Paddy Pimblett fights back tears as Molly McCann announces emotional retirement after UFC London defeat

Molly McCann has laid down the gloves following a quick defeat at UFC London.

McCann was dragged to the canvas early on and never escaped the hold of Brazil's Alexia Thainara, who made her submit.

4 McCann placed her gloves on the canvas as she retired from MMA Credit: Getty

UFC star Paddy Pimblett, who trains with McCann in Liverpool, was fighting back tears as she made the announcement.

The referee called a stop to the contest at 4:42 in the first round due to a rear naked choke.

"I started this sport at 24...I've give you all my heart and soul," an emotional McCann told Michael Bisping after her defeat.

"That performance wasn't good enough. The UFC deserves more and you all deserve more.

"Thank you so much to the little girls at home...look at what I managed to do."

Bruce Buffer got the crowd hyped as Neil Diamond’s famous ‘Sweet Caroline’ played and Thianara danced her way to the Octagon followed by McCann.

It was an energetic start to the bout as both women sized one another up.

However, as expected, Thainara utilised her elite grappling skills to take McCann to the canvas and the latter never recovered.

The London crowd erupted as McCann briefly made it to her feet, but the Brazilian was too good for her and eventually got the submission in what was an impressive display.

McCann is a former Cage Warriors champion and has fought in the UFC since May 2018.

4 McCann made her return to the Octagon at UFC London Credit: Getty

4 Pimblett held back his tears as McCann fell to a defeat

She shot to fame after racking up wins in Dana White’s promotion and securing back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts in 2022, which were both in London.

McCann now boasts a professional MMA record of 14-8 and a UFC history of 7-7.

She trains out of Next Generation MMA under the guidance of Paul Rimmer and has made a name for herself with her never-back-down attitude inside the Octagon.

Her best friend and training partner Pimblett takes on Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 next month.

This was Thainara’s UFC debut after an impressive performance in Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2024.

She defeated Rose Conceicao by unanimous decision and subsequently earned a contract with MMA’s biggest league.

4 'Meatball' said her performance wasn't good enough, thanking her fans and the UFC after the defeat Credit: Getty

The 29-year-old from Varginha, Brazil, started her journey in MMA through a school project involving capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian martial art) and football.

Before pursuing MMA full-time, Thainara worked on construction sites with her father and she has a background in physical education.

She is on an impressive 10-fight win streak in MMA, having lost just one of her 12 pro bouts.

Seven of her wins have come via submission, including a notable rear-naked choke victory over UFC fighter Rayanne dos Santos in 2021.

Her nickname, ‘Burguesinha,’ was given to her by her mum due to her arrogance as a young girl who always loved to train.

Click here to read article