Tag: Maycee Barber

Spinning Back Clique: UFC on ESPN 43 fallout, Cerrone to HOF, Texas commission blunders, more

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” live stream covering the biggest topics from MMA, including a lookahead to Bellator and PFL events.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia will join host Simon Samano live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • UFC on ESPN 43 this past Saturday was headlined by a marquee bantamweight matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera. The fight went the distance in a puzzling split decision result in Sandhagen’s favor. It shouldn’t have been a split, but that’s a discussion for later on. Were you more disappointed by “Chito” or impressed by Sandhagen?
  • Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm dominated Yana Santos in clear unanimous decision in the co-main event. There aren’t many logical options next for Holm, which makes you wonder about how her new six-fight contract will play out. At 41 and beyond, do you buy Holm reclaiming the title before she’s done?
  • Saturday, the UFC announced Donald Cerrone was added to 2023 Hall of Fame class. He’s joining an incredible inductee group that includes Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo and Jens Pulver. Unlike those guys, Cerrone never won a UFC or WEC title, but has always been a fan-favorite fighter. Is his spot in the Hall deserved?
  • Dana White responded to Leon Edwards’ comments about Colby Covington, doubling down on the decision to give “Chaos” the next shot at the welterweight title. The division’s title picture got interesting when Jorge Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio that he has “insider information” that if he beats Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, he’ll get the shot over Covington. What do we make of Masvidal’s claim? Where does Belal Muhammad fit into all of this? And why is White so convinced Covington is a “no-brainer” for a title shot?
  • Unfortunately, Texas lived up to its reputation for bad judging and other issues. The Texas commission came under fire after a pair of blunders in San Antonio this past weekend, when a referee failed to recognize when a fighter was choked unconscious, and that same referee turned around the next night to judge fights at the UFC event. In addition, a Texas judge turned in a bizarre 48-47 scorecard in favor of Vera in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event. It’s time to figure this out. Why is Texas consistently bad at this? How can it get better?
  • Bellator and PFL are in action on a non-UFC weekend, and there are some fun fights to take in. Bellator 293 in Temecula, Calif. is headlined by a heavyweight bout between Marcelo Golm and Daniel James, and also features the return of Cat Zingano, who faces Leah McCourt. In Las Vegas, 2023 PFL 1 starts the regular season with featherweights and light heavyweights, and we’ll see Brendan Loughnane vs. Marlon Moraes and Rob Wilkinson vs. Thiago Santos. What’s the most intriguing matchup on these cards?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.

UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber aims to ‘wreck’ everyone on her path to Alexa Grasso rematch

Now on a four-fight win streak, UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber wants a rematch with now-champion Alexa Grasso.

SAN ANTONIO – UFC flyweight [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] wants to avenge her loss to now-champion [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag], and plans to do whatever it takes to get there.

At UFC on ESPN 43, Barber (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) won a split decision against Andrea Lee. It was a close fight in which two official judges turned in dueling 29-28 scores, while another saw every round for Barber.

Lee (13-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC) racked up a lot of control time on the mat, but when the fight was on the feet, Barber won striking exchanges.

“I was a little bit frustrated, obviously, she’s strong and she’s been working her wrestling, but the thing is, she took me down and she was able to hold, but wasn’t doing any damage,” Barber told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “So, that was a little bit frustrating because it just felt like we’re just sitting here just to sit here.

“So, I was trying to figure out a way to cause damage and do some damage, but at the same time, I think if she was trying to do some damage herself, it would have created a little bit more opening for us to have some scrambles. I think it would have been a little bit more exciting of a fight, but I’m happy with the performance for sure.”

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After her fourth straight win, Barber now turns her focus to reaching a rematch against Grasso, who became champion at UFC 285 by submitting the long-reigning Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso defeated Barber in the UFC 258 co-main event by unanimous decision, and it’s a fight she wants back more than anything. Whether or not that’s what’s next, Barber will do what it takes to make sure it happens.

“If they give me the spot, then I’ll take it,” Barber said. “At the same time, the next girl they put in my way, I’m going to wreck her too. … Obviously, I lost to her, so obviously, I want that fight back. But at the same time, I’m never going to create excuses because Alexa Grasso is an amazing athlete and fighter, but that was a camp I’m not proud of. I’m not proud of that at all.

“I had a lot of outside factors, but I was training, and I was working hard, and I was going as though I was going to win that fight. She was the better fighter that night, so obviously, there’s a little bit of bitterness in my mouth. I want that fight back.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

UFC on ESPN 43 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira’s longstanding record under threat

Charles Oliveira hasn’t competed at featherweight in six years, and someone is finally closing in on his record after UFC on ESPN 43.

The UFC made its return to Texas on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 43, which took place at AT&T Center in San Antonio and, after a number of fight week fallouts, saw a 10-bout card unfold.

The most high-profile result came from the main event, where [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) proved his worth as a bantamweight contender with a split decision victory over the streaking [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) after five rounds.

For more on the numbers behind Sandhagen’s win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 43.

* * * *

UFC on ESPN 43 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: ‘Chito’ tops card with $21k

UFC on ESPN 43 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

SAN ANTONIO – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 43 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $137,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 43 took place at AT&T Center. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 43 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Yana Santos[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Austin Lingo[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Albert Duraev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Chidi Njokuani[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Tucker Lutz[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Lucas Alexander[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Steven Peterson[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Trevin Giles[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Preston Parsons[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]CJ Vergara[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Daniel Lacerda[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Victor Altamirano[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Vinicius Salvador[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $43,000 while title challengers get $43,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-43 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2023 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,771,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $16,290,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

UFC on ESPN 43 play-by-play and live results

Get live play-by-play and official results from Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO – UFC on ESPN 43 took place Saturday at AT&T Center in San Antonio. The main card aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, Marlon Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) takes on Cory Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in a fight between bantamweight contenders. In the co-feature, former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) met Yana Santos (14-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC).

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 43 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv ) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

UFC on ESPN 43 results: Maycee Barber edges Andrea Lee by split decision

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.

[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] needed the help of the judges, but her winning streak is now at four after beating [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag] 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.”

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:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

Maycee Barber def. Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 43: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Maycee Barber’s split decision win over Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag]’s split decision win over [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 43 at AT&T Center in San Antonio. (Photos by Aaron Meullion, USA TODAY Sports)

UFC on ESPN 43 predictions: Vera or Sandhagen, Holm or Santos in San Antonio?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 43 main card in San Antonio, featuring Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen.

Vera
vs.
Sandhagen		 Holm
vs.
Santos		 Landwehr
vs.
Lingo		 Barber
vs.
Lee		 Kape
vs.
Perez		 Duraev
vs.
Njokuani
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
32-22		 vera2023
Vera
(62%)		 holm2023
Holm
(80%)		 landwehr2023
Landwehr
(74%)		 barber2023
Barber
(72%)		 kape2023
Kape
(63%)		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
(79%)
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
34-20		 vera2023
Vera		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Nolan King
@mma_kings
33-21/em>		 sandhagen2023
Sandhagen		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
32-22		 vera2023
Vera		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 perez2023
Perez		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Matt Erickson
@MattE
32-22		 sandhagen2023
Sandhagen		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 duraev2023
Duraev
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
31-23		 vera2023
Vera		 holm2023
Holm		 lingo2023
Lingo		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
30-24		 sandhagen2023
Sandhagen		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 perez2023
Perez		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
30-24		 sandhagen2023
Sandhagen		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
29-25
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 vera2023
Vera		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
29-25		 vera2023
Vera		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
29-25
trophy copy 2018, 2022 Champion		 sandhagen2023
Sandhagen		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
28-26
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 vera2023
Vera		 holm2023
Holm		 landwehr2023
Landwehr		 barber2023
Barber		 kape2023
Kape		 njokuani2023
Njokuani

The UFC has touched down in the “Lone Star State” this week with four bantamweights at the top of the bill.

UFC on ESPN 43 takes place Saturday at AT&T Center in San Antonio. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] (20-7-1 MMA, 14-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) in a fight between perennial bantamweight contenders. Sandhagen is a -170 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Vera is +145. But our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have slight underdog Vera ahead at 6-5 in the picks.

In the co-feature, former women’s bantamweight champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Yana Santos[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 4-3 UFC). Holm just signed a new six-fight deal with the UFC and is a -250 favorite at the betting window. She’s also the only unanimous pick from our staff members.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) meets short-notice replacement [autotag]Austin Lingo[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at featherweight. Landwehr is more than a 2-1 favorite and is a near-unanimous pick at 10-1.

Our second unanimous pick is the biggest favorite on the main card. [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is a -270 favorite at the sportsbook and has a shutout in our picks against [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) in their women’s flyweight bout.

[autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is a nearly 2-1 favorite in his flyweight bout against [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC). He doesn’t have a shutout, but he has a big 9-2 lead in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Chidi Njokuani[/autotag] (22-8 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is a near-unanimous pick in his middleweight fight against [autotag]Albert Duraev[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC). Njokuani is the smallest favorite on the main card at -155, but he’s got a near-shutout in our picks at 10-1.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Vera (62 percent), Holm (80 percent), Landwehr (74 percent), Barber (72 percent), Kape (63 percent) and Njokuani (79 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

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UFC on ESPN 43 pre-event facts: Marlon Vera is the best finisher at 135 pounds

The numbers show no bantamweight in UFC history has finished more fights than Marlon Vera going into the UFC on ESPN 43 main event.

The UFC’s road trip outside of Las Vegas continues Saturday with UFC on ESPN 43, which takes place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio with a main card that airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

A marquee bantamweight fight is featured in the main event. After their original date was postponed from February, contenders [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] (20-7-1 MMA, 14-6 UFC) and [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will finally share the octagon in a matchup that will push the winner near the forefront of the title conversation at 135 pounds.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 43.