Molly McCann’s remarkable journey from payday loans to smashing it in the UFC

There were times when I just thought, ‘What the f*** is life worth living for?’

Molly McCann cuts a forlorn figure as she remembers what life was like less than a decade ago.

And it’s not that surprising given how far she’s come – from serving sandwiches to being a star of the octagon.

The 32-year-old recently secured a second successive UFC London win in four months, a thunderous spinning back elbow sending American Hannah Goldy to the deck.

The victory catapulted McCann to global stardom, earning plaudits from hip-hop artist Drake, The Rock and UFC president Dana White – an infamously stubborn character.

“St. Patrick’s Day 2013, I was serving sandwiches in a sandwich shop. I was literally working in Subway,” McCann, who also worked two bar jobs in Liverpool to support her studies, recalls.

The fighter’s former job in the sandwich chain is the inspiration behind her nickname, ‘Meatball’.

Born and brought up on the Norris Green housing estate, an area plagued by poverty and gang crime, McCann admits she “had to get Wonga loans” because she didn’t qualify for student finance.

Despite the obstacles in her path, McCann nevertheless graduated from Liverpool John Moores University, one of the UK’s most prestigious sporting institutions, with a degree in physical education.

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She worked as a personal trainer after graduating, but this was put on hold – as was her burgeoning fight career – when her father was diagnosed with cancer.

McCann told JOE: “There were times when I just thought, ‘What the f*** is life worth living for?’

“I was nursing my dad and I had to take a break when he passed away.”

McCann first fought professionally for promotions Shock ‘n’ Awe and Cage Warriors, but says she lost more money than she actually made from competing.

She recalls being disappointed with the £5000 prize money dished out for winning her first title, the Cage Warriors Flyweight Championship.

“I thought, ‘am I ever going to get to that point? Is it worth it?'”

Six straight wins paved the way for her move to the UFC in 2018, but her time with the biggest promotion on the planet has also not been without its struggles.

McCann lost on her UFC debut to Gillian Robertson and has since been beaten twice. Losses in 2020 and 2021 amidst the coronavirus pandemic left her future uncertain.

However, McCann fought back to defeat Ji Yong Kim in September 2021 on fellow Liverpudlian Darren Till’s undercard, before winning twice this year at UFC London.

Key to McCann’s growing fame has been the manner in which she won her last two fights.

Both Goldy and Luana Carolina were decked with a spinning back elbow, the sort of finish that lends itself easily to social media virality and catch the attention of A-listers like The Rock.

ANOTHER spinning elbow for the collection! 💥

Watch that @MeatballMolly knockout at #UFCLondon via @BTSportUFC ⤵️pic.twitter.com/s1vyH6D6S0

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 24, 2022

The actor and WWE icon shared footage of McCann’s win over Goldy on his social media platforms, drawing comparisons to his own legendary People’s Elbow finisher.

“It’s just mad,” McCann says, “I keep looking back at all the messages.”

She acknowledges the impact her style of fighting has had on her popularity.

“Within the space of four months, I’ve done two spinning back elbow finishes. There have only been five in combat sports history and I’ve done two.”

Becoming a UFC superstar is not without its setbacks, however.

“I’ve not really left the house with anxiety because of how much life’s changed and how different people are being.

“It’s gone from people just asking, ‘hiya, you alright?’ to them running up and screaming or passing me their babies to take pictures with. It’s a mad place to be, when you’re not used to that kind of moment.”

McCann has earmarked Valentina Shevchenko – the pound-for-pound greatest female fighter in the UFC and the current flyweight champion – as her ultimate conquest.

Shevchenko has been described by fellow Brit Tom Aspinall as the best all-rounder in the UFC, and McCann admits there’s still work to do before she reaches that level.

Speaking in the wake of her win over Goldy, McCann views Valentina’s sister Antonina as a more realistic prospect in the immediacy.

“I never call anyone out, that’s not for me to do,” she said.

“But when you talk about legacy, prestige, honour, who’s the best in the game? It’s Valentina. Am I Valentina-ready yet? No, come on. Am I Antonina-ready? Let’s see. I believe I am.

“This isn’t a diss, but I genuinely think this is an amazing fight to have and I know if they do one fight camp for me, if I ever make it to Shevchenko they’ll have the blueprint. But I’ll also have the blueprint because I’ll know how to beat her sister. So with the greatest respect, I’ve said her name because I think she’s the best.”

McCann may have to get a few more wins under her belt before chancing her hand at the champ, but MMA is ultimately an entertainment business.

Fighters with the biggest fanbases are increasingly holding more sway, and this could prove pivotal in McCann’s rise to the top.

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