Maycee Barber needed the help of the judges, but her winning streak is now at four after beating Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 43.
Barber (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) was awarded a split decision victory over Lee (13-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC) on Saturday in a back-and-forth contest between women’s flyweight contenders. The scorecards were 28-29, 29-28 and 30-27.
Going all three rounds wasn’t part of Barber’s plan, but it was what was necessary as Lee put on a performance that overachieved from her position as a sizable betting underdog.
“I came in here looking for a finish,” Barber said in her post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “We put on a war because Andrea Lee is amazing.”
Skillset on display at #UFCSanAntonio 🙌@MayceeBarber gets her hand raised tonight! pic.twitter.com/FIqboR3PtP
— UFC (@ufc) March 26, 2023
The 125-pound bout was part of the UFC on ESPN 43 main card at AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Barber opened the fight with some high-powered strike attempts, but Lee stayed composed and surprised with a body lock takedown. Lee spent several minutes on top and in side control, peppering Barber with strikes before trying to take the back. Barber would finally scramble free, and she spent the final 50 seconds trading evenly-matched punches and kicks with Lee.
The tightly contested striking exchanges continued for several minutes to begin Round 2. Barber found success with the hands, while Lee countered with punches and kicks. Barber connected with a heavy shot in the final minutes, but she got over-aggressive and walked into a takedown, which allowed Lee to close the round from top position.
Barber opened Round 3 with effective striking pressure, putting Lee on the back foot. Lee timed another takedown and took the back, but she couldn’t take advantage and Barber escaped. They both landed takedowns and more strikes on the feet in the fight’s final minutes, but a late takedown by Lee saw her close the contest from top position.
With her winning streak now at four fights, Barber said she’s keen to continue climbing the rankings and work toward a rematch with champ Alexa Grasso, who is one of two fighters to beat her in MMA competition.
“Just know I’m coming and no matter what it’s going to be a war,” Barber said to her fellow contenders after the win.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 43 results include:
- Maycee Barber def. Andrea Lee via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
- Albert Duraev def. Chidi Njokuani via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Daniel Pineda def. Tucker Lutz via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:50
- Lucas Alexander def. Steven Peterson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Trevin Giles def. Preston Parsons via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- CJ Vergara def. Daniel Lacerda via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:04
- Victor Altamirano def. Vinicius Salvador via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.
