Molly McCann on a life-changing year at the UFC, learned to say ‘no with love’ and needed time to restore ‘fuel for the fire’ | MMA News
Molly McCann on a life-changing year at the UFC, learned to say ‘no with love’ and needed time to restore ‘fuel for the fire’ | MMA News
#Molly #McCann #lifechanging #year #UFC #learned #love #needed #time #restore #fuel #fire #MMA #News Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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UFC star Molly McCann knows her drive and passion for the sport will return. But after a “life-changing” year of pushing the British flyweight from pillar to pillar, she’s trying to conquer what’s hardest for her – making time for herself.
Stunning victories at UFC London in March and July and a first-ever appearance at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden last month at UFC 281 have made McCann one of the most recognizable names in the sport this year.
The 32-year-old’s entertaining style of fighting in the Octagon and her honest honesty off the cage have made McCann a sought-after athlete. Not surprisingly, it has taken its toll on the Liverpudlian.
Losing by submission to American Erin Blanchfield in New York saw McCann reveal she was taking time off from her sport, but she admitted to InNewCL Sports it was a ‘culmination of factors’ that led to the decision have led.
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Everton fan Molly McCann received some final words of support from Wayne Rooney ahead of her clash with Erin Blanchfield at UFC 281.
“In August I reached my mental limit,” she said. “I was exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. I’ve come to terms with being fairly well-known — but no one can prepare you for no longer having a personal life.
“There were four months where I woke up every day and this horrible heartbeat wouldn’t leave me. This dull, anxious feeling in my stomach and I couldn’t stop crying. I was just exhausted and couldn’t handle how much my life had changed and my mind didn’t have time to catch up.”
In addition to her sporting aspirations, working with the “Weapons Down Gloves Up” boxing initiative, which aims to get people aged 16 to 24 off the streets, became another emotional level for her.
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UFC’s Molly McCann has sent an important message about fighting knife and gun crime in Liverpool.
“I’m probably more proud of the charity work and the work outside the cage,” she said. “But then with all the tragedy and death in the city [Liverpool] and what happened, it all got to that point for me.”
McCann has reached out to some members of the England women’s football team for advice, who have also had to cope with a surge in familiarity following their success at this summer’s Euro.
“I spoke to a couple of lionesses,” McCann said. “I’m friends with a few of them, but there’s a specific one I spoke to when we were dealing with the same thing. There’s the die-hards of your sport who know you, but then you go to the casual gamers to know who you are. It means you’re on guard all the time.”
It’s McCann’s perfectionist trait and the former footballer’s down-to-earth nature that feels the need to say yes to every time demand and selfie request. However, with the help of her wellness coach, Martin Bowen, she’s learning the importance of saying, “It’s a no with love” — though she finds it easier said than done.
“It got to the point where I was out and crying on the phone but people would come over and want this, want that. I’m feeling so bad and I’m crying but people won’t stop.
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UFC’s Molly McCann explains the impact her friend Natasha Jonas has had on her career.
“I was upset because I was like, ‘Why don’t you read the situation.’ That was tough, but it taught me to slow down, be humble and static. I used to go out for tea quite often, but I’ve gone out to dinner twice since that fight (at the MSG). I just stayed home, cooked my own dinner, walked my dogs, and I needed this grounded, normal life and more of a pet. I feel like I reset there.”
The prospect of Christmas and a break from the gym was just what the doctor ordered and McCann is confident she will rediscover her passion for the sport and set new goals for 2023.
“I haven’t had a Christmas break in about eight or nine years as there’s usually a fight in February. Me, my partner, one of my trainers and his family all go to Tenerife for about three weeks.
“I’ll probably train out there again and get the love for it back. I’m going to do a pre-season in the heat and just enjoy myself. I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to hitting the ground running next year.”
Not that McCann isn’t grateful for the success, the accolades, the perks she’s had during a “hurricane” in 2022. She beams with pride as she reflects on how she’s taken the sport to new heights, the growth in participation and how she’s been able to reach new audiences that have never before embraced MMA.
While her charity work makes her immensely proud from a professional perspective, her debut at Madison Square Garden was the icing on the cake of a stellar year, even if she openly admits she had a ‘shitty day at the end of the office’.
Image: Molly McCann was very successful in 2022
“Not many people could have done the media I managed this week before MSG. I’m talking eight hours a day, you’re on minimal calories, but you still have to exercise, show up, encourage and grow the sport. It’s a tough environment to do that.
“Doing an interview and promoting your sport is a real art and I try to do it in a way that people don’t switch off. You see it in other sports where it’s the same repetitive crap, while I’ll show you blood, guts and more, I’ll show you what’s in my heart, I’ll give you bravery at times, I’ll let you go on this journey with me .
“This week was the best fight week of my life. I wouldn’t change them at all, not even the outcome, it was God’s plan, it was the universe’s plan. If that has to happen to show me where to go next, so be it. I shouldn’t post the win, and it’s a better movie at the end of my life anyway, isn’t it?
The pang of defeat still aches, as does the internet trolls, who she’s doing her best to ignore after retiring from social media for much of the year, though she takes heart from the affection of her supportive network around her hereabouts.
“The day after the fight [at MSG] I’ve looked through about 600 whatsapps, I’ve been thinking about how many people have my number and it didn’t settle down until about three weeks after the fight. My people knocked on the door and brought me food so I didn’t have to cook or go out. I was just so full of gratitude because my people are there for me.”
The life of the former Subway fast food worker who nicknamed her “Meatball” may have changed beyond recognition, but there’s no doubt McCann will always remain true to her humble beginnings.
“I did a little vlog called ‘Me, Myself and Molly’ where I try to show people what Molly McCann does. It’s important to draw the line between selling tickets and fighting, showing integrity and moral compass as a person, too.
“Praise comes as high as hate, but I feel like it haunts you when you haven’t had a chance to look your best, when you’re a perfectionist and you want to do your best, but then that’s it the fuel for the fire.”
