
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, May 20: Michael Morales surges
MMA Junkie Staff
USA TODAY Sports
UFC Fight Night 256 is in the books with a welterweight contender making his impact felt.
In the main event, Michael Morales announced his official arrival into the conversation of the division's elite when he made quick work of former title challenger Gilbert Burns and won by first-round TKO at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Maycee Barber says UFC on ESPN 68 withdrawal vs. Erin Blanchfield 'just a bad hand'
Less than 24 hours after a shocking and dramatic withdrawal from the UFC on ESPN 68 main event, Maycee Barber posted a bit of an explanation on social media. Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was set to headline the card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas against Erin Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC). But just moments before she was set to walk out – video packages for the headliner already had been broadcast – she was not medically cleared to fight. Advertisement The women's flyweight bout was canceled literally in the final minute or two before the fighters were set to walk to the cage from the back – leaving even the broadcast team unsure what was happening. Sunday, Barber had little to say on Instagram beyond an apology, but suggested what caused the incident was not expected. Barber included video taken backstage at the UFC Apex showing her being wheeled on a stretcher to an ambulance. "Not what I had planned for a Sunday post," Barber posted. "Thank you to everyone for the prayers & support I owe an apology to @ufc @mickmaynard2 @danawhite @seanshelby & @blanchfield_mma ** PS my life is not messy this is just a bad hand. We will get to the bottom of it all and be back 🤍" Fight week featured veiled comments by Blanchfield wondering if Barber would show up to the fight. Friday, Barber missed weight by a half-pound and declined an opportunity to cut the additional weight to avoid paying a penalty to Blanchfield. Advertisement At the ceremonial faceoffs just after the weigh-ins, the two had to be separated by matchmaker Sean Shelby, and their beef continued on social media later on in the day. But when fight time rolled around, Barber was unable to make the walk. Blanchfield said after the fight she is not interested in rebooking a fight with Barber. Barber was set to fight for the first time in more than a year. Now that layoff will be extended indefinitely, it appears. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Maycee Barber: UFC Vegas 107 withdrawal vs. Blanchfield 'a bad hand'


USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Maycee Barber says UFC on ESPN 68 withdrawal vs. Erin Blanchfield 'just a bad hand'
Maycee Barber says UFC on ESPN 68 withdrawal vs. Erin Blanchfield 'just a bad hand' Show Caption Hide Caption Erin Blanchfield on Maycee Barber: 'She needs to fix her life' UFC on ESPN 68 winner Erin Blanchfield talks to reporters post-fight after Maycee Barber was ruled out of their in main event due to a medical issue. Less than 24 hours after a shocking and dramatic withdrawal from the UFC on ESPN 68 main event, Maycee Barber posted a bit of an explanation on social media. Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was set to headline the card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas against Erin Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC). But just moments before she was set to walk out – video packages for the headliner already had been broadcast – she was not medically cleared to fight. The women's flyweight bout was canceled literally in the final minute or two before the fighters were set to walk to the cage from the back – leaving even the broadcast team unsure what was happening. Sunday, Barber had little to say on Instagram beyond an apology, but suggested what caused the incident was not expected. Barber included video taken backstage at the UFC Apex showing her being wheeled on a stretcher to an ambulance. "Not what I had planned for a Sunday post," Barber posted. "Thank you to everyone for the prayers & support I owe an apology to @ufc @mickmaynard2 @danawhite @seanshelby & @blanchfield_mma ** PS my life is not messy this is just a bad hand. We will get to the bottom of it all and be back 🤍" Fight week featured veiled comments by Blanchfield wondering if Barber would show up to the fight. Friday, Barber missed weight by a half-pound and declined an opportunity to cut the additional weight to avoid paying a penalty to Blanchfield. At the ceremonial faceoffs just after the weigh-ins, the two had to be separated by matchmaker Sean Shelby, and their beef continued on social media later on in the day. But when fight time rolled around, Barber was unable to make the walk. Blanchfield said after the fight she is not interested in rebooking a fight with Barber. Barber was set to fight for the first time in more than a year. Now that layoff will be extended indefinitely, it appears.


New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
UFC fighter rips opponent after seizure causes last-second main event cancellation: ‘She's a complete mess'
The long-awaited women's flyweight main event between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber at UFC Vegas 107 was abruptly canceled Saturday. Just minutes before the fighters were set to make their walkouts, Barber, who had already missed weight by half a pound the previous day, reportedly suffered a seizure backstage and was rendered medically unfit to compete. Blanchfield, visibly frustrated, did not hold back during a press conference. 3 Erin Blanchfield reacts backstage after her main event bout against Maycee Barber was canceled due to a medical issue with Barber during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC 'She needs to look at another division,' Blanchfield said of Barber. 'She needs to fix her life. She needs to just fix herself. I think she's a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life.' Blanchfield added, 'I've never even had any other opponents miss weight before or act the way she does. It's pretty crazy, especially at this level. You expect all the athletes to be professional, so it's pretty wild.' She also expressed disbelief over the sequence of events, questioning Barber's professionalism. 'I feel like I'm still in pretty much disbelief right now. I feel like I was in disbelief yesterday when she missed weight because we knew about this fight since January. You could have been 50 pounds overweight and still made weight.' Blanchfield adds that she would not accept a rematch with Barber. 'No, I would not want to book another fight with her,' Blanchfield said. 'I would like to reassess, see who's available. I still want to fight within the top five, still push towards that title fight. I think I need to talk to my manager, talk to [matchmaker] Mick [Maynard], see what can happen.' 3 Opponents Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at the New York New York Hotel & Casino on May 30, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC The cancellation was a surprise for a very important fight within the division. Blanchfield, ranked No. 4 in the division, was looking to further solidify her position as a top contender. Barber, ranked No. 5, was on a six-fight winning streak and aiming to reestablish herself after a 14-month layoff. 3 Maycee Barber has her hands wrapped before her fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 31, 2025. Zuffa LLC Plus, Barber's status as a once-rising star has taken a hit in recent years, which included consecutive losses in 2020 and 2021. Barber's medical condition remained under evaluation.