Barber (Still) Battling Mysterious Illness

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Fans have suggested everything from COVID vaccines to mental illness. Turns out Khamzat Chimaev is not the only fighter battling mysterious maladies.
UFC flyweight contend…


UFC 246: Modafferi v Barber
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Fans have suggested everything from COVID vaccines to mental illness.

Turns out Khamzat Chimaev is not the only fighter battling mysterious maladies.

UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber, currently ranked No. 4 at 125 pounds, is still searching for answers after succumbing to an undisclosed illness, one that continues to sideline “The Future” after a previous case of pneumonia back in March.

“A bit of transparency: the last several months have been some of the most mentally challenging, frustrating, and discouraging times that I have experienced,” Barber wrote on Instagram. “I have worked with over 15 different doctors and medical professionals searching for answers and a path back to not just fighting but the gym itself. I’ve been staying patient, praying daily and trusting in the fact that God has a plan and a purpose for everything in life. But to be honest it’s hard and it hasn’t gotten easier.”

There seems to be a lot of that stuff going around these days.

“I’ve had so many ups and downs and been told so many different things about what could be going on,” Barber continued. “So many emotions going into each day and many days where I’m mentally exhausted and just want to sleep. I never thought that I would be in a position where I feel so close to the belt while feeling so far away at the same time. I definitely didn’t see the path to being a champion looking like this but nonetheless I will continue to push forward and I WILL BE THE FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION. It’s on God’s time not mine.”

The 14-2 Barber, still just 26 years old, captured her sixth straight victory by outpointing Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 and appeared to be one victory away from a flyweight title shot — until she was forced to withdraw from her Rose Namajunas fight at UFC Denver.

A timeline for Barber’s Octagon return has yet to be determined.