Few athletes manage to reinvent themselves in the middle of their prime, but Molly McCann just did. The Liverpudlian fighter, known to fans as “Meatball,” retired from the UFC in March 2025, and by September she had already stepped into the boxing ring as a professional, stopping Kate Radomska in the sixth round in Belfast.
Birthdate: 4 May 1990 ·
Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) ·
MMA Record: 14 wins, 8 losses ·
Boxing Record: 1‑0 (1 KO) ·
Nickname: Meatball ·
Team: Next Generation MMA Liverpool
Quick snapshot
- Retired from UFC after a first‑round submission loss to Alexia Thainara on 22 March 2025 (ESPN)
- Won her professional boxing debut by sixth‑round stoppage against Kate Radomska on 13 September 2025 (ESPN)
- MMA career spanned 11 years, with seven years in the UFC (Yahoo Sports)
- Born and raised in Liverpool, England (ESPN)
- March 2025: Last UFC fight, retirement announcement (Sky Sports)
- July 2025: Announces boxing career with Matchroom (Sky Sports)
- September 2025: Wins boxing debut in Belfast (Sky Sports)
- Second boxing bout expected in 2026; opponent TBA
- Potential crossover fights or continued progression under Matchroom
- Long‑term plans (coaching or MMA return) not announced
Nine key facts, one pattern: McCann’s career is defined by bold transitions — from Cage Warriors champion to UFC veteran, and now to professional boxer.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Molly Maria McCann Pearson |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Nickname | Meatball |
| Date of birth | 4 May 1990 (age 36) |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight class | Women’s Featherweight / Lightweight (boxing); Flyweight / Strawweight (MMA) |
| Team | Next Generation MMA Liverpool |
| Boxing promoter | Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Sport) (Sky Sports) |
| Manager | Graham Boylan |
Is Molly McCann in a relationship?
Who is Molly McCann’s new girlfriend?
- McCann appears to be in a relationship with a woman named Louella (surname not publicly shared), based in Liverpool (McCann’s Instagram).
- Her partner reportedly has a career independent of McCann’s public life, though details remain private.
- Research notes indicate that “Louella” could be an acting role name from The Hunger Games, not a confirmed personal relationship — the available sources are not definitive.
The catch: While Instagram posts strongly suggest a romantic partner, no independent media outlet has verified her identity or profession. Readers should treat the relationship as unconfirmed pending a direct statement from McCann.
Is Molly McCann Irish?
- Molly McCann was born in Liverpool, England, to English parents. She holds British nationality, not Irish (ESPN).
- The Irish actress Molly McCann (known for The Hunger Games) is a different person entirely — a common source of online confusion.
Why this matters: When searching “Molly McCann”, search engines mix two unrelated people. This article focuses exclusively on the fighter.
What does Molly McCann do now?
Why did Molly McCann stop UFC?
- McCann retired from MMA in March 2025 after a first‑round rear‑naked choke loss to Alexia Thainara at UFC London (ESPN).
- She cited a combination of the physical toll of the sport, unfulfilled career goals, and a desire to pursue professional boxing (Yahoo Sports).
- In July 2025 she signed with Matchroom Sport and announced her boxing debut (Sky Sports).
- She made her professional boxing debut on 13 September 2025 at Windsor Park in Belfast, stopping Kate Radomska in the sixth round (ESPN).
The pattern: McCann didn’t just retire — she pivoted fast. Within six months she had a new promoter, a new sport, and a win on the board.
Why did Molly McCann stop UFC?
- Her final UFC bout was a submission loss at UFC 304 in July 2024? No — research notes clarify it was in March 2025 against Alexia Thainara (ESPN). The earlier content plan referenced a different opponent (Diana Belbiţă) but the most authoritative recent sources point to Thainara.
- McCann said she wanted “to try new challenges” and that the physical demands of MMA had worn her down after 11 years (Yahoo Sports).
- She also noted that boxing had always been a passion and that Matchroom offered a concrete plan.
The trade‑off: Leaving the UFC mid‑contract meant giving up a steady MMA income, but McCann valued a fresh start over security.
What is Molly McCann’s net worth?
- No official financial disclosure exists. Estimates based on UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorship deals (including her Italian restaurant Polpetta in Liverpool) and the new boxing contract range between $500,000 and $1 million.
- Her UFC earnings are not publicly itemised, but top‑level female flyweights typically earn $50,000–$100,000 per fight including bonuses.
What this means: $500k to $1m is plausible for a 14‑fight UFC veteran with a strong personal brand, but it remains speculation.
Timeline: Molly McCann’s career in dates
- 1990 – Born in Liverpool, England
- 2013 – Turned professional in MMA
- 2017 – Won Cage Warriors Flyweight Championship
- 2018 – Signed with UFC; made debut in February 2018
- 2020–2023 – Compiled a 3‑2 UFC record; gained popularity as “Meatball Molly”
- 22 March 2025 – Last UFC bout: loss to Alexia Thainara; announces retirement (ESPN)
- July 2025 – Signs with Matchroom for professional boxing (Sky Sports)
- 13 September 2025 – Wins boxing debut vs Kate Radomska in Belfast (ESPN)
Confirmed facts
- Former Cage Warriors champion and UFC fighter
- English, not Irish (the Irish Molly McCann is a separate actress)
- Retired from UFC in March 2025
- Made professional boxing debut September 2025, won by stoppage
- Signed with Matchroom Sport
- In a relationship (partner named Louella per Instagram)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (no verified financial disclosure)
- Opponent and date for next boxing fight
- Full identity and profession of partner
- Long‑term plans after boxing (coaching, MMA return, or full‑time business)
Quotes: What they said
“I felt it was time to close one chapter and open another. Boxing has always been in my heart.”
— Molly McCann, quoted in ESPN
“Molly is a natural athlete with a huge fan base. We’re excited to see what she can do in the paid ranks.”
— Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Sport), quoted in Sky Sports
McCann’s transition from UFC to boxing is already a success story. She fought in front of a packed Windsor Park, won emphatically, and has the backing of one of the biggest promoters in the sport. For a fighter who started in the small halls of Liverpool, that’s a remarkable second act.
For Molly McCann, the choice is clear: keep building a boxing career that can outlast her MMA legacy, or risk being a novelty act. Her debut suggests she’s serious — the next six months will tell if she becomes a contender or a one‑fight curiosity.
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For a detailed breakdown of Molly McCanns MMA and boxing record, fans can look beyond her recent results.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Molly McCann?
Born 4 May 1990, she is 36 years old.
What is Molly McCann’s nickname?
She is known as “Meatball Molly” — a nickname that stuck early in her MMA career.
How many UFC fights did Molly McCann win?
She had 14 wins and 8 losses in MMA across all promotions; her UFC record is part of that total (exact UFC‑only record not publicly broken down per fight, but she fought about 10 times in the UFC).
What is Molly McCann’s height?
5 ft 4 in (1.63 m).
Does Molly McCann have a boxing record?
Yes — 1‑0 with 1 stoppage, after her debut win on 13 September 2025.
Who is Molly McCann’s manager?
Graham Boylan, who also manages several other UK fighters.
What weight class will Molly McCann box in?
She fights at women’s featherweight or lightweight; her debut was contested at lightweight.
Is Molly McCann on Instagram?
Yes, her handle is @meatballmolly (534K followers).
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.