Molly McCann wins her pro grappling debut at Polaris 26 after submitting her opponent with an armbar… before emotional UFC star admits struggles with online hate in post-fight speech

• UFC star Molly McCann made her pro grappling debut during Polaris 26 
• ‘Meatball’ won via an armbar before delivering an emotional post-fight speech 
• Listen to Mail Sport’s new boxing podcast THE HOOK – with exclusive interviews 

UFC star Molly McCann recorded an impressive win in her pro grappling debut before delivering an emotional post-fight speech about her recent battles with online hate. 

McCann, who boasts a professional mixed martial arts record of 13-6, made her grappling debut at Polaris 26 in Southampton on Saturday night, where she took on fellow British MMA star Julia Scardone.

During the bout, ‘Meatball’ locked in an armbar on her opponent to secure the win, with nearly eight minutes remaining in their fight. 

Afterwards, the Liverpudlian fighter delivered an emotional post-fight speech which reflected on recent online hate she’s received following her back-to-back UFC defeats.

‘I’m being a bit emotional because I’ve been rinsed alive because of my last two fights in the UFC,’ McCann said. 

Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann secured a win in her pro grappling debut at Polaris 26 on Saturday

The UFC star forced her opponent, Julia Scardone, to tap after locking an armbar

‘I’m sorry for being emotional but it’s hard to take on the chin every day and silence [my critics]. 

‘I’ve just come here at the mercy of everyone online to do something I’m not that great at, or people think I’m not that great at. But here we are, I’ve got a win.’ 

McCann has fallen to back-to-back defeats in the UFC after losing via submission against both Erin Blanchfield and Julija Stoliarenko in the flyweight division. 

Both losses came within the first round of the fight, leading fans to call in to question McCann’s grappling skills. 

The 33-year-old is expected to return to the UFC at the start of 2024 and already teased fans with an update regarding her potential return. 

Taking to Instagram at the start of the month, McCann wrote: ‘Contract signed, redemption time’. 

In July, McCann suffered a brutal first-round defeat to Julija Stoliarenko during UFC London’s co-main event.

‘Meatball’ was forced to tap within two minutes of the fight after her Lithuanian counterpart locked in an armbar in-front of a packed out O2 Arena. 

It was a disappointing defeat for McCann, who hardly got a chance to show off her impressive striking ability during the bout. 

McCann has suffered back-to-back submission defeats in our last two UFC outings

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