By Nicholas Cunningham
Rematches have become the norm for UFC flyweight Alexa Grasso (16-5-1). Three of her last four bouts were title fights against current champion Valentina Shevchenko, and this Saturday night, she will face Maycee Barber (15-2) for a second time in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer.
“The first fight was really, really good,” said Grasso. “We both have been changing a lot and we both have different journeys in the UFC, so I’m super excited for this fight and this rematch again.”
Barber has amassed a seven-fight win streak since her loss to Grasso in 2021, but the former champ is confident that she has improved in enough areas to come out ahead this weekend.
“My boxing and my striking are the main focus in every single camp,” explained Grasso. “But I’ve been doing a lot of jiu-jitsu and wrestling too because I know that’s an area where I’ll have a lot of chances.”
Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo are the only two fighters in the organization who have fought each other four times, and if Grasso can get past Barber again, she would like to join that short list and fight for the title again.
“I know I made a lot of mistakes in these last two fights, but I’ve been improving a lot and training a lot, and I hope I can make my way back to fight for the championship against her one more time,” said Grasso. “I know I’ve been one of the toughest opponents she has ever faced.”
As the UFC continues to book big events like the White House card and International Fight Week, Grasso is very happy to continue representing the company, but she has her eyes set on one particular card this fall.
“I’d love to be a part of UFC Noche this year,” said Grasso. “That Noche event started because of me, so of course I would love to be a part of every Noche event.”
With a fan base that has been with her for more than a decade, plus all the new eyes that the Paramount+ deal may bring in, Grasso’s message is the same as it has always been:
“I just want to show, like in every fight, that I am a technical fighter, that I’m a brawler, and that I love to get in there and put on a show every single time I step into the cage.”
Alexa Grasso will face Maycee Barber in a co-main event rematch this Saturday, March 28, at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer, live from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA.
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