Fighter Maycee Barber's Health Crisis Cancels UFC Vegas 107 Main Event
Keep That Weight Cut in Check, Folks!
UFC combatant experiences sudden "convulsion" moments before headline match
The UFC was hit with an unexpected turn of events as the main event was scuttled during UFC Vegas 107. Promising fighter Maycee Barber was barred from competing due to unspecified health issues moments before her walk to the ring.
Her opponent, Erin Blanchfield, revealed to spectators that Barber experienced a "seizure," but the exact type remains unknown. Medical professionals confirmed that Barber was swiftly taken to the hospital post-cancellation.
Weight Loss Struggles: A Common Issue Among MMA Fighters
At 27, Barber had missed weight the day prior and was nearly 230 grams over the 57-kilogram limit. To make the fight happen, she relinquished 20% of her purse. Blanchfield was critical of Barber, accusing her of unprofessionalism.
"She's suddenly having all these health issues right when the fight's supposed to happen. That's pretty fishy," Blanchfield stated, expressing her reluctance to face Barber in future bouts. Both competitors were ranked among the top 10 of their weight class, with a potential title shot on the line.
A History of Health Setbacks for Barber
Health issues after dramatic weight loss, a practice that's almost standard in MMA, aren't alien occurrences. The strain on organs like kidneys can lead to kidney failure, brain damage, and cardiovascular collapse.
Barber's brush with health issues recently has been a recurring theme, having been side-lined for most of 2024 due to illness and injury, including a previous 11-day hospital stay with unclear causes. Despite numerous tests and treatments, Barber remains without a definitive diagnosis for her symptoms, and the latest seizure adds another layer of mystery to her health status.
As of now, there's no official revelation from medical experts or the UFC regarding the cause or prognosis of her condition. Barber, however, has vowed to confront her ongoing health issues and make a speedy return to the Octagon.
Mixed martial arts, ultimately a sport, has been the setting for Maycee Barber's ongoing health crisis, which led to the cancellation of the UFC Vegas 107 main event. In the aftermath, her opponent Erin Blanchfield raised concerns about Barber's professionalism, referencing the fighter's weight loss struggles and the timing of her health issues.
