Maycee Barber refuses to fight backwards.
Riding a six-fight win streak, the 25 year-old fighter finds herself among elite company in the UFC women’s flyweight division. Barber rose through the ranks to #4 in the world after defeating former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 and believes she’s in prime position for a massive fight.
Barber’s last defeat came to UFC Champ Alexa Grasso in 2021, one that she hopes to get back in a five-round title fight. But, the weight class is currently at a standstill with Grasso having a score to settle with rival Valentina Shevchenko later in the year.
Also standing in the way of a shot at gold is #2 contender Manon Fiorot. The French striker may have secured her spot in line for the winner of Grasso vs. Shevchenko following a victory over Erin Blanchfield at UFC Atlantic City this past weekend.
There’s No Telling What ‘The Future’ Holds
While it’s title shot or bust for Barber, the American isn’t too opposed to taking a #1 contender fight with Fiorot as the flyweights wait on the result of the upcoming title fight.
“If it has to be one more fight and we’re proving who is ready for the belt, it would make sense to put the two winners against each other,” Barber said on ‘The MMA Hour‘. “I fought Katlyn [Cerminara], she was a former contender. I fought Jessica Eye, former contender, beat both of them. So, me versus another winner, Manon, would be the only fight that on paper would make sense, I think.
“However, I don’t need to prove that anymore. I’ve already done all the stuff I need to do to put myself in the spot. I beat two contenders and I feel like I deserve that shot.”
Navigating A ‘Weird Timing Situation’ At 125lbs
Fiorot has just as good of an argument, if not better, to fight for the title next. Handing Blanchfield her first UFC loss, ‘The Beast’ boosted her record to 7-0 inside the Octagon with wins over former UFC Champ Rose Namajunas and two former title challengers.
Barber wouldn’t blame Fiorot for not taking a, perhaps, unnecessary fight, but feels as though she’s in a similar spot to fight for the title her next time out.
“If Manon, she says she doesn’t wanna do that. So, you can’t make someone do what they don’t wanna do unless you know you’re gonna pay them significantly more,” Barber added. “So we’ll have to see how that goes, because I’m down to fight for the number one contender spot, but at the same time, I want my rematch.
“So, I don’t feel like I have anything else to prove. I’m on a six-fight win streak. I have history with Alexa and I also feel like I could be a backup fighter, you know? So, it’s kind of a unique situation. It’s tough because the girls are fighting, Valentina and Alexa are fighting. So, it’s kind of a weird timing situation, who knows if someone’s gonna get hurt or what happens. Anything can happen.”
Barber Rules Out A Fight With ‘Thug’ Rose
As for what Barber doesn’t want to happen is for her to fight down the rankings. There’s a new face inside the top 10 and that’s Rose Namajunas. ‘Thug’ defeated Amanda Ribas in her second fight at the new weight class and hopes to keep moving forward in the division.
Namajunas has entertained fighting up against Barber, however the #4-ranked contender won’t oblige.
“I didn’t call her out, she suggested a fight with me,” Barber cleared up. “For me, I’m like, maybe, but that’s also me fighting backwards now because if we look at the rankings, Rose fought one girl to get back into the flyweight division. She came off a loss and fought Amanda, and that got her back in the conversation. Then, she lost to get Manon. So, I mean, for me, it’s like I’d be fighting backwards to fight Rose Namajunas now.
“She’s a name. I’m not dismissing that, but for her it’s like, okay, if she beats me, which she won’t, then she’s already in that top spot. Why would I give her the chance I already worked my whole butt off to get to the spot where I’m in a contention for the belt? Why would I go and fight Rose and fight backwards?”
Maycee Barber later said she’d need a bigger paycheck if the UFC wanted her to fight Rose Namajunas.
With the women’s flyweight division in a logjam, what’s next for ‘The Future’ Maycee Barber?
