Molly McCann has announced several months on from her MMA retirement that she’s returning to combat sports.
On July 3, Eddie Hearn announced that McCann has signed with Matchroom Boxing to begin her professional career in the ring at 35 years old.
The former UFC star announced her retirement from MMA earlier this year with McCann delivering an emotional speech inside the Octagon.
‘Meatball’ fought 14 times inside the Octagon and became a star for the promotion alongside her close friend and teammate, Paddy Pimblett.
As the record-holder for the most post-fight bonuses in UFC women’s flyweight history, McCann isn’t making the switch to boxing just to make up the numbers.
Eddie Hearn predicts that Molly McCann will fight for a world title within the next year
Following Eddie Hearn’s official announcement, Molly McCann spoke about her switch to boxing and what inspired her to make this change in a video for Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.
‘Meatball’, who has boxing experience as an amateur, revealed that stepping inside the ring was her original goal until she was driven towards MMA by an unavoidable hurdle in her career.
“This was always the dream. As everyone knows, I boxed before. My weight didn’t get added to the Olympic Games so the only other option was MMA and MMA has given me a phenomenal life.”
Hearn went on to say that due to the experience that she already has under her belt, both in boxing and in fighting at the highest level in the UFC, he has high hopes for McCann.
He said that the main objective for them right now is to stay active and quickly accumulate more experience before aiming higher.
Hearn made the bold prediction that if everything goes to plan, he believes that McCann will be involved in world title fights within the next year.
“Nice and active. I think we’re looking at somewhere between 6 and 7 fights and then after that, we’re pretty much ready to go. You’re going to see her fighting for a world championship within 12 months I think. Just need that little bit of ring time and I can’t wait.”
Molly McCann reveals that she chose Matchroom Boxing over other options for one reason
During the announcement of her signing, Molly McCann revealed that she had plenty of big offers on the table after departing from the UFC.
McCann’s ambitions in the sport are what convinced her to sign for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, rather than seeking the best financial opportunity.
‘Meatball’ said that her goal is to become a world champion but she’s not expecting to receive any special treatment because she’s turning professional as an already established star.
“I was offered lots of contracts in lots of different places which may have had a lot more money being there but the ultimate goal is to be a world champion and not for some phony promotion. I want to do it legitimately. I want to give the sport of boxing the respect that it deserves… I’ve got to earn my stripes like everyone else.”