Emotional Molly McCann opens up on her decision to retire after UFC London loss: 'I'm not good enough'

Molly McCann was brutally honest with herself when explaining why she decided to retire after UFC Fight Night 255.

McCann (14-8 MMA, 7-7 UFC) was submitted in Round 1 by short-notice replacement Alexia Thainara (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in Saturday’s main card at The O2 in London. The loss marked McCann’s fourth in her past five outings.

The 34-year-old surprised everybody when she announced that she’ll be hanging up her gloves, bringing her teammate and good friend Paddy Pimblett to tears. McCann opened up on her decision to walk away.

“When I broke my leg last year, it took me everything to get back, and it was really hard for my body to – I’m not a spring chicken,” McCann told TNT Sports. “I gave my everything and everything kept breaking in the camp. Things were going wrong. I just gave the best account of myself and being in there, I felt fine. I was pumped. But to be outmanuvered in the first round, I’m not good enough to be in there, and that is OK.

“I’m not here to make up the numbers. I’m here to win, and if I’m not winning, and I fight like that, I don’t deserve to wear the gloves, in my opinion. This is the best of the best in the world, and it doesn’t matter what I’ve done in my past and where I’ve taken this sport. You don’t live off your past performances, you live off your current ones, and I’m not good enough right now.”

Alongside Pimblett, McCann was pivotal in helping the U.K. MMA scene grow in the UFC. Her most memorable octagon moments came in back-to-back, Performance of the Night, spinning back elbow knockouts of Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy in London.

McCann is thankful for the career she’s had and isn’t doubting her decision to retire.

“Didn’t touch the world title here, but got one in Cage Warriors, though: (I was) still a world champion,” McCann said. “I’m just proud.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.