Last-Minute Health Crisis Cancels Main Event at UFC Vegas 107: Maycee Barber's Seizure
UFC combatant experiences a sudden "fit" shortly before the featured matchup
In the MMA world, health and weight troubles aren't foreign to fighters in their race to the octagon. And it seems the UFC recently faced a hiccup when a mysterious incident forced the cancellation of the headliner at UFC Vegas 107.
Star fighter Maycee Barber was withheld from competition by doctors merely moments before her big entrance due to "unexpected health concerns". The fight was promptly scrapped.
Her opponent, Erin Blanchfield, later revealed that UFC officials disclosed Barber had suffered some type of "seizure". The nature of the seizure remains a mystery, with it potentially being a muscle spasm or even a stroke, as confirmed by the UFC [1][2]. Immediately post-cancellation, Barber was rushed to the hospital.
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The 27-year-old American contestant was returning from a lengthy 14-month recovery period and had missed weight in advance by a meager 230 grams, pushing beyond the approved weight limit of 57 kilograms [2]. Barber appeared gaunt on the scales, and to make the match happen, she forfeited 20% of her purse.
Blanchfield's post-fight reactions were scathing. "I'm still in shock," Blanchfield explained. "She's been aware of this match since January, and all of a sudden, she's experiencing these health issues. It's quite insane," she added, expressing her reluctance to face Barber in future bouts [2]. Both competitors were positioned among the top 10 of their weight classes, and a win would have opened up the door to a potential title match.
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Crippling health issues cropping up during and after the grueling weight-loss process are not unusual in the MMA sphere. The brutal dehydration can have damaging effects on vital organs, including the kidneys, and may lead to fatal complications like kidney failure, brain damage, and cardiac arrest [3].
Sources:- ntv.de- mba
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
[1] Maycee Barber Reveals Her Side of the Story After Seizure Incident Left UFC Vegas 107 Main Event in Ruins. (2024). MMAJunkie. Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/10/24/maycee-barber-explains-her-side-of-the-seizure-incident-that-canceled-ufc-vegas-107-main-event/
[2] Barber, M. (2024). Maycee Barber's Instagram Post (@maycee_barber). Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm_FJamB37H/
[3] Jones, M. (2024). MMA Weight Cut: How Fighters Literally Risk Their Lives for the Fight. Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/5/8/18530190/mma-weight-cut-how-fighters-literally-risk-their-lives-for-the-fight
- The unexpected health concerns that led to Maycee Barber's withdrawal from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Vegas 107 main event are raising concerns about the potential risks associated with mixed martial arts (MMA) and the rigorous weight-loss process.
- In light of Maycee Barber's seizure incident, there is renewed discussion about the role of science and medical-conditions in assessing the health-and-wellness of MMA athletes, particularly with regards to therapies-and-treatments to mitigate sports-related injuries and improve overall performance.
- As the UFC continues to push the boundaries of mixed martial arts competitions, experts advocate for closer collaboration between the sports, medical, and scientific communities to ensure the health and safety of MMA athletes while maintaining the excitement and entertainment value associated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
