If you didn't know this is actually a rematch from 2021 where Alexa won 29/28 on the scorecards. Alexa landed more total strikes and did a great job staying mobile, but Maycee had flashes of power and takedowns. For this breakdown I am completely ignoring the first fight and breaking it down fresh.
The Alexa Grasso fall from grace is crazy. A few years ago she is coming off one of the biggest upsets we have ever seen in this space, and now 3 fights later she is winless and an underdog against Maycee Barber. I think at this point its clear that Alexa is good, but maybe not world champion caliber. With that being said her recent losses are to Natalia Silva and Valentina Shevchenko in a fight where she was taken down and held down. Mayce would need to fight the same way Valentina did because she doesn't have Natalia's movement. I also don't think Maycee is World Championship material, but I do think she does a really good job mixing her striking with her takedowns and if she's clinched, she can be a weight bully. The pick is Maycee, but this is definitely a fight you want to see on the scale first, Maycee cuts a lot of weight and if she looks horrible, might be worth fading.
Alexa Grasso
Alexa Grasso is a fun striker with impressive volume and ok takedown defense at 54%. She stays busy landing more than 4 significant strikes per minute and moves really well. She has absolutely no problem slugging it out in the pocket and while she does have power, it is not fight ending power, especially not at 125lbs. She is 5-2-1 at 125lbs after moving up from 115 and is still looking for her first win since losing the title.
Maycee Barber
Maycee Barber is a solid striker with very good boxing and improved wrestling. She is not a grappler in style but she has well timed takedowns when she needs them. Her takedown defense is a mid level 51% but despite being taken down 14 times in the UFC, we have not seen a fight where she was held down and ridden out because she does a good job working and creating space. She is coming off of the bounce back win over Karine Silva where she striking was clean and she worked in takedowns.
