Maycee Barber pulled from UFC main event, Erin Blanchfield slams her; here's what went wrong
What is the Epstein-Barr virus?
Erin Blanchfield reacts
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The sudden cancellation of the UFC Vegas 107 main event between Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield shocked fans. Just hours before the flyweight bout in Louisville, Kentucky, the UFC announced that Barber was 'medically unfit to compete.' It was later revealed that a severe flare-up of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was the reason behind her withdrawal.Barber, 26, known as 'The Future,' had been on a five-fight win streak and was climbing the women's flyweight division ranks. The match against Blanchfield was highly anticipated, with many seeing it as a possible title eliminator. Barber had appeared fit during weigh-ins and promotional events throughout the week, which made her withdrawal all the more surprising.Barber had arrived in Louisville, Kentucky, earlier in the week and appeared active during media day and weigh-ins. Her unexpected exit came after she had made weight and completed all promotional obligations, making the announcement all the more surprising.Reports indicate that the medical issue arose shortly before the event, prompting the UFC's medical staff to pull her from the card for safety reasons.One possible explanation is that Maycee Barber had to cut weight to compete in the flyweight division. This process can cause extreme dehydration and put severe stress on the body. Fighters often lose large amounts of water weight quickly, weakening the immune system and triggering underlying health issues.Additionally, Barber had been managing EBV-related health concerns for much of 2024. It is not known whether she has caught the disease again.The Epstein-Barr virus is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common viruses in humans. Most people are infected with it at some point in their lives. It's best known for causing infectious mononucleosis, commonly called 'mono', which results in fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.In some cases, EBV does not entirely disappear after the initial infection. It can remain dormant in the body and reactivate later, especially during stress, overtraining, or immune suppression. When reactivated, it can lead to severe fatigue, body aches, mental fog, and other symptoms that can persist for weeks or even months. This makes it especially challenging for athletes, whose performance depends on peak physical condition.Erin Blanchfield, who had been preparing for the biggest fight of her career, expressed her frustration after the cancellation. In a post-event interview, Blanchfield said, 'I feel like I've been robbed of a chance to prove myself. I was ready. I trained hard for this. This was supposed to be my statement fight.'Blanchfield didn't hold back when addressing Barber's withdrawal. 'It sucks. I don't know what happened. If it was really medical, I hope she's okay. But it's disappointing. We deserve answers, and fans deserve better,' she added.No official word yet on when Barber might return to the octagon. She has not made a public statement about her health or a potential recovery timeline. The UFC has yet to announce whether the bout will be rescheduled.Until then, the women's flyweight division remains on pause.
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