5 most intriguing storylines to watch ahead of UFC Vegas 32

#4. Battle of the rising stars

UFC Vegas 32: Maycee Barber vs Miranda Maverick

Prospects Miranda Maverick and Maycee Barber will square off in an intriguing showdown in the women's flyweight division at UFC Vegas 32. In an unusual instance of UFC matchmaking, the pair of up-and-comers were pitted against each other at this stage of their careers.

Normally, when the UFC have a pair of prospects in their hands, they tend to build them up separately until they reach star status. When both have garnered momentum and acclaim, that's the time to put them on a collision course.

But perhaps the UFC has other plans for Maverick and Barber. It appears that they've lost interest in rehabilitating Barber's career in favor of Maverick, who's rapidly rising among her ranks.

It's a must-win situation for 'The Future' at UFC Vegas 32. She has suffered back-to-back losses in her two most recent fights since going 8-0 at the beginning of her career. Once considered a shoe-in title challenger, Barber is now on the brink of sustaining a third consecutive loss.

Meanwhile, Maverick has won both of her UFC fights and now sits in the 13th spot in the women's flyweight rankings. If she can make it three in a row at UFC Vegas 32, she could find herself in the top ten, and one step closer to contender status.

#3. Will Aspen Ladd return to form at UFC Vegas 32?

Aspen Ladd will return at UFC Vegas 32

Aspen Ladd has been regarded as a top contender for quite some time now. She carried over her five-fight undefeated streak into the UFC and extended it to eight after a hat trick of wins against Lina Lansberg, Tonya Evinger and Sijara Eubanks.

Ladd had her momentum halted after suffering her first career defeat, a knockout loss to Germaine de Randamie. The Folsom, California native quickly bounced back with a TKO win over fellow top contender Yana Kunitskaya in December 2019.

Unfortunately, Ladd had to spend a significant amount of time away from active competition after suffering tears to her ACL and MCL last summer. The 26-year-old revealed that she struggled with recovery, saying she even had to relearn how to walk and punch properly.

Former The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner Macy Chiasson will welcome Ladd back in her return fight. If Ladd can get past the 10th-ranked bantamweight, not only is she officially back in business, but she could potentially be next in line for a title shot against Amanda Nunes.