MMA Match Preview: Maycee Barber (14-2) vs. Karine Silva (19-5)
The women’s flyweight division delivers a high-stakes prelim showdown at UFC 323 as No. 5-ranked Maycee “The Future” Barber (14-2-0) collides with No. 9 Karine “Killer” Silva (19-5-0) on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Barber, the 27-year-old American phenom, seeks to extend her six-fight win streak and reclaim momentum after an 18-month health odyssey that included hospitalizations, infections, and a last-minute seizure scare derailing her May 2025 main event. Her explosive striking and grappling have dismantled top contenders, but rust and unanswered medical questions loom. Silva, the 31-year-old Brazilian submission savant, enters on a bounce-back mission following her first UFC loss, armed with 17 finishes (including 13 first-rounders) and a grappling arsenal that could exploit any Barber vulnerability. This three-round clash pits Barber’s volume pressure against Silva’s opportunistic chokes in a pivotal bout for title contention—winner vaults into the Top 5, loser risks stagnation in a loaded 125-pound class headlined by champion Valentina Shevchenko’s reign.
Venue Location
The fight erupts at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. This 20,000-seat fortress, unveiled in 2016 as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights’ home, has hosted 16 UFC events, including the chaotic UFC 229 (McGregor vs. Khabib) and record-breaking UFC 229 brawls. Nestled adjacent to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and the glittering Las Vegas Strip, it’s a rideshare haven (Uber/Lyft zones at Park MGM) and monorail stop (MGM Grand station for quick access). Fan perks include a 360-degree jumbotron, VIP suites with fighter meet-and-greets, and concessions boasting MMA flair like “Octagon Burgers” and craft cocktails. As UFC’s swan song PPV under ESPN before the 2026 Paramount+ shift, expect a electric, near-capacity crowd of 19,000+; tickets via Ticketmaster start at $150 for prelim upper bowls, with Aria valet parking at $60/night.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT) for prelims (Barber-Silva slated for 8:45 p.m. ET slot)
Broadcast: ESPN (prelims), ESPN+ PPV (main card at 10:00 p.m. ET). Early prelims on ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m. ET; international via UFC Fight Pass. Audio on SiriusXM Fight Nation (channel 93).
Injury Report
Barber’s saga dominates here—cleared after a brutal 2024-25 gauntlet of pneumonia, strep, staph infections, Epstein-Barr virus, and a May 2025 pseudo-seizure that hospitalized her pre-Blanchfield. Doctors warned of spleen rupture risks (“you could die”), but she’s fully recovered per November 2025 medicals. Silva enters unscathed, her August 2025 camp uninterrupted. Both hit 125 lbs at Friday weigh-ins without drama.
| Fighter | Status | Recent Injury History | Notes |
| Maycee Barber | Cleared | Pseudo-seizure (May 2025; backstage collapse, hospitalized 3 days); prior infections/hospitalization (mid-2024, 9 days); knee injury (2020, 1-year layoff) | Full clearance Nov. 2025; no restrictions, but rust from 21-month layoff |
| Karine Silva | Cleared | None reported in 2025; minor tweaks post-2024 Araujo loss | Quick turnaround from Aug. win; 100% sub threat intact |
Fighter Matchups
Barber’s switch-stance blitz (4.70 SLpM, 53% accuracy) tests Silva’s clinch defense, but the Brazilian’s BJJ black belt (1.9 sub attempts/15 min) thrives in scrambles. Barber’s 74% takedown defense shines, yet Silva’s 67″ reach edges her 65″ for setups. Expect early fireworks fading to ground chess.
Striking: Pressure vs. Counter-Grind
Barber’s volume (absorbs 2.90/min, 54% defense) overwhelms at range, landing 122 sig strikes vs. Cerminara (2024). Silva’s orthodox counters (2.73 SLpM, 38% accuracy) absorb punishment (2.89/min) but set traps—her 51% defense held vs. Barbosa. Edge: Barber early; Silva if clinched (Barber 0-1 vs. elite grapplers post-layoff).
Grappling: Takedown Edge vs. Sub Chain
Barber averages 1.44 TD/15 min (0.1 subs attempted), controlling 3.5 min/fight. Silva hunts 1.9 subs/15 min (8 career armbars/kneebar), with 69% TD defense but vulnerability to top pressure (Araujo outgrappled her). Edge: Silva—her 13 R1 finishes exploit Barber’s 20% sub defense.
Cardio & Durability: Volume vs. Explosive Bursts
Barber’s 100% decisions lately (6 straight) show gas tank for 15 min, absorbing 115 strikes/fight without finish. Silva’s 80% finishes (avg. 9:27 fight time) fade late (1 decision win). Edge: Barber—her chin (0 KO losses) weathers storms, but health rust risks fatigue.
Recent Form
Barber is 6-0 since 2023 losses, all decisions except one TKO, showcasing evolution but no finishes post-layoff. Her March 2024 UD over Cerminara (84-66 strikes) capped the streak before health derailed her. Silva is 1-1 in 2025: UD win over Barbosa (Aug., 26-31 strikes, outgrappled) after UD loss to Araujo (Nov. 2024, 58-48 strikes). Pre-2024: 4-0 UFC with 3 subs.
| Last 5 Fights | Record | Key Win | Key Loss | Notes |
| Barber | 5-0-0 | W-UD vs. Cerminara (Mar. 2024) | N/A | 100% decisions; 21-month layoff; 122 strikes landed avg. |
| Silva | 4-1-0 | W-UD vs. Barbosa (Aug. 2025) | L-UD vs. Araujo (Nov. 2024) | 80% finishes career; 2025 shift to decisions; 1.9 subs/15 min |
Fight History
First meeting—no prior bouts. Barber’s UFC: 9-2, wins over Ribas (TKO), Eye (DEC); losses to Grasso, Fiorot (both DEC). Silva’s UFC: 6-1, subs over Moroz, Souza, Botelho; lone loss to Araujo. Comps: Barber 3-1 vs. grapplers; Silva 4-0 vs. strikers pre-Araujo.
| Date | Barber Result | Silva Result | Notes |
| N/A | First meeting | First meeting | Barber 9-2 UFC; Silva 6-1 UFC |
Betting Trends
Barber is 5-1 SU last 6, 4-2 ATS; public backs her (65% tickets), but 3-3 Over in wins. She’s 0-2 SU post-layoff historically. Silva is 4-1 SU last 5, all Under 2.5 (80% finishes); 5-1 UFC SU pre-loss, drawing sharp sub money (70% handle on +500). H2H analogs: Barber 2-3 vs. +150 dogs; Silva 3-1 as underdog.
Trends: Barber 6/6 Over 2.5; Silva 7/7 UFC Under 2.5 pre-2025. Barber 1-4 SU as -180+ fave.
FIGHT ODDS
Maycee Barber – 180
Karine Silva + 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
