In 2024, UFC flyweight Maycee Barber faced significant health struggles that sidelined her for most of the year, causing her to miss the chance to headline her first UFC event in July. These issues followed her UFC 299 bout against Katlyn Cerminara and delayed her return to the octagon until May 31, 2025, highlighting the difficulties Barber endured both physically and mentally. The narrative of Maycee Barber 2024 health struggles and comeback revolves around her battle with infections and debilitating fatigue that threatened her life and career.
A Near-Death Ordeal Following UFC 299 Fight
Typically competing twice a year, Barber was enjoying a strong stretch after earning notable wins over Amanda Ribas and Andrea Lee in 2023. She began 2024 with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Katlyn Cerminara, positioning herself for a breakthrough headline fight against former Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas set for July 13, 2024. However, instead of preparing for that significant moment, Barber was hospitalized for nine days following UFC 299, enduring a terrifying near-death experience.
Barber revealed in an interview with Ariel Helwani that she suffered from a combination of severe pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection. These illnesses debilitated her to the extent she feared for her life while in the hospital. Complicating matters, a prescribed painkiller dangerously lowered her blood pressure, impairing her breathing and intensifying the fear she felt during her stay.
“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,”
Barber said.
Diagnosing Epstein-Barr Virus Behind Persistent Fatigue
After her hospital discharge, Barber was eager to prepare for the important headliner fight but found herself constantly drained during training sessions. Concerned over her inability to recover and regain energy, Barber consulted with the UFC and sought comprehensive medical evaluations. These assessments revealed that the Epstein-Barr virus was significantly exacerbating her symptoms, including body aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue, making recovery even more difficult.
In an Instagram post that outlined her health challenges, Barber wrote,
“I sought out a team of medical professionals who, alongside the UFC, have run extensive tests on my blood and urine and sinus microbiome and my gut and my hormones and there are many things physically not working properly in my body; and they are being exacerbated by an Epstein-barr virus infection that we found. This is causing body aches, headaches, as well as extreme fatigue and an inability to recover between training sessions.”
Recovery Milestones and Anticipated UFC Return
Barber gradually overcame the severe health setbacks and fully recovered by December 10, 2024. In a subsequent interview with Morning Kombat, she expressed relief and optimism about her condition, confirming that she felt well and hoped to return to fighting in April 2025. Fans, who had been eagerly awaiting her comeback, finally got to see Barber step back into the octagon on May 31, 2025, with hopes high for a victorious return.
The impact of Barber’s health ordeal underscores how unpredictable and challenging an athlete’s career can be, especially when faced with serious medical issues. Her story not only highlights the physical dangers professional fighters endure but also her determination to overcome life-threatening circumstances. Maycee Barber’s 2024 health struggles and comeback mark a critical chapter in her career, setting the stage for a hopeful resurgence in the UFC flyweight division.