Maycee Barber, an American mixed martial artist, had a breast augmentation, and many believed that it might be the reason that she missed her match with Erin Blanchfield by just 0.5lbs.
Flyweight contenders Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield saw their highly anticipated bout canceled just as the ESPN broadcast concluded their pre-fight feature package.
A somber broadcast team then delivered the stunning news that Maycee was medically unfit to compete. Officials cited a “last-minute medical issue” preventing her from receiving clearance to enter the Octagon.
Erin later revealed UFC executive Hunter Campbell informed her Maycee had suffered a seizure.
We were told six 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. I was ready, and then we just got the news.
Erin Blanchfield
The cancellation capped a tumultuous fight week for Maycee, who had already missed weight by a half-pound the day prior.
It forced her to forfeit 20% of her purse to Erin, one of several weight-related issues plaguing the card.
Maycee and Erin are ranked in the top five of the UFC’s women’s flyweight division, and Erin indicated she would like a new fight set up against a different top-five opponent.
Maycee Barber’s Weight Controversy Includes Unverified Fan Physique Theories
The UFC flyweight division saw unexpected drama at the recent weigh-ins, with contender Maycee Barber stepping onto the scale at 126.5 pounds.
This was 1.5 pounds over the division’s 125-pound limit.
Crucially, it was also 0.5 pounds over the one-pound allowance typically granted for non-title fights, forcing her opponent to accept the bout at a catchweight or see it canceled.
Maycee visibly attempted to shed the excess weight. She used a large cardboard box for privacy, stripping down completely in a last-ditch effort to hit the mark.
Unfortunately, the efforts proved unsuccessful.
In the aftermath, fan discussion inevitably swirled around the cause of the unexpected miss.
Among the various theories circulating online, some observers pointed to a perceived change in her physique, specifically suggesting that breast augmentation surgery could be a contributing factor to the weight difficulty.
Netizens compared her photos, contrasting her appearance from 2019 with more recent images, fueling the speculation.
Several sources have claimed that she suffered a breast implant explosion just moments before the fight.
New chest implants are extra weight.
Choi
Maycee is a top-ranked contender in MMA with a professional record of 14 wins and 2 losses.
Her recent victory over former champion Katlyn Cerminara solidified her position near the top of the division. Her skills, record, and fighting spirit are the metrics that truly define her career.
Maycee Barber’s Health Crisis and Recovery Journey
Maycee Barber spent most of 2024 sidelined by a severe health crisis despite a dominant 2023 that saw Maycee Barber earn impressive victories over Amanda Ribas and Andrea Lee.
Her unanimous decision win over Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 earned her a high-profile main event slot against former champion Rose Namajunas, but she faced a near-death experience.
Maycee was hospitalized for nine days. She battled a suspected combination of pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection. She felt sure she would die.
I don’t think I’m going to make it. I genuinely was scared, and I was like, ‘Damn, all the people that I’m seeing in the hospital right now might be the last people that I talked to.’ It was tough, it was a scary experience, and I hope that I never have to go through that
Maycee Barber
Her condition worsened when a prescribed painkiller dangerously lowered her blood pressure, restricting her breathing.
She was released in time to prepare for the fight against Rose Namajunas, but struggled immensely.
Afterward, she underwent testing, which revealed an underlying Epstein-Barr virus infection as the cause of her profound lack of energy.
Maycee fully recovered from these health scares by December 10, 2024. She confirmed everything was great in an interview with Morning Kombat and announced her return to the octagon for April 2025.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Maycee Kaye Barber, the daughter of Bucky and Maryanne Barber, was born on May 18, 1998, in Greeley, Colorado.
- Her younger brother, Wyatt, is a mixed martial artist signed to Bellator.
- On November 10, 2018, she made her UFC debut in a winning match against Hannah Cifers via TKO in round two.
- As of May 2025, she ranks number 5 in the UFC women’s flyweight rankings and 14 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
