Molly McCann has come crashing back down to earth with two devastating first-round submission defeats in a row… the UFC fan favourite was emerging as a superstar, so where does ‘Meatball’ go from here?

What a difference a year can make.

On the 23rd of July 2022, ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann secured a first-round stoppage of Hannah Goldy in front of a baying crowd at the O2 arena, crushing the American against the cage with a spinning elbow before dropping her with a flurry of punches.

For her efforts, McCann was awarded with a Performance of the Night bonus as she recorded her third consecutive victory inside the UFC.

Despite not having a win over a ranked fighter, McCann’s infectious personality and friendship with fellow Scouse star Paddy Pimblett had seen her become one of the sport’s most marketable talents.

An aspiring footballer in her youth, Everton fan McCann represented Liverpool as a teenager before injury curtailed her promising career. 

Molly McCann’s return to action ended in a first-round submission defeat on Saturday night

The fan-favourite was forced to tap in front of a UK crowd against Julija Stoliarenko

The result marks a reversal in fortunes inside the cage for the 33-year-old flyweight

Now though, a successful transition to combat sports had seen McCann become arguably the first female British MMA fighter to crossover into mainstream success.

Such was the demand for ‘Meatball’ and Paddy the Baddy, the pair inked lucrative deals with American digital media company Barstool Sports and were gifted gold Rolex watches from Hip Hop megastar Drake after their victories netted him over £1 million in online gambling.

Though her profile continued to rise, McCann’s ambition remained reaching the pinnacle of the sport and her desire to face the best opposition the UFC had to offer was realised when she was booked to face burgeoning prospect Erin Blanchfield at UFC 281 in November.

Fighting without Pimblett on the same card for the first time in more than a year, McCann stepped into the Octagon knowing a win against Blanchfield would catapult her into title contention.

But it wasn’t to be.

While chants of Meatball Molly echoed throughout the famous Madison Square Garden arena, McCann was unable to prevent an early takedown from the accomplished grappler. And after securing a dominant position, Blanchfield was unrepentant, dominating McCann with elbows before finishing her with a kimura.

Though her momentum had momentarily been halted, the UFC’s return to the O2 last week offered McCann the opportunity for a redemption in a featured co-main event spot. 

Last year McCann and teammate Paddy Pimblett were riding a wave of momentum in the UFC

Pair’s successes inside the cage contributed to an ever-growing demand for them outside of it

McCann signed a lucrative deal with Barstool Sports and was gifted a Rolex by rapper Drake

Her opponent, Julija Stoliarenko had emerged victorious just once across five trips to the Octagon. Another defeat would surely have spelled the end to her time in the UFC.

Once again however, McCann found herself unable to utilise her striking skills and succumbed to a first-round armbar, stunning fans in attendance into silence.

Defeat leaves McCann at a crossroads, faced with the prospect of once again looking to climb up from the lowest rungs of the ladder at 125lbs.

As one of the few fighters in her weight class to carry significant star power, Meatball’s ability to attract an audience shows little sign of waning, but a route to the top 15 may prove more difficult.

At 33, McCann’s makeup as a fighter isn’t perhaps as malleable as some of her younger contemporaries, and she may not be able to shore up the holes in her grappling that would allow her to compete with the best of the best.

However, if she can keep the fight standing she possesses all the necessary skills to put on fan-friendly performances and continue to score devastating finishes on the feet.

What she needs at this point is matchmaking that will allow her to do so.

McCann can regain her momentum if given matchmaking that suits her all-action style

The UFC will return to the UK twice next year and Meatball is no doubt integral to those plans

A rematch Ariane Lipski or an all-British showdown with Joanne Wood would offer Meatball the kind of fight the she thrives in; exciting affairs with a focus in the striking department.

UFC executive Dave Shaw announced after Saturday’s event the promotion plans on continuing its twice-yearly trips to the UK, and added that next year could see one of the events being held outside of London.

Should Pimblett be able to continue his own considerable momentum when he returns from injury later this year, a homecoming event in Liverpool would no doubt be a perfect showcase for the pair.

Perhaps a route to the upper-echelons of the flyweight division is out of reach for McCann. But what is clear, is that with the right opponent, the fan favourite possesses the skills and mindset to put on a show whenever she enters the Octagon.