Valentina Shevchenko, former UFC women’s flyweight champion, addressed the recent cancellation of the Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber fight due to Barber’s health concerns. Speaking to The Schmo on June 3, 2025, Shevchenko emphasized the need for fighters to begin weight management well before fight week to avoid health risks.
Shevchenko’s Push for Professionalism
Shevchenko acknowledged Barber’s health issues, stating:
“Of course, every [person] now [is] saying like, the health issue and they are seeing results, right. And definitely we all wish [Barber] like, speedy recovery. The health is number one for every athlete. But let’s not forget that we are professional fighters and we have to do everything — not starting fight week. Not starting one day before the weigh-in. We have to start it back if we know that the weight cut will affect us somehow.”
She stressed early preparation, saying:
“You kind of like, think what you have to do to make everyone not disappointed…We have to be professionals and not professional only in the last week. We have to start it like, back back over there, when we just [received our] notice to fight…We start, like, going slowly down our weight cut and if we know it’s going to be affected, we have to take some measures to not be affected by circumstances. This is [what] I call professionalism.”
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Valentina Shevchenko, born March 7, 1988, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is the UFC women’s flyweight champion with a 25-4-1 record. She won the title in 2018 against Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 231, defending it seven times until losing to Alexa Grasso via submission at UFC 285 on March 4, 2023. Their rematch at UFC Fight Night 227 on September 16, 2023, ended in a split draw. Shevchenko reclaimed the belt with a unanimous decision over Grasso at UFC 306 on September 14, 2024, and defended it against Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025. A Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion, she excels in striking and grappling.
Maycee Barber, born May 18, 1998, in Greeley, Colorado, holds a 14-2 record. She debuted in the UFC in 2018, defeating Hannah Cifers at UFC Fight Night 139. Barber’s aggressive striking fueled a six-fight win streak, including a knockout of Jessica Eye in 2021. She lost to Roxanne Modafferi in 2020 and Katlyn Cerminara in 2022. She was set to fight Erin Blanchfield at UFC London on March 22, 2025, but withdrew due to undisclosed health issues.
Erin Blanchfield, born May 4, 1999, in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, has a 12-2 record. She joined the UFC in 2021, defeating Sarah Alpar at UFC Fight Night 192. Blanchfield’s grappling led to victories over Molly McCann and Jéssica Andrade, though she lost to Manon Fiorot in March 2024. The Barber fight was a chance to boost her flyweight ranking.
The Blanchfield-Barber fight, set for UFC London on March 22, 2025, was canceled days before the event due to Barber’s health issues, which remain unspecified. UFC officials announced the withdrawal on March 18, 2025, and the bout was not rescheduled, leaving Blanchfield without a fight. Shevchenko’s remarks to The Schmo on June 3, 2025, responded to this incident, addressing the broader issue of weight cutting in MMA.
Weight management is a persistent challenge in the sport, with fighters often cutting significant weight to meet division limits. UFC President Dana White noted in 2024 that improper weight cuts contribute to 10-15% of fight cancellations. A 2023 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that 60% of MMA fighters face health issues during weight cuts, reinforcing Shevchenko’s call for better practices.
Shevchenko advocated starting weight cuts early, ideally 6-8 weeks before a fight, to reduce risks like dehydration or organ stress. Her emphasis on professionalism reflects the responsibility fighters have to their opponents, promoters, and fans to ensure events proceed smoothly.
Shevchenko has consistently made the 125-pound flyweight limit without issues, crediting gradual preparation and a nutritionist team, as she mentioned in a 2022 ESPN interview. Her advice offers a model for younger fighters like Barber and Blanchfield to follow.
Blanchfield’s next move remains unclear, though she stays a top flyweight contender. Barber’s recovery timeline is unknown, but Shevchenko’s well wishes highlight the priority of health. The cancellation has renewed calls for weight-cutting reforms, with some suggesting same-day weigh-ins or hydration tests, as used in ONE Championship.
