Maycee Barber Pulled from UFC Main Event Due to Medical Emergency

Las Vegas, NV – Maycee Barber was pulled from her main event bout at UFC Fight Night on Saturday due to a medical emergency just moments before her scheduled walk to the Octagon. Barber was set to face Erin Blanchfield, but a complication during her warm-up led officials to cancel the fight.

The 27-year-old flyweight, ranked No. 4, reported to ESPN that she experienced a medical incident that resulted in a seizure-like episode. As the event was being prepared for broadcast, Barber’s walkout was postponed when UFC officials informed the audience that she was unable to compete.

Erin Blanchfield, the No. 5-ranked fighter, was informed that Barber had suffered a seizure. “Hunter Campbell came in and said she was having a seizure and having medical issues,” Blanchfield stated. Barber herself, reflecting on the situation, said, “We’re not entirely sure what happened… there was an event that happened in the back. The doctor, the commissioners, everybody saw it.”

Barber missed weight by half a pound prior to the fight, but she mentioned that the weight cut felt normal and didn’t exhibit signs of serious medical issues at that time. She was hospitalized following the incident and released on Monday.

This incident marks another hurdle in Barber’s career, as she recently missed a previous fight scheduled for July 2024 due to ongoing health issues. She articulated her disappointment: “I’ve always given it everything I’ve got. It’s tough to get to fight night and not walk out.”

Barber is currently working with the UFC to connect with specialists to determined the root of her health issues, and as of now, there is no timetable on her return to the Octagon. “I see people commenting, ‘Oh, I’m glad it happened to her and not to someone who is relevant,’ and I feel that’s pretty heartless,” she added. Barber expressed gratitude for her life despite frustrations surrounding her health and career. “I felt great…and then everything else is kind of a blur,” Barber said.

The UFC Fight Night event proceeded as planned with other fights, but the cancellation of Barber’s highly anticipated match left fans disappointed.