On May 31, 2025, the UFC Vegas 107 main event between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber was abruptly canceled moments before the fighters were set to walk to the octagon. The unexpected withdrawal, reportedly due to Barber suffering a seizure, left Blanchfield, a top flyweight contender, frustrated and disappointed. In a post fight press conference, she criticized Barber’s professionalism and made it clear she’s ready to move on to other challenges.
Flyweights take over tomorrow night! 💥@Blanchfield_MMA vs @MayceeBarber
[ #UFCVegas107 is LIVE on @ESPNPlus | 6pmET ] pic.twitter.com/z3F59AQO4q
— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2025
A Shocking End to Fight Night
Blanchfield, ranked No. 4 in the women’s flyweight division, was prepared to face No. 7-ranked Barber in a pivotal bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. She was gloved up and standing in the doorway, ready for her walkout, when the news came. “
I was literally in the doorway, already had everything gloved up, my corners were ready to go,” Blanchfield said. “I remember they said six minutes and I was like this feels like a lot longer. It didn’t feel like six minutes. No one said anything until Hunter [Campbell] came in and told me she was having a seizure and that she wouldn’t be able to compete.”
The cancellation followed a tense fight week. Barber missed weight by half a pound on May 30, coming in at 126.5 pounds for the non-title fight. Despite this, Blanchfield agreed to proceed at a catchweight, showing her commitment to compete.
Blanchfield’s Blunt Criticism
In the press conference, Blanchfield didn’t hold back her frustration with Barber’s conduct.
“She needs to look at another division,” Blanchfield said about Barber. “She needs to fix her life. She needs to just fix herself. I think she’s a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life.”
She pointed out Barber’s weight miss and behavior as unprecedented in her career.
“I’ve never even had any other opponents miss weight before or act the way she does,” she said. “It’s pretty crazy, especially at this level. You expect all the athletes to be professional so it’s pretty wild.”
The Blanchfield-Barber matchup had been highly anticipated, with prior attempts to book the fight falling through due to Barber’s injuries. Barber, nicknamed “The Future,” had been on a six-fight win streak since moving to flyweight from strawweight, including a victory over Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 in March 2024. However, her 14-month layoff before UFC Vegas 107, caused by a nine-day hospitalization for a medical issue after her last fight, raised concerns for Blanchfield. The recent weight miss and cancellation only deepened those doubts.
Blanchfield was clear she has no interest in rescheduling the fight.
“No, I would not want to book another fight with her,” she said. “I would like to reassess, see who’s available. I still want to fight within the top five, still push towards that title fight. I think I need to talk to my manager, talk to Mick [Maynard], see what can happen.”
Her focus remains on challenging top-five opponents to earn a shot at champion Valentina Shevchenko.
The cancellation was a bitter disappointment for Blanchfield, who described it as a surreal experience.
“I feel like it’s almost a nightmare kind of thing,” she said. “When you have jitters, you’re like maybe something will happen, the fight won’t happen but you never want that. It’s pretty disappointing.”
Barber’s withdrawal adds to her history of health-related issues. She was hospitalized for nine days after her March 2024 fight and withdrew from a main event against Rose Namajunas in July 2024. The reported seizure in the locker room at UFC Vegas 107, though not officially confirmed by her team, has raised further questions about her future in the division.
Blanchfield, with a 7-1 UFC record and a recent win over Namajunas at UFC Edmonton in November 2024, is determined to stay on track. Her grappling prowess as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and her consistent performances make her a strong contender for the flyweight title.
The UFC Vegas 107 cancellation was a rare and chaotic moment in MMA, leaving Blanchfield and fans stunned. Despite the setback, Blanchfield’s resolve to climb the rankings remains unshaken. As she plans her next move, potentially against a top-five fighter like Natalia Silva, she’s ready to prove her place among the division’s elite, leaving the drama with Barber behind.
