If she has her druthers, Maycee Barber will stay with the UFC.
Earlier in the month Barber won her third consecutive win, beating Jessica Eye in an unanimous decision at UFC 276.. The win was the final fight of Barber’s deal with the UFC, and at only 24, Barber is a top competitor in a potentially big free agent market. However, MMA Fighting’s number one flyweight is Barber. 14-ranked flyweight would need something pretty special to make her not want to re-sign with the UFC.
“Obviously, being a free agent, other people are going to reach out, so we’ll see what happens, but like I said, I grew up in the UFC and I love it,” Barber told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “It would have to be a life-changing offer from someone to be like, ‘Yeah, let’s figure something else out.’ At the same time, I feel like the UFC has treated me so well that they’re going to continue to do that. Although I am open to all possibilities, it is my preference to remain with UFC to see how we work together. It’s a great career …
” They’ve been so kind to me, and they will continue to treat me well. But at the same time this is [my] career, and I’m not going to say no to everything. So we’ll see.”
Despite being just 24, Barber has already been with the UFC for four years and, as she puts it, “grew up” inside the octagon, which undoubtedly plays a factor in her desire to re-sign with the organization. Her goals are another factor. Barber, who signed in 2018, with the UFC declared that she would be the youngest ever champion in promotional history. This beat Jon Jones’ record. Barber failed to achieve that goal but “The Future”, now has her sights on another record.
” “It’s more than a one-and-done thing for me,” she stated. “I set the goal for Jon Jones’ record because I wanted something for myself to work toward, and I don’t want to set small goals and just bust them over. It is important to have big goals. If I fail to reach them, I will still be chasing something bigger. It’s something people can follow. I might not beat Jon Jones’ record – obviously I passed that time. However, that does not mean I cannot be the UFC .”
‘s youngest female champion.
Rose Namajunas currently holds the record for youngest female champion in UFC history at 25 years, 4 months, and 6 days. For Barber to beat that record, she’ll need to claim a UFC belt before Sep. 24, 2023. Barber is positive that it’s possible. However, she admits that it may be challenging.
“1-2 years [until a get a title shot],” she said. “I say 1-2 years, and that’s not as many fights. I think 2-3 fights, but at the same time, I’m going to give myself that 1-2 years to improve. But I’m honest, if I was given the title fight tomorrow I would believe that I could win it. Let’s not forget that I will always strive for this title, but let’s also be realistic. My game can be improved in certain areas. There’s places in my wrestling and my striking that can be better, and I want to make sure that I’m fully prepared for that.”
The biggest hurdle to Barber’s hopes of winning the title is Valentina Shevchenko, who is currently the champion. Shevchenko is undefeated at flyweight, with seven title defenses to her name, and she’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter on the planet. But after her last performance, a split decision over Taila Santos at UFC 275, some, including Barber herself, believe Shevchenko is more vulnerable than ever before. Barber is certain that “The Future”, when Shevchenko does win her title, will be here.
“The only person I think could beat her is Taila Santos,” Barber said. “Honestly, there hasn’t been anyone like her. … It’s going to take someone truly special, and I honestly felt like Taila could have done it, and if not, then I see myself doing it.”
