After Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko duked it out for five rounds in a back-and-forth women’s flyweight title bout last year, the judges’ scorecards ruled a draw, with one judge scoring round five 10-8 in Grasso’s favor. The decision did not go down well with fans, and even UFC boss Dana White blasted the judge for the allegedly unwarranted 10-8 score. While Grasso retained her title, many fans felt Shevchenko was robbed. 

As the division continues to move forward, Maycee Barber remains one of the most intriguing names in the flyweight division, especially now that she is set to return to fight Karine Silva on December 6, 2025, at UFC 323. Her return, after a lengthy absence and major health difficulties, including a backstage seizure, could push her right back into title contention. And while Barber is a private person who is focused on her career, ahead of her return, here is a look at what really happened between her and Austin Vanderford and what we now know about Barber’s relationship status.

What really happened between Maycee Barber and Austin Vanderford?

Maycee Barber was involved in a feud with fan-favorite former UFC women’s flyweight Paige VanZant several years ago, a rivalry that intensified after the then-undefeated Barber began calling out VanZant back in 2019. Barber stated she wanted to fight VanZant because of her fame and viewed it as “easy money.”

The situation took an unexpected turn when VanZant revealed that Barber had tried to contact her husband, Austin Vanderford, on social media in an effort to get under her skin and provoke her into accepting the fight. 

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This, however, actually backfired as VanZant decided to take the high road and didn’t even respond to Barber. She later revealed that she was going to take the fight initially, but decided not to after Barber contacted her husband, as she found it incredibly disrespectful.

“Being a disrespectful person shouldn’t be valued, and I definitely won’t give her the time of day. I’m not going to take the bait… Messaging my husband on Instagram is trying to agitate me,” VanZant said at the time. 

She later stated that she was going to accept the fight but pulled out due to what she saw as an inappropriate DM. Aside from this one-time occurrence, Barber’s personal life was relatively quiet for years—until recently.

Who is Maycee Barber’s current boyfriend, Oscar Herrera?

Maycee Barber’s relationship status was long unknown, since the American fighter kept her personal life separate from her public career. However, she is now confirmed to be dating fellow boxer Oscar Herrera, and the two have gradually begun to share details about their relationship on social media.

Their posts are low-key but meaningful, and fans have taken note. Most recently, on Barber’s 27th birthday, May 18, she shared a touching statement devoted to Herrera alongside a photo of them together. “27 & Blessed 🤍 Thankful for so many things but the biggest one is the life that God gave me and the people he has filled it with. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thank you my love (Oscar Herrera) for walking into this next year of life with me. I love you FOREVER ❤️.”

The message confirmed what fans had started to suspect: Barber is no longer single and is in a committed relationship with Herrera.

How Maycee Barber and Oscar Herrera have gone public with their relationship

Barber and Herrera, unlike many fighters who make major announcements about their relationships, have taken a more gradual and natural approach. Occasional photographs, supportive captions, and training snapshots have shown their relationship without taking over Barber’s otherwise career-focused social media presence.

Fans have praised the couple’s relationship, particularly as Barber prepares to make her return at UFC 323. With Herrera by her side, Barber appears focused and confident as she prepares for a deeply meaningful comeback. A victory over Karine Silva would not only reestablish her as a top contender but also spark her long-term championship dreams following a difficult year of recovery.