Molly “The Meatball” McCann returns to the O2 Arena in London this Saturday as she faces off against Julija Stoliarenko in the women’s flyweight division.
In her last fight, McCann’s three-fight win streak was abruptly halted when she was swiftly dispatched by Erin Blanchfield inside round one at UFC 281.
She ultimately demonstrated that she is in no position to be in contention for even an entry into the flyweight rankings, let alone a title shot.
However, Molly will always be a mainstay for the UK cards as she has cemented herself as an English star in the MMA scene. She is adored by fans the world over and it would be stupid not to have her appearing on a UK card.
Her opponent on Saturday- Lithuania’s Julija Stoliarenko- offers quite a pretty routine test to McCann as she has won just once in her five visits to the Octagon. Predominantly a grappler, Stoliarenko has won nine fights in her MMA career by submission.
McCann is an outright brawler and will look to utilise her prominence in the stand-up rather than engaging with a fighter who is renowned for ending scraps on the canvas.
In truth, this has the makings of a showcase fight for McCann. It’s an opportunity for her to once again highlight her worth to the UFC with an expected stoppage.
Her exuberant persona coupled with the intangible connection she has with her UK audience means this fight can only go one way. A win for Stoliarenko would be the pinnacle of an upset.
“I feel like this is the calmest UFC I’ve probably ever been a part of,” McCann told reporters at Thursday’s UFC Fight Night 224 media day.
A routine win for Molly is on the cards for this one but count Stoliarenko out at your own peril, with the Lithuanian stating earlier this week that “she loves when everyone is against her.”
