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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

Molly McCann explains how watching Ronda Rousey put her on path to UFC glory

UFC flyweight Molly McCann aims to become a world champion and then turn her hand to punditry - having been inspired by Ronda Rousey.

McCann detailed her ambitions in 'Meatball Molly', a documentary that tells the story of her combat sports career so far, a journey that has led her to become the first English female to win a UFC fight.

The film - which will air next month on BT Sport - also explores how McCann battled through mental health struggles to become one of the many top fighters to emerge from Next Generation MMA in Liverpool.

'Meatball' is set to return to the octagon against Luana Carolina on March 19 at the UFC's first event in London since 2019.

And McCann wants her career to be similar to that of Michael Bisping, who won the UFC middleweight title before retiring and becoming a commentator.

"I have always wanted to be a world champion and emulate the likes of Mike Bisping - a northern man," McCann said.

"I really want to show what English MMA and what women can do over here and make a blueprint for little girls or young women or even men to follow and think 'I can do that.'

“When I leave the UFC. I would like people to know that with every step, with every punch, and every breath that I took, I gave everything I could to win t o do me team proud, to do me city and country proud.

“I really want to be a pundit. So I want to be literally the female Mike Bisping. But I won't be speaking like him doing his mad “Er's” thinking he's a little yank. I'll stay true to being a scouser.”

Can Molly McCann become a UFC champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

McCann took up boxing before transitioning to MMA and even won a National Amateur Championship.

After watching women's MMA pioneer Rousey compete, McCann ditched her degree at university and starting training MMA full time.

“This is the woman who didn't look like a fighter didn't talk like a fighter. She got men talking about females fighting in combat sports," she added.

"I send an email to Paul Rimmer [her current coach]: ‘What’s happening Paul, it’s me Molly. I want to be like that Ronda Rousey and I want to win a world title in the Echo [Arena].’ I never went back to university again. I just started full time training with the pros.”

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

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