Latest news with #MollyMcCann
BBC News
10-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I'm boxing for me': Molly McCann on making the switch from MMA
Determined, dedicated and a favourite with fans, Molly McCann, nicknamed Meatball Molly, has enjoyed a successful career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).But boxing has always been Molly's first love, and within months of her retirement from MMA in March, the 35-year-old announced she had signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing."I used to do MMA because, I was like, I want to make the city proud, I want to make my family proud - and I've done all that now," she said."I'm boxing for myself." A former amateur boxing champion, McCann says she made the decision to switch to MMA after her particular boxing category was not included in the Olympic games."The highest level for me wouldn't be an Olympic medal, so I thought what else can I do?" says the subsequent decade-long career in MMA brought her considerable won 14 of her 22 fights, and is one of the most successful - and high-profile -women fighters in British MMA it has taken a toll."It's four Olympic disciplines in one," she says."So imagine how much you have to commit your life to being an Olympic athlete for one Olympic discipline, [then] imagine doing that for four."The negative side" she says, was "how heavy it is on the body over long periods of time"."There wasn't a lot of women doing it when I was - so I was constantly training with people who were a little bit heavier than me, and it just took its toll on my body in the end." McCann says she hopes she has helped break down barriers for other girls seeking a place in combat sports."It was like knocking doors down so girls could go to gyms - and that legacy is in place," she says over half a million followers on social media, she has been determined to give people an honest insight into the life of an elite athlete. "I show hard work, I show what I get up to - and if I'm feeling down and I'm not having a good time, I let you know too."I think it's really about being transparent and honest about what life really is."What we do isn't glamorous, but it's real - and I think it's important." McCann's first boxing match takes place in Belfast on 13 September, having stated her ambition is to "win a world title within eight fights".The 35-year-old has said it "was always the dream" to return to boxing, and hopes to have the support of her Liverpool home crowd behind her."I'm just so proud of being a scouser. I'm so proud of everything we're about, and the support that we show," she said."Me and Paddy [Pimblett] always say it: when you come and watch us fight, it's always a little bit different - the crowd is a little bit different - and it's because we bring more scousers with us."When we fight, you'd always see we're looking for the finish - to bring it home and to party with everyone after." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former UFC star McCann to make boxing debut in Belfast
Former UFC star Molly McCann will make her boxing debut on the undercard of Paddy Donovan and Lewis Crocker's world title contest at Windsor Park next month. Liverpool's McCann, who retired from MMA in March following defeat by Alexia Thainara at UFC London, said she wants to "win a world title within eight fights" after signing with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing earlier this opponent for the 13 September fight in Belfast has not yet been 35-year-old won 14 of her 22 fights across a 10-year MMA boxers Caoimhin Agyarko and Tyrone McKenna have also been added to the Windsor Park middleweight Agyarko, 28, will face 30-year-old Englishman Ishmael Davis while 35-year-old McKenna will take on fellow Irishman Dylan Moran. McKenna stopped Moran in the second round of their welterweight contest last have also confirmed Patrick Brown, who represented Great Britain at the 2024 Olympics, and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Aaron Bowen will appear on the bill, with more fights still to be this week, Windsor Park was confirmed as the venue for Donovan and Crocker's fight for the vacant IBF welterweight Park last hosted a boxing event in August 2018 when two-weight world champion Carl Frampton defeated Luke Jackson of and Crocker's rematch will be the first world title bout between two fighters from the island of Ireland. The first meeting between the pair on 1 March was a final eliminator for the IBF title and ended in controversial fashion with Crocker taking the win by disqualification in front of a 8,500 crowd at the SSE Arena in his native Belfast.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
UFC trailblazer announces switch to ‘dream' sport
Molly McCann has made a surprise switch from UFC to professional boxing, signing with Eddie Hearn 's Matchroom Boxing, in a move she says was 'always the dream'. It follows the Liverpudlian's emotional retirement from MMA in March after suffering back-to-back defeats in the UFC. McCann, who was the first British female fighter to compete in the UFC and achieved a 14-8 record, is now aiming to become a world champion within eight boxing fights. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed confidence in McCann's boxing abilities, highlighting her amateur pedigree despite her successful MMA career. The specific details regarding McCann's first professional boxing bout, including her opponent and the date, are yet to be confirmed by either McCann or Matchroom.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC star launches boxing career with Matchroom
UFC star Molly McCann has swapped the cage for the ring and signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, with plans to become world champion within a year! The 35-year-old from Liverpool will make her professional debut later this year following a memorable career in MMA. Advertisement McCann, a former ABA Champion as an amateur boxer, takes up boxing once again after a decade spent competing in MMA. The popular Liverpudlian kicks off her new career in the squared circle campaigning at bantamweight under the guidance of Danny 'Whitho' Whithington at No Limits ABC in her home city. Close friend of Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett, Molly is also cousins with Irish superstar, Katie Taylor. Nicknamed 'Meatball' after working in her local Subway, she is one of the most successful and influential female fighters in British MMA history, and now hopes to win a World Title in the professional boxing ranks, specifically within eight fights. Advertisement 'This was always the dream,' said McCann. 'As everyone knows, I've boxed before. My weight didn't get added to the Olympic Games, so the only other option was MMA. MMA has given me a phenomenal life – one that boxing could never give me, but my love was always in the squared circle. 'I cannot wait to fight. I can't wait to show everyone the pedigree of boxing that I've got. People will probably think that I'm just going to run in and just try and take chins off, which is correct, that is what I'm going to do! But I'll do it in an educated manner. I worked so hard on building the brand in MMA and changing stereotypes. 'There was only one place I was coming. There was offers from everywhere, but I did send Eddie a little message. I said it's better the devil you know than the devil you don't know. There's no other place I'd rather be. This is the premier show for me. I've known everyone at Matchroom for quite a long time, and I've got a good relationship with Eddie. 'I've always been at the shows for the past few years causing trouble and now I get to bring all the scousers with me and have a go. The ultimate goal is to be a World Champion. I've got to earn my stripes like everyone else. I want a World Title within eight fights.' Advertisement 'I'm incredibly excited to announce Molly McCann as Matchroom Boxing's latest signing,' said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. 'Molly will compete now as a professional boxer – about time! Former ABA champion. Everyone knows the ability as a boxer. She has been a massive star within the UFC and built her profile globally. We're delighted to start the journey with her, and we're delighted she's chosen to sign with Matchroom. 'We're going to be fighting her all around the world. There's going to be some massive nights. I had the pleasure of watching her cage side in the UFC. The energy and the fanbase of this woman is incredible. She's a great person and a great fighter, and now she's putting the gloves on for real. The boxing journey is about to begin. 'We're talking about Molly starting somewhere around the Bantamweight division. There's some really good fighters there. She is a professional fight novice at the moment. She's not a boxing novice; she's got great pedigree. The movement of her career is going to be really interesting. The most important thing is to be active. We need to keep building her boxing brand now. 'She has the ability to be a huge star in boxing. We're looking at around six or seven fights in year one, and then after that we're pretty much ready to go. You're going to see her fighting for a World Championship within 12 months I think.'
Forbes
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Retired UFC Veteran Turns To Boxing, Signs With Eddie Hearn
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Eddie Hearn, Boxing promoter and Chairman of Matchroom Sport is ... More interviewed after the Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois IBF Heavyweight World Title fight announcement press conference at OVO Arena Wembley on June 26, 2024 in London, England. Queensberry, Matchroom and Riyadh Season announce a show at Wembley Stadium in September. (Photo by) Getty Images When former UFC strawweight Molly McCann retired from MMA in March, she didn't say she was done fighting. On Tuesday, she announced she'd signed with Matchroom Boxing, which is led by Eddie Hearn. "This was always the dream," McCann told DAZN. McCann was an accomplished amateur boxer who chose MMA because it made the most business sense at the time. At 35, and having reached her ceiling as a mixed martial artist, McCann has chosen to return to her roots. 'As everyone knows, I've boxed before," McCann said. "My weight didn't get added to the Olympic Games and the only other option was MMA. MMA has given me a phenomenal life, one that boxing could never give me, but my love was always in the squared circle. I cannot wait to fight, just show everyone the pedigree of boxing that I've got. People will probably just think I'm going to run in and try to take chins off, which is correct! That is what I'm going to do. But in an educated manner.' Here's a look at the interview. In the Octagon, McCann was known for her all-action style. While she recorded two of the more memorable KO finishes in MMA in 2022 (back-to-back spinning backfist KO wins), her Achilles' heel was always the grappling. LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Molly McCann of England is introduced before facing in their women's ... More flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at The O2 Arena on July 22, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Zuffa LLC via Getty Images McCann's record in MMA was 14–8, with four of those losses coming by submission. That includes the loss she took in what turned out to be her retirement fight against the flamboyant Alexia Thainara. McCann is expected to compete in the bantamweight division. Because of her pedigree and the power of Matchroom, McCann is expected to move quickly toward a title shot in her division. Dina Thorslund is considered the No. 1 fighter in the division. She was scheduled to defend her title against Shurreta Metcalf on the massive July 11 card in New York, headlined by Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano III. However, Thorslund had to pull out of the fight after discovering she is pregnant with her second child. Cherneka Johnson is stepping up in her place. If McCann makes her debut sometime soon, it wouldn't be crazy to see her challenging for a world title by the end of 2026—if not earlier next year. McCann knows she is rekindling the boxing journey at a later stage in her career, and things must move with a sense of urgency. McCann had a large fanbase with the UFC because of her fighting style and charismatic personality. She figures to carry a similar following as a professional boxer—especially if she wins. If McCann finds success in boxing, there is a formula there for her to become one of the breakout stars in women's boxing in 2026. Hearn and Matchroom see it and will likely do everything in their power to put her in a position to shine. McCann's announcement comes just a few days after another former UFC star returned to boxing. Holly Holm, a former world champion in both sports and a likely future member of both Hall of Fames (she's already in for boxing), signed with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Holm looked great in her return to boxing on Saturday when she scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over Yolanda Vega. In case you're wondering, Holm is likely too big to clash with McCann in boxing—though that fight would be a draw. We'll see who McCann gets in her Matchroom debut.
