Paddy Pimblett deeply respects Molly “Meatball” McCann.
McCann, Pimblett`s good friend and fellow fighter from Liverpool, announced her retirement from MMA after losing to Alexia Thainara at UFC London. Addressing the London crowd, the 34-year-old McCann expressed that her performance wasn`t up to par, stating that the UFC, the fans, and she herself deserved better, before saying goodnight.
The day after, Pimblett shared a touching message for McCann, celebrating her achievements.
“A heartbreaking night watching my big sister retire,” Pimblett shared on Instagram. “I’ve been by her side from the beginning and always will be. While her fighting career is over, our friendship is far from ending. It’s a lifelong bond.”
McCann`s professional MMA record stands at 14 wins and 8 losses since her debut in May 2015. In 2018, she became Cage Warriors women’s flyweight champion, which paved the way for her UFC contract. Her UFC career included periods of success, including two three-fight winning streaks, but she often faced challenges against top-ranked opponents in the flyweight division. Despite this, she was a beloved fighter in the UK, becoming the first English woman to win a UFC fight when she defeated Priscila Cachoeira at UFC London in 2019.
She is also famously known for her consecutive spinning back elbow knockouts against Hannah Goldy and Luana Carolina. McCann has lost four of her last five fights, including three at strawweight, and concluded her UFC run with a 7-7 record.
Pimblett’s original message is shown 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 ❤️
