UFC's Jessica 'Evil' Eye preparing for big fight, but the biggest is already behind her

Jun. 19—Some might called Jessica "Evil" Eye's July 2 bout against Maycee Barber the fight of her life.

Eye sees it much different.

It's true the UFC has given Eye — a longtime 35-year-old flyweight originally from Rootstown who grew up in Barberton — an ultimatum in advance of her bout on the undercard of UFC 276 during the company's popular International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

The scenario — Eye has been told — is this: Beat Barber or she's done fighting in the UFC.

"It's really the make-or-break fight," said Eye before a recent workout at Strong Style in Independence. "If I don't win, I'm gonna get cut by the UFC."

Considering what she's been through health-wise the last three years, that ultimatum pales in comparison.

There's also been a reconnection with Strong Style, their coaches (including Lake County natives Alex Cooper and Joe Delguyd) and Eye after a falling-out three years ago.

Add it up, and Eye (15-10 and ranked No. 12 in UFC's flyweight rankings) believes she's in a good place. She's healthy, back home in Ohio and surrounded by friends and family heading into her July 2 fight with Barber (10-2).

"Everything is different," she said.

.@jessicaevileye on feeling healthy for the first time in 3 years in advance of her fight July 2 at #UFC276 and reconnecting with her coaches at @StrongStyleMMA pic.twitter.com/mN4MuNbMjP

— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) June 19, 2022

Three years ago, things were much different. Eye and Strong Style parted ways, and she headed to Las Vegas to continue her UFC career. Health-wise, things were not right.

"When I first left Strong Style, I thought I was dealing with emotional depression," said Eye. "I had stomach aches, I was sad and dealing with anxiety."

In the UFC, the fights go on, and in 2019, Eye had the biggest of her career. A co-main event flyweight title fight against Valentina Shevchenko did not go her way. She was knocked out on a kick to the face 26 seconds into Round 2.

Eye did her best to prepare for the title fight but deep down, she knew the health problems were holding her back.

"I was lying to myself," she said.

In Eye's next fight, she missed making weight by six pounds. Then the pandemic hit.

Said Eye: "We couldn't figure out what was wrong."

In June 2020, she fought and lost by decision to Cynthia Calvillo. Before the bout, she again didn't make weight.

After that, she received a call from the WWE to try out as a wrestler. It went well, but she continued her UFC fighting career. But the health issues remained. She saw a doctor in Las Vegas, pleading for help.

"I'm going to bathroom 25 times a day. I can't eat anything," Eye recalled telling her doctor.

Medical tests showed her gall bladder was not functioning. Shortly after, it was removed.

In 2020, Eye fought twice, and lost both by decision. After losing to Jennifer Maia in a three-round decision July 10, 2021, at UFC 264, Eye decided Vegas was no longer for her. She had a new cell phone number and texted her former coach at Strong Style Marcus Marinelli, who's also the coach of former UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic.

Marinelli recalls the message.

"I just knew (it was her)," said Marinelli, despite not recognizing the number. "We talked, and it was awesome. It's great to have her back. She's an important part of this gym, and of my life too."

In late 2021 while training for her fight against Joanne Wood, Eye took a shot to the kidney. Immediately, there was something wrong. For 10 days after the injury, she was in a hospital.

Finally, hope arrived in Kylene Bogden, the Cavaliers team dietitian and nutritionist Eye contacted for help.

Get to know more about Kylene Bogden, Cavs Team Dietitian & Nutritionist!

What are the 7 worst snacks your dietitian would never eat? Find out with @ClevelandClinic: https://t.co/CIO42c9tvj pic.twitter.com/yKsPecgXDP

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 23, 2021

"Kylene's my miracle worker," said Eye.

More tests revealed Eye had mold in her stomach. Bogden also told Eye she had a parasite in her body.

A parasite is an organism that lives in another species and benefits by taking nutrients at the other's expense. Eye believes she was infected after eating fish while on a trip for a fight in Asia.

Following a 10-day internal cleanse in May, the parasite was removed. It's been a little more than a month, and Eye has a new lease as a fighter, and — in many ways — one with a new body.

"I feel like a brand-new fighter because of the team and how it feels to get hit," said Eye. "Before, I couldn't handle (a hit). Why is my body always hurting? For three straight years, I was dealing with body inflammation, headaches, concentration issues, behavior issues."

Eye's ability to perform with a parasite living inside her is something that doesn't surprise Marinelli.

"She's always been tough," he said. "Now, you can see, she just keeps getting better and better. But it shows how tough she is."

For the first time in three years, Eye has her health back to where she wants it. She's focused and ready for July 2. She's not thinking about her contract status with the UFC, but is also ready for what could be next if she does lose to Barber. She has her health again, and that's something that would excite anyone in Eye's position.

"I don't feel any pressure," she said. "I don't feel like this is the end. I feel like I'm going to win."

Jessica Eye vs. Maycee Barber

What: UFC undercard flyweight fight at UFC 276

When: July 2, 8 p.m.

Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Records: Eye 15-10, Barber 10-2

PHOTOS: Jessica 'Evil' Eye's Strong Style workout