Maycee Barber’s long-awaited return to the UFC octagon has been derailed once again.

The flyweight contender was forced to withdraw from tonight’s UFC Vegas 107 main event against Erin Blanchfield due to lingering health issues that have plagued her over the past year.

A Year of Health Battles

Barber’s health struggles began shortly after her unanimous decision victory over Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 in March 2024. Just days later, she developed a rapidly worsening infection in her leg, leading to a nine-day hospitalization. Doctors suspected a combination of staph, strep A, and pneumonia but were unable to pinpoint a definitive diagnosis. During her hospital stay, Barber experienced dangerously high fevers, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing, leaving her fearing for her life.

Following her release, Barber attempted to resume training for a scheduled bout against Rose Namajunas at UFC Denver in July 2024. However, she struggled with extreme fatigue and an inability to recover between sessions. Further medical evaluations revealed that she was suffering from an Epstein-Barr virus infection, which, compounded by the effects of multiple rounds of antibiotics, severely compromised her immune system.

The Road to Recovery

Despite these challenges, Barber remained determined to return to competition. She spent months working with medical professionals to rebuild her health, undergoing extensive testing and treatment. By late 2024, she began to feel improvements and resumed training with the goal of making a comeback in 2025.

Barber was scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield in the main event of UFC Vegas 107, marking her first fight in over a year. However, during the weigh-ins, she came in at 126.5 pounds, half a pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout was set to proceed at catchweight, with Barber forfeiting 20% of her purse to Blanchfield.

Withdrawal from UFC Vegas 107

Unfortunately, Barber’s health issues resurfaced just hours before the event, leading to her withdrawal. While specific details have not been disclosed, it was later revealed that Barber suffered a seizure backstage and was deemed medically unfit to compete.

The sudden cancellation not only removed one of the most anticipated fights of the night but also marked another devastating chapter in Barber’s ongoing battle to stay healthy and active in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.

Erin Blanchfield Reacts to Barber’s Last-Minute Withdrawal

Erin Blanchfield was moments away from making the walk to the octagon when she was informed that Maycee Barber had suffered a medical emergency backstage and was not medically cleared to fight. In a backstage interview with UFC’s Megan Olivi, Blanchfield expressed her disbelief:

“Hunter [Campbell] came in, said [Maycee] was having a seizure, a medical issue and wasn’t going to be able to fight. I knew that once I saw him, I knew it wasn’t something good and real serious. I’m just in disbelief.”
— Erin Blanchfield

Blanchfield also addressed the possibility of rescheduling the bout, stating that her coaches advised against it:

“No, my coaches right away were like ‘Don’t entertain that, she’s not on your level. Super unprofessional.’”

With the flyweight title picture in flux and Valentina Shevchenko in attendance at UFC Vegas 107, the matchup was expected to serve as a de facto title eliminator. The timing and stakes only amplify the frustration for Blanchfield, who now finds herself without an opponent and without the showcase she trained for.

What’s Next for Barber and Blanchfield?

For Maycee Barber, the priority now must be her health — full stop. With multiple serious illnesses in the span of a year, including hospitalization and a reported seizure, her return timeline is now entirely uncertain. If and when she returns, the UFC may opt for a lower-stakes matchup to gauge her condition and consistency.

As for Erin Blanchfield, this is a momentum stall, not a derailment. She remains a top-tier contender, and the UFC could look to rebook her quickly against another ranked opponent — possibly Alexa Grasso or Natalia Silva — to keep her in title contention.

The UFC women’s flyweight division was looking for clarity. Instead, Saturday night delivered a new round of questions.