English UFC Fan-Favorite Molly McCann Announces Her Retirement At UFC London

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Based in Rochester, England, Simon Head is a veteran sports editor who has covered sports for national and international outlets since 2000, and is one of the longest-tenured MMA journalists in the UK.

Since 2009, Simon has covered MMA for a host of major outlets across the world, including BBC Sport, BBC Three, MMA Junkie/USA Today, BT Sport, Daily Mirror, The Sun, and The National UAE, as well as providing official content to several of the world's top MMA organizations, including UFC, ONE Championship, Cage Warriors and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).

Simon has also run the digital sports desks of two UK national newspapers, helped launch a major UK sports broadcaster, and coordinated coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, FA Cup Finals, Formula 1, and MotoGP.

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One of European MMA's most beloved female fighters, Molly McCann, called time on her UFC career on an emotional night at UFC London.

McCann faced short-notice debutant Alexia Thainara at The O2 Arena, and was unable to get started as the Brazilian newcomer immediately took control.

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Molly McCann
Molly McCann places her gloves down in the middle of the ring after defeat to Istela Nunes (not pictured) in her final fight after announcing her retirement during the Women's Strawweight fight between Molly McCann... Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

After taking McCann to the mat, Thainara looked to lock up a fight-ending submission, and eventually completed her dream debut by securing a rear-naked choke to force the tap with 28 seconds left in the first round.

While an elated Thainara celebrated, McCann took off her gloves and embraced Octagon announced Bruce Buffer before the result was made official.

Then, after Thainara had her time on the microphone, McCann visited with Michael Bisping, and addressed the UFC brass at cageside, and the 18,000 fans inside the O2, as she announced her retirement.

"UFC, Dana Hunter, Mick, all of you. I started this sport at 24. I walked into that gym with these three boys (coaches Paul Rimmer, Ellis Hampson, and Adam Ventre) and I've given you all my heart and soul," she said.

"But tonight, with that performance with someone on a week's notice, it's not good enough."

"I'm not coming in for the payday," she continued.

"The UFC deserves more. I deserve more. And you all deserve more.

"So, from this little girl from Norris Green who got to fight in all these amazing arenas, thank you so 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...

"So, thank you, and good night, UFC."

McCann's retirement calls time on a rollercoaster career that saw her make history for UK promotion Cage Warriors before becoming the most successful British woman to ever step into the Octagon.

Now she'll look to start a new chapter in her career as she ponders life after fighting.

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About the writer

Based in Rochester, England, Simon Head is a veteran sports editor who has covered sports for national and international outlets since 2000, and is one of the longest-tenured MMA journalists in the UK.

Since 2009, Simon has covered MMA for a host of major outlets across the world, including BBC Sport, BBC Three, MMA Junkie/USA Today, BT Sport, Daily Mirror, The Sun, and The National UAE, as well as providing official content to several of the world's top MMA organizations, including UFC, ONE Championship, Cage Warriors and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).

Simon has also run the digital sports desks of two UK national newspapers, helped launch a major UK sports broadcaster, and coordinated coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, FA Cup Finals, Formula 1, and MotoGP.

Writers Page

Based in Rochester, England, Simon Head is a veteran sports editor who has covered sports for national and international outlets ... Read more