Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star Molly McCann has announced her transition to boxing, signing with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. The 35-year-old Liverpool native aims to conquer the boxing world, setting a goal of winning a world title within eight fights.
McCann, who retired from MMA in March following a defeat by Alexia Thainara at UFC London, enjoyed a successful 10-year career in MMA, winning 14 of her 22 fights, making her one of the most accomplished and high-profile women's fighters in British MMA history.
Before her MMA career, McCann competed at the amateur level in boxing but was unable to qualify for the Olympics. Speaking about her return to boxing, McCann said, "MMA has given me a phenomenal life, one that boxing could never give me. I can't wait to fight and show everyone the pedigree of boxing I've got."
McCann plans to use her boxing skills in a strategic manner, stating, "People probably think I am going to run in and try and take chins off. Which is correct, but in an educated manner."
During her time in the UFC, McCann won seven of her 14 bouts, with two spinning elbow knockouts in 2022 being among her highlights. She exited the sport with a record of six wins by knockout and three performance-of-the-night bonuses, the most in UFC flyweight history.
Eddie Hearn, promoter for Matchroom, expressed his belief that McCann has the potential to become a world champion in boxing. He noted, "What's important to know, she really is a boxer first. You see a lot of fighters try switch from UFC to boxing because they've already built their brand, but they're not actually elite at the discipline."
McCann will make her boxing debut under Matchroom, with a date and opponent yet to be announced. The switch to boxing marks a pivotal moment in women's boxing, as McCann aims to prove her elite status in the sport.
As McCann embarks on her new journey, fans of both MMA and boxing will be eagerly anticipating her first fight under Matchroom. With her impressive MMA background and ambition to become a world champion in boxing, there is no doubt that McCann is set to make a significant impact in the sport.
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