A seven-year journey came to a spectacular end as Molly McCann decided to hang up her gloves at UFC London. McCann made history as the first Englishwoman to secure a victory inside the Octagon delivered one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history, and captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. Her illustrious career, marked by 14 victories and 8 defeats, concluded at UFC Fight Night 255, where ‘Meatball’ officially announced her retirement.

Ahead of the fight, McCann asserted that she could “Happily walk away” from fighting but she wanted to show to the world that she was not someone who should be underestimated even if her career is at its last stage. With an intent to fight for the last time, she embraced the Octagon to take on Alexia Thainara. Despite her best efforts, McCann had to face defeat by way of Rear Naked Choke.

While having a conversation with Michael Bisping, McCann finally decided to hang up her gloves for good, “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.”

She further added, “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.”

As the camera panned to Paddy Pimblett, the lightweight fighter was seen in tears, while Dana White couldn’t help but applaud his fighter’s final performance. The duo first crossed paths during a training session back in 2013 and since then they have supported each other’s journey.  Interestingly, this is not the first time that the British fighter considered retirement.

The time when coach Paul Rimmer stopped Molly McCann from retiring

Ahead of her clash against Alexia Thainara, Molly McCann confessed that she was ready to retire from the sport. However, her longtime coach, Paul Rimmer, reignited her passion for competing before she could end her career. ‘It wasn’t an easy conversation for either of us. We were screaming at each other like, “I f—-ing love you. I don’t want you to lose.” And I was like, “I’ll show you. We’ve got to do this.”‘”

After her submission loss to Julija Stoliarenko in July 2023, Molly McCann contemplated retirement. However, instead of calling it quits, Rimmer encouraged the 34-year-old to make the move to the 115-pound division, “I’ll tell you when enough is enough,” McCann recalled Rimmer telling her ahead of her fight against Diana Belbita.

With a coffee shop and a restaurant to manage, Molly McCann is pleased with how her career has turned out. As the joy of retirement approaches, the MMA community has nothing but warm wishes for her. Given that, what are your thoughts in the comments below.