Outside Source
Erin Blanchfield speaks to Megan Olivi moments after her main event bout being cancelled.#UFCVegas107 pic.twitter.com/dm58zgPCq6
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When promotion executive Hunter Campbell came to visit just before walkouts for the UFC Vegas 107 main event, Erin Blanchfield had a feeling that bad news was imminent.
The New Jersey native’s instincts were correct, as Saturday’s flyweight headliner was scrapped at the last minute due to medical issues for Blanchfield’s opponent, Maycee Barber.
“Hunter came in and was saying she was having a seizure and having medical issues and she wouldn’t be able to fight,” Blanchfield said in a backstage interview with Megan Olivi. “I knew once I saw him it wasn’t something good because he was being real serious. I feel like it was a little disbelief.
“We already were told six mintues to the walkout, we had already warmed up. I hit pads. I was warming up with my training partner. I was literally ready to go. I feel like I could already smell the cage. I was ready and we just got the news.”
Barber missed weight by 0.5 pounds on Friday, but the closer the fight got, the more likely Blanchfield thought it was that the bout would take place as scheduled. However, there was some momentary confusion on the broadcast when it became apparent Barber wasn’t able to make the walk to the Octagon. Shortly thereafter, the fight was officially canceled.
“I definitely thought we were in the clear,” Blanchfield said. “I think it’s pretty rare fight day that somebody pulls out. Especially [if] they missed weight, they didn’t push super hard in the weight cut. They probably recovered well. So yeah, I didn’t expect this.”
It’s the second consecutive fight that Barber has exited due to health issues. She also pulled out of a proposed clash against Rose Namajunas at UFC Denver last July — though that withdrawal was early enough to secure a replacement opponent for Namajunas.
As for Blanchfield, she isn’t interested in a rebooking against Barber down the road.
“No, my coaches right away were like, ‘Don’t entertain her. She’s not on your level,’” Blanchfield said. “Super unprofessional.”
Saturday’s bout was expected to propel the winner closer to a flyweight title shot, which was evidenced by reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko’s appearance on the post-fight show. Blanchfield hopes to continue on that path in the near future.
“I’d love another five-rounder against someone in the Top 5, keep working my way toward the title,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what yet. I’ll talk to my manager and [Mick Maynard] and figure it out.”
As for the disappointment of Saturday night, Blanchfield is doing her best to find silver linings.
“I guess I can just take what I learned from my training camp and try to build upon that for my next figh,” she said. “I basically did everything besides get in the cage tonight. I can still grow from that.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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