Barber: VanZant won’t fight me because she doesn’t want her face damaged

Maycee Barber wants to fight Paige VanZant next, but she doesn’t think VanZant will get in the Octagon with her.

Maycee Barber might only be 20 years old, but she’s not one to wait around. One of the UFC’s youngest fighters is eager to get back in the cage as soon as possible, and there were some rumors that she might fight Paige VanZant next. The fight would make sense on a lot of levels - they’re similarly ranked, they’re both action fighters, and it’s something the fans would be interested in.

Unfortunately for Barber though, it doesn’t look like VanZant is interested. She explained her side of things on The MMA Hour with Luke Thomas recently (transcribed by BJPenn.com):

“She doesn’t want to fight me, she doesn’t want to lose. She wants to keep building her name and getting wins under her. And this is a fight she could possibly lose, and she knows that. I think that’s why. Also, given my history in fights, I go to finish and I usually cut people up. She also doesn’t want to have her face damaged.

“Why her? Because she’s already said no and that’s a really good fight, you know? For me, anyway. I know that she doesn’t want to fight me. Last I checked, she was number 14 in the division of the flyweights. And since we’re both in the flyweight division, I feel like it’s a good fight.”

Barber (7-0, 2-0 UFC) then talked about the style matchup and what she brings to the table that’s unique:

“She’s a high-paced fighter, got skills and she’s very athletic. But I’m me and I go to finish. She hasn’t fought a ton of girls that go out to just finish. There’s one thing about being a fighter who is technically good and then there’s someone who has like a malicious intent to finish a fight and I possess that. And there’s only a few girls who possess that. I know that I’m one of them and I feel like Tatiana Suarez is another girl who’s a finisher. She goes out to hurt you. We’re few and far between as fighters who fight like that.”

Barber might not get VanZant, but she’s looking to return in the late summer regardless.