Maycee Barber’s recent medical emergency has led to further testing. Discover the latest updates on her health and what it means for her career.
Maycee Barber’s Medical Emergency Prompts Further Testing
Vancouver, BC – UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber is currently undergoing a battery of medical tests following a concerning health emergency that forced the last-minute cancellation of her highly anticipated main event bout against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 107. The incident, which occurred just moments before her scheduled walkout on Saturday, May 31, has raised serious questions about her long-term health and future in the sport.
A Terrifying Turn of Events
The atmosphere at the UFC Apex was electric, with fans and pundits eagerly awaiting the clash between two of the division’s top contenders. However, as the pre-fight rituals concluded, a sense of confusion descended upon the arena. The broadcast team announced an unexpected delay, and soon after, the news broke: the main event was off due to a medical issue with Maycee Barber.
Eyewitness accounts from backstage, and later corroborated by comments from her opponent Erin Blanchfield, suggested Barber suffered what appeared to be a seizure during her warm-up. Barber herself, in a recent interview, admitted to having no clear recollection of the events, describing a disoriented state and even initially believing she had lost her fight. She vividly recalls being transported to a hospital, where she immediately began undergoing a series of examinations.
Unanswered Questions and Previous Health Scares
This is not the first time Maycee Barber has faced significant health setbacks. Throughout 2024, she endured a protracted battle with various ailments, including a severe combination of pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection that led to a nine-day hospitalization. This forced her to withdraw from a previously scheduled fight against Rose Namajunas in July 2024, contributing to a 14-month hiatus from the Octagon.
While she had recently stated that she felt “100 percent” and was eager to return, this latest incident casts a shadow of uncertainty over her pronouncements. Doctors had previously suspected an Epstein-Barr virus infection as a contributing factor to her chronic fatigue and difficulty recovering from training. However, despite extensive testing in the past, a definitive diagnosis for her recurring health issues has remained elusive.
“We’re not entirely sure what happened,” Barber told ESPN in a candid interview. “There was an event that happened in the back when I was warming up, and the doctor, the commissioners, everybody saw it. The commissioners were asking if I was okay. I was saying that I was, and they didn’t think that I was. It looked like my autonomic nervous system might have been having an issue, it looked like a ‘pseudo-seizure,’ is what I was told, but I don’t have an answer. We need to run more tests.”
Her honesty underscores the frustrating reality of her situation: a highly driven athlete confronting a perplexing medical mystery. The UFC, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, has reportedly offered their full support in helping Barber connect with top specialists to get to the bottom of her condition.
The Impact on Her Career and the Flyweight Division
Maycee Barber (14-2) has been on an impressive six-fight winning streak, positioning herself firmly within the top echelon of the women’s flyweight division. A victory over Erin Blanchfield could have cemented her claim for a shot at the championship. Now, her immediate fighting future is entirely dependent on the findings of these ongoing medical evaluations.
The incident also drew strong reactions from her scheduled opponent. Erin Blanchfield, understandably frustrated by the last-minute cancellation, voiced her concerns about Barber’s repeated health issues and even suggested a move to bantamweight. While Barber expressed disappointment at Blanchfield’s comments, her primary focus remains on understanding and addressing her health.
The UFC community has largely rallied around Barber, offering an outpouring of support and well wishes. However, the recurring nature of her health problems highlights the intense physical demands placed on professional fighters and the critical importance of comprehensive medical oversight. The notion that a fighter could suffer a medical episode of this nature moments before a main event, particularly after a missed weight cut (Barber missed the flyweight limit by half a pound), has sparked discussions about fighter safety protocols and the pressures associated with high-stakes competition.
What Lies Ahead for “The Future”
For Maycee Barber, the path forward is clear, though challenging. Prioritizing her health is paramount, and she has indicated that she will not consider a return to the Octagon until a clear diagnosis is established and a medical clearance is granted. This process will likely involve further consultations with neurologists and other specialists, as well as more in-depth testing to rule out any underlying conditions.
The UFC’s commitment to assisting Barber in this process is a positive sign, reflecting the organization’s responsibility towards its athletes’ well-being. While the timeline for her return remains uncertain, the mixed martial arts world will be eagerly awaiting updates, hoping that “The Future” can soon find the answers she needs to resume her promising career. The incident serves as a stark reminder that in the unpredictable world of combat sports, health always comes first.