UFC Chaos: Erin Blanchfield Paid in Full After Maycee Barber Fight Fallout

UFC Drama: Erin Blanchfield Gets Paid Despite Maycee Barber Fight Meltdown

Well, UFC fans, if you tuned in expecting fireworks between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber at UFC on ESPN 68, you probably ended the night scratching your head—or throwing your popcorn at the screen. What was supposed to be a thrilling women's flyweight showdown ended in total chaos... and confusion.

Let’s get one thing straight: Erin Blanchfield didn’t just come ready to fight—she came to finish business. But unfortunately, she never got that chance.

❗ Here’s the wild timeline of what went down:

• 🔹 Fight canceled minutes before walkout

• 🔹 No official explanation provided

• 🔹 Barber reportedly had a seizure backstage

• 🔹 Blanchfield paid full fight purse despite cancellation

• 🔹 Tensions had already exploded at weigh-ins

• 🔹 Barber missed weight and refused to continue cutting

• 🔹 Fans and analysts were left baffled

It All Went Sideways at the Last Minute

Imagine this: You’re watching the UFC broadcast, all hyped for the main event. The commentary crew is teeing up the storyline, and then… silence. No walkout. No music. Just confusion. The fight was called off literally minutes before the two women were supposed to step into the cage.

Even the UFC broadcast team was caught completely off guard. There were whispers, theories, even rumors—some saying Maycee Barber suffered a seizure backstage. Others said she actually began her walkout, only to turn around and go back. UFC didn't confirm anything publicly, which only fueled the fire online.

Blanchfield vs. Barber Was Already a Powder Keg

Let’s rewind to earlier in the week. Things were already getting spicy between the two flyweight contenders. Erin Blanchfield was throwing shade, questioning if Maycee would even show up for the fight. That comment aged like fine wine.

And then came weigh-ins. Oh boy. Maycee Barber missed weight by half a pound. Doesn’t sound like much, but it matters. UFC typically gives fighters an extra hour to cut if they’re over, but Barber wasn’t interested. She flat-out said she was done. No more cutting. No more sweating. She was finished.

Because of that, Blanchfield was set to collect a percentage of Barber’s fight purse. But, plot twist—since the fight never happened, that cash is likely off the table.

Ceremonial Faceoffs Were Heated 🔥

Weigh-ins weren’t just awkward—they were downright hostile. During the ceremonial faceoff, the tension boiled over. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby had to step in and separate them. The scuffle didn’t stop there. The two continued their verbal jabs online, with Barber’s camp firing back and Blanchfield holding her ground.

And fans? Oh, they went wild. Social media exploded with opinions, hot takes, memes—you name it. Barber took the brunt of the backlash, with many questioning her professionalism, preparation, and even her desire to be in the Octagon.

UFC Event Takes a Major Hit

With the main event scrapped, UFC on ESPN 68 lost a ton of its star power. Originally pegged as a night for the women’s flyweight division to shine, the spotlight instead turned to the lightweight co-main event between Mateusz Gamrot and Ludovit Klein. That bout ended up closing the show, with Gamrot taking home a clear unanimous decision victory.

There was also another fight cancellation earlier in the day, leaving the card with just nine total bouts. That’s incredibly thin for a UFC event, and fans definitely felt it.

Erin Blanchfield: Professional Till the End

Despite the drama and disappointment, Blanchfield kept it classy. After the event, she confirmed she’d be receiving both her show money and win bonus. That’s pretty rare in the UFC world, especially when a fight doesn’t go through. It’s a nod from the promotion recognizing she did everything right.

Still, she’s made it clear: she doesn’t want to rebook this fight with Maycee Barber. And honestly, who can blame her?

“I don’t see any point in fighting someone who isn’t going to show up. I came ready. I did everything I was supposed to,” Blanchfield said in a post-fight media scrum.

And that’s a mic drop.

What This Means for Both Fighters

✅ Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC): She walks away with the win bonus, her stock intact, and the support of fans who saw her as the ultimate professional during a chaotic fight week.

❌ Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC): This one’s gonna sting. Not only did she miss weight and lose out on a paycheck, but her reputation took a hit. It was her first scheduled bout in over a year—and it turned into a PR nightmare.

Fan Reactions Tell the Whole Story

If you spent any time on X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, or Instagram after the fight, you already know: fans were NOT happy. The overwhelming sentiment was that Barber let everyone down—from her opponent to the fans to the UFC itself. Some even called for the organization to fine or suspend her if the rumors about her backing out at the last second were true.

UFC has yet to issue any official statement, leaving a giant question mark hanging over the whole situation.

Will the UFC Step In?

So far, Dana White and UFC brass have stayed quiet, which isn’t unusual when there’s health speculation involved. If Barber really did suffer a medical emergency, it’s understandable that details are scarce. But if it was simply a decision not to fight, the UFC may have to address it sooner rather than later.

The fight world doesn’t wait long to move on—but fighters who repeatedly back out without clear reasons? They tend to get left behind.

Final Thoughts: A Mess That Could’ve Been Magic

Let’s face it—this could’ve been a breakout moment for women’s flyweight. Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber was a high-stakes matchup between two hungry contenders. Instead, we got confusion, disappointment, and a boatload of questions.

Still, kudos to Blanchfield for handling it like a pro. And hey, she got paid—so at least someone walked away with a win.

Key Takeaways:

• ⚡ The fight was canceled last-minute, causing chaos.

• 🥇 Blanchfield will receive full payment from UFC.

• ⚖️ Barber missed weight and refused to cut more.

• 🤕 Rumors swirled about a backstage seizure.

• 📉 Barber’s reputation took a major hit.

• 📺 Co-main event was bumped to headliner status.

• 💬 Fans are demanding answers—and accountability.

So, here’s hoping the UFC gives us more clarity soon—and that Blanchfield gets a big-name opponent next who actually shows up. Because the fans? They deserve better than what happened at UFC on ESPN 68.