Paddy Pimblett has nothing but respect for “Meatball.”
Molly McCann, Pimblett’s close friend and fellow Liverpudlian fighter, announced her retirement from MMA competition Saturday following a swift submission loss to Alexia Thainara at UFC London. The 34-year-old told an appreciative London crowd, “It’s not good enough. The UFC deserves more. I deserve more. You all deserve more. Thank you and good night, UFC.”
On Sunday, Pimblett posted a heartfelt message to McCann, praising her accomplishments.
“Heartbreaking night last night watching my big sister retire,” Pimblett wrote on Instagram. “Been there with her from the start and will always be there. This may be the end of her fighting career, but it’s far from the end of mine and her friendship. That’s ‘til death do us part.”
McCann compiled a 14-8 record as a pro fighter since debuting in May 2015. She became the first Cage Warriors women’s flyweight champion in 2018, which led to a UFC signing. McCann saw starts and stops from there, twice putting together three-fight win streaks, but also regularly falling short against the best of the 125-pound division. Regardless, she remained a popular fighter in her home country and was the first woman from England to earn a UFC victory when she defeated Priscila Cachoeira at a UFC London event in 2019.
She is also best remembered for scoring back-to-beck spinning back elbow knockouts of Hannah Goldy and Luana Carolina. McCann lost four of her last five fights, including three strawweight appearances, and finished 7-7 in the UFC.
See Pimblett’s unedited statement below.
Heartbreaking night last night watching my big sister retire. Been there with her from the start and will always be there this may be the end of her fighting career but it’s far from the end of mine and her friendship. That’s till death do us part ❤️ UKMMA women’s legend first English woman to get a win in the UFC and has one of the best knockouts in women’s UFC and combat sports history her legacy will live on forever emotional isn’t even the word for last night but even when I was crying the meatball will never fail to make me laugh when she said “haven’t done bad for a lesbo who was working in Subway have I” love u @meatballmolly and always will me big sis ❤️
Pimblett next fights Michael Chandler at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami.
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