Flyweight continues to look like it’s been a good move for Alexa Grasso after earning a unanimous decision victory over Maycee Barber tonight at UFC 258.
Round one:
Barber feeling out with the jab. Grasso with an inside leg kick. They exchange in close. Grasso with another leg kick.
Left hand for Barber and then presses her opponent into the cage. They jockey for position back and forth against the cage.
Grasso pressing Barber to the cage now. Barber punches her way back out. Missed head kick from her. Barber swings hard, but it’s Grasso who avoids and lands cleanly.
Barber again attempts to drive in and clinch against the cage, but Grasso reverses the position instantly. Barber returns the favor as the clinch battle continues. Grasso again reverses. That’s problematic for Barber.
Barber with a shoulder shrug, Grasso lands a strike. The jockey for control of the clinch battle continues. Barber landing a nice knee to the body.
Barber with an elbow as they separate. Counter punch from Grasso. leg kick from Grasso. Hard exchange of punches. Barber landed a hard right, but then Grasso connects with a punch of her own.
Into the clinch yet again they go. Grasso doing well from that position despite appearing to be the smaller of the two. The round ends from there.
Round Two:
Jab for Grasso. Missed strikes from both fighters here on the outside. Leg kick for Grasso. She connects with a jab too. Barber threatening with a head kick attempt.
Heavy hook lands for Barber, but then Grasso fires back and lands well too. Barber works into the clinch again. Elbow strike for Barber. They break free for a second and then Barber is back into it again. She lands the elbow again. Grasso reverses. Knee lands to the body for Barber.
Grasso with a knee as she gets away from the clinch. Left hand connects for Barber. Now a big right, but gets caught with a counter.
Inside leg kick for Grasso. Another kick, but Barber uses that to secure a takedown. Barber standing over her and Grasso is using upkicks to keep her at bay.
As Barber is going down Grasso starts working on an armbar. It looks dangerous, but Barber survives. Grasso on top now. She looks like she’s setting up a possible arm triangle. Very nice transition to the other side. Now she gets the back and is looking for a rear-naked choke set-up as the round ends.
Round Three:
Head kick attempt from Barber misses. Now a big punch that also hits thin-air as she tries to figure out the range here.
Leg kick for Grasso. Grazing right hook for Barber. Another right hook for Barber partially lands, but then Grasso is into the clinch.
The two ladies exchange knees in the clinch. More knees from Grasso. Nice trip takedown executed by Barber.
Barber postures up and drops down with two big strikes. Grasso able to get back up though.
Barber with a big punch. Two more heavy punches from Barber as she pours on the pressure. Grasso lands on the counter, but not landing with nearly the same venom as Barber – who likely needs a finish to win here.
Into the clinch they go. Barber still remaining aggressive. They break apart. Barber slugs her again. Back into the clinch on the other side now and they jockey for position in the clinch.
Barber lands a knee. Grasso with one too. Another lands for Barber. She gets an elbow and a knee upstairs. Another elbow lands.
Grasso reverses the clinch. Knee for her. More knees exchanged. Good hook for Barber and now back to striking range.
She wades in and Grasso lands a counter. Missed spinning kick from Barber. She does land a good takedown though. They go back upright just as the round is drawing to a close.
Decision:
Barber had some big moments in the final round as she poured on the pressure, but Grasso’s more technical striking and solid work in the clinch in the early rounds ensures she emerges with a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3).
