pena reversed the situation and wound up in the guard of his opponent. Peterson rolled for a leg lock but only got punched in the face for his troubles.

**It should be noted that Pena missed weight by 2.5 pounds

Maycee Barber def. JJ Aldrich by TKO at 3:01 of round 2: (W) Flyweight

The flyweights traded punches back and forth with each woman landing solid strikes. Neither fighter really took over in that round. Aldrich knocked her opponent off balance inside of the final minute of the round, but Barber was able to return to her feet.

Aldrich landed some hard counter punches on the inside early in the second round. Barber began landing her southpaw left as she upped her output. One of those lefts stung Aldrich, and Barber went in for the kill. Punch after punch landed as Aldrich was stuck up against the cage. The referee had no choice but to step in and stop the fight.