UFC flyweight Maycee Barber was roughly half-hour from strolling to the Octagon on Saturday, earlier than a “medical emergency” finally pulled her from the bout.
Barber (14-2) was scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield (13-2) in the primary occasion of UFC Struggle Evening on the Apex in Las Vegas. The No. 4-ranked flyweight informed ESPN on Tuesday {that a} medical complication in her locker room throughout warmups led commissioners to cancel the 125-pound contest.
Because of the timing of the emergency and the method of pulling Barber, the official cancellation of the bout did not occur till after the UFC already had run a video bundle and followers had been anticipating Barber’s walkout music. Blanchfield informed media members on Saturday that she was informed Barber suffered a seizure. Barber stated that’s but to be decided.
“We’re not completely certain [what happened],” Barber informed ESPN. “There was an occasion that occurred within the again once I was warming up, and the physician, the commissioners, everyone noticed it. The commissioners had been asking if I used to be OK. I used to be saying that I used to be, and so they did not suppose that I used to be.
“It seemed like my autonomic nervous system may need been having a problem, it seemed like a ‘pseudo-seizure,’ is what I used to be informed, however I haven’t got a solution. We have to run extra assessments.”
Barber, 27, stated she felt tremendous Saturday, previous to the complication. She missed weight by one half-pound the day earlier than the battle, however stated it felt like a standard reduce and there have been no apparent indicators of medical points throughout or after the reduce. She was hospitalized Saturday night and discharged Monday.
Barber was additionally hospitalized in 2024 for medical points she has since stated physicians nonetheless do not fully perceive. She is on a six-fight win streak, however hasn’t fought since March 2024 and was pressured to drag out of a beforehand scheduled battle towards Rose Namajunas in July 2024.
She stated the UFC has already been lively in connecting her with a wide range of specialists. There isn’t a timetable for her return, contemplating the precise challenge nonetheless must be recognized. Barber stated she’s grateful to be alive, regardless of the apparent frustration of the state of affairs.
“I see folks commenting, ‘Oh, I am glad it occurred to her and to not somebody who’s related,’ and I really feel that is fairly heartless,” Barber stated. “I would not want that on anyone. I would not want this example, this unknown, on anyone. I have been within the UFC for eight years and I have been knowledgeable my complete profession. I’ve all the time given it every little thing I’ve received … From being a younger lady, this has been my dream. It was by no means a part of my dream to get there to battle night time and never stroll out, to disappoint so many individuals and myself, it is powerful.”
