Kamaru Usman discussed Maycee Barber‘s withdrawal from UFC Vegas 107 due to health issues, noting the pressure fighters face, while Erin Blanchfield criticized Barber’s professionalism after the cancellation.
Kamaru Usman knows the pressure of a big fight. So, he gets why Maycee Barber didn’t make it to the octagon last Saturday.
Barber, on a six-fight win streak, was set to face Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 107. But right before the main event, news broke that Barber withdrew due to health issues.
Blanchfield, clearly frustrated, told reporters she won’t re-book the fight. She even accused Barber of being “a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life.”
On his Pound-4-Pound podcast, Usman shared his thoughts. “It was a very confusing situation,” he said. Erin wasn’t wrong in her interview. Maycee missed weight by half a pound on Friday and didn’t try to shed it.
Usman wasn’t just an outsider here. He witnessed some of Barber’s training sessions. She seemed ready to make a statement, but this was her second straight withdrawal due to health issues.
As a former welterweight champ, Usman knows the struggle of stepping out on fight night. “I saw Maycee train hard,” he said. “She looked great, but missing weight and not showing up…”
Rumors swirled about what happened. Blanchfield was told Barber had a seizure. Usman mentioned the jitters fighters get. “We all get those jitters,” he said. “Sometimes emotions flood you, and it’s tough.”
When Barber will compete again is unclear. She apologized to the UFC and Blanchfield, promising to resolve the issues.
For now, her reputation’s taken a hit. “We all get nervous,” Usman said. “But it’s part of being a professional in the UFC.”
“If that’s what happened, Erin wasn’t wrong,” he added. “Maybe Maycee needs to see a sports psychologist. It wasn’t a good look.”