UFC Star Alexa Grasso's Finish Hailed as 'One of the Greatest in the Sport's History'

UFC President Dana White praises Grasso's knockout and submission win over Maycee Barber at UFC Seattle.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:00am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors capturing the explosive energy and striking movements of a mixed martial arts fight, with the figures of the fighters dissolving into unrecognizable splatters of paint.Alexa Grasso's stunning first-round finish over Maycee Barber earns high praise from UFC President Dana White as one of the greatest in the sport's history.Seattle Today

In the UFC Seattle co-main event, Mexican fighter Alexa Grasso delivered a stunning first-round knockout and submission finish over Maycee Barber, which UFC President Dana White called 'one of the greatest finishes in the sport's history.' Grasso crumpled Barber with a left hand and then quickly secured a rear-naked choke, despite Barber already being unconscious. The victory was crucial for Grasso after dropping her previous two fights, and she now has her sights set on a potential fourth fight against reigning UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

Why it matters

Grasso's impressive finish over the highly-touted Barber not only earned praise from the UFC president, but it also puts her back in the title picture in the women's flyweight division. As the only fighter to have defeated Shevchenko, Grasso has a strong case for another championship opportunity against the dominant champion.

The details

In the UFC Seattle co-main event, Alexa Grasso delivered a stunning first-round finish over Maycee Barber. Grasso dropped Barber with a powerful left hand and then quickly secured a rear-naked choke, despite Barber already being unconscious from the initial strike. UFC President Dana White called the finish 'one of the greatest in the sport's history.' The victory was crucial for Grasso, who had lost her previous two fights, and she now has her sights set on a potential fourth fight against reigning UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, whom she has defeated once before.

  • Grasso defeated Barber at UFC Seattle on March 31, 2026.

The players

Alexa Grasso

A Mexican fighter competing in the UFC women's flyweight division, known for her impressive striking and submission skills. She is the only fighter to have defeated reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko.

Maycee Barber

A rising star in the UFC women's flyweight division, known for her aggressive fighting style and potential to become a future champion.

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier mixed martial arts organization.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's one of the greatest finishes in the sport's history, let alone this year or tonight or whatever.”

— Dana White, UFC President

“Of course it's always hard to have two losses in a row. I've never experienced that before. But injuries are part of the journey. But healthy Alexa is very different than Alexa with injuries. I'm super happy that all my injuries healed and I'm better. I'm back.”

— Alexa Grasso

What’s next

Grasso's impressive victory over Barber puts her back in the title picture in the women's flyweight division, and she has her sights set on a potential fourth fight against reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko, whom she has defeated once before.

The takeaway

Alexa Grasso's stunning first-round finish over Maycee Barber, which UFC President Dana White called 'one of the greatest in the sport's history,' not only showcases Grasso's elite skills but also puts her back in the title picture as the only fighter to have defeated the dominant women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.