Molly McCann looked like a world beater after knocking out Luana Carolina — and she’s ready to take on seemingly insurmountable odds next.
McCann won her second consecutive win at UFC London this Saturday, beating Luana Caroline by a spinning elbow knockout. This was her fifth win in seven UFC London appearances. While she’s yet to make a significant impact in the rankings, the English fighter’s performance drew one of the loudest reactions from the crowd in The O2, which may convince the matchmakers that she’s ready for bigger and better things.
In the aftermath of her win, McCann declared on The MMA Hour that she’ll be willing to take on UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko next if the call comes for her to save Shevchenko’s upcoming title defense on June 11 at UFC 275.
” I’m bulletproof now,” McCann stated. “And I wasn’t until the [Ji Yeon] Kim fight in September, but this really solidified now — I am the business, and when I believe I am, you get them kinds of performances. You get great performances from people who are able to give emotional performances every time. It takes time and effort to do that, but I believe the stars have aligned.
“I feel like I’m coming into my prime and I’m starting to get there. The press have said a lot of stuff and the media have said a lot of stuff about me going for the belt, this, that, and the other, but I just know normally I would be drinking a lot more alcohol and eating a lot more s*** food, but not now. I will always be training, I won’t be taking time off. It’s a very, very important goal to get that belt. I won’t be calling Shevchenko out. However, if [Shevchenko’s scheduled opponent] Taila Santes is injured or any other reason in June, then I will still be here .”
McCann leapfrogging Santos in the contenders’ line would be a coup given that Santos defeated McCann by unanimous decision back in July 2020. Santos followed that nod with three more victories to make herself the No. 1 contender to Shevchenko’s crown.
Though McCann would likely open as a huge underdog to the champion — as most of Shevchenko’s opponents do — she doesn’t understand why anyone would think it’s a crazy idea for her to jump on the short-notice opportunity.
” I feel the same way that everyone in this division should,” McCann stated. McCann said, “If you don’t want to jump at the chance then what are your doing?” I would love to be like Michael Bisping.”
Bisping famously won the UFC middleweight championship in his 26th appearance for the promotion, defeating Luke Rockhold by first-round knockout on short notice to become one of the most unexpected titleholders in UFC history. He became the promotion’s first British champion — and McCann would like to join him on that list.
McCann’s UFC record stands at 5-3, but despite some tough losses, she’s putting all doubts aside, both her own and the public’s.
” I’d love to fight anybody,” McCann stated. I feel that people will be asking for me. Because they love me, I don’t ask them for anything. But in order to become the best, you have to beat the best, so our division is that good. I literally said post-fight I respect every single woman in the 125-pound division, and my performances are just getting better, so I’m not really scared. I don’t fear any style.
” I found out online that my opponent was more skilled than me and was going to be submitted. Many people posted that information online. She was unable to do jiu jitsu, so I out-wrestled and defeated someone who had a better elbow. It’s enough to show some respect for my name .”
