Molly McCann thought she might never win again – but £38k bonus saved UFC career

The ecstasy of Molly McCann's Fight of the Night victory over Ji Yeon Kim in September came after the first back-to-back defeats of her career had left Meatball questioning her winning ability.

A late starter in MMA at the age of almost 24, seven wins from her first eight professional bouts was enough to claim the Cage Warriors Flyweight Championship and capture the attention of UFC matchmakers.

Bouncing back from a painful debut defeat in her home city of Liverpool, Meatball, as she is affectionally known by fans, won her next three bouts by unanimous decision.

Riding high into 2020, McCann agreed to take part in a BT Sport Film that would follow every aspect of her life and career – but things didn't immediately go to plan.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport, McCann said: "My life just didn't go the way it was supposed to.

"I lost two fights so the footage ended up being even longer. But I never thought I shouldn't have done it.

"Ultimately, even though it was really painful having the cameras there during the hardest moments of my life, I always wanted something to have to look back on.

"But when I lost two on the bounce, I thought 'f****** hell, am I even going to be able to get a win again?'. "

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The documentary pledges to tell the full story of Molly's journey from troubled beginnings on Merseyside to being the first English female to win in the premier MMA promotion on the eve of her return to the octagon.

The 31-year-old takes on Luana Carolina on a card that is headlined by Tom Aspinall's heavyweight bout against veteran Alexander Volkov – which also includes her Next Generation MMA team-mate and close friend Paddy The Baddy Pimblett.

Although Molly stressed during our interview that she in no way wanted sympathy from viewers of the upcoming film – she hasn't had things easy for many of her 31 years.

Having had a difficult upbringing before turning to MMA, Molly has been open about "running away" from her sexuality having come from a traditionally Catholic background.

She says: "Looking back now, I realise those behaviours were running away from who I was, because I didn't want to be that way.

"But the first time I’d probably accepted myself was at the age of 25."

Now an LGBTQ+ trailblazer and Stonewall Sport Champion, Molly's short story 'Be True To You' has an important message in showing the struggles of someone who is finding their sexuality.

Back in the octagon, Molly's upcoming return to The 02 will provide her with a golden chance to chase down a top 15 ranking with Carolina having won three of her four UFC outings.

She continued: "The motivation is to be the best in the world. The financial security is there to allow me to train and not worry – but until you feel fulfilled as a human, you won't stop.

"Everything that comes alongside fighting is fine but until I've got that belt – I can't stop.

"The goal is to not look past any opponent and to give more than the last camp – which I believe I have done."

BT Sport will premiere Meatball Molly, the latest documentary from BT Sport Films, on BT Sport 2 on Tuesday 15 March at 10:30pm and is available to watch via the BT Sport website and App thereafter.

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