'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Worst: Maycee Barber gets away with disappointing gameplan at UFC Vegas 32
When Bruce Buffer read out the judges' scorecards after three rounds of UFC flyweight action between Miranda Maverick and Maycee Barber, announcing a split-decision win for 'The Future', the former congratulated her opponent with grace. But she had a right to be aggrieved.
Most fans and analysts believe that Maverick got the short end of the stick from the judges. She clearly won the first round as Barber landed only six significant strikes over the five minutes. In the second, Maverick outlanded Barber 22-12, and after taking her down, she was close to getting her hooks in shortly before the bell sounded.
The third round was clearly Barber's, with a spinning elbow highlighting an improved striking effort and smart clinch work. But it was clear that Maverick should've had her hand raised at the end of the fight.
For Barber, who came under severe criticism for her gameplan during her UFC losses to Roxanne Modafferi and Alexa Grasso, things didn't point in the right direction - irrespective of the result. She spoke about an attempt to show that she's an "elusive fighter", but all that meant was that she mounted next to no offense for two whole rounds.
Barber may have edged the decision, but she arguably didn't deserve to break her losing skid. Questionable judging like this can ruin the career of a fighter, especially in a prospect vs prospect matchup like this one.
#3 Best: Darrick Minner falls into the patented Darren Elkins trap
In a good piece of UFC matchmaking, featherweights Darrick Minner and Darren Elkins locked horns in what was expected to be a grappling-heavy encounter. And it was just that.
In a first round filled with fascinating scrambles, Minner tallied three submission attempts and had Elkins on the ropes. But 'The Damage' loves being on the ropes. Elkins has only been submitted once in his MMA career - by Charles Oliveira back in August 2010. He weathered the storm in the first round and came back strong in the second.
Elkins was taken down early on, but he eventually established a dominant crucifix position with a smart reversal. He rained punches down on Minner, who went minutes without answering, before referee Mark Smith finally called a stop to the contest. The 31-year-old had no strength to get himself out of the heap of trouble he was in, and arguably should've been put out of his misery earlier.
Elkins now has two wins on the trot and the second-most wins in the UFC featherweight division (15), behind only former champion Max Holloway (22). The 37-year-old could go on another impressive UFC run in the coming months.
