Barber's Blunder Blanchfield Fight Still On!

Barber Misses Weight, But Showdown with Blanchfield Still On!

In a dramatic turn of events at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, flyweight contender Maycee Barber tipped the scales at **126.5 pounds** on Friday, exceeding the flyweight limit by a mere half-pound. This occurred just ahead of her highly anticipated main event clash with Erin Blanchfield at UFC Fight Night.

Despite the weight miss, fans can breathe a sigh of relief: **the five-round flyweight bout is still set to proceed as planned on Saturday.** Barber (14-2) will, however, face a financial penalty, forfeiting a portion of her fight purse as a consequence.

This marks the first time in Barber's UFC career that she has failed to make weight. It's worth noting that the 27-year-old "Future" is returning to the Octagon after a **14-month hiatus** due to injury, adding another layer of intrigue to this weekend's contest.

What's at Stake?

This matchup carries significant weight within the UFC's flyweight division. Both Blanchfield and Barber are top contenders, currently holding the **No. 4 and No. 5 rankings**, respectively. A victory for either fighter could dramatically impact their trajectory towards a title shot.

The Flyweight Landscape:

The flyweight title picture is currently dominated by Valentina Shevchenko. Here's a quick recap:

• Shevchenko recently defended her title.
• She secured a unanimous-decision victory over Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 in Montreal earlier this month.
• The UFC has not yet announced Shevchenko's next challenger.

Key Takeaways:

• Maycee Barber missed weight by 0.5 pounds.
• The Barber vs. Blanchfield fight is still on.
• Barber will forfeit a percentage of her purse.
• Blanchfield is currently ranked no.4 and Barber ranked no.5

The stage is set for an electrifying battle at UFC Fight Night. While Barber's weight miss adds an unexpected element, the stakes remain incredibly high for both fighters. Will Blanchfield capitalize on Barber's mishap? Or will Barber overcome the setback and assert her dominance in the flyweight division?

Regardless of the circumstances, Saturday's main event promises to deliver a captivating display of skill, determination, and the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts.

Tags: Maycee Barber, Erin Blanchfield, UFC Fight Night, UFC, Flyweight, Missed Weight, MMA, Weight Cut, Valentina Shevchenko, UFC 315, UFC Apex, Main Event

Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45392548/ufc-barber-misses-weight-fight-vs-blanchfield-on