I didn't actually mind it that much. In fact it seemed somewhat fitting. Maka was never depicted as a fighter of infinite potential in my opinion (unlike Black Star, for example, or Kid due to his heritage), although she has the special attributes to greatly enhance her practical level of power against most opponents, even truly dangerous ones. However, what I found reasonable is that once those special attributes were proven ineffective, she was only good, but not amazing as one should have been against somebody with 800 years worth of bloodlust and skills.

So, this was far better, no matter how funnily flat it fell in a certain sense, than Maka powering up and beating him - which in my opinion would have rather meant he wasn't that great to begin with. Now he could be considered a real mofo who was defeated by himself and back luck, not by anybody weaker.

Honestly I'm far more looking forward to the other fight. The last time we saw Black Star and Kid fight was during Black Star's slump. Now the roles are probably reversed. Even though Black Star was shown with the White Star eyes, I doubt he will fall there again, not at this point when he's practically the most powerful he has ever been, with or without Tsubaki, and he has a pretty clear path in front of him. And a couple of recent victories against tough opponents to back up his self-confidence, no less.