Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber faced off in a women’s Flyweight clash tonight (Sat., Feb. 13, 2021) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC 258. Both women had their moments, but Grasso was named the victor.
Grasso scored early with some low kicks. Barber punched into the clinch, where she landed a knee and jammed her foe into the fence. Grasso escaped back to the center. Stiff left hook counter scored for Grasso. Barber bullied her way into the clinch again, but the two switched positions along the fence once there. Grasso scored with an elbow. Barber landed a hard elbow of her own, but she ate a left hand soon afterward. Barber fired a clean right hand, but Grasso landed in the following exchange. The round came to a close in the clinch, with Grasso pushing her foe into the fence.
Barber threw a lot of feints and kicks from too far out, but it was Grasso who connected first with a combination. Barber landed a stiff right, but Grasso’s left hook countered clanged her foe’s jaw even harder. Barber attacked with a nice elbow and overhand in the clinch. Grasso landed a couple knees and escaped to the center. Barber landed some heavy shots, but Grasso did not seem too bothered. Clean kick from Barber, and she countered with a takedown when Grasso kicked in return. However, Grasso very quickly reversed her foe with an armbar attempt. Grasso attacked an arm triangle and used it to take the back. Lovely grappling from the boxer, who finished the round on the back.
Barber punched a good bit of air to start the third, a round where she really needed something huge. Grasso dug into the leg, then landed a two-piece on the counter. The fight moved into the clinch, where Grasso landed good knees. Barber countered with a slick inside trip! Barber dropped a couple heavy punches, but Grasso scrambled back up. Barber stayed on the offensive, charging after her foe with big swings, some of which did land! Grasso slowed the fight back down with a clinch, but Barber kept attacking. Major effort from Barber to rally, but Grasso clung tight, spinning her foe back into the fence. Grasso ducked a haymaker, landed a counter. Barber finished the fight with a takedown, but was it enough?
The judges decided otherwise, awarding Grasso the decision win. The Mexican boxer showed off her distance control, clinch fighting, and grappling to earn the first two rounds, though Barber did show both her potential and heart with her attempt at a comeback.
Result: Alexa Grasso defeats Maycee Barber via unanimous decision (29-28. 29-28. 29-28)
For complete UFC 258: “Usman vs. Burns” results and play-by-play, click HERE!