Maycee Barber out of UFC 269 fight with Erin Blanchfield

A bout between two of the flyweight division’s brightest prospects will have to wait.

MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Maycee Barber has been forced to withdraw from her upcoming bout with Erin Blanchfield (7-1) that was scheduled for UFC 269 on Dec. 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The news was first reported by MMA Junkie.

The reason for Barber’s withdrawal has not been disclosed. A replacement to fight Blanchfield has been verbally agreed upon, but not finalized yet.

This was to be Barber’s third fight of 2021 after two appearances against Miranda Maverick and Alexa Grasso. Barber, 23, won a controversial split decision against Maverick in July to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Grasso in February and snap a two-fight skid.

Blanchfield, 22, was successful in her UFC debut this past August, winning a convincing unanimous decision against Sarah Alpar. “Cold Blooded” went 4-1 competing for Invicta FC and was in line to challenge for that promotion’s vacant flyweight title before opponent Pearl Gonzalez was forced to withdraw from their bout due to COVID-19.