Molly McCann promises to carry on "changing kid's lives" in her city of Liverpool - a place the UFC star holds so close to heart, but also a place still reeling after the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The proud Merseysider, and anti-gun campaigner, spoke exclusively to the ECHO about the initiative Weapons Down, Gloves Up; a scheme that helps provide young people with a chance in life when maybe they thought all was lost. McCann does everything she can to "give kids a chance" besides training for her UFC fights.
After the horrific murder of nine-year-old Olivia, Merseyside police have cracked down on crime in the city as more than 30 arrests have been made to combat organised crime.
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McCann, along with former boxing world champion Tony Bellew, have been taking in young people aged 16 to 24 and giving them the chance to be employed full-time - so far 100% of the participants have passed the course and are now in employment.
The arrests follow the fatal shooting of Olivia in her own home, as well as 22-year-old Sam Rimmer and 28-year-old Ashley Dale, who were all killed over the course of a week in what has been an awful time for the city of Liverpool.
McCann, who fights at Madison Square Garden in November, believes it "sometimes takes a tragedy" for people to really realise what is going on with gang related crimes on the up.
The 32-year-old told the ECHO: "Sometimes it takes such a tragedy to realise what's actually going on. The proof is in the pudding, the numbers are there, we are changing kids' lives. We're not just out here to put kids on the wrong side of the tracks or in these rough situations. We're helping people aged 16-24 as long as they're willing to come and learn and get stuck in then you will get a full time job.
"All these kids have to do is apply themselves. The kids come in the gym and meet us and then me and the likes of Tony Bellew are coaching them, they walk out and they're inflated. They come in deflated and anxious or really cocky and then after a couple of hours they open up and we build trust. We keep their trust. Sometimes they aren't used to patience and accountability, but that's what we're here to do."
Born and raised in Norris Green, McCann always remembers her mother's saying of: "Who are you fighting for?" McCann has been using her profile to raise awareness for Weapons Down, Gloves Up, with every UFC victory an opportunity to spread the message even further.
"I've been doing this for well over a year now and in that time my profile has gone through the roof. I just feel that if anyone does any research on me from the beginning of time, all you'll find is I was coaching and helping people come off substance addiction," McCann added.
"My mum always said: "Who are you fighting for?" and it's always been this city, it's always about that. Sport and martial arts saved my life, it gave me a purpose and a routine. Nothing was given to me, I had to fight for it all. I am from Norris Green, I grew up boxing and playing football.
"I grew up in the Rhys Jones era when it wasn't a safe place to be walking around - you wouldn't go out at night. I know exactly how the kids are feeling right now and I've come through the other side and I want to be able to show them they can do exactly what I've done."
With McCann's following on social media always growing, she decided it was time to reach out to her community to help spread the word of Weapons Down, Gloves Up following the murder of Olivia and this is her final message.
"If I can say anything to the community then all I need to say is: "To the parents, to the guardians and to anyone who is watching the next generation, they're struggling and if their futures are bleak then send them to us and let us give them the opportunity that we will take."
