Maycee Barber plans to request Mark Smith ‘is not the ref’ in UFC Seattle rematch with Alexa Grasso
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- Maycee Barber aims to avoid having referee Mark Smith officiate her upcoming rematch against Alexa Grasso at UFC Seattle, citing safety concerns from a previous fight where Smith dismissed an illegal upkick against her as a "glancing blow."
- Barber is seeking to avenge her last career loss to Grasso from UFC 258 in February 2021, having since won seven consecutive fights, while Grasso is coming off two decision losses and faces a critical moment in her career.
- Barber reflected on their first fight, admitting she initially followed a game plan that involved shadowboxing and not fighting her natural style, which she believes cost her the first two rounds; she found success only when she abandoned that plan in the third round.
- She believes Grasso was unsettled by the more aggressive version of herself shown in the third round and is confident that embracing her true fighting style will give her the edge in their upcoming bout.
- Barber humorously threatened to throw an upkick if Smith were to referee again but confirmed she will formally request a different referee for the fight to ensure her safety and fairness.
