This is the terrifying moment American MMA fighter Maycee Barber was left flat on her back and unconscious after one of the most brutal knockouts in UFC history on Saturday night.
Barber, 27, is one of the sport’s best female talents but she was on the end of a shocking KO by Mexican rival Alexa Grasso at UFC Fight Night 271 in Seattle, with fans fearing for her health after an incredibly violent end to the bout.
In scenes shown live on television across America and beyond, Barber appeared to be knocked out cold by a punch midway through the first round, only for her opponent to pounce and begin to choke her out.
Barber appeared unconscious before she hit the ground, and the referee rushed to her aid to stop the fight and end her suffering as Grasso began to tighten a grip around her neck.
In scary scenes, a stricken Barber then appeared to try and grab the referee for assistance, wrapping her arms around his legs before he laid her out on her back in the middle of the cage, much to the viewers’ concern.
The American flyweight then laid with her arms spread wide and her eyes open as she remained unconscious on the mat, with medics rushing to help her.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW
Alexa Grasso secures a rear chokehold against Maycee Barber, who already appeared KO’d
After the ref called a halt to the fight, Barber appeared to cling to his leg for help in Seattle
As she laid on her back on the canvas, Barber’s eyes were open but she appeared unconscious
After some brief celebrations, Grasso knelt down and a somber scene followed in which medics tried to help Barber regain consciousness while the victor of the fight watched on.
Incredibly, after a few moments Barber was able to leave the cage under her own power and even stood with the referee and Grasso as the winner was announced.
Footage of the incident spread like wildfire around social media and fans were shocked to see ‘one of the most violent finishes in UFC history’ unfold.
One wrote: ‘Holy f*** bro Alexa Grasso just took the soul of Maycee Barber.’
Another added: ‘Definitely took years off her life. She was out with her eyes open for like 45 seconds.’
After a brief celebration, Grasso appeared to realize that her opponent wasn’t moving
Incredibly, the American was able to get back to her feet as Grasso was presented as victor
The glamorous Barber stands on the scales at the weigh-in for the big fight on Friday
A third concerned viewer noted: ‘That was a horrible referee when she got knocked out. The choke was not supposed to be applied. You can’t get knocked out and choked. You could die.’
Barber is now 15-3 in her MMA career, and the loss on Saturday night was her first since February 2021, when she was beaten by the same opponent, Grasso.
Since that fight, she had won seven in a row and was desperately hoping to seek revenge against one of her biggest rivals.
