Maycee Barber’s MMA career began with remarkable momentum, securing eight straight wins before stepping into the Octagon. Known as ‘The Future,’ Barber earned her place on a high-profile Conor McGregor event by achieving three knockout victories. However, at UFC 246 in January 2020, while McGregor dismantled Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in just 40 seconds, Barber faced a tough upset loss against veteran Roxanne Modafferi.

Roxanne Modafferi’s transition after retirement

In the fight against Modafferi at UFC 246, Barber suffered a torn ACL but managed to last the full rounds. Despite her resilience, the judges awarded Modafferi the win, leaving Barber’s record at 8-1 in professional MMA. Over a year later, Barber experienced another decision defeat in her comeback bout with Alexa Grasso. Since then, the 27-year-old has bounced back impressively, stringing together six consecutive victories to solidify her status as a leading contender in the division.

Conversely, Roxanne Modafferi decided to retire from MMA in February 2022 following a third consecutive loss. Known as a trailblazer in women’s mixed martial arts, Modafferi has since embraced a new chapter as a teacher. Speaking in September 2023, she shared insights into her life outside the cage.

I finally got a good job,

Modafferi told Zenger.

I’m teaching English now as a second language and I’m good at that. My students like me, my boss likes me, and I feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives still, which is still important.

She explained that she works part-time in the mornings teaching English and spends her evenings instructing children in Jiu Jitsu. Modafferi noted that most of her English students do not recognize her as a former MMA fighter.

But nobody really knows who I am at my English school.

Anticipation builds for Maycee Barber’s next title opportunity

Maycee Barber aims to capture a flyweight title shot at the upcoming UFC Vegas 107 event scheduled for Saturday night. Erin Blanchfield, with a 12-2 record and a recent victory over former champion Rose Namajunas, is also poised to vie for the same opportunity. Meanwhile, Valentina Shevchenko’s next challenger remains uncertain, as she contemplates possible defenses.

The winner of the UFC Vegas 107 main event is expected to square off against Shevchenko, who is also considering matchups against strawweight champion Zhang Weili and rising contender Natalia Silva. Barber’s return and strong winning streak have reignited hope and excitement within the flyweight division, marking her comeback fights as pivotal moments for her UFC career trajectory.