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‘I’m next’… Maycee Barber’s UFC Seattle loss may have confirmed Valentina Shevchenko’s next fight

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 7:01 PM ET

A brutal result on Saturday night seemingly cemented one woman as the next in line for a shot at the UFC flyweight title.

The best event of the Paramount era thus far took place on March 28, with UFC Seattle delivering a number of memorable moments at the Climate Pledge Arena.

But nobody topped what happened in the co-main event, when Alexa Grasso defeated Maycee Barber in gruesome fashion. She knocked the American out before locking in a choke to leave no doubt about the fight’s conclusion.

The Mexican star was jubilant after securing her first win since 2023, but Grasso was not the only one pleased by how the bout played out.

Natalia Silva lays claim to a title shot after the Alexa Grasso vs Maycee Barber result at UFC Seattle

The next challenger in Valentina Shevchenko’s second flyweight title reign remains unconfirmed, but one top contender thinks her shot is in the bag after UFC Seattle.

Natalia Silva beat Rose Namajunas at UFC 324 this past January. That result extended her perfect UFC record to 8-0, which includes a victory over Grasso in 2025.

Barber was among those rivaling the striking specialist, having won seven bouts herself prior to Saturday’s devastating setback.

Silva reacted to the UFC Seattle co-main event with a post on X. It included a picture of her looking happy as Barber was knocked down by Grasso to set up the brutal stoppage.

“Speak less. I’m the next challenger for the title,” Silva wrote.

Ahead of her return, Barber had suggested that her title shot was guaranteed if she got the better of Grasso to avenge her previous loss to the Mexican ex-champ in 2021.

With that not coming to fruition, Silva’s winning run could put her in prime position to challenge Shevchenko, especially given that Grasso has already shared the cage with ‘Bullet’ on three occasions.

After Grasso submitted Shevchenko in a huge upset, the pair’s rematch ended in a controversial draw. The flyweight GOAT finally got her revenge at the Sphere in 2024, outgrappling the Mexican en route to a one-sided decision victory to regain the throne.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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