Continuing her quest to become to youngest UFC champion, Maycee Barber has high praise for Ben Askren ahead of UFC Boston.
Boston, MA — Undefeated prospect Maycee Barber returns to action this Friday at UFC Boston, taking on another flyweight to watch in Gillian Robertson. Barber (7-0) has been a UFC darling since winning her way into the promotion on the Contender Series last year. Two wins to start her tenure in the big show certainly didn’t hurt.
While the pair have a ton of potential, and long careers ahead of them, “honestly I really don’t care,” Barber told reporters including Cageside Press about the match-up Wednesday. Barber was in attendance for UFC Boston’s media day, and she’s become quite comfortable facing the press. “It’s whoever wants to take the fight and whoever wants to go out there and take a beating.”
Barber has been training in Milwaukee of late, with Duke Roufus and company. “The camp went great, I couldn’t be happier. Getting to work with everybody at Roufusport. Ben Askren. It’s been a huge help in my training,” she said.
Askren in particular, said Barber, has been “Phenomenal. Phenomenal. He’s one of the best in the world, and it’s an honor to work with him.” The former Bellator MMA and ONE Championship title holder is, of course, one of the best wrestlers in the game. As for any trash talking tips he might have imparted on the young star, Barber said with a smile that “I might keep that quiet.”
Barber also got to train with her 18-year old brother for this fight. He has his own amateur bout coming up. All of that adds up to Barber getting to train with those who have her best interests in mind.
The goal, meanwhile, is still to become the youngest champ in UFC history — a record currently held by Jon Jones. And she’s not surprised that people are engaged by that particular quest.
“I think it’s interesting to people because I think they believe it. They believe it like I believe it,” the 21-year old Barber suggested Wednesday. “I have the ability, I have the age and I have the skills to be able to do that. And it’s a good story for people to follow along.”
“It’s something that people can follow along and see progress throughout the next two years,” she added. “It’s kind of like watching a TV show. You can’t wait to see the next step.”
Just don’t expect any twists, she added. “It’s kind of one of those predictable ones, you can expect me to finish these girls, beat them up, and move on to the next.”
Watch the full UFC Boston media day press scrum with Maycee Barber above! UFC Boston (UFC on ESPN 6) takes place Friday, October 18 at the TD Garden in Boston, MA.
