Brief Introduction of Maycee Barber
Maycee “The Future” Barber is a prominent American professional mixed martial artist who has rapidly ascended the ranks in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Competing in the women’s Flyweight division, she is renowned for her aggressive fighting style, formidable striking skills, and unwavering determination inside the octagon. Barber began her martial arts journey at the tender age of three, immersing herself in karate before expanding her skills to include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Her dedication from a young age set the foundation for a successful amateur and professional career.
Garnering attention for her ambitious goal to become the youngest champion in UFC history, Barber has consistently proven herself as a formidable contender. She made her professional debut in 2017 and quickly built an impressive record in promotions like the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) before earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Since joining the UFC, she has faced top-tier competition and has established herself as a significant force in her weight class, consistently ranked among the top flyweight fighters in the world. Her relentless pursuit of greatness and exciting fighting style have made her a fan favorite and a key figure to watch in the sport.
Maycee Barber Overview
| Full Name | Maycee Kaye Barber |
| Date of Birth | May 18, 1998 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 27 |
| Birthplace | Greeley, Colorado, U.S.A. |
| Profession | Professional Mixed Martial Artist |
| Husband/Wife | Not married |
| Family | Bucky Barber (Father), Maryanne Barber (Mother), Wyatt Barber (Brother), Emma Barber (Sister) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Oscar Herrera |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million and $2 million |
Early Life and Education of Maycee Barber
Maycee Barber was born in Greeley, Colorado, to parents Bucky and Maryanne Barber, who played a pivotal role in her early exposure to martial arts. Growing up as the second oldest of six children, she was introduced to karate at the remarkably young age of three. Her parents, who ran a martial arts academy in Fort Collins, Colorado, encouraged all their children to train in self-defense. By the age of 13, Maycee was already proficient enough to teach karate to adults at her family’s school. This early start instilled a deep-seated discipline and passion for combat sports.
Around the age of 13 or 14, inspired by the rise of female fighters like Ronda Rousey, Barber decided she wanted to pursue a career as a professional fighter. Initially, her parents were apprehensive about the potential dangers of professional fighting but ultimately supported her ambitions wholeheartedly. To provide her with the best possible training, the Barber family made significant sacrifices, traveling extensively across the United States to train at elite MMA gyms. They even relocated from Colorado to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to be closer to top-tier coaching. Her older sister, Emma, was instrumental in helping her develop her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills by studying and breaking down techniques from online videos. Information regarding her formal high school or university education is not extensively publicized, as her focus from a young age was intensely centered on her martial arts training and budding career.
Maycee Barber’s Career
Maycee Barber’s professional mixed martial arts career began after a single, dominant amateur fight which she won in just 20 seconds. She made her professional debut in 2017 with the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). In the LFA, she quickly amassed an undefeated 4-0 record, finishing three of her opponents. Her impressive run in the LFA, culminating in a TKO victory over Audrey Perkins, earned her an opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series in July 2018. Barber seized the moment, defeating Jamie Colleen with a third-round TKO via elbows and punches, which secured her a coveted UFC contract.
Barber made her UFC debut in November 2018, stopping Hannah Cifers with a second-round TKO. She continued her ascent with impressive TKO victories over JJ Aldrich and Gillian Robertson in 2019. Her momentum was temporarily halted in 2020 when she suffered her first professional loss to the veteran Roxanne Modafferi at UFC 246, a fight in which she also sustained a significant knee injury. A second consecutive loss followed in 2021 against Alexa Grasso.
Undeterred by the setbacks, Barber embarked on a remarkable resurgence, stringing together a six-fight winning streak. This impressive run included victories over Miranda Maverick, Montana De La Rosa, Jessica Eye, Andrea Lee, and Katlyn Cerminara. One of the highlights of this streak was her exciting second-round TKO victory over Amanda Ribas in June 2023, which earned her a “Performance of the Night” bonus. This series of wins solidified her position as a top contender in the UFC’s flyweight division. Throughout her career, she has trained at several renowned gyms, including Roufusport, Team Alpha Male, and Factory X.
In mid-2024, Barber faced significant health challenges, including a near-death experience with a combination of pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection that led to a lengthy hospitalization. These health issues forced her to withdraw from a scheduled bout against Rose Namajunas. Further health complications arose in late 2025 when a planned main event fight against Erin Blanchfield was canceled at the last minute due to a medical issue involving a seizure just before her walkout. Despite these adversities, Barber remains a highly-ranked and formidable presence in the flyweight division, with a scheduled return to the octagon against Karine Silva in December 2025.
Maycee Barber Personal Life & Family
Maycee Barber’s family has been a cornerstone of her life and career. She is the daughter of Bucky and Maryanne Barber, who have been her unwavering supporters from the beginning. Her parents, who owned a martial arts school, instilled a love for combat sports in all their six children. The family made immense sacrifices to foster her career, including moving across the country to ensure she received the best training. Her brother, Wyatt Barber, is also a professional mixed martial artist signed with Bellator MMA.
In her personal life, Maycee Barber is in a relationship with fellow fighter Oscar Herrera. The couple has been relatively private about their relationship but occasionally shares glimpses into their life together on social media. They appear to share a strong bond, with Herrera often seen supporting Barber during her training and fights. Barber has expressed her gratitude for his presence in her life, highlighting their mutual respect and shared interests.
Barber was raised with Christian faith, which remains a quiet but steady part of her life. While not overly public about her religious beliefs, she has occasionally made references to her faith, such as posting a photo with the Bible verse Joshua 1:9 written on her wrist. Outside of fighting, she is known to enjoy baking and is a self-proclaimed coffee addict, interests that were nurtured when her family purchased and ran a coffee shop in Wisconsin. She is also a vocal advocate for children’s rights and works with the organization Operation Underground Railroad, which aims to combat child sex trafficking.
Awards and Achievements of Maycee Barber
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Amanda Ribas
- Tied for the fourth longest win streak in UFC Women’s Flyweight division history (6)
- Tied (with Manon Fiorot) for second most knockouts in UFC Women’s Flyweight division history (3)
- Tied (with Gillian Robertson & Miranda Maverick) for third most wins in UFC Women’s Flyweight division history (8)
- UFC.com Awards 2018: Ranked #4 Newcomer of the Year
- Holds a second-degree black belt in Karate
- Holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rener and Ryron Gracie
Maycee Barber Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Maycee Barber’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. This wealth has been primarily accumulated through her successful career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Her income streams consist of fight purses, which include show money and win bonuses, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals.
Barber’s earnings per fight have seen a steady increase throughout her UFC tenure. She earned a reported $23,500 for her debut, and her purses have grown significantly with her rising profile. For instance, in her 2024 victory over Katlyn Cerminara, she reportedly earned a $110,000 purse with a $100,000 win bonus. A significant boost to her earnings came from her 2023 TKO win against Amanda Ribas, where she received a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus on top of her fight purse. Beyond the octagon, Barber has secured several valuable endorsement partnerships with major brands such as Toyota Tires, Monster Energy, and Airestech, which contribute significantly to her overall income.
Legacy and Influence
Maycee Barber, known by her moniker “The Future,” has carved out a significant legacy in mixed martial arts despite her relatively young age. From the outset of her career, she boldly declared her intention to become the youngest champion in UFC history, a goal that immediately set high expectations and drew attention to her journey. While that specific timeline was not met, her ambition and confidence have been influential, inspiring a narrative of self-belief and relentless pursuit of goals.
Her aggressive, forward-pressing fighting style has made her a fan favorite and contributed to the excitement and growth of the women’s flyweight division. She holds several records within the division, including being tied for the second-most knockouts and the fourth-longest winning streak, cementing her status as one of its most accomplished athletes. Barber’s career has also highlighted the importance of resilience. After facing her first professional losses and a serious injury, she rebounded with a lengthy winning streak, demonstrating a champion’s mentality and the ability to evolve and mature from setbacks.
Off the mat, Barber has shown a commitment to using her platform for positive change. Her work with Operation Underground Railroad to combat child sex trafficking showcases her desire to make an impact beyond the world of sports. Her journey, marked by both spectacular wins and challenging obstacles, serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, proving that determination and a strong support system are crucial to navigating the demanding world of professional sports.
Interesting Facts about Maycee Barber
- She started training in martial arts at the age of three and was teaching karate to adults by the time she was 13.
- Her family was so dedicated to her career that they sold their martial arts academy in Colorado and moved to Wisconsin, where they purchased and ran a coffee shop to support her training.
- Maycee earned her purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu primarily by studying the Gracie University online curriculum with her older sister, Emma.
- She is a vocal advocate for the non-profit organization Operation Underground Railroad, which works to end child sex trafficking.
- Her younger brother, Wyatt Barber, is also a professional MMA fighter signed with the Bellator promotion.
- In mid-2024, she survived a life-threatening illness that involved a combination of pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection, requiring a nine-day hospital stay.
- Her nickname, “The Future,” was given to her by her family.
Controversies
Maycee Barber’s career has included a few controversial moments. One notable instance was her split decision victory over Miranda Maverick in July 2021. The outcome was widely disputed, with all 22 media outlets scoring the bout in favor of Maverick. This result sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts regarding judging criteria in MMA.
In 2019, Barber engaged in a public feud with fellow fighter Paige VanZant. In an effort to secure a fight, Barber was persistent in calling out VanZant. The situation escalated when VanZant revealed that Barber had attempted to contact her husband, Austin Vanderford, through social media, a move that was perceived by VanZant as an attempt to provoke her into accepting the fight.
More recently, significant controversy and concern arose around her scheduled main event bout against Erin Blanchfield in May 2025. Barber missed weight for the fight and the bout was ultimately canceled just moments before it was set to begin due to Barber suffering a seizure backstage. Reports later surfaced alleging that this was not an isolated incident and that she had experienced similar medical issues during her training camp, leading to criticism and questions about the decision-making of her team and the regulatory bodies in allowing her to proceed with the fight. Her opponent, Erin Blanchfield, publicly called the situation “unprofessional,” adding to the discourse surrounding the unfortunate event.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram (@mayceebarber) – Over 436,000 followers
- Twitter – Information not publicly available
- YouTube – Information not publicly available
Final Words about Maycee Barber
Maycee Barber’s journey in the world of mixed martial arts is a compelling story of prodigious talent, unwavering ambition, and remarkable resilience. Dubbed “The Future” from a young age, she has consistently shouldered high expectations, translating them into a successful career marked by thrilling performances and a place among the UFC’s elite flyweights. Her path has not been without significant challenges, including tough losses, serious injuries, and life-threatening health scares that have tested her resolve both physically and mentally.
Despite these hurdles, Barber has repeatedly demonstrated an impressive ability to rebound and grow, as evidenced by her six-fight winning streak that re-established her as a top contender. Her recent health-related fight cancellations have cast a shadow of uncertainty, but her determination to identify and resolve these issues signals a strong desire to return to competition safely and effectively. As she prepares for her next bout, the MMA community watches with anticipation. Maycee Barber’s legacy will ultimately be defined not just by the victories inside the cage, but by the fortitude she shows in overcoming adversity on her continuing quest for a UFC championship.
