Molly McCann and Bruna Brasil at the UFC 304 weigh-in. Photo by Patrick McCauley/Cageside Press
Strawweight Molly McCann, one half of the UK’s ever-popular “Paddy & Molly” show, competed at UFC 304 in Manchester paired with Bruna Brasil.
McCann was looking to make it two wins in a row after beating Diana Belvita last time out.
Brazil’s kicks nearly took the leg out of “Meatball” Molly McCann, who closed the distance early in the match. McCann tried to get inside, and at times forced her way in, but Brazil focused on her kicks. But one of her kicks deflected low, knocking the English player down and making her wince in pain. After a short pause while McCann recovered from an accidental foul, the match resumed.
Despite the low blow, McCann had already taken quite a bit of damage just two minutes into the bout. With welts on her forehead and a red lead leg, McCann looked absolutely bruised. She certainly looked hurt a few minutes later when a knee knocked her down. She somehow survived, but forced herself back up. Another body kick put her down again, but McCann refused to go down! The Brazilian continued her attack, landing knees to the body, but McCann tied herself up against the fence.
Unfortunately, when they went down, Brazil quickly gained the upper hand and threatened to take the back, McCann blocked the back take, got back up and grabbed the leg, eventually taking Brazil down.Despite that late takedown, the opening frame was a complete disaster for Molly McCann.
After a tough start, McCann tried to bounce back in the second round. She came on the offensive, forcing the Brazilian to back away. Fending off further strikes to the body, McCann closed the distance and went for a single-leg takedown, but the Brazilian fought off the initial attempt. McCann clinched her hands and finally landed a powerful slam, but McCann was too high on the body and the Brazilian quickly escaped.
The Brazilian had chances to gain the upper hand towards the end of the round but similarly failed to achieve much, but in the final 10 seconds a right punch sent McCann onto his back after he was thrown off balance by a spinning attack.
In round three, Morey was aggressive again, and a McCann takedown sent them both to the ground. But Brazil got the upper hand from there, getting on the back, at least three-quarters position. Brazil stepped over into half guard and was on top with three and a half minutes left in the bout. McCann probably needed the finish, but instead he was on his back. But McCann couldn’t stay put, and he got to his feet and landed some solid combos to the delight of the crowd. But Brazil took McCann to the mat again, and in a scramble he got on the back. The hook went in, and with 90 seconds left, McCann’s time was running out.
McCann wasn’t going to take it easy, and escaped, climbed onto his back and attempted a rear-naked choke, only to end up slipping off and scrambling to finish the bout, which he ultimately lost by decision.
Official result: Bruna Brasil defeats Molly McCann by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
