Terrifying moment MMA fighter left unconscious after 'one of the craziest finishes seen' in UFC

Joshua Nair
2026-03-29T08:48:35.728Z
News

Maycee Barber suffered her first loss since 2021 after being knocked out cold by Alexa Grasso

A video from one of the most graphic knockouts in UFC history has done the rounds overnight.

Taking place at UFC Fight Night 271 in Seattle, US, the Women Flyweight co-main event stole the headlines after an insane ending to a highly anticipated fight.

American MMA fighter Maycee Barber ended up unconscious after Mexican rival Alexa Grasso delivered one of the most brutal knockouts ever seen, as many are worried for her health after images of the former in the octagon emerged online.

Barber, 27, is considered one of the sport's best female competitors, though a clip of the fighter being knocked out cold by a punch in the first round before being choked out, is going viral online.

Grasso, 32, showed no mercy at all, with the referee needing to physically stop her from continuing to choke her unconscious opponent out.

Barber was out cold after a punch from Grasso midway through the first round (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

It appeared that Barber was unconscious before hitting the ground, though Grassa still tightened her grip on her neck as she laid on her back in the octagon in last night's (28 March) fight.

In shocking scenes, Barber can be seen trying to grab the referee for help as he separated the fighters, with the US-based fighter wrapping her arms around his legs as he laid her on her back in the middle of the cage.

The flyweight could be seen with her arms spread wide and her eyes open as she remained unconscious on the mat, as medics rushed to her aid.

OH MY GOD WHAT A FINISH FROM ALEXA GRASSO!!!

SHE PUT MAYCEE BARBER OUT COLD 🥶 #UFCSeattle pic.twitter.com/QJ3kTGq0a8
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 29, 2026

While Grasso could be seen celebrating in the video, she would eventually kneel down with concern as her opponent was treated.

Medics continued to help Barber regain consciousness, as the fighter would eventually leave the cage on her own accord, managing to stand with the referee and Grasso as the winner was announced.

The result leaves Barber with a record of 15-3 in her MMA career, with the loss being her first since February, which also came at the hands of Grasso.

Her attempt at revenge was ultimately unsuccessful, despite experiencing seven wins in a row since last facing Grasso.

Barber was desperately grabbing the referee's legs after the knockout (Paramount Plus)

Fans took to social media to speak of the crazy moment, as one admitted: "That is one of the craziest finishes i’ve seen in WMMA."

Another wrote: "Holy f*** bro Alexa Grasso just took the soul of Maycee Barber," as a third pointed out: "Definitely took years off her life. She was out with her eyes open for like 45 seconds."

A different fan commented: "Literally almost took her life away that’s a killer right there."

Many others posted screenshots of Barber's blank expression immediately after the fight, as she laid in the cage with a blank look on her face while sprawled out across the canvas.