Erin Blanchfield openly criticized Maycee Barber after their highly anticipated UFC Vegas 107 main event was abruptly cancelled moments before the fighters were set to enter the octagon. The sudden cancellation came when the broadcast team announced that Barber was not medically cleared to compete, shocking fans and participants alike inside the UFC APEX arena.

The fight was called off immediately after a video package concluded, which normally signals the fighters’ walkouts. Despite Barber missing weight on the Friday before the fight, Blanchfield had already accepted the bout and was visibly disappointed during the post-fight press conference. The incident added to ongoing concerns about Barber’s professionalism and health.

Blanchfield Critiques Barber’s Professionalism and Readiness

Blanchfield harshly addressed Barber’s condition, indicating the fighter needs serious changes in her life and approach. She stated,

“She needs to look at another division,”

and added,

“She needs to fix her life. She needs to just fix herself. I think she’s a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life.”

She also highlighted that encountering an opponent who misses weight and behaves unprofessionally at this level is unusual.

“I’ve never even had any other opponents miss weight before or act the way she does. It’s pretty crazy, especially at this level. You expect all the athletes to be professional so it’s pretty wild,”

Blanchfield remarked.

Concerns Raised Before and After Fight Cancellation

Before the fight, Blanchfield admitted to reservations about accepting Barber as her opponent, especially after Barber had withdrawn from a previously scheduled matchup and had been sidelined for over a year due to an undisclosed medical condition. This history cast doubt over Barber’s participation, which culminated in the last-minute cancellation.

Following the cancellation, Blanchfield made it clear she does not intend to face Barber again. She expressed her intention to seek other top-five contenders as she pursues a title shot.

“No, I would not want to book another fight with her,”

she stated.

“I would like to reassess, see who’s available. I still want to fight within the top five, still push towards that title fight. I think I need to talk to my manager, talk to Mick [Maynard], see what can happen.”

Moment of Cancellation: Blanchfield’s Perspective

Blanchfield recounted the tense moments just before the fight was called off, saying she was moments away from walking out when the news broke.

“I was literally in the doorway, already had everything gloved up, my corners were ready to go,”

she said.

“Literally in the doorway, like getting ready to walk out and then was told [the fight was off].”

She described the frustrating wait after the scheduled start time, recalling uncertainty and silence until UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell informed her that Barber was having a seizure and would not be able to compete.

“I remember they said six minutes and I was like this feels like a lot longer. It didn’t feel like six minutes. No one said anything until Hunter [Campbell] came in and told me she was having a seizure and that she wouldn’t be able to compete.”

Blanchfield’s Future Plans After Another Setback

Coming off a victory against former champion Rose Namajunas, Blanchfield had high hopes that beating Barber would solidify her path toward a title fight against reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Now, with the fight cancelled in such unexpected fashion, her career trajectory faces uncertainty.

Blanchfield described the whole experience as surreal and deeply disappointing.

“I feel like it’s almost a nightmare kind of thing,”

she shared.

“When you have jitters, you’re like maybe something will happen, the fight won’t happen but you never want that. It’s pretty disappointing.”

As the UFC landscape continues evolving, Blanchfield aims to regroup and secure a fight with another top-ranked opponent in her division. The sudden, dramatic cancellation at UFC Vegas 107 not only halted her momentum but also intensified scrutiny around Barber’s future in the sport.