UFC 323: Maycee Barber vs Karine Silva Preview & Prediction
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Ranked flyweights collide as America’s Maycee Barber meets Brazil’s Karine Silva in a contender bout at UFC 323.
Maycee Barber vs Karine Silva facts
What time are Maycee Barber and Karine Silva expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2
What TV channel is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 main card
Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan (Bantamweight)
Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van (Flyweight)
Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Henry Cejudo vs Payton Talbott (Bantamweight)
Jan Błachowicz vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 prelims
Grant Dawson vs Manuel Torres (Lightweight)
Terrance McKinney vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
Maycee Barber vs Karine Silva (Women’s Flyweight)
Nazim Sadykhov vs Fares Ziam (Lightweight)
Marvin Vettori vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
Edson Barboza vs Jalin Turner (Lightweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Antonio Trocoli (Middleweight)
Muhammad Naimov vs Mairon Santos (Featherweight)
Maycee Barber: Aggressive American contender returning with renewed focus after health scare
Maycee “The Future” Barber (14-2-0) returns to the Octagon for the first time since March 2024, stepping back into competition after a significant layoff caused by a sudden medical emergency. Barber was scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield in the main event of UFC Vegas 107, but moments before walking out she suffered what was described as a pseudo-seizure during warmups and was immediately hospitalised. The incident forced her withdrawal and kept her sidelined for the remainder of the year. Now fully cleared and reportedly back to one hundred per cent health, Barber aims to reassert herself as a major force in the flyweight division, where she currently holds the number five ranking.
Inside the cage, Barber is a high-pressure striker known for her aggression, physicality and willingness to engage in gritty exchanges. She carries genuine power in close quarters, mixes elbows and knees effectively and has steadily developed a reliable wrestling game. In her last outing she defeated Roxanne Modafferi by decision and prior to that earned impressive wins over Amanda Ribas and Andrea Lee which showcased improved composure, shot selection and defensive responsibility. Barber thrives when she can overwhelm opponents with volume and clinch strength, and against a fighter with questionable takedown defence, her ability to change levels may prove crucial.
Karine Silva: Explosive Brazilian submission specialist aiming to break into the top five
Karine “Killer” Silva (18-5-0) arrives as one of the most dangerous finishers in the women’s flyweight division. Ranked number nine in the world, Silva has built a reputation on aggressive grappling, opportunistic submissions and knockout power. Seventeen of her eighteen victories have come inside the distance, including multiple first-round finishes since joining the UFC. Her most recent performances include submissions over Maryna Moroz and Poliana Botelho, as well as a rapid knockout of Ketlen Souza which displayed her explosiveness and ability to capitalise instantly when opponents leave openings.
However, Silva’s biggest weakness remains her cardio. She has a history of slowing down significantly after the first round, and her only losses in recent years have come when fights extend into prolonged exchanges. Her takedown defence sits at a concerning eleven per cent, leaving her vulnerable to being grounded by stronger wrestlers who can maintain top pressure. While Silva’s submission threat is always present, she relies heavily on early momentum. If her initial surge does not produce a finish, she can struggle to maintain pace and output under sustained pressure.
Maycee Barber vs Karine Silva prediction
This matchup presents a fascinating clash of style and structure. Silva brings firepower, aggression and submission danger in the opening minutes, but Barber offers consistent volume, durability and the ability to fight effectively across all three rounds. The Brazilian is at her most dangerous early, yet her inability to stuff takedowns reliably and her tendency to tire create an open pathway for Barber to take control as the fight progresses. Barber’s wrestling, particularly her chain attempts into mat returns, is well suited to neutralise Silva’s explosiveness while piling up control time.
With Barber returning healthy and carrying a history of strong third rounds, the contest appears to favour the American once initial chaos settles. Silva may threaten early, but Barber’s aggression, higher output and physicality should allow her to dictate the tempo. By mixing strikes with grappling pressure she can stifle Silva’s rhythm, accumulate damage and win rounds through sustained activity. If Barber maintains discipline and avoids Silva’s early submission traps, she has the tools to take over decisively.
Prediction: Maycee Barber to win by decision
