Molly McCann Secures Dominant Submission Win on Strawweight Debut at UFC Apex

British MMA fighter Molly McCann displayed a dominant performance on her strawweight debut at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, securing a submission victory over Diana Belbita.

McCann, known as ‘Meatball’, executed an impressive armbar with just one second remaining in the first round to finish the Romanian opponent.

This exceptional win marked a significant return to form for McCann, who admitted to struggling in her previous two fights.

Moving up from the flyweight division, McCann suffered two first-round defeats against Erin Blanchfield in November 2022 and Julija Stoliarenko seven months later, causing her to reevaluate her future in the sport.

Under the guidance of her coach Paul Rimmer, McCann decided to drop down to the strawweight division, citing her preparation and physical condition as the best she had ever been heading into the bout with Belbita, who she had previously defeated in 2019.

Mccann entered the fight with a composed expression, in contrast to the intensity displayed in her recent encounters, and was accompanied by the walkout song used by her friend Ryan Curtis, who recently suffered a life-changing injury.

The opening stages saw McCann demonstrate her intent, landing powerful overhand rights and controlling the fight by effectively evading Belbita’s range.

As the round progressed, McCann showcased her growing confidence, employing various striking techniques such as a spinning back kick and her trademark spinning back elbow.

However, it was during the grappling exchanges that the fight reached its decisive moment. McCann executed multiple takedowns, eventually transitioning to full mount and delivering a series of devastating elbows.

In the final seconds of the first round, McCann secured an armbar submission, sealing the victory in a poetic fashion, as her previous two UFC losses had also come via the same technique. Overwhelmed with emotion, she collapsed to the canvas in celebration of the moment.

McCann expressed her elation at being in the strawweight division and extended apologies to the UFC, her fans, and herself for her previous weight issues and lackluster performances. She concluded by thanking her coach and promising to continue pursuing her goals.

This well-deserved triumph was dedicated to her friend Ryan Curtis, a fellow MMA fighter who recently endured a serious training accident, suffering a broken back, broken neck, and dislocated spine.