BARBER RETURNS AGAINST RED-HOT JUDICE AT UFC 335

Maycee Barber fights for the first time since her March loss to Alexa Grasso, and Carli Judice gets the biggest test of her career in Las Vegas.

Maycee Barber is coming back. The promotion announced Wednesday that Barber will face Carli Judice at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This is Barber's first fight since March. That night ended badly, and this booking tells her exactly where she stands now.

The Loss She Has To Answer

Barber (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) carried a seven-fight winning streak into March. Alexa Grasso ended it with one of the most violent finishes of the year.

Grasso hurt Barber with a fast combination, then put her to sleep with a rear-naked choke. Dana White called the finish one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

Before that loss, Barber had beaten Amanda Ribas, Katlyn Cerminara and Karine Silva. The 28-year-old was closing in on a title shot. Now she has to rebuild that case.

The Streak Coming The Other Way

Judice (7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) gets a big step up in competition. She has earned it the hard way.

Her only UFC loss came in her debut, a split decision against Gabriella Fernandes. Since then she has won four straight fights.

Three of those wins came by strikes. In August, a body kick started the finish of Jeisla Chaves in just 99 seconds.

Let that sink in. Judice is ranked No. 15 in the division, and the UFC just handed her a top contender. That is how matchmakers reward a finisher.

Why It Matters At 125 Pounds

The flyweight picture is wide open. Natalia Silva is the new champion after beating Wang Cong at UFC 332, and Silva has already beaten Grasso.

A win over Judice will not hand Barber a title shot. It would put her back in the conversation, and that is the first step she needs.

For Judice, the math is even simpler. Beat Barber in Las Vegas, and she jumps the line in one night.

UFC 335 is headlined by Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes for the BMF title. Barber vs. Judice now sits on one of the biggest cards of the year.

So which story wins on Dec. 12 — the contender fighting her way back, or the finisher who refuses to slow down?