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.
“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.
