It’s hard enough to win in the UFC when a training camp goes perfect. But when you have to battle adversity to even hit the training room for a single session? That’s a whole other level.
When Maycee Barber won at UFC 323 in December, she cried. But those tears were for good reason. It had been 637 days between fights for her – a rollercoaster 21-month stretch – as she battled health issues.
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Shortly after her win over Katlyn Cerminara in March 2024, Barber fell severely ill and was hospitalized for nine days. There were no clear answers as to what the cause was, despite various tests and antibiotics. Barber’s vitals were dangerously low during this period.
She was booked to fight Rose Namajunas in July 2024, in the headlining bout of the UFC’s return to Denver. However, she withdrew from the bout due to the linger effects of the mystery illness.
Barber returned to training in November 2024 and was eventually booked vs. Erin Blanchfield in May. After a tough weight cut (and miss), Barber suffered a medical seizure-like medical episode in the locker room just prior to walkouts. The bout was awkwardly canceled following the pre-fight promo video and Barber was again sent to the hospital.
The cancellation was met with a wave of criticism online from detractors and trolls alike, who questioned if the reason presented was Barber’s “real” reason for pulling out.
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The UFC sent Barber to a neurologist in Boston, who prescribed medication that seemingly gave her what her body needed. She was cleared and returned with a unanimous decision victory over Karine Silva – one that inserted her right in the flyweight mix.
Due to her perseverance, strong-will, and ability to overcome life’s obstacles, Maycee Barber is MMA Junkie’s Comeback Fighter of the Year.
Honorable Mentions
Barber wasn’t the only fighter to bounce back when the odds were against them. These fighters are also worth mentioning:
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Tony Ferguson: Found success in the world of boxing with two wins in two appearances after an 0-8 skid prior to his UFC exit.
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Benoit Saint Denis: Bounced back from an 0-2 year in 2024 to go 3-0 in 2025
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Alexander Volkanovski: Reclaimed title gold after consecutive KO losses
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Petr Yan: Continued his build in momentum from 2024 as he won back-to-back fights in 2025 including a UFC bantamweight title fight.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC’s Maycee Barber named 2025 Comeback Fighter of the Year
