McCann retires after first-round defeat at UFC London

After being submitted by Alexia Thainara in the first round at UFC London, Liverpool’s Molly McCann has announced her retirement.

After being taken down before succumbing to a rear naked choke, McCann, 34, was outworking on the floor.

She leaves the sport after winning 14 of her 22 fights in a 10-year career.

I started playing football at age 24 and have given you my full heart and soul. With that performance coming on a week’s notice, tonight’s performance is insufficient, according to McCann.

Look at me, look at what I’ve accomplished, from a young Norris Green fighter in an arena.

While Thainara from Brazil made her UFC debut, McCann was struggling to recover from her defeat by Bruna Brasil in July.

The contrasts between the walkouts were stark, with McCann displaying typical focus and intensity while Thainara enthusiastically jiving her way to the top.

Before Thainara secured the first takedown of the match, the pair exchanged lefts and rights, which turned out to be the pivotal moment.

McCann was outworked on the floor before getting a rear naked choke, which was unsuccessful as the crowd made a string of “Molly” chants to rouse her.

As stablemate Paddy Pimblett looked on with tears in his eyes as an emotional McCann removed her gloves, which typically indicates retirement.