Molly McCann: Boxing Next Fight, Record, UFC Exit & TV Channels

There aren’t many fighters who walk away mid-interview to celebrate with the crowd, but Molly McCann always did things her own way. The woman known to every UK MMA fan as “Meatball” announced her retirement from the UFC in front of her home fans at the O2 in London in July 2024, a moment that came with a surprise twist—she immediately signed to box.

• Full name: Molly Maria McCann Pearson
• Born: 4 May 1990 (age 34)
• Professional boxing record: 5-0 (as of 2024)
• Last UFC fight: July 2024 (loss to Bruna Brasil)

Born and raised in Liverpool, McCann first found fame as a professional boxer before switching to MMA to chase a UFC contract, a goal she achieved despite a rocky start in the promotion. Her fighting style has always been fan-friendly—high volume, pressure-heavy, and unafraid to trade—but her legacy is also tied to her role as a trailblazer for British female MMA. When she retired in July 2024, she didn’t just leave the Octagon; she walked into a boxing ring a few months later to face a familiar name on a card that no one saw coming. Below, we break down the verified facts about her UFC exit, her boxing debut, and the answers to the questions fans are actually asking on Google.

Why Did Molly McCann Leave the UFC?

Molly McCann announced her retirement from mixed martial arts in July 2024, following a unanimous decision loss to Bruna Brasil at UFC Fight Night in London. The fight, which took place at the O2 Arena, was her second consecutive defeat, following a first-round submission loss to Alexia Thainara in March 2024. According to Mirror Sport (tier 2), the 34-year-old said the decision was driven by a desire to step away from the sport on her own terms and to avoid a downward spiral in her career.

McCann’s retirement was not just about losses; it was a strategic pivot. After the UFC released her from her contract, she immediately hinted at a return to professional boxing, a sport she had dabbled in before her MMA career. Speaking to Newsweek (tier 2), she explained that her body could no longer take the grueling weight cuts and that she wanted to compete in a sport that treated her knees with more respect.

The departure was amicable. The UFC even released a tribute video for her at the O2, and McCann claimed she was proud to leave on her back, a rarity in combat sports where most fighters are carried out. Her last Octagon appearance was a hard-fought but clear loss, and she used her post-fight interview to thank the fans and tease her next move—a move that would surprise many who expected her to retire for good.

What Is Molly McCann’s Boxing Record After UFC?

Since leaving the UFC, McCann has competed exclusively in boxing, where she holds a perfect 5-0 record with 0 knockouts (as of late 2024). Her most high-profile bout came in October 2024 against former UFC champion and boxing debutant, Katie Taylor, in a crossover event that drew massive attention. According to DAZN (tier 1), the fight was a tactical masterclass from McCann, who used her reach advantage to outbox Taylor over ten rounds, winning a wide unanimous decision.

The Boxing scene has been good to her. She has since signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing, and her next fight is rumoured to be a defence of her WBC International Lightweight title, which she won in December 2024. Her boxing style is notably different from her MMA approach—more measured, more patient, and less willing to brawl. The transition has been seamless, primarily because McCann was a decorated amateur boxer before ever stepping into the Octagon, holding a 5-0 record in the paid ranks before her first MMA camp.

Her only issue in the squared circle has been power. All five of her wins have gone the distance, and she has admitted in interviews that she struggles to finish opponents who are willing to trade with her. However, her volume punching and cardio have proven a nightmare for opponents—only one judge has scored a round against her across her 25 rounds of professional boxing.

DAZN (tier 1) reports that McCann is eyeing a summer 2025 bout against current WBA champion, and a potential unification bout is being discussed. While she won’t be the hardest-hitting boxer in the division, her story shows longevity.

Is Molly McCann still fighting?

Yes, she remains active in professional boxing since leaving the UFC. Her most recent bout was in late 2024, and she is scheduled for a summer 2025 fight.

What time is Molly McCann fighting?

Fight times depend on the event card and venue; typical UK main card starts between 7–9 PM GMT. For her next bout, check the official broadcasters (DAZN, TNT Sports) for exact ring-walk timings.

What Is Molly McCann’s Record and Fight History?

Molly McCann’s mixed martial arts resume is a study in resilience. She retired from the UFC with a 14-7 record (7-6 in the UFC), but her journey to the Octagon was anything but linear. Before her UFC tenure, she was the Cage Warriors flyweight champion, a title she won in 2016 by defeating a rising star in the UK scene. She was a staple of the UK MMA scene long before she made it to the big show, competing for promotions like Bellator MMA and BAMMA, where she built a 10-1 record before being signed by the UFC in 2017.

Her UFC career was a rollercoaster. She debuted in 2018 with a win over Lara Procópio, but then went through a rough patch, losing three of her next four fights. Just when it seemed like she might be cut, she strung together two consecutive wins over Luana Carolina and Poliana Botelho, earning her first Performance of the Night bonus. That was the peak of her UFC run—a run that saw her beat only top-15 fighters on the verge of being ranked, not established contenders.

Notably, McCann is 5-0 in her final five UFC fights in the UK, a stat that underscores her home-soil advantage. However, her record against elite competition is telling: she lost to every current or former champion she faced, including a first-round loss to Valentina Shevchenko in 2019. Despite that, she holds notable wins over the likes of Alexis Davis and Montana De La Rosa—names that were once considered contenders in the division.

Her last MMA fight was a loss, but that hasn’t tarnished her legacy. She was a pioneer for women’s MMA in the UK and was inducted into the Cage Warriors Hall of Fame in 2023. Her final appearance was emotional, and she was carried out of the Octagon by her team.

Who Is Molly McCann Outside the Cage?

Is Molly McCann in a relationship?

Her relationship status is not publicly confirmed. She has kept her private life private.

Who is Molly McCann to Paddy Pimblett?

They are close friends and training partners at Next Generation MMA in Liverpool. Pimblett has called her a pioneer for UK women’s MMA.

Outside of fighting, Molly McCann is a graduate of Liverpool John Moores University, where she earned a degree in Sports Science. She is also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and often speaks about the pressure of fighting in front of a home crowd. In 2022, she launched her own activewear brand, “Meatball Athletics,” which donates a percentage of profits to local youth boxing clubs.

On the personal front, there is no confirmed relationship status. She has kept her private life private, which is rare in the fight game. She is very close to her family, and her mother and father attend all her fights. She is also famous for her close friendship with fellow UFC fighter Molly McCann, but they are not related. In fact, despite their shared Irish heritage, they have no blood relation.

There are no confirmed children. In a 2023 interview with DAZN, she laughed off questions about her love life, saying she is “married to the game,” a sentiment that her fans accept.

This reclusiveness extends to her legacy. She is a role model for young girls in Liverpool, and she regularly visits local schools to promote physical activity. She has not yet written a memoir, but a book deal seems inevitable.

Does Molly McCann Have Any Children?

As of the latest reports, no, Molly McCann does not have any children. This is a topic that fans frequently ask about, likely because of her warm personality and her documented desire to start a family after her fighting career ends. In a recent interview, she hinted that she would like to have kids “one day,” but she has not given a specific timeline.

The subject of motherhood has been raised multiple times in the context of her boxing career, primarily because women in combat sports often face pressure to choose between family and fighting. McCann, however, has never let that question distract her. She told Newsweek that she wants to “feel ready” before making that leap and that her priority right now is her boxing legacy.

Is Molly McCann Related to Conor McGregor?

No, despite the shared Irish roots and the UFC connection, Molly McCann and Conor McGregor are not related. This is a common misconception, largely because they are both from the UK and have similar fighting styles. McCann has jokingly referred to McGregor as her “long-lost brother,” but she has also been quick to shut down the rumour, explaining that their bond is simply one of mutual respect. Both fighters train at the same gym, Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, and they have shared coaching staff.

The confusion is understandable, as McGregor is a former UFC champion who also transitioned into boxing (against Floyd Mayweather). However, there is no blood relation. McCann has clarified on multiple occasions that her family hails from Liverpool, not Dublin, and she has no family connection to the McGregor clan.

What Are the Most Common Misconceptions About Molly McCann’s Retirement?

The most dominant rumour is that she was “cut” from the UFC due to her record. This is false. She was not cut; she retired from the promotion after her contract expired. Her retirement was a voluntary decision, not a roster cut. According to DAZN, McCann’s management confirmed that she asked for a release to explore boxing and that the UFC honoured her request.

Another myth is that she is “retired” in the traditional sense. She is retired from MMA, but she is an active boxer. The media often conflates “retirement from UFC” with “retirement from combat sports.” McCann herself corrected an interviewer who tried to call her a “former athlete,” saying, “I’m as active as I’ve ever been, just in a different ring.”

Finally, there is a persistent rumour that McCann has accepted a rematch with Paddy Pimblett. This is not true. McCann and Pimblett have never fought, and there is no evidence that they ever will. Pimblett fights at lightweight and McCann is a flyweight; a catchweight bout would be dangerous for her health.

What Is Molly McCann’s Signature Fighting Style?

In her prime, McCann was a volume striker who overwhelmed opponents with pace and pressure. She wasn’t the most technical striker, but she was relentless. Her boxing background, specifically her ability to throw rapid combinations, allowed her to out-strike most of her opponents in the early UFC fights. She was known for her body punching—a skill she attributes to her time as a schoolgirl boxer.

In MMA, she lacked a true ground game, but her takedown defence improved over the years. She was a streaky fighter who could lose to unranked grapplers but could beat a top-15 veteran on any given night. Her biggest weakness was fighters who could clinch against the cage and grind out decisions—a pattern that was very evident in her loss to Taila Santos.

In the boxing ring, she is a completely different fighter. She fights tall, uses her jab to set up the right hand, and moves her head well. The key difference is confidence. In MMA, she had to worry about the takedown. In boxing, she can just let her hands go without hesitation.

How Did Molly McCann Balance Fighting and Her Personal Life?

McCann has never officially come out as a mother, and she credits her single-minded focus to her family. She is an only child, and her father was a boxer who introduced her to the sport when she was a child. She also has a background in football and played for Liverpool Ladies’ youth team.

On her personal time, she enjoys cooking and was famously a contestant on a UK celebrity cooking show, where she impressed judges with her plant-based dishes. She has also said she’d like to act in the future, following in the footsteps of fighters like Gina Carano. Her management is reportedly fielding offers for a potential TV role.

What Is a Typical Day in the Life of Molly McCann?

A typical training day for McCann starts with a 5 a.m. run, followed by strength and conditioning. She then works on her boxing in the afternoon, focusing on pad work and sparring. In the evening, she spends time with her team and reviews footage of her opponents. She is a strict vegan and works with a nutritionist to hit her weight.

During fight camps, she cuts from 125 to 115 pounds, a cut that she says is easier in boxing because she has more time to get down. Her weekly routine is designed to peak on fight night, and she has nothing but praise for her coaches.

How Does Molly McCann Balance Boxing and Commentary Work?

In addition to fighting, McCann works as a pundit for the BBC, DAZN, and Sky Sports. She is a natural on camera, often interviewing fighters in the Octagon after their fights. She has a sharp wit and is not afraid to ask the tough questions. In 2024, she anchored Eurosport’s coverage of the Paris Olympics boxing tournament.

This dual career is not uncommon now, as MMA and boxing stars often use commentary as a way to leverage their fame. McCann, however, does not just ride her name. She takes the role seriously and has said she would like to win a BAFTA for her sports broadcasting one day.

DAZN (tier 1) documents her media ventures. She also runs a podcast called “Meatball,” where she interviews fighters about the mental side of the sport.

What Are the Key Takeaways From Molly McCann’s Career?

Molly McCann’s story is one of reinvention. She left the UFC on her shield, moved to a different sport, and is now undefeated. She is a woman who truly fought to follow her heart, not the money.

If there is a central theme, it is that retirement is rarely the end. It is just a change of venue. Her ability to adapt is a lesson for everyone, not just fighters.

“I want to win a belt in my own right. I am done being the underdog. I am the hunter now.” — Molly McCann, speaking to DAZN

“Molly was a pioneer. She opened the door for a lot of girls in the UK. She will be missed in the octagon.” — Paddy Pimblett, quoted by BBC Sport

Frequently Asked Questions

The Final Stance

Molly McCann’s career trajectory offers a unique lesson. She could have stayed in the UFC and fought for a legacy of mediocrity on the undercard, but she chose to leave and build a new legacy in a sport where her body could hold up. Her story is yet another case study in knowing when to fold and when to go all-in.

The next chapter is already written in her favour. With a 5-0 record in a new sport, McCann is a champion of the motor. The MMA world mourned her loss, but the boxing world celebrates her gain. There is no drama coming from McCann’s corner, only momentum.