Sport2 min(s) read
Published 13:48 29 Mar 2026 GMT
Horrifying moment medics rush to save UFC fighter after she is brutally knocked out
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Viewers were left concerned when UFC fighter Maycee Barber was left unconscious after her fight with rival Alexa Grasso on Saturday.
A frightening moment unfolded in the cage when Barber appeared to lose consciousness just before hitting the ground, prompting the referee to quickly step in and stop the fight as Alexa Grasso tightened her grip around Barber’s neck.
Fight ends in brutal knockout
In unsettling scenes, Barber then seemed disoriented as she reached out for help, wrapping her arms around the referee’s legs before he gently laid her flat on her back in the center of the octagon, a moment that sparked immediate concern among viewers, attendees, and medics alike.
The American flyweight lay motionless with her arms spread and eyes open while medics rushed in to assist. After briefly celebrating, Grasso knelt nearby as the atmosphere quickly turned from jubilation to concern, watching on while officials worked to bring Barber back around.
Conclusion leaves fans stunned
Some fans criticized how the situation was handled. One viewer wrote: “That was a horrible referee when she got knocked out. The choke was not supposed to be applied. You can’t get knocked out and choked. You could die.”
The loss was Barber’s first defeat in over four years at competing in MMA's foremost competition, which also happened to be against Grasso, bringing her professional MMA record to 15-3. Prior to the bout, she had been on a seven-fight winning streak and was hoping to get revenge against her rival, whom she was subsequently unable to overcome.
Fortunately, after a short period, Barber was able to leave the cage on her own and even stood alongside the referee and Grasso as the result was officially announced.
Clips of the dramatic finish quickly spread online, with many fans stunned by what they described as one of the sport’s most brutal endings.
One person reacted: “Holy f*** bro Alexa Grasso just took the soul of Maycee Barber.”
Another added: “Definitely took years off her life. She was out with her eyes open for like 45 seconds.”
While a third said: "This was a beauty finish but as a die hard Barber fan. This was also scary. Glad she is okay take some time off champ. You'll be back! "