Molly McCann has retired from UFC after her latest defeat against Alexia Thainara. The English fighter tapped out to debutant Thainara at the O2 Arena before calling time on her career, labelling her performance in the bout “not good enough”.
The 34-year-old, who was born in Liverpool, won seven of her 14 UFC fights before bowing out on Saturday night. She tapped out with 28 seconds remaining of the first round. Thainara twerked in celebration in the middle of the Octagon before McCann made a heartwarming speech.
Losing fighters do not usually speak on the microphone after a fight so suspicions were raised when McCann stepped forward. She also withdrew her gloves, often seen as a sign that someone is about to retire.
“Thank you and good night, UFC,” McCann said. “UFC, Dana, Gunther, Mick, f****** hell, all of you. I started this sport at 24, I walked into that gym with these three boys and I have given you all my f****** heart and soul.
“But tonight, with that performance with someone on a week’s notice, it’s not good enough, I’m not coming in here just for the pay day. The UFC deserves more, I deserve more, and you all deserve more. So from this little girl from Norris Green who has got to fight in these arenas, thank you so f****** much.
“To the little girls at home, look at me, look what I managed to do, just two hands and two elbows and I had a good go. UFC Europe, UFC PI, the UFC, thank you so much, and Dana, if you ever need an ambassador to fly around Europe, I’m good on the ale.”
McCann then picked up her gloves, kissed them and then raised them into the air. She then placed them down in the centre of the octagon.
Her passionate performances had made her one of the best-known British MMA fighters. McCann earned the nickname ‘Meatball Molly’ as she spent time before turning professional working in Subway.
She also struck a touching personal friendship with fellow Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett, who was ring-side and appeared to have a tear in his eye as McCann ended her career. The duo met when they were training in 2013 and have attended each other’s fights. McCann had lost four of her last five fights and believed that now was the right time to retire from the promotion.
