Las Vegas, NV — Maycee Barber returned to the win column at UFC Vegas 32, but the win was not without some controversy.
“The Future” was awarded a split decision victory over Miranda Maverick on Saturday. That flew in the face of reality for many onlookers, not to mention the 22 media members scoring the fight — all of whom saw Maverick walking away with the victory, according to MMA Decisions.
Barber addressed the controversy following the fight, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press.
“I did. I won that fight and I got my hand raised,” Barber insisted during her post-fight media appearance. “I don’t read Twitter, I don’t read comments, I don’t pay attention to that. I did what I needed to do, the judges did what they needed to do, and I got my hand raised. So that’s pretty much all there is to it. I’m confident I won that fight, I feel like I won in the spots that mattered, the little bitty details. And I’m ready to go back, train, and get a finish next time.”
Barber was firm ahead of time that she did not feel any added pressure to perform, despite two straight losses (to Roxanne Modafferi and Alexa Grasso). Asked if there was at least any weight off her shoulders, the 23-year old reiterated that belief.
“Honestly I didn’t feel like I had my back against the wall, and I don’t feel there was pressure lifted off my shoulders, because I want that pressure on my shoulders.” The pressure, anticipation, and the nerves that she puts on herself, Barber added, “it’s not bad energy. It’s an expectation for myself, and I want to keep those expectations. No, I didn’t let it lift off my shoulders, it’s just on there because I’m not holding the belt.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 32 post-fight press conference with Maycee Barber above.
