Shocking! UFC Main Event Canceled Last Moment as Maycee Barber Suffers Seizure Before Walkout

UFC Vegas 107 main event bout between Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield has been cancelled due to a medical emergency.

Shocking! UFC Main Event Canceled Last Moment as Maycee Barber Suffers Seizure Before Walkout

Maycee Barber pulls out of the Erin Blanchfield fight due to a seizure (via X)

The fight game is filled with uncertainties that can affect fighters until the very last moment they step inside the octagon. While most fighters try to push through these, in many cases, fighters yield which leads to unfortunate and disappointing fight cancellations. That’s exactly what took place this Saturday as Maycee Barber pulled out of the UFC Vegas 107 main event against Erin Blanchfield.

The event was going smoothly with the co-main event lightweight bout between Mateusz Gamrot and Ludovit Klein entertaining the eager crowd. Following that fight, during the pre-fight video package, the commentary team unexpectedly revealed the main event was officially cancelled. According to reports, Barber pulled out at the very last moment due to a sudden and serious medical complication.

Before the fight during the weigh-ins, Barber missed weight by 0.5 pounds, resulting in a 20 per cent salary deduction to Blanchfield. While many fans and experts believed this wouldn’t significantly impact the fight, it turns out Barber had suffered a sudden seizure. Following the cancellation, Blanchfield revealed this news in an ESPN MMA interview, citing UFC CBO Hunter Campbell as her source.

We’re already been told 6 minutes to the walkout, we already warmed up, I had pads. I was warming up with my training partner. I was literally ready to go. I feel like I could already smell the cage then we just got the news. I think it’s pretty rare that in fight day when somebody pulls out, I didn’t expect this. No, my coaches right away like don’t entertain her, she’s not in your level, super unprofessional. I would love another five rounder against someone else in the top five, keep working my way towards the title.

Erin Blanchfield via ESPN MMA

Barber had revealed in the past that she dealt with a serious viral infection which severely affected her physical health and training. The virus led to significant weight loss, constant fatigue, and multiple complications that disrupted her fight preparations. She openly discussed how the lingering symptoms impacted her recovery, forcing adjustments in training camps and delaying her return.

Maycee Barber gets a reality check from Erin Blanchfield

Erin Blanchfield has been competing in the UFC for four years, with her only loss coming against Manon Fiorot last year. However, she bounced back impressively by defeating former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in November last year. The American currently holds the #6 spot in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings and aimed to climb the flyweight rankings further.

Erin Blanchfield gives a stern warning towards Maycee Barber
Erin Blanchfield gives a stern warning towards Maycee Barber (via X)

Going into the main event, Blanchfield was the betting favorite to beat Maycee Barber and a win could have given her a title shot. The fighter was also eager to get the win bonus as well as the 20 per cent from Barber’s salary until it was cancelled. During the post-fight presser, the fighter gave a stern warning towards Barber and her future.

She needs to look at another division. She needs to fix her life. She needs to fix herself. I think she’s a mess in every aspect of her entire life.

Erin Blanchfield via post-fight presser

While last-minute pullouts are common regardless of a fight’s magnitude, this time, it happened at the absolute final possible moment. The last similar incident occurred at UFC 306 when Dan Ige stepped in just four hours before the scheduled featherweight bout. However, this time, it happened right before the walkout, leaving the UFC with no time to salvage the card.

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