One of the most beloved fighters on the European scene has called it a day.
Molly McCann, owner of some of the most spectacular knockouts in women’s MMA history, announced her retirement from mixed martial arts on Saturday night in London, moments after losing to late replacement fighter Alexia Thainara by first-round rear-naked choke.
The defeat was McCann’s fourth in her past five fights and evidence, she said, that she no longer has what it takes to compete in the upper echelon of the sport.
“UFC, Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], Mick [Maynard],” an emotional McCann told Michael Bisping after removing her 4oz gloves and placing them in the centre of the cage. “I f*cking I love all of youse. I give you all my f*cking heart and soul.
“It’s not good enough. The UFC deserves more. I deserve more. You all deserve more. Thank you and good night, UFC.”
Former Cage Warriors world champion McCann retires with a record of 14-8, with a 7-7 ledger in the UFC.
She will be fondly remembered by combat sports fans, in particular for successive spinning elbow knockout wins over Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy within the span of just four months in 2022 in what was arguably the high point of the Liverpool native’s career.
