Molly McCann: UFC Star Turns Professional Boxer with Eddie Hearn

Molly McCann Jumps to Professional Boxing with Matchroom

Former UFC star Molly McCann has announced her foray into professional boxing and has signed with Matchroom, Eddie Hearn’s promoter. McCann retired from MMA in March after her loss to Alexia Thainara at UFC London, her fourth loss in five fights. The 35-year-old wrestler, who was a fan favorite in the UK and provided several memorable moments, will continue her career in the ring instead of the octagon. McCann is expected to fight in the bantamweight category, as Hearn announced on Thursday.

This was always the dream.

Molly McCann

“As everyone knows, I’ve boxed before. My weight wasn’t added to the Olympics and the only other option was MMA. MMA has given me a phenomenal life, one that boxing could never give me, but my love was always in the ring.”

“I’m looking forward to fighting, just to show everyone the boxing pedigree I have. People will probably think I’m going to run and try to knock them out, and that’s right! That’s what I’m going to do. But in a polite way.” “Women’s boxing is at a turning point, it’s a crucial moment in the sport and I think there was only one place I was going to go. There were offers from everywhere, but I sent Eddie a little message and said: ‘better the devil you know’.” Hearn stated that he trusted McCann’s boxing ability after so long fighting in MMA.

She’s really a boxer first. She has a phenomenal amateur pedigree, she’s won championships.

Eddie Hearn

«You see many fighters trying to switch from the UFC to boxing because they have already built their brand, but with all due respect, they are not really elite in the discipline.» “The most important thing is to be active… Keep building her boxing brand now. It’s the first time I’ve worked with a fighter who is a kind of superstar before she’s had a fight.”