Molly McCann makes Paddy Pimblett claim ahead of ‘career-defining’ Michael Chandler fight at UFC 314

Molly McCann believes her friend and teammate Paddy Pimblett will thrive under the lights against Michael Chandler next month.

Pimblett takes on Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 in what several MMA fans have described as the biggest of his career.

McCann has her own fight to look forward to this weekend at UFC London.

She faces Alexia Thainara on the main card at London's O2 Arena, before Leon Edwards take on Sean Brady in the main event.

Thainara stepped in on days' notice to fight McCann for her UFC debut, after the Liverpudlian's original opponent, Istela Nunes, pulled out.

Speaking to marvelbet369.com at UFC London's Media Day, McCann had no doubts over how Pimblett vs Chandler will play out and said the UFC 314 fight is something her friend has always 'dreamed of'.

"I love it when we're in camp together because it always draws us closer," she said.

"I think we set a standard in the gym and energy that everyone thrives off.

"Pressure makes diamonds and my boy is a big, big diamond. This is everything he's dreamed of his whole life.

"I don't think the bright lights are going to get to him. I think he's learned his lessons in previous fights and especially with Tony Ferguson.

"I think that was a big thing having [Donald] Trump in the crowd being there on that card.

"He knows the drill. He's meeting Chandler at the perfect time. he's levelling up everywhere."

'Meatball' McCann is a former Cage Warriors champion and has fought in the UFC since May 2018.

She shot to fame after racking up wins in Dana White’s promotion and securing back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts in 2022, which both came in London.

"Look at his body. He's a man now. He's 30 years of age. He's not green in the sport and he's just going to go in there and absolutely do the job," McCann added.

The 34-year-old then explained how she has witnessed first hand Pimblett learning from previous bouts with the likes of UFC legend Tony Ferguson when they train together.

"Well you look at him, he's not blowing up anymore, he's got two little girls...

"He knows: 'Right I'm gonna get the most eyes on us and he's authentic with the way he's doing it.

"The second he's on that matt, it is 100% until the second. He's off just seven five-minute rounds with fresh partners every Tuesday every phase.

"He doesn't get out of breath and he's just an absolute monster.

"I really think this is a career defining fight for him, where people get to see who he really is in every part of his game."

McCann then confirmed she would be by Pimblett's side at UFC 314 in Miami next month.

She trains out of Next Generation MMA under the guidance of Paul Rimmer and has made a name for herself with her never-back-down attitude inside the Octagon.

‘Meatball’ first fell in love with her beloved sport after watching Ronda Rousey submit Liz Carmouche in 2013. 

Before her career as a fighter, McCann worked as a boxing coach and a ‘Sandwich Artist’ at Subway, earning her the nickname she goes by.