Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn, has announced the addition of a new athlete who previously rose to prominence in the UFC. Hearn has long admired Dana White and the UFC organization, and now one of the leading MMA promotion`s former competitors has joined his stable.
Significant interaction between the UFC and boxing is anticipated in the near future, with Dana White himself set to promote a major boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. As Hearn navigates potential collaborations or rivalries with White, recent news reveals another fighter making the transition from the Octagon to the boxing ring.
While many former UFC athletes, including notable names like Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz, have ventured into boxing after retiring from MMA, this latest move was still unexpected.
Molly McCann Joins Eddie Hearn`s Matchroom Boxing Roster
The announcement was made during a live episode of `Small Talk`, following the press conference for the Jack Catterall vs Harlem Eubank fight, where both Eddie Hearn and Molly McCann appeared. Hearn officially revealed that McCann has signed with Matchroom Boxing to launch a new career path after stepping away from MMA in March.
McCann competed 14 times in the Octagon since her debut in May 2018, creating memorable moments throughout her UFC tenure alongside her close friend and teammate, Paddy Pimblett.
Known as `Meatball`, she announced her retirement this past March following consecutive losses, delivering an emotional farewell to the fans at the O2 Arena in London.
Eddie Hearn expressed his delight about the signing, stating that McCann`s move to boxing was “about time” given her background as a former ABA champion and well-recognized boxing skills. He highlighted her significant stardom and global fanbase built in the UFC, noting that Matchroom is thrilled to embark on this journey with her, anticipating major fight nights around the world. Hearn praised her as a “great person, great fighter” and looked forward to her “boxing journey” officially beginning.
Molly McCann`s Post-Fight Comments After Her Final UFC Bout
Her last UFC fight in March saw her suffer her 7th promotional defeat, a first-round submission loss to Alexia Thainara. In her post-fight retirement speech inside the Octagon, McCann explained she was leaving the UFC because, following a series of challenging results, she felt the promotion “deserved more” from her performances.
McCann stated that her performance wasn`t sufficient and that she wasn`t just competing for a payday. She felt the UFC, herself, and the fans deserved better results. She reflected on her journey from Norris Green, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to fight in large arenas and encouraging young girls to see what she achieved through dedication.
It`s worth noting that McCann possesses amateur boxing experience and also had a professional football career with Liverpool that was cut short by injury.
Jack Thornley