Molly McCann has had a bit of {hardware} wrapped round her waist earlier than, and he or she’d love to recollect what it appears like.
To do it on the highest degree within the UFC, versus the belt she gained for Cage Warriors in 2018, the Liverpudlian suspects she’s received somewhat work forward of her – work she stated she’s ready to begin subsequent week with a house sport at UFC 304.
McCann (14-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC), a former flyweight, could have her second UFC bout at strawweight towards Bruna Brasil (9-4-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, subsequent Saturday. Her divisional debut couldn’t have gone a lot better – she tapped Diana Belbita with one second left within the opening spherical with a bonus-winning armbar.
McCann is a couple of 3-1 betting favourite, however stated she is aware of Brasil is harmful based mostly on her win a yr in the past over McCann teammate Shauna Bannon.
“She’s harmful. She’s received good finishes. She’s an all-’rounder. Hanging is her sport,” McCann lately advised MMA Junkie. “I’ve educated for her like she’s the toughest opponent I’ve ever confronted. She’s evasive. I prefer to combat Brazilians, and so they prefer to combat me.
“A combat is a combat and it could actually go any which means. If the combat goes the way in which that we’ve ready and deliberate for, and if I execute the sport plan, it’s an excellent night time for Molly McCann. If Bruna Brasil reveals up somewhat bit totally different, it’d take somewhat bit extra time to determine. I ready for 3 (rounds) of struggle, and if I can get it performed inside that point, comfortable f*cking days.”
These “comfortable f*cking days” finally will flip into title rivalry if McCann has her means. After back-to-back spinning again elbow bonus-winning finishes in 2022, McCann hit a skid with consecutive submission losses to Erin Blanchfield and Julija Stoliarenko.
The sting of two straight setbacks helped usher in a stay-busy grappling match at Polaris 26, and the armbar there was predictive of her February submission of Belbita.
“I keep energetic exterior of combat camps,” McCann stated. “I do jiu-jitsu competitions. I preserve evolving. I can get to the highest 5 now, however my grappling and my MMA fashion has to maintain evolving to beat the highest 5 women. A combat’s a combat – I may nonetheless chin considered one of them; they may chin me. I may sub considered one of them; they may sub me.”
Now that she’s at 115 kilos, McCann has to place a proverbial goal on the again of Chinese language champion Zhang Weili, however the weight class is a luxurious of riches in relation to top-shelf ladies’s fighters.
To wit, McCann has finishes in her most up-to-date three wins, all for post-fight bonuses, and he or she and Brasil each sit exterior the highest 15.
“The strawweight division’s good. Even watching Tecia (Pennington towards Tabatha Ricci) the opposite month – you’ve received an OG there who’s been out of the sport, had a toddler. You’ve received an up-and-coming prospect. I like each women. I feel the choice was flawed. However you take a look at that and also you suppose, ‘Oh my God, it’s truthful sport. Anybody who needs to convey it – you watch Gillian Robertson and Michelle Waterson – anybody who needs to convey it’s bringing it.
“I find it irresistible. I like how respectful this division is. I feel this division is a extremely respectful division. I don’t suppose there’s a lot bravado right here. It’s like Assassin’s Row. Head down. I’ve solely received just a few hours left, a fights left, and I really feel like I’m actually coming into my (combating) IQ prime.”
McCann stated she’s halfway by way of her present UFC deal. At 34, she may not be interested by retirement but, however possible is nearer to hanging up the gloves than she is to the beginning of her profession.
And like just about everybody in her occupation, she’s received these title aspirations nonetheless, and in addition aspirations for when she walks away.
“I’ve received an eight-fight deal. There’ are 4 fights left,” McCann stated. “I’d prefer to stand up there in them, after which the dream would to be win a world title after which simply retire and have youngsters. My journey’s not f*cking like that, however we’ll see.”
UFC 304 (pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+) takes place July 27 at Co-op Dwell in Manchester.
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