- McCann announced that her UFC career was over after defeat on Saturday
- She debuted in 2018, enjoying success alongside close friend Pimblett along way
- Pair met in 2013 when they started training at Liverpool’s Next Generation MMA
Paddy Pimblett has written a heartfelt message to his great friend Molly McCann after she announced her retirement at UFC London on Saturday night.
McCann, who is from Liverpool, went out with a fight in her home country at the O2 Arena.
She was able to make it a victorious farewell, however, as she tapped out to debutant Alexia Thainara in the first round.
The Everton supporter, who won over fans due to the heart-on-the-sleeve nature of her performances and heartwarming friendship with fellow Liverpudlian UFC star Pimblett, fought a total of 14 times in the promotion.
She won seven of those bouts, the most recent coming in February last year before back-to-back defeats by Bruna Brasil and Thainara.
And Pimblett has taken to Instagram to pay tribute to both her career and their friendship.
McCann announced should would be hanging up her gloves at UFC London on Saturday
‘Heartbreaking night last night watching my big sister retire,’ he wrote alongside a series of photos. ‘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.’
After the fight, an emotional McCann taking to the microphone as she said: ‘Thank you and good night, UFC’.
She added: ‘UFC, Dana, Gunther, Mick, f***ing hell, all of you. I started this sport at 24, I walked into that gym with these three boys and I have given you all my f***ing heart and soul.
‘But tonight, with that performance with someone on a week notice, it’s not good enough, I’m not coming in here just for the pay day.
‘The UFC deserves more, I deserve more, and you all deserve more. So from this little girl from Norris Green who has got to fight in these arenas, thank you so f***ing much.
The two Liverpudlians have been great friends since they started training together in 2013
‘To the little girls at home, look at me, look what I managed to do, just two hands and two elbows and I had a good go.
‘UFC Europe, UFC PI, the UFC, thank you so much, and Dana, if you ever need an ambassador to fly around Europe, I’m good on the ale.’
‘Meatball’ Molly had vowed to showcase a refined, mature performance against short-notice opponent Thainara, who she said has ‘flown across the world to take her head off.’