Molly McCann`s MMA career has come to an end after a submission loss to Alexia Thainara at UFC London. Thainara, a late replacement, made a strong first impression in the UFC.
Thainara quickly took McCann down and secured a rear-naked choke in the first round, forcing McCann to tap out. Immediately after the fight, Thainara celebrated her victory, and McCann removed her gloves and announced her retirement to the London crowd.
In an emotional speech, McCann expressed her love for the UFC, Dana White, Hunter Campbell, and Mick Maynard. She felt she wasn`t performing at the level she or the UFC deserved and decided to step away from the sport.
McCann retires with a record of 14 wins and 8 losses, including a 7-7 record in the UFC. Her teammate Paddy Pimblett was visibly moved by her retirement announcement.
Thainara`s UFC debut was certainly impactful. She successfully took McCann down early in the fight, although McCann defended well with elbows from the bottom position.
Despite McCann`s initial defense, Thainara advanced her position, moved to side control, and then took McCann`s back. She initially attempted a rear-naked choke, but McCann managed to defend it.
Moments later, Thainara adjusted her grip and locked in the rear-naked choke more effectively, leading to McCann`s tap out. This victory marks a successful start for Thainara in the UFC, while it signifies the end of McCann`s journey in the sport.
After her win, Thainara confidently stated, “This is Alexia delivery. The UFC has the best matchmakers. I came, I saw, I delivered.”
