Erin Blanchfield isn’t fully convinced that Maycee Barber will make it to fight night after accepting their short-notice matchup.
Blanchfield has stayed ready for any opportunity that comes her way, but she’s unsure if Barber has done the same. Her concern isn’t baseless—Barber has a history of pulling out of fights, including once due to injury. And with her recent 14-month layoff caused by an undisclosed medical issue, Blanchfield’s worries have only grown.
Though there’s been no official sign of a setback, Blanchfield admits she’s preparing for any scenario with fight night fast approaching this Saturday.
“Yeah, a little bit of worry,” Blanchfield told MMA Fighting. “Because Maycee is someone that has pulled out of fights pretty frequently. She has a history of that. There’s always a worry—but that could happen with anyone at the same time.
“A lot of the other top flyweights were already booked because they were on [UFC 315]. I think it just made sense, and so far she’s still in the fight, so hopefully it stays that way.”
Blanchfield is hopeful the matchup holds and she finally shares the octagon with Barber at UFC Vegas 107. Still, she knows firsthand how quickly things can change—she’s been in that position before. Either way, she says she’ll be ready.
“I’m just staying ready,” Blanchfield said. “I’m trying to improve myself the most. There are always little things you tweak for opponents, but I really try to focus on my own toolset and what I want to grow in. Regardless if the opponent changes, I’m ready to go.”
If Barber remains in the fight as scheduled, Blanchfield feels more than prepared—after all, she’s trained for this exact matchup multiple times already.
“Taking a year off is never ideal,” Blanchfield said. “I know she had issues, and you do want to heal. You don’t want to rush into those kinds of things. But this is the prime of your career—this is the time to get experience and fight as much as you can.
“I think the consistency of fighting has always helped me. Staying active and fighting all the time just helps you grow.”
Despite Barber’s long absence, Blanchfield respects her as an opponent and believes fans are in for a solid showdown. Still, she’s focused on putting on a statement performance as she continues her push toward a title shot.
“I don’t think it’s clear cut,” Blanchfield said. “I think how the fight with me and Maycee goes—if I go in there and finish her and have a really good performance—I think that puts me ahead.
“In a division where there isn’t a clear contender, it matters how you win. So I’m preparing to win my fight in the most exciting way possible.”
Blanchfield’s fight with Barber comes just weeks after Valentina Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot and Natalia Silva made a statement by destroying former champ Alexa Grasso.
