‘Meatball’ Makes Statement After UFC London Retirement

Molly McCann retired following a disappointing first round submission loss at UFC London. Here’s what she had to say about her future.

“Meatball” Molly McCann has released a statement following her abrupt retirement from the UFC following a quick first round submission at UFC London.

McCann fell to late replacement Alexia Thainara, getting caught in a first round rear naked choke (watch it here). It was her second loss in a row and fourth loss in five fights, which was enough to prompt her to lay her gloves down in the Octagon.

“I’ll do the official retirement post in a few days, but I’d be no one without the help of these men right here,” McCann wrote on Instagram with a picture of her team from Next Generation MMA. “Took me to the moon and back, carried me through the highest highs and the lowest lows. NEXT GENERATION LIVERPOOL THANK YOU! MY CITY MY PEOPLE MY HEART, I OWE IT ALL TO THIS PLACE XX.”

McCann explained her reasons for retiring in more detail backstage with ESPN.

“I’m 35 next month,” she said. “After that leg break, this camp has taken everything to get back. And I’ve given everything and been so honest with this game and this game has been not more than honest with me back. If I can’t beat someone who’s brand new to the sport then I don’t deserve to wear UFC gloves.”

“That might sound a bit hasty but it’s not,” McCann continued. “This is the crème de la crème and I’m not here to get hit, I’m not here to take shots I don’t need to. I’ve done my absolute most. I started the sport at 24 and I’ve superseded anything I should have properly managed to do. Worked for the best company in the world, made some amazing friends. Not the way I wanted to go out, but [my team] started this together and I got to finish it with them.”

“Meatball” leaves the sport a legitimate star in her home country, and says she’s proud of what she accomplished in the sport.

“I’m 5’4 and was fighting at 125,” she said. “The littlest reach in the whole of the UFC. Just heart. A left hook and a backhand took me ‘round the world. How I’ve galvanized the nation, how I applied myself with the sport and what this company has taught me. I’ve put me best foot forward every day and I can look at myself in the mirror proud to be who I am.”

As for her favorite moment, she picked the March 2022 London card where she and teammate Paddy Pimblett both won in dominant fashion.

“Me and Paddy running around that cage together, Howler Head in one hand, Everton flag in the other,” she said with a smile.

This may be the end of her fighting career, but she won’t disappear from the sport. Expect to see Molly training the next generation of talent coming out of Liverpool.

“I’ll be coaching the next lot,” McCann said of her future. “I’ll be coaching the team.”