UFC flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield has changed course on her scathing remarks towards Maycee Barber.
Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber, two of the brightest young stars in the UFC’s flyweight division, were supposed to clash in a pivotal matchup at UFC Vegas 107. UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko was at the Apex and sitting cageside to scout her potential next opponent.
But just minutes before Blanchfield and Barber were set to walk out to the Octagon, disaster struck.
After a pre-fight video package played on the UFC Vegas 107 broadcast, the venue went silent, causing massive confusion as fans expected the two flyweights to enter the Octagon. Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer then shared that the main event fight was canceled due to Barber suffering from a medical issue.
Erin Blanchfield admits emotions got the better of her in post-UFC Vegas 107 comments
It was a disastrous end to what was a bizarre fight week at UFC Vegas 107. Barber was rushed to a local hospital after suffering a seizure backstage, but shared a positive health update on Sunday.
After the UFC Vegas 107 cancelation, Blanchfield laid into Barber, calling her ‘super unprofessional’ after a medical scare forced her out of their scheduled headliner. Fans were divided on Blanchfield’s harsh response, with some questioning how she could scold Barber after she was hospitalized.
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Blanchfield clarified her harsh comments after Barber’s medical issues surfaced following UFC Vegas 107.
“She can’t control medical issues that she’s having, so that’s not unprofessional. I meant more the weight miss on Friday and the way she approached it,” Blanchfield clarified.
“I believe she was offered more time to cut weight and didn’t, missed weight and then still was acting the way she was at the weigh-ins. So that’s more what I meant about being unprofessional…[being unreliable] I still stand by, she pulled out of the first [fight] and now this one.
“I know she has issues, but if she does have those severe medical issues, that’s why I wouldn’t want to be matched up with her again,” Blanchfield continued. “I was caught up in the moment myself, she probably does have some issues…and she probably should’ve pulled out sooner so that I would’ve had another opponent. Not being honest about her condition wasn’t the right thing to do.”
Blanchfield predicted Barber wouldn’t make it to fight night in the weeks leading up to UFC Vegas 107. The two flyweights were supposed to clash in 2021, before Barber withdrew due to injury.
Blanchfield was then asked about her refusal to get booked against Barber again, as the two flyweights move forward with their careers. Blanchfield also pivoted on this stance, clarifying that she’d be open to running it back with Barber in the future if her activity level improves.
Valentina Shevchenko’s next opponent remains uncertain amid Zhang Weili fight talks
As for Shevchenko, she’s repeatedly teased a potential showdown with UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili for her next flyweight title defense. Natalia Silva is also firmly in the mix after her dominant win over Alexa Grasso at UFC 315.
Shevchenko most recently defended her flyweight belt against Manon Fiorot last month at UFC 315. She regained the flyweight title by defeating Grasso at UFC 306 last September.
As for Blanchfield and Barber’s budding rivalry, the first chapter remains on hold after UFC Vegas 107. But don’t be surprised if the two young stars are booked against each other again later in their careers.