Gillian Robertson doesn’t think Maycee Barber is giving her appropriate respect going into Friday’s matchup at UFC on ESPN 6.
Robertson (7-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is getting her ideal scenario in her flyweight bout with undefeated Barber (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC). She said it’s “exactly the fight” she wanted, and could barely contain her excitement when speaking about it.
For a good while, Barber has been touted as someone with massive potential. She carries the nickname “The Future,” but Robertson plans to bring a reality check. The Canadian considers herself a major step up in competition for Barber, and plans on finding out how good she really is.
“I feel like she needs to be tested and I’m really that first test she’s had in the UFC,” Robertson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 6 media day. “I feel like my fighting skills speak more than her’s do. I feel like she hasn’t been tested by tough opponents. This is my (sixth) fight in the UFC, this is her third. I really feel like this is the first time she’s going to get tested.”
UFC on ESPN 6 takes place at TD Garden. The entire event airs on ESPN2, with Robertson vs. Barber set for the main card.
From early on, Barber has been identified as someone with a bright future. The often-reserved Robertson said she feels somewhat overlooked in that regard despite more UFC wins and finishes, but she sees UFC on ESPN 6 as the moment the narrative changes.
“I think her mouth gets her a lot of places,” Robertson said. “I feel like she talks herself out there, which I’m not saying is a bad thing. Good for her, she’s getting her name out there, but I feel like I deserve that spot.”
Robertson said she thinks Barber’s past opponents have been largely one-dimensional, whereas she is “lethal from everywhere.” She’s been focused on sharpening those weapons in the lead-up to fight night, and questions whether Barber has had that attention to detail.
Barber has made a lot of noise about a future matchup with Paige VanZant ahead of Friday’s event, and Robertson said she feels somewhat slighted.
“I 100 percent feel she’s overlooking me,” Robertson said. “All I’ve heard about is Paige VanZant this camp. Like, talk (expletive) about the person you’ve got a contract with, not some random girl that doesn’t mean anything right now. Paige is just making her comeback and you’ve got an important fight in front of you Friday, so focus on that.”
Gillian Robertson says she's Maycee Barber's first test: 'Her mouth gets her a lot of places'
