Two former top women’s MMA prospects go head-to-head on Saturday night. Women’s flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber meet in the main event at UFC Fight Night from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, with prelims at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+).
Blanchfield, ESPN’s No. 4-ranked flyweight, beat former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision in her last fight. Blanchfield held the top spot on ESPN’s ranking of the top 25 fighters under 25 years old last year.
Barber, unranked by ESPN, has won each of her past six fights. Most recently, she beat Kaylyn Cerminara by unanimous decision at UFC 299. Barber was the fifth-ranked fighter on the Top 25 Under 25 list from December 2022.
Brett Okamoto spoke to former UFC fighters Din Thomas and Anthony Smith to get their main event predictions. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker adds insight and analysis on the main event and other intriguing bets he likes on the card.
Women’s flyweight: Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber
“I think Blanchfield will look good early, but Barber is just, and you can quote me on this, she is the meanest [bully] I’ve ever watched fight or train. She does things…
