UFC London: Molly McCann announces retirement following Alexia Thainara defeat

Liverpool’s Molly McCann has announced her retirement after being submitted in the first round by Alexia Thainara at UFC London.

McCann, 34, was outworked on the floor after being taken down before succumbing to a rear naked choke.

She exits the sport having won 14 of her 22 fights across a 10-year career.

“UFC and Dana [White], I started this sport at 24 and I have given you all my heart and soul. Tonight, with that performance on a week’s notice, it’s not good enough – the UFC deserves more,” said McCann.

“From a little girl from Norris Green fighting in arenas – look at me, look at what I’ve managed to do.”

McCann was looking to bounce back from defeat by Bruna Brasil in July, while Brazil’s Thainara was making her UFC debut.

The contrasts between the walkouts was stark, with Thainara enthusiastically jiving her way to the octagon and McCann showing typical focus and intensity.

The pair traded lefts and rights in the early stages before Thainara secured the first takedown of the contest – a move which proved to be the defining moment.

The crowd attempted to rouse McCann with a succession of “Molly” chants, but it was in vain as the Brazilian outworked her on the floor before securing a rear naked choke.

An emotional McCann took off her gloves – a gesture which usually signals retirement – as stablemate Paddy Pimblett looked on with tears in his eyes at octagon-side.

McCann, a former flyweight champion in UK-based promotion Cage Warriors, won seven of her 14 bouts in the UFC.