Lithuanian fighter Julija Stoliarenko managed to pull a huge upset in front of the London crowd as she submitted Molly McCann. The Liverpool-based fighter was the betting favorite heading into the fight. However, she also coming off a loss from her fight with Erin Blanchfield looking to redeem herself with the win.
However, the fight did not go in her favor and Stoliarenko managed to submit Meatball Molly early in the first round. Stoliarenko only had one win in her last six fights. Several fans took this as an indication that it would be an easy win for the scouser on her home soil.
McCann looked good on the feet during the early minute of the round but Stoliarenko was able to perform a successful takedown. From there on Julija tried to end the bout by choking Molly McCann. While the British fighter tried to free herself, Stoliarenko had hold of her arm and finished the bout with an armbar.
The Lithuanian fighter is known for her nasty armbar and she surprised many by finishing the fight via submission very early. Molly McCann now has two consecutive first-round losses on her record and reports went around that she might have been removed from UFC.
❌ Fighter removed: Molly McCann
— UFCStats💭 (@TheUFCStats) July 22, 2023
But, that is far from the truth and has not been confirmed by the UFC yet. The British fighter now has a record of 13 wins and 6 losses. Despite being on a two-fight losing streak, she is a huge crowd favorite and manages to put on entertaining fights for the fans.
While the UFC has not confirmed any news of releasing the British, one can assume it won’t happen just yet. Regardless, Molly McCann has a lot to prove once she enters the Octagon after healing from her arm injury.
Latest medical update on Molly McCann after brutal submission loss at UFC London
Molly McCann faced a devastating loss on her home soil at UFC Fight Night London. The card was headlined by a heavyweight bout between Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura. Molly McCann fought Lithuanian fighter Julija Stoliarenko for the co-main event.
Both fighters were coming off a loss and several had the British fighter as the betting favorite. However, Stoliarenko finished McCann within two minutes of the first round via an armbar submission. McCann has now faced back-to-back losses in the first round and also suffered a major arm injury.
Julija Stoliarenko taps Molly McCann in the first round#UFCLondon
pic.twitter.com/4PpKQ2cQvo— MMA Mania (@mmamania) July 22, 2023
After tapping out to Stoliarenko, McCann quickly held her arm in agony. She might have potentially suffered a serious injury on her arm and could be out of the Octagon for a long time. No update on the injury has been released either from the UFC or Molly McCann.
The loss was a huge blow to Meatball Molly as she left the cage apologizing to her fans. Meanwhile, Julija Stoliarenko now has 10 armbar wins out of the 20 fights she fought. British fans will have to wait for further updates on the injury and when their beloved Liverpool-based fighter can compete again.