LONDON – Molly McCann has shifted her mindset ahead of UFC Fight Night 255.
McCann (14-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC) will look to rebound against newcomer Alexia Thainara (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on Saturday’s main card (ESPN+) at The O2 in London.
McCann has gone through ebbs and flows throughout her career, from incredible back-to-back knockouts of Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy on home soil, to two consecutive first-round submission losses right behind that. She comes into Saturday with a much calmer mentality but is confident that what she’s gone through in the octagon should help her prevail against Thainara.
“She’s going to be very dangerous for that first round,” McCann told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC Fight Night 255 media day. “Experience is on my side. I’ve had as many fights in the UFC as she’s had professional wins, and I think you’ll get to see a very more educated Molly McCann in there and just use my experience.”
McCann knows what it’s like to have a UFC debut spoiled after she was submitted by Gillian Robertson in her hometown of Liverpool in 2018. However, she won’t underestimate Thainara, who’s stepping in on less than two weeks’ notice after Istela Nunes withdrew.
“My UFC debut, I thought I was the bullocks and Gillian Robertson humbled me,” McCann said. “So, I know the percentage of debutants when they come out, it’s not always that they win because they get caught up in the show, and I’m not going to rely on that with my opponent. I’m really expecting to have someone come for me the whole way.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
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