Molly McCann wasted no time in making her mark on the boxing world. The former UFC standout turned heads in Belfast as she stopped Ireland’s Kate Radomska in the final round of their six-round super bantamweight clash at Windsor Park.
The 35-year-old Liverpudlian, beloved for her grit inside the Octagon, carried that same energy into the ring. McCann scored a knockdown in the fifth with a sharp right hand before finishing the job one round later, forcing Radomska’s corner to throw in the towel. It was as emphatic a debut as she could have hoped for.
The night wasn’t without drama. Early in Round 2, Radomska appeared to kick out while pressed against the ropes – a move McCann later said should have drawn a point deduction. Instead, McCann brushed it off and kept piling on pressure, mixing body shots and straight rights that wore her opponent down.
A Fighter Reborn in the Ring
Speaking after the fight, McCann admitted the transition felt like “learning on the job.” But if there were nerves, she masked them well. “It didn’t even feel as tough as sparring,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I didn’t get out of second gear, and that was nice.”
McCann compared the experience to taking a driving test: a little tense at the start, but with enough muscle memory to stay in control. By the later rounds, she looked like a natural, pushing the pace and finding her rhythm.
Former undisputed champion Josh Taylor, who has trained alongside McCann in Liverpool, praised her progress. “She’s improved massively,” Taylor said. “With another couple of fights, she could be knocking on the door for a title shot.”
For McCann, the win marks the beginning of a new chapter after closing the book on her MMA career earlier this year. She left the UFC in March following a loss at London’s O2 Arena, signing with Matchroom Boxing soon after. Now 1-0 with one knockout, she has already shown enough to suggest that her boxing career could move quickly.
With a loyal fan base behind her and a debut performance that mixed toughness with smart shot selection, McCann has positioned herself as one to watch in the super bantamweight division. Bigger nights are surely on the horizon – and if her first outing is any indication, she’s ready to meet them head-on.
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