UFC’s Molly McCann Knocks Out Man in Bar Brawl: “Boom! And Then He’s on the Floor”

UFC’s Molly McCann Knocks Out Man in Bar Brawl: "Boom! And Then He's on the Floor"Don’t rush up on Molly McCann if you bump into her at the club. ‘Meatball’ became an instant UFC…

UFC’s Molly McCann Knocks Out Man in Bar Brawl: "Boom! And Then He's on the Floor"

Don’t rush up on Molly McCann if you bump into her at the club.

‘Meatball’ became an instant UFC fan favorite a few years ago with her nearly identical back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts of Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy.

gettyimages 2191188161 612x612 1

However, McCann has run into some struggles as of late, dropping three of her last four inside the Octagon, including a pair of first-round submission defeats at the hands of Erin Blanchfield and Julija Stoliarenko.

gettyimages 2163989051 612x612 1

But just because McCann has had some difficulty finding the win column, that doesn’t mean the Irish lass-kicker won’t put your lights out, whether it be on the Octagon or at the local watering hole.

“I was at the Temple Bar in Dublin, and I was just like, ‘Good, good.’ But this lad’s looking at me like that, and I was like, ‘What? Weird. Why would you do that?’ Well, I didn’t know what his thing was,” McCann told UNTAPPED. “He’s run over to me, and he’s coming like he’s about to hit me. I’ve just stepped back and gone—boom! And then he’s on the floor.

“I looked—two days, er—no, the doormen have picked him up, dragged him outside. I’ve come outside, and he’s getting all at me. And I was like, ‘I don’t know. I said—I don’t know what—like, what?’ And he’s like, ‘But I’m a fan! I—I—I will pay for this to be fixed!’ You can’t—you’re a grown man running at me!”

Molly McCann returns to the octagon at UFC London in march

Unfortunately, that won’t count towards her official win/loss record, but ‘Meatball’ will have the chance to get back into the win column on March 22 when the UFC heads back to London for another Fight Night card in The Big Smoke.

image 20

McCann is scheduled to square off with Istele Nunes who will be looking to score her first victory inside the Octagon after dropping her first four appearances with the promotion.

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire Joins UFC: Former Bellator Champ Eyes Featherweight Gold

Patricio "Pitbull" Freire Joins UFC: Former Bellator Champ Eyes Championship GoldPatricio “Pitbull” Freire, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Bellator history, has officially signed with the…

Patricio "Pitbull" Freire Joins UFC: Former Bellator Champ Eyes Championship Gold

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Bellator history, has officially signed with the UFC after his recent release from the PFL. The 37-year-old Brazilian fighter, a three-time Bellator Featherweight Champion and former Lightweight Champion is set to bring his impressive resume and skills to the UFC’s featherweight division.

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire Signs with the UFC

Patricio Freire’s move to the UFC follows months of speculation and public calls for his release from the PFL. After Bellator was acquired by the PFL in late 2023, Freire expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of fight opportunities and requested an unconditional release. PFL Chairman Donn Davis confirmed Freire’s release earlier this year, allowing him to explore new opportunities in mixed martial arts’ premier promotions.

Patrício “Pitbull” Freire achieved an extraordinary list of accolades during his tenure in Bellator MMA. He was a three-time Bellator Featherweight World Champion and also held the Bellator Lightweight World Championship, making him the second fighter in the promotion’s history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. In addition, he won the Bellator Season Nine and Season Four Featherweight Tournaments, further solidifying his dominance in the division.

Freire holds numerous records in Bellator, including the most wins in the promotion’s history (24), the most title wins (15), and the most fights (30). In the featherweight division specifically, he has the most wins (23), most knockouts (8), and is tied for the most finishes (13, alongside A.J. McKee). Across all divisions, he is tied with Michael Chandler for the most finishes in Bellator history with 15.

pitbull1

Known for his knockout power, Freire has already set his sights on top-tier competition in the UFC. He has publicly expressed interest in facing fighters such as Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, and Diego Lopes, signaling his ambition to climb quickly within the division. “I want that belt,” Freire stated during a recent interview, emphasizing his readiness to compete against elite opponents.

UFC President Dana White had previously hinted at interest in signing Freire, acknowledging his status as one of MMA’s most accomplished free agents. With Freire now officially part of the UFC roster, fans eagerly await his debut and potential matchups against some of the sport’s biggest names.

Francis Ngannou’s Fight for Freedom: Why the UFC’s Biggest Star Walked Away

Francis Ngannou’s Fight for Freedom: Why the UFC’s Biggest Star Walked AwayFrancis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made headlines with his departure from the UFC in January 2023, citing…

Francis Ngannou’s Fight for Freedom: Why the UFC’s Biggest Star Walked Away

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made headlines with his departure from the UFC in January 2023, citing a desire for freedom and principles over financial gain. Ngannou’s decision to leave the organization came after a year-long negotiation process that failed to address his requests.

Francis Ngannou Leaving the UFC

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was trying to use his influence as UFC heavyweight champion to negotiate for health insurance and the ability to pursue sponsorship deals for all fighters. Speaking about his departure, Ngannou remarked, “It doesn’t matter how much [money] is in that contract, I am not free. I have no power”

Francis Ngannou has publicly stated that he lost over $1 million due to the UFC’s sponsorship restrictions. Specifically, the UFC’s exclusive deal with Crypto.com prevented Ngannou from securing a lucrative sponsorship offer from a competing cryptocurrency platform, reportedly Coinbase. Ngannou expressed frustration over the UFC’s policies, which barred fighters from pursuing their own sponsorship deals for in-octagon appearances. He criticized the organization for exploiting sponsorship opportunities for its own benefit while limiting fighters’ ability to earn independently.

After leaving the UFC, Ngannou signed with the PFL in May 2023. The deal includes not only competition but also roles as chairman of PFL Africa and a member of its global advisory board. He gets paid tens of millions per fight and also guarantees at least a two-million payday for his opponent. With the PFL, Francis Ngannou is also free to box and he has competed in two blockbuster boxing matches against heavyweight royalty.

Francis Ngannou PFL 1 1
Photo by Tim Wheaton

“I was always fighting for the freedom and the opportunity to not have something in my way… It’s my right. And I claim that.” Ngannou explained on self-determination.

Francis Ngannou 1 1

From working in a sand quarry as a child in Cameroon to being homeless on the streets of Paris, he rose to become one of the most feared fighters in mixed martial arts. Reflecting on his struggles, he said, “I was doing a lot of push-ups and a lot of abs. And running from the cops. That was keeping you fit. Running from the cops can keep you fit more than ever”

Now, with the PFL, Francis Ngannou defeated the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira by way of knockout to earn the heavyweight title. By walking away from the UFC at the height of his career, stood up for his principles and also set a precedent for fighter autonomy in combat sports.

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors? Francis Ngannou Teases Casting for His Biopic

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors? Francis Ngannou Teases Casting for His BiopicThe former UFC heavyweight champion and rising star in Hollywood, Francis Ngannou, recently shared insights about a potential movie…

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors? Francis Ngannou Teases Casting for His Biopic

The former UFC heavyweight champion and rising star in Hollywood, Francis Ngannou, recently shared insights about a potential movie project based on his life. From walking across Africa to revitalizing the PFL and competing in blockbuster boxing matches; his life is a fantastic story.

Francis Ngannou Movie?

In an interview, Francis Ngannou revealed that he has received a promising offer from a production company to bring his story to the big screen. However, he believes the timing isn’t right yet. “I think the story is not done yet. I think we are maybe in the last chapter, but it’s not done,” Ngannou remarked, emphasizing his desire to wait until his journey is complete before moving forward with the film. Perhaps a future PFL MMA fight or another match in boxing.

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors

When asked about casting for the lead role, Ngannou mentioned Idris Elba as his long-time pick but noted that fellow fighter Israel Adesanya suggested Jonathan Majors, known for his role in Creed III, as another strong candidate. “I used to always say Idris Elba [would play me] but Adesanya said to me the guy in Creed, Jonathan Majors,” He said. However, Majors’ recent career has been overshadowed by legal troubles, including a conviction for assault in 2023. Meanwhile, Idris Elba competed in kickboxing in the past.

After his parents divorced when he was six, Francis Ngannou lived a transient life, often moving between relatives. At just 10 years old, he began working in a sand quarry to support himself, earning less than $2 per day. Despite these hardships, Ngannou resisted pressure to join gangs and instead drew inspiration from his father’s reputation as a street fighter to pursue a positive path.

Francis Ngannou PFL 1
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Fascinated by boxing and inspired by legends like Mike Tyson, Francis Ngannou began training at 22 but had to pause due to illness and financial struggles. At 26, Ngannou left Cameroon for Paris to chase his dream of becoming a professional boxer. Homeless upon arrival, he eventually found support at a local gym where he was introduced to MMA. With the help of his coaches, Ngannou began his journey toward becoming one of the most formidable fighters in UFC history, competing in heavyweight boxing, and capturing the PFL MMA heavyweight title.

With this potential biopic in early talks, audiences eagerly await more updates on what promises to be an interesting cinematic project. Ngannou has risen to global prominence as a UFC champion, professional boxer, and now a budding Hollywood star with roles in the Fast and Furious franchise and Rebel Moon.

Francis Ngannou 1
2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Peñuela / 2024PFLPPV)

Daniel Cormier Surprises Fans with Defense of Jon Jones After Wild Instagram Live Session

Daniel Cormier Surprises Fans with Defense of Jon Jones After Wild Instagram Live SessionDaniel Cormier came to the defense of… Jon Jones?! Last week, ‘Bones’ had everyone talking when he went live…

Daniel Cormier Surprises Fans with Defense of Jon Jones After Wild Instagram Live Session

Daniel Cormier came to the defense of… Jon Jones?!

Last week, ‘Bones’ had everyone talking when he went live on Instagram in the middle of the night and indicated that he was frustrated enough to take someone’s life.

“You get pissed off, disappointed. And as a Dad, you just want to kill them,” Jones said in a now-viral video which you can see right here.

‘Bones’ later apologized in a since-deleted post for the concerning comments.

“Sorry, was just getting crazy. I’m done over it,” Jones posted on X.

skysports jon jones ufc 285 6334737

By then, the damage had been done and everyone chalked it up to just another drunken rant from Jones who has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. Whether or not either was involved is uncertain, but that didn’t stop the clip from spreading like a California wildfire online and generating a slew of reactions from fans and fighters like former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

Cormier thinks Jon Jones’ Instagram meltdown is being blown out of proportion

However, one man came to Jones’ defense and you’d never have guessed who it was had we not already let the cat out of the bag in the headline.

“I don’t like being supportive [of Jon Jones],” Cormier said while addressing Jones’ latest scandal during a recent episode of his Funky & The Champ podcast. “Jon Jones was walking down the street, saying some crazy stuff about his kid…if he was on vacation, haven’t we all been there? Maybe not that extreme, but our kids drive us crazy. And you know what the worst part is? When you go back to that hotel room, you’re the bad guy! Everyone’s going to make it like you’re the bad guy for being upset…

“I don’t want to defend him, but come on…haven’t we all been there?”

Despite their fiery rivalry that still burns bright to this day, Cormier has given ‘Bones’ his flowers from time to time.

‘DC’ admitted that Jon Jones was the hardest hitter he’d ever faced in his illustrious career. He even acknowledged that Jones is probably the greatest fighter the sport has ever seen, though he stopped short of crowning the undisputed heavyweight titleholder as MMA’s official GOAT due to his laundry list of police run-ins and legal issues outside of the Octagon.

429 Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones.0

Sean Strickland Basks in the Chaos of USA’s Big Win Over Canada: ‘I Love Me Some Hockey Fights’

Sean Strickland Basks in the Chaos of USA's Big Win Over Canada: 'I Love Me Some Hockey Fights'Sean Strickland loves himself some hockey fights. Recently, the former UFC middleweight champion took to social media to share…

Sean Strickland Basks in the Chaos of USA's Big Win Over Canada: 'I Love Me Some Hockey Fights'

Sean Strickland loves himself some hockey fights.

Recently, the former UFC middleweight champion took to social media to share his love for scraps on 200-foot-long slabs of ice. Strickland’s comment was also accompanied by a clip from the USA vs. Canada game on February 15 that saw the Americans score three unanswered goals to walk away with a big win at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

“I love me some hockey fights,” Strickland wrote on X.

And just to hammer home how awesome hockey fights can truly be, here are NBC Sports’ 10 greatest hockey fights of all time for no particular reason.

Sean Strickland blames Canada for his first loss to Dricus Du Plessis

Strickland may appreciate Canada’s national sport, but he’s by no means a fan of the country itself. After coming up short via a razor-close split decision against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, ‘Tarzan’ expressed his frustration with not getting an immediate rematch and even went so far as to blame Canada (pun not intended) for not leaving Toronto with the middleweight title still strapped around his waist.

“You know I don’t care about fight politics or a belt,” Strickland posted. “But, it makes me laugh they give Izzy a rematch to Alex [Pereira] after getting slept. I lost a close decision that Dana [White] himself thought I won. Everyone did. The stats did. That needs to be run back.

“And man, I don’t want to pull this card, but when does the Champ ever lose a close fight?” he added. “When you’re in Canada with a bunch of dirty f*cking leftists.”

QB5X56D7VND4VCCISKBG2LC6HQ

Unfortunately, Strickland can’t blame Canada for coming up short against ‘DDP’ once again at UFC 312. That one was all him.

gettyimages 2197903538 612x612 2
gettyimages 2197903607 612x612 2