UFC star Molly McCann admits frustration with flyweight rankings and reveals three options for London show

McCann made it three wins on the bounce after beating Diana Belbita in Boston.
AP
Tony Mogan1 November 2019

Molly McCann has her eye firmly on a spot on the UFC London card next year as she looks to force her way up the flyweight rankings – having been left cut adrift despite her sensational 2019.

After falling short on her UFC debut in May 2018, McCann is now on a three-fight winning streak, sealing a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Diana Belbita in Boston on October 18 – her third outing in eight months.

That run has helped establish the Liverpudlian as England’s biggest name among the female divisions in UFC with fans clamouring for ‘Meatball’ to take on the best the flyweight ranks have to offer.

She told Standard Sport: “I feel like when you talk about UFC in England, Darren Till is the first person (people talk about). I feel like I am now top three, mixing it with the men. I think that’s because of my fighting style. Maybe if I was a boy, people might not be talking about me as much. But I think England is proud.”

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For now, however, McCann is unranked in the top 15. While she is focused on improving her ever-developing grappling game alongside her already stylish striking, and taking each challenge as it comes, a slow climb has been frustrating.

“I can’t comment too much because I don’t want to look ungrateful or like a spoiled brat,” the 29-year-old continued. “I would like to be in the top 15 but I don’t know what I need to do to break through. I thought that was warranted. I’m sure with what one more win I should get a big jump.”

Barber's star is rising quickly in UFC.
Getty Images

Maycee Barber, widely regarded as the brightest female prospect in UFC at just 20, has made the jump already, moving into 10th after battering Gillian Robertson in October. That was just her third UFC fight – the first coming at strawweight before moving up to 125lbs.

Paige VanZant also remains above her. The American is ranked 15th having fought just once this year – a victory that snapped a two-fight losing streak.

VanZant recently called out the entire women’s flyweight and strawweight division on Instagram – all with the exception of Barber, who has been chasing a fight with ’12 Gauge’ in recent months, describing her as ‘easy money’.

VanZant also above McCann in the flyweight rankings.
Getty Images

McCann has kept a back seat amid the callouts and trash-talking. While a little perplexed by Barber’s rapid rise, she is happy to bide her time.

“I don’t know how that works,” McCann said of names like Barber rising so quickly.

“I just think she [Barber] is a mouth. When I met her she didn’t say nothing to me. The whole of the Internet has been saying ‘shut up about fighting Paige and fight Molly’. And she hasn’t mentioned me. They have a plan for her, her management is smart. And I learned on my first fight you don’t need to call people out, I don’t need to do anything other than perform and fight.

“I’ve got three fights left on this contract and I’m flying. When the time comes for me to fight a higher ranked opponent I’m sure I’ll get a higher ranked opponent.

“It is what it is. It’s frustrating, but I’m three wins on the bounce, I’m happy where I’m at.”

McCann believes her next fight will take place at UFC London, with the promotion likely to return to the capital in March. On the London show earlier this year, she sparked her winning run with a victory over Priscila Cachoeira on the prelim show - but having seen her profile grow considerably since then – she is hopeful of climbing up the card.

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“I would like to open up the main card. UFC appreciate how I handle myself inside and outside the cage, I’m doing them a solid, they’re doing me a solid so it makes sense for them to put me on the London card. I can’t see why not.”

While Barber and VanZant are among the names being banded around, McCann revealed she is in talks with UFC officials over three possible opponents – each one with their own twist.

“I’ve asked for three fights, one fight that’s a risk, one that’s revenge, and one that’s a more well known fight. I’ve given them someone who styles matches well, she’s my kryptonite and I’m her kryptonite. We’ve got one who has previously beaten me in a previous organisation and has just been signed to UFC so that my revenge. And we’ve got one who’s well known, a really good fight and more marketable. No one is easy, whatever the UFC chooses, we’ll go from there.”

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