UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber aired live in Asia on Sunday, June 1, from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, but the highly anticipated main event was unexpectedly canceled just moments before the fighters were to enter the Octagon.
No. 5-ranked Maycee Barber was ruled medically unfit to compete against No. 4 Erin Blanchfield, ending the bout before it could begin. Blanchfield expressed her disappointment but remained focused on her future in the division.
“They came into the locker room and said she was having medical issues and wouldn’t be able to fight. I didn’t expect this,” Blanchfield said. “My coaches said, ‘No, don’t entertain (a rescheduled fight against) her, she's not on your level.’ I’d love to get another five-round fight with someone else in the top five. I’ll keep working my way towards the title. I didn’t get into the cage tonight, but I can still grow from that.”
The co-main event featured UFC lightweight No. 7 Mateusz Gamrot facing off against surging contender Ludovit Klein. Gamrot, known for his aggressive wrestling, thoroughly tested Klein’s takedown defense, controlling the fight and earning a unanimous decision victory (30-27 on all scorecards).
“For me, the most important thing was to win,” Gamrot said. “I wanted to finish, but this time I dominated. I always represent wrestling. The shoot! Nobody can defend my takedown. I’m one of the best in the world and I want to prove this. I want to fight everybody! But next, Paddy Pimblett in Europe. I want the smoke: five rounds in Paris against Benoit St. Denis!”
Fight of the Night honors went to Rayanne dos Santos and Alice Ardelean, while Performance of the Night bonuses were awarded to Ramiz Brahimaj and Jordan Leavitt.
Official results:
Prelims:
The event was marked by strong performances despite the late main event cancellation, keeping the flyweight and lightweight divisions buzzing ahead of future title contention bouts.
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