Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber prediction, odds, pick for UFC Seattle

UFC Seattle: Adesanya vs. Pyfer has reached a fever pitch as we bring you a betting prediction and pick for this Co-Foremost Event within the Women’s Flyweight (125) Division. Mexico’s No. 3-ranked Alexa Grasso takes on Colorado’s No. 5 Maycee Barber in a bout to make your mind up a possible title challenger. Check our UFC odds series for the Grasso-Barber prediction and pick.

Alexa Grasso (16-5-1) has gone 8-5-1 contained in the UFC since 2016 en path to earning and defending the Flyweight belt. Following her trilogy loss to Valentina Shevchenko, she dropped her last bout to Natalia Silva and is hoping to get back on the right track with a win. Grasso stands 5-foot-5 with a 66-inch reach.

Maycee Barber (15-2) is 10-2 through her UFC run since 2018, most recently taking down Karine Silva via unanimous decision to earn her seventh-straight victory. She rides the division’s longest energetic winning streak and will exact her first title shot with a win on this one. Barber stands 5-foot-5 with 65-inch reach.

UFC Seattle Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Seattle Odds: Alexa Grasso-Maycee Barber Odds

Alexa Grasso: +154

Maycee Barber: -185

Over 2.5 rounds: -475

Under 2.5 rounds: +325

Why Alexa Grasso Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Natalia Silva – U DEC
• Last 5: 2-2-1
• Finishes: 4 KO/TKO, 2 SUB

Alexa Grasso got here up short for her third-straight loss her last day trip, failing to contain a highly-skilled and rising contender like Natalia Silva. Grasso quickly fell behind the striking numbers and couldn’t do much to maintain up with the blistering pace set by her opponent. As she comes off her trilogy against Valentina Schevchenko, Grasso may have to return back to the drafting board as she tries to state her claim for one more title shot.

She didn’t turn out to be the Flyweight Champion by happenstance and although she’s been on a tricky run recently, a win would put Grasso right back within the conversation for those deserving a title opportunity. She’s proven within the striking and her jiu jitsu is a few of the perfect we have seen atop the division. Her experience against the perfect competition on the earth may even help her overcome one more rising contender.

To achieve success here, Grasso may have to significantly improve her energy and fight with more output this time around. She’s a significantly better fighter when letting her boxing hands fly and against an aggressive opponent like Barber, she’ll need to match that very same aggression together with her clinch work and shots to the body.

Why Maycee Barber Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Karine Silva – U DEC
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 6 KO/TKO, 2 SUB

Maycee Barber turned in one more great performance against Karine Silva, dominating a highly-touted prospect and coming away together with her seventh-straight win. She’s carving a fast path through this division and hasn’t looked back since her last loss, potentially earning a title shot if she will be able to secure this win because the betting favorite. Barber’s last loss actually got here against Alexa Grasso in 2021 via unanimous decision, so she’ll have revenge on her mind all throughout camp heading in.

Barber does all the things at a high pace and her biggest strength is consistently pressuring opponents together with her output. Despite any damage she may sustain, Barber repeatedly stays within the face of her opponent and forces them to make quick decisions while landing her own offense. She’s shown a rare ability to knock opponents out at this weight, something she fully intends on doing so as to add an exclamation point to this win.

Barber may have to be very methodical in closing the space as she’s grown accustomed to rushing in and blitzing her opponent. Grasso is amazingly opportunistic and can take any opening or gap she will be able to find, so Barber’s success will truly hinge on whether she will be able to mature as a striker and put her defense first during this fight.

Final Alexa Grasso-Maycee Barber Prediction & Pick

Maycee Barber has all of the makings of a possible champion on this division and beating a former champion will surely solidify her as a top contender for her first title shot. Nevertheless, Alexa Grasso is hungry to get back within the win column herself as she’s out to remind everyone why she was champion at one point.

Grasso owning the primary meeting between these fighters is definitely significant as rematches overwhelmingly favor the winner from the primary meeting. Her confidence must be high and although Barber is on an incredible run without delay, Grasso has gone toe-to-toe with the perfect fighter the division has ever seen.

For our final prediction here, we’ll roll with the previous champion Alexa Grasso to search out the win because the underdog. She won’t be an underdog in a lot of her upcoming fights as I believe the skill discrepancy and gap in experience could possibly be the difference here.

Final Alexa Grasso-Maycee Barber Prediction & Pick: Alexa Grasso (+154); UNDER 2.5 Rounds (+325)