Maycee Barber withstood a difficult foul as she was victorious over Karine Silva in what was also her first fight since 2024 at UFC 323.
GOT IT DONE ✅@MayceeBarber earns the Unanimous Decision victory at #UFC323! pic.twitter.com/DepDTmERTE
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2025
Whatever concerns that Maycee Barber would be unable to continue her professional career were dispatched as she returned looking no worse in her first fight since 2024.
The first round saw the two open the fight with several boxing exchanges before a takedown by Silva led to a rear-naked choke attempt and back control that lasted the second half of the round. While “The Future” was able to avoid serious danger, Silva was able to maintain the better position to assertively take the round despite a late reversal and flurry from Barber.
In the second round, a more aggressive Barber sought to take the fight to the ground early. After escaping a brief guillotine attempt, Barber completed a takedown but the two entered a scramble where Silva landed a second foul with a kick that connected on the chin of Barber and led to a break in the action. Despite Barber’s contest of the call, referee Mark Smith did not take a point away and had the two resume the fight on the feet rather than return to the grounded position.
Barber immediately took Silva down upon the resumption of the action and began landing powerful ground and pound on a defensive-minded Silva. The two had a hectic exchange where Barber briefly had the back and top position before Silva went for a triangle attempt that led to ending the round with a few seconds of her in full mount.
Silva began the final and deciding round by coming forward but Barber was the one throwing the more powerful shots. Silva completed an assertive takedown attempt in the third round and used it to go for multiple leg lock and heel hooks. Barber would escape the attempts and take the top position. Silva would go for a submission attempt and Barber backed out of guard and finished the found trying to land leg kicks to the grounded Silva. Silva got back to her feet in the closing seconds but Barber was able to land a late takedown attempt at the final bell to try to steal the round.
The judges scores were 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 in favor of Maycee Barber. The fifth ranked Barber extends her win-streak to seven and completes her return to competition following several health struggles over the past year.
Official Result: Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
