Confusion and Frustration as UFC Main Event Collapses Last Minute
What was supposed to be the climactic finish to UFC on ESPN 68 ended in confusion and disappointment, as the highly anticipated main event between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber was called off just moments before it was set to begin.
As the pre-fight hype video faded out and the arena lights came up, fans expected to see the fighters make their walk to the Octagon. Instead, the music never hit, and the atmosphere quickly turned from excitement to uncertainty. The UFC soon confirmed the bout had been canceled due to what was described as a “last-minute medical issue” involving Barber.
On the broadcast, commentators Brendan Fitzgerald, Laura Sanko, and Daniel Cormier were caught off guard, initially reporting that Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was “not ready to walk.” With few details available, the team went to a commercial break, returning with no further clarification.
Finally the news broke. “We are all set to go for the main event”, Fitzgerald said. “It has been canceled. Macy Barber and Aaron Blanchfield will not fight tonight inside the Octagon. There was a last-minute medical issue for Macy Barber. She is not cleared medically to compete.”
Although the UFC did not publicly disclose the specifics of the situation, Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) later revealed during a live interview that UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell told her Barber had experienced a seizure backstage.
A visibly frustrated Blanchfield expressed little interest in rescheduling the fight, calling the situation “unprofessional.” The cancellation capped off a chaotic fight week, during which Barber had already missed weight by half a pound, coming in at 126.5 lbs. Rather than attempting to cut the extra weight to make the limit and avoid a fine, she opted not to proceed.
What was expected to be a pivotal flyweight showdown instead ended with more questions than answers — and possibly no second chance for a matchup between these two top contenders.
