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LAS VEGAS – It didn’t take long for Maycee Barber to make a name for herself in the UFC. At 20, the flyweight is one of the brightest young prospects in the promotion after back-to-back wins.

Barber, who last month stopped J.J. Aldrich at UFC on ESPN+ 6, has invited extra attention by saying she wants to be as big of a star as Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. It distinguishes her from many others who simply sit back and wait to become known.

Barber is grateful for the attention. At the same time, it also exposes her to the side of the MMA fan base that loves to trash every potential new star.

“I think the attention is good,” Barber told MMA Junkie before she underwent surgery Wednesday. “In terms of the haters, I feel like people hate on social media and have nothing better to do than give hate.

“The fact that they’re watching us be successful and wishing bad things to happen to good people, or hoping they can see someone fail, I’ve never once looked at someone and said, ‘Wow, I really hope that you have an unsuccessful life.’ Like, what kind of person are you? And the fact that you need to waste your time, and you have 500 followers, and you’re giving a hard time to someone who’s just trying to benefit their life and have success.”

Barber doesn’t really have a response for those who chirp at her on social media. The revenge, she said, is the humor she and fellow fighters take from the negativity. At the end of the day, they’re all doing something someone behind a keyboard never will.

“The way I look at it, and the way a lot of athletes I know look at it, is it’s our entertainment,” Barber said. “You’ll never know that we’re laughing at what you’re saying, but it’s our entertainment, and it’s a waste of your time.”

Critics’ opinions will be a constant in Barber’s life as she grows up in the spotlight. She expects that, but she still plans on living her life and doing her best in the cage.

“If I’m not shooting for the moon, then what am I doing?” she said.

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