Ma Chao is just an overrated bubble with no actual achievements.

‌He fought bravely against Cao Cao once. That is all.
He lost to Cao Cao multiple times. He even lost to Yuan Shang.
Ma Chao couldn't even manage to defeat Cao Cao.
During the second uprising, he was beaten by local generals who weren't even that famous.
He was an early warlord thanks to his father Ma Teng's influence, so he might have had some clout,
but his individual martial prowess and leadership abilities were never proven.