Liverpool’s sweetheart and fan favorite, Molly McCann didn’t have the fairytale return to the O2 Area like she hoped. Trying to bounce again from a first-round submission loss to high contender, Erin Blanchfield in New York final November, McCann took on Julija Stoliarenko within the UFC London co-main occasion.
Sadly for Meatball, it didn’t go her method and her successful streak in London’s O2 Area was snapped by Lithuania’s, Storliarenko. Having beforehand gone 3-0 within the nation’s capital (together with back-to-back spinning again elbow finishes), McCann was seeking to get again within the win column, nevertheless, it wasn’t to be.
Taking over a weight-class newcomer in Stoliarenko, McCann started nicely. She appeared to sting her opponent with straight pictures, was capable of finding her distance nicely, nevertheless, it might look like futile.
The previous bantamweight landed a robust takedown on the flyweight McCann after a giant overswing from Liverpool’s personal. Because the takedown was landed, McCann all however gave up her again and it appeared that Storliarenko was ready to lock within the rear-naked choke. She obtained the physique triangle with ease, nearly progressing to full mount shortly. McCann rolled to her entrance to keep away from the place, nevertheless, her opponent was capable of isolate an arm and lock within the armbar end.
Julija Stoliarenko faucets Molly McCann within the first spherical#UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/4PpKQ2cQvo
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) July 22, 2023
What’s Subsequent for Meatball?
After her second straight first-round submission end, McCann is actually at a crossroads in her profession. There’s a transparent gap in her recreation, her grappling and submission defence. We all know she’s labored rather a lot on her floor recreation at Subsequent Technology, her gymnasium in Liverpool, nevertheless, it seems to not be sufficient simply but.
We’ve seen her endure two straight losses beforehand within the UFC again in 2020/2021, nevertheless, that was when she was far youthful. She’s now 33 and seems as distant from a ranked opponent as she’s ever been.
Who’s subsequent for McCann? Properly, it seems to be as if her arm could also be injured following a deep armbar and late break-up of the submission final night time. She’ll doubtless take a while away to rehab the damage and look to return early subsequent yr.
At this level, the English pioneer wants enjoyable fights. A Joanne Wooden combat may very well be a enjoyable one. Neither lady would look to take the combat to the ground and it might doubtless play out on the toes. Likewise, Antonia Shevchenko makes plenty of sense. Each ladies are recognisable names, benefit from the stand-up recreation and are distant from a ranked opponent. Shevchenko is 3-4 in her final seven, as is McCann, so it logically is sensible.
No matter is subsequent for McCann, we all know Dana White likes her so don’t anticipate her to be reduce from the roster but.
