Molly McCann struggles to contain emotion as she teases career change after UFC retirement
Molly McCann has already narrowed down what her future could hold after she retired from MMA following UFC London. McCann was hoping to pick up a second consecutive win at London’s O2 Arena against Alexia Thainara, in a real crossroads clash at strawweight. TNT SportsMcCann gave an emotional interview after her UFC London loss[/caption] But the Evertonian was submitted in the opening round having been dominated on the foor, in a devastating blow to her career. As the decision was announced, ‘Meatball’ was clearly upset and she announced that she would hang up her gloves aged 34. Her teammate Paddy Pimblett even fought back tears cageside as she made an emotional post-fight speech. It was a bombshell announcement, and one which came with huge emotion given her successes as a fan favourite in Dana White‘s promotion. When giving an interview post-fight, McCann was choked up and struggling to contain her emotion. But she was able to discuss what could be next for her career, which could include boxing fights or even a turn to punditry. She told TNT Sports: “What is the point in prolonging this? I get to go and party after this and celebrate a great career. “I’m so whole, I’m so full and I’m so thankful for it and I’m not doubting my decision. “Whether I’d like to box, whether I’d like to coach, whether I’d like to do what you;re doing [become a pundit] who knows. “But these three letters, the UFC, they deserve the best and it wasn’t enough. McCann placed her gloves on the canvas as she retired from MMA at UFC LondonGetty “I’ve lived my life beyond my wildest dreams, I really have.” McCann has fought 14 times in the UFC, making her debut back in 2018 with a defeat to Gillian Robertson. But she put together a three-fight winning streak, while becoming a superstar due to her brash-talking and comical personality. McCann also had some brilliant times when helping bring huge crowds to British shores for UFC shows., She famously recorded back-to-back spinning elbow KOs over Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy on two London bills in 2022. But her form has unfortunately declined having won just one of her last five bouts. GettyMcCann tapped out in the opening round of her final bow[/caption] Despite her form in the cage stuttering, she could still have a future in combat sports and is well versed in boxing. And she admitted previously that she’d love to enter the squared circle on a card of boxing legend Katie Taylor. “Of course,” McCann said on a potential boxing switch in 2022. “I have spoken to Eddie Hearn myself about it. My boxing coach is Liam Smith’s coach, he’s Thomas Whittaker Hart’s coach, JJ Metcalf’s coach. “I am in brilliant hands for that. But first things first, I am not losing sight of what the goal is. ‘The dream, one I’ve put put it in my goals when I write it down, is Katie Taylor’s last fight at Croke Park and I would like to be on the undercard. “I think we are years off because I just can’t see her giving in. But I would very much like to do that.”
Molly McCann has already narrowed down what her future could hold after she retired from MMA following UFC London.
McCann was hoping to pick up a second consecutive win at London’s O2 Arena against Alexia Thainara, in a real crossroads clash at strawweight.
But the Evertonian was submitted in the opening round having been dominated on the foor, in a devastating blow to her career.
As the decision was announced, ‘Meatball’ was clearly upset and she announced that she would hang up her gloves aged 34.
Her teammate Paddy Pimblett even fought back tears cageside as she made an emotional post-fight speech.
It was a bombshell announcement, and one which came with huge emotion given her successes as a fan favourite in Dana White‘s promotion.
When giving an interview post-fight, McCann was choked up and struggling to contain her emotion.
But she was able to discuss what could be next for her career, which could include boxing fights or even a turn to punditry.
She told TNT Sports: “What is the point in prolonging this? I get to go and party after this and celebrate a great career.
“I’m so whole, I’m so full and I’m so thankful for it and I’m not doubting my decision.
“Whether I’d like to box, whether I’d like to coach, whether I’d like to do what you;re doing [become a pundit] who knows.
“But these three letters, the UFC, they deserve the best and it wasn’t enough.
“I’ve lived my life beyond my wildest dreams, I really have.”
McCann has fought 14 times in the UFC, making her debut back in 2018 with a defeat to Gillian Robertson.
But she put together a three-fight winning streak, while becoming a superstar due to her brash-talking and comical personality.
McCann also had some brilliant times when helping bring huge crowds to British shores for UFC shows.,
She famously recorded back-to-back spinning elbow KOs over Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy on two London bills in 2022.
But her form has unfortunately declined having won just one of her last five bouts.
Despite her form in the cage stuttering, she could still have a future in combat sports and is well versed in boxing.
And she admitted previously that she’d love to enter the squared circle on a card of boxing legend Katie Taylor.
“Of course,” McCann said on a potential boxing switch in 2022.
“I have spoken to Eddie Hearn myself about it. My boxing coach is Liam Smith’s coach, he’s Thomas Whittaker Hart’s coach, JJ Metcalf’s coach.
“I am in brilliant hands for that. But first things first, I am not losing sight of what the goal is.
‘The dream, one I’ve put put it in my goals when I write it down, is Katie Taylor’s last fight at Croke Park and I would like to be on the undercard.
“I think we are years off because I just can’t see her giving in. But I would very much like to do that.”
