A pivotal match in the women’s flyweight division was supposed to headline Saturday’s UFC Vegas 107 fight card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
No. 4 ranked Erin Blanchfield was pitted against No. 5 ranked Maycee Barber in a fight that could have determined the next title challenger. When Barber was supposed to make the walk to the octagon, she didn’t.
The broadcast went to a commercial break. When they returned to the UFC Apex, the broadcasters announced that the main event had be abruptly canceled. Barber had a medical issue and was not cleared to fight as they were lined up to walk out.
Barber missed weight at Friday’s weigh-in v by 0.5 pounds and had to forfeit 20% of her fight purse to Blanchfield. The broadcast noted that “The Future” had recently battle health issues.
Blanchfield expressed her disappointment when she got the news of the fight cancelation. She was informed that she’d be walking out in six minutes. She was warmed up and ‘ready to go,’ and then was informed that the fight was off.
Former two-division UFC champion and broadcaster Daniel Cormier revealed that Barber was lined up to make the walk to the octagon and turned around and went back to her locker room.
Blanchfield said she has no interest in rebooking a bout with Barber in the future. She wants another top five ranked opponent in a five-run fight next.
“I did everything except get in the cage tonight. I guess I can grow from that,” she said from her locker room.
Blanchfield would have entered the bout having won 10 of her last 11 fights and was coming off a decision win over former two-time strawweight titleholder Rose Namajunas. Barber was riding a six-fight winning streak.
Barber’s medical issue was not disclosed by the fight promotion.
