Maycee Barber's Last-Minute Withdrawal from UFC Vegas 107
UFC competitor, Maycee Barber, Pleaded to Her Team for Permission to Compete at UFC Vegas 107 Event
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Maycee Barber, a highly-ranked women's flyweight contender, was moments away from stepping into the Octagon for her main event fight against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 107, when a sudden medical issue left Barber incapable of competing.
Her coach, Cody Donovan, shared on Instagram that Barber had begged her team to let her fight on Saturday night despite her medical condition, showcasing her unyielding spirit and determination. However, the coaching staff decided to call the doctor, and the fight was ultimately canceled due to Barber's deteriorating health. Donovan praised Barber's bravery in the face of a medical emergency, expressing pride in her resolve, and mentioned that the fight will likely be a significant milestone in her journey to greatness.
UFC Vegas 107: Medical Woes Plague Maycee Barber
UFC commentator Megan Olivi reported on the string of health issues that have been troubling Barber since her win over Cerminara. These problems resulted in an 11-day hospitalization, numerous rounds of IV antibiotics, and diagnoses like Epstein-Barr Syndrome, Mono, and toxic levels of mercury in her blood.
Despite bringing in a Colorado infectious disease specialist to investigate her condition, Barber remains without definitive answers about her health issues. Medicine has been administered to help control her symptoms, allowing her to resume training and competing, but the time away and the lingering health concerns made weight loss difficult.
Olivi spoke with Erin Blanchfield after Barber weighed in half a pound over the 135-pound limit for their bout, and Blanchfield expressed concerns about Barber's ability to compete in the event. Fearfully, Blanchfield's apprehensions would soon become a reality.
Aftermath of UFC Vegas 107
In a post on Instagram, Barber expressed her disappointment with the turn of events. She thanked everyone for their support and apologized to the UFC, the fight staff, and Blanchfield. She closed her post with the promise that, though her current situation isn't ideal, they will solve the mystery behind her health issues and be back in action soon.
Blanchfield's management team reported that she will receive her full show and win money for UFC Vegas 107. Information regarding Maycee Barber's pursuit of fight purse money has not been reported.
The cancelation of the Barber-Blanchfield fight took away a potential challenger for UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, who was present at the event. Blanchfield, ranked No. 4 in the official UFC women's flyweight rankings, and Barber, who checks in at No. 5, were hoping to make waves in the division.
The next card on the UFC schedule is UFC 316, set to take place on the following Saturday.
Enrichment Data:
- Cause of Barber's health issues remains unknown[1].
- Barber was hospitalized for nine days in early 2024 due to an unknown illness[2].
- The UFC is assisting Barber in seeking medical help and specialists to resolve her condition[1].
- Initial signs of Barber's ongoing health issues began in March 2024[2].
Sources:
- [1] Barber's Instagram post
- [2] Megan Olivi's Twitter posts
In the realm of sports and mixed-martial-arts, the UFC has been affected by a string of health issues troubling Maycee Barber, as seen in events like UFC Vegas 107. Barber's proposed fight against Erin Blanchfield in the UFC Fight Night was canceled due to Barber's deteriorating health, causing a setback in her journey towards greatness.
