New sport aged 35. World title inside eight fights. The primary UFC fighter to win a boxing world title. Headline at Goodison Park.

For Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann, all of the above is on her hit checklist. On Saturday she steps into the boxing ring for the primary time as an expert, six months after she retired from MMA and 16 years after she final boxed.

McCann was a promising beginner earlier than switching to MMA, profitable an ABA title.

The chances are stacked towards McCann however she is used to that. Her naysayers have been typically louder than her supporters throughout her UFC profession.

“Since I used to be slightly lady, my dream was to be a world champion in boxing,” she says.

“I am not right here to consider individuals can put down my desires and ambitions and what I need to be.

“I form of let that occur within the MMA world and now it is time to take again who little Molly was and why she began preventing.”

McCann’s coaching base is at No Limits Boxing Fitness center in Liverpool. Her interview with BBC Sport takes place moments after a session, in slightly room upstairs with a bathe within the nook.

Because it will get began, McCann leaves for a second to ask the health club ground to maintain the noise down. They oblige.

Regardless of by no means reaching the very prime of the UFC title mountain, McCann retired as essentially the most well-known feminine MMA fighter the UK has ever produced.

With efficiency and sponsorship bonuses included, she earned upwards of £50,000 for her final UFC fights.

Whereas ladies’s boxing has boomed within the final 5 years, MMA was one of many few locations feminine athletes may earn as a lot as their male counterparts.

Some would possibly suppose cash is the motivation for McCann’s newest transfer.

Ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou earned tens of millions greater than his finest UFC pay day when he crossed into boxing in 2023.

However for McCann, that isn’t the case.

“That is not the explanation. I am positive the cash will come,” McCann says.

“I do not suppose individuals ought to be in fight sport simply to generate profits.

“I believe it is very harmful. I am taking an enormous reduce to return to boxing as a result of I wished to do it and I adore it.”