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The highly anticipated UFC Vegas 107 main event between flyweight contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber was abruptly scrapped due to a backstage medical emergency—but the drama hasn’t ended there.
Just moments before the fighters were set to walk out at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, chaos erupted as Maycee Barber suffered a reported seizure, forcing the organization to cancel the bout. The incident shocked fans and cast a spotlight on health transparency and fighter responsibility in high-stakes matchups.
Blanchfield Breaks Silence on “Unprofessional” Comments
In the aftermath, Erin Blanchfield’s post-fight remarks stirred controversy when she described Barber’s actions as “unprofessional.” Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Blanchfield clarified her criticism, distancing herself from Barber’s medical emergency and instead pointing to what she perceived as troubling behavior throughout fight week.
“She can’t control medical issues that she’s having, so that’s not unprofessional,” said Blanchfield. “I meant more the weight miss on Friday and the way she approached it. I believe she was offered more time to cut weight… but still acted like it wasn’t a big deal.”
Blanchfield also expressed concern about a lack of transparency from Barber’s camp regarding her health leading up to the fight.
“If she does have those severe medical issues, that’s why I wouldn’t want to be matched up with her again,” Blanchfield continued. “She probably should’ve pulled out sooner so that I would’ve had another opponent.”
A Pattern of Cancellations?
This is not the first time a clash between the two promising fighters has fallen apart. Their previously scheduled 2021 fight was also canceled due to a Barber injury, a fact not lost on fans or UFC insiders now questioning the viability of rebooking the matchup for a third time.
Barber Responds with Grace—and a Subtle Clapback
Maycee Barber responded to the controversy with a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking fans, the UFC, and addressing Blanchfield directly. She also appeared to counter a pointed remark made during the UFC Vegas 107 press conference, where Blanchfield quipped that Barber’s “whole life is a mess.”
“P.S., my life is not messy—this is just a bad hand,” Barber wrote, garnering both support and criticism online.
While many in the MMA community expressed sympathy for Barber’s health scare, others echoed Blanchfield’s frustration, citing the weight miss and last-minute collapse as signs of instability in Barber’s camp.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
Beyond the fighters, UFC Vegas 107’s main event cancellation has sparked questions about event liability. Combat sports attorney Erik Magraken highlighted that Nevada’s event laws require specific provisions when main attractions collapse, potentially triggering refund clauses.
Thankfully, due to UFC Apex’s limited live attendance, the financial implications were minimal—but the reputational toll may linger longer.
What’s Next for Blanchfield and Barber?
No rescheduling has been announced for the bout, and Blanchfield has indicated reluctance to face Barber again unless stronger health protocols are in place. With both women ranked among the top UFC flyweights, the failed main event leaves a void in the title picture.
As the dust settles, the fallout from UFC Vegas 107 serves as a stark reminder of the physical, emotional, and commercial stakes that define modern mixed martial arts.
