Flyweight Maycee Barber looked to extend her four-fight win streak at UFC Jacksonville, where she was paired up with popular, perpetually smiling Amanda Ribas in the co-main event.
Barber’s eyes were no doubt on the prize, a potential rematch with Alexa Grasso, though Grasso had a different rematch first, as she was set to run it back with Valentina Shevchenko in September.
Ribas targeted the legs early, while Barber looked to counter the jab of Ribas. Before long, Ribas was sporting a bloodied nose, but she managed to land a right hand moments later, which was answered in kind by Barber.
Ribas remained light on her feet throughout the round, but Barber’s hands seemed to continually find the injured nose of Ribas. Towards the final minute, they went to the ground off a clinch, Ribas hunting submissions and looking for a kneebar in particular. Barbar was able to defend, and found the right angle to land some nasty elbows, finishing the frame on top.
An early clinch in round two saw Barber land an elbow, but Ribas fired back, and soon Barber was sporting some blood of her own. Ribas was a bloody mess in comparison, however. Just under two minutes in, Ribas landed a throw, landing in side control though she would end up in Barber’s guard. Regardless, on top was a great spot to be, given it was a fair bit harder to Barber to target that nose off her back.
Barber, meanwhile, scooted back to the fence and wall-walked up and out. They moved back to center, where Barber fired a head kick, only to slip off a Ribas counter. Barber then ripped another head kick, Ribas landed a counter, and Barber went on the attack! A kick up high started off the finishing sequence, with Barber firing lefts and rights as Ribas went down. Barber got on top, landing smashing elbows, pummelling Ribas until the ref had seen enough.
MAYCEE BARBER IS A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!! 😤😳 @MayceeBarber | #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/SgSxA30wiY
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
It’s five straight wins for Maycee Barber, and a very memorable performance that should inch her closer to that desired title shot.
Official Result: Maycee Barber def. Amanda Ribas by TKO, Round 2, 3:42
