Maycee Barber Seeks Answers After Unexpected Medical Emergency Forces UFC Fight Withdrawal

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ICARO Media Group
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05/06/2025 04h25

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Maycee Barber is in search of answers following a sudden medical emergency that led her to pull out of a main event fight against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 107 this past Saturday. Just moments before her walk to the octagon, Barber experienced a medical episode, later disclosed by Blanchfield as a seizure, necessitating immediate medical attention.

Barber recounted the incident, stating that about 30 minutes before the fight, she began to feel unwell. Her next clear memory is being transported to the hospital by ambulance. "I hate going back and being like we have no answers but we're not entirely sure what happened," Barber told ESPN, expressing uncertainty about the exact nature of the episode.

Her coach revealed that although Barber missed weight by half a pound on Friday, she was adamant about fighting and pleaded with her team not to cancel the bout. However, the alarming situation backstage left the officials and medical personnel no choice but to prioritize her health.

This episode comes after Barber's extended hiatus from the UFC, caused by another unexplained illness. Now, with support from the UFC, she is undergoing a series of tests to identify the health issues that have plagued her. A preliminary suggestion pointed towards a potential autonomic nervous system problem or a pseudo-seizure, but so far, concrete answers remain elusive.

Barber described her frustration and confusion, as neither she nor her coaches could pinpoint the cause. Despite having cut weight in a routine manner similar to previous fights, she noted that attributing the incident to weight cutting might be premature without a specialist's input.

Her immediate fighting future is uncertain as both she and the UFC await a definitive diagnosis. Barber remains adamant that her health is the top priority before considering any future matches, recognizing the importance of understanding what exactly went wrong.

With an impressive six-fight win streak previously positioning her close to title contention, Barber's unexpected withdrawal is a significant setback. Fighting back tears, she expressed her emotional turmoil over disappointing fans and failing to fulfill her dream of competing in her first main event. She emphasized how crucial it is to find out what went wrong before she can think about stepping back into the octagon.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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