Tag: Maycee Barber

2024 has been an incredibly difficult year for UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber. At UFC 299 in March, the #4-ranked contender earned her sixth consecutive win by defeating Katlyn Cerminara via a unanimous decision.

Shortly after, she was hospitalized for nine days due to an illness that doctors couldn’t correctly identify. She later spoke in an interview on The MMA Hour about how at one point, she didn’t think she would be able to overcome this illness, going as far as to call her loved ones because she didn’t think she had much longer to live.

Over time, her energy started to slowly come back but a scheduled return in a main event against Rose Namajunas would come around too quick for her. Barber withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Tracy Cortez, writing on Instagram that after being told that she would be able to compete by July, she didn’t feel like her body was “even close” to being ready for a fight, let alone a five-rounder against a former champion.

In a recent interview with Morning Kombat, Barber gave a positive update on her progress and what it was like to miss out on the fight with Namajunas earlier this year.

“Everything’s going great now. It has been a long journey. I was so bummed when, well first of all, I was so excited to fight Rose because not only was I fighting Rose but I was also fighting in Denver where I made my UFC debut. So for me, it was my first main event, it was a very huge opportunity for me and I was so excited and then I was devastated when I was told, ‘Hey look, you’re not going to fight on this card’. Obviously the health is more important so I was devastated but I have made a lot of progress coming forward and I can’t wait to be back.”

She also gave a planned timeframe for her return and though it still seems far away, especially considering that she was originally booked to face Namajunas this past July, she’s ahead of her previous estimations.

“Yeah, actually I was just messaging with Mick (Maynard) and Hunter (Campbell) called me as well. I’m hoping for April honestly. I mean I know it still is a little ways out but for me, that’s the timeline that I was given and so originally, I thought I was gonna be until July, August of next year but it’s looking more like April.”

UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber has revealed the battle she’s been enduring away from the Octagon.

When it comes to activity inside the cage, Barber has endured nothing but triumphs for the past three years. Since defeats to Roxanne Modafferi and Alexa Grasso stalled her rise, “The Future” has won six straight fights.

Most recently, Barber followed a a memorable, Performance of the Night-winning display opposite Amanda Ribas last year by getting the better of former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 in Miami this past March.

But while that result thrust the 26-year-old into the top five at 125 pounds and left her calling for a title shot, she’s since been struck down by factors away from the fight game.

Barber first experienced a mystery infection days on from her UFC 299 victory. After being hospitalized, the illness resulted in a bout of pneumonia. Having overcome that scare, she was booked to headline the UFC Fight Night in Denver against Rose Namajunas in July.

Ongoing health issues saw the Colorado native withdraw, however, and she’s now lifted the lid on her continuing struggle to return to fitness and get past the issue, which Barber says 15 doctors have been unable to diagnose.

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A post shared by @mayceebarber

“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 drs 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.

“I’ve had so many ups and downs and been told so many different things about what could be going on. So many emotions going into each day and many days where I’m mentally exhausted and just want to sleep,” Barber continued. “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. ”

When the #4-ranked contender does recover and make her return to the Octagon, the flyweight division will have significantly shifted.

Valentina Shevchenko returned to the throne by avenging her past defeat to Grasso at UFC 306 last month, and “Bullet” is expected to face the challenge of France’s Manon Fiorot next year.

Beyond that, Namajunas seemingly has the chance to book her first shot at two-division glory should she get the better of Erin Blanchfield in Edmonton this weekend for her third victory of the year.

• Read More: UFC Cuts Robelis Despaigne Seven Months On From 18-Second Debut KO

Continue Reading Top-5 UFC Contender Battling Mystery Illness Preventing Octagon Return: ‘Over 15 Different Doctors…’  at MMA News.

UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber has revealed the battle she’s been enduring away from the Octagon.

When it comes to activity inside the cage, Barber has endured nothing but triumphs for the past three years. Since defeats to Roxanne Modafferi and Alexa Grasso stalled her rise, “The Future” has won six straight fights.

Most recently, Barber followed a a memorable, Performance of the Night-winning display opposite Amanda Ribas last year by getting the better of former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 in Miami this past March.

But while that result thrust the 26-year-old into the top five at 125 pounds and left her calling for a title shot, she’s since been struck down by factors away from the fight game.

Barber first experienced a mystery infection days on from her UFC 299 victory. After being hospitalized, the illness resulted in a bout of pneumonia. Having overcome that scare, she was booked to headline the UFC Fight Night in Denver against Rose Namajunas in July.

Ongoing health issues saw the Colorado native withdraw, however, and she’s now lifted the lid on her continuing struggle to return to fitness and get past the issue, which Barber says 15 doctors have been unable to diagnose.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @mayceebarber

“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 drs 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.

“I’ve had so many ups and downs and been told so many different things about what could be going on. So many emotions going into each day and many days where I’m mentally exhausted and just want to sleep,” Barber continued. “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. ”

When the #4-ranked contender does recover and make her return to the Octagon, the flyweight division will have significantly shifted.

Valentina Shevchenko returned to the throne by avenging her past defeat to Grasso at UFC 306 last month, and “Bullet” is expected to face the challenge of France’s Manon Fiorot next year.

Beyond that, Namajunas seemingly has the chance to book her first shot at two-division glory should she get the better of Erin Blanchfield in Edmonton this weekend for her third victory of the year.

• Read More: UFC Cuts Robelis Despaigne Seven Months On From 18-Second Debut KO

Continue Reading Top-5 UFC Contender Battling Mystery Illness Preventing Octagon Return: ‘Over 15 Different Doctors…’  at MMA News.