Molly McCann to 'bring the energy' and 'put on one hell of a show’ at UFC London, says Michael Bisping

UFC Hall of Famer Mike Bisping believes that win or lose, Molly McCann will “put on one hell of a show” in her UFC London clash with Julija Stoliarenko on Saturday.

McCann returns to the Octagon for the first time since her brutal submission defeat to Erin Blanchfield at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in November 2022.

Speaking on UFC Fight Week, which you can watch in full on discovery+, Bisping was asked by host Adam Catterall what he made of the co-main match-up. Bisping wanted to focus on the spectacle that McCann could provide for the British fans.

“Look at the performances we had from Molly [at the O2 Arena in 2022]," he said.

“Look at those two back spinning elbow knockouts [against Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy respectively], on the bounce, one after another.

"I mean the nerve of the woman to go out there and be trying it back-to-back. But it worked, face-planting her opponents.

“But take yourself back, remember what that atmosphere was like, remember how the crowd were losing their minds, Molly was jumping over the top, Drake’s giving her Rolexes, it was unbelievable.

“And that’s the kind of energy Molly brings every time, so that’s why she’s in the co-main event because she’s a fan favourite and she just brings that energy and she’s a fighter. She bites down on her mouthpiece, she’s always in tremendous shape, aggressive as hell right from the get-go.

“Yes, against Erin Blanchfield she got out-grappled, she got taken down, she got submitted, it’s a learning curve, it happens along the way to becoming one of the best.

“Molly McCann will once again go out there and put on one hell of a show, win or lose.”

Nick Peet added that he thinks that McCann has to be aware of Stoliarenko and the tactics the Lithuanian will try and employ.

But he did say that he thinks the British fans might give McCann an extra boost as opposed to fighting abroad.

“We know what Molly’s like, she wears her heart on her sleeve, she’s an emotional kid," Peet said.

“I know she went on a bit of an emotional roller-coaster after that loss but I think she’s taken stock on it now, I think we probably agree Blanchfield will be a UFC champion one day, she’s so talented but Molly’s also got to remember that this opponent [Stoliarenko] is a submission specialist and that’s what she’s going to try and do.

“She’s going to try and close distance, take Molly down and expose her frailties on the ground. Molly’s got to be ready for that.

“But it’s like when Mike [Bisping] used to fight in the UK, when she’s fighting in front of those British fans, when they’re behind Molly, she gets that extra 20 per cent.

"It’s like she will never, ever lose in front of the home fans.

“We’ve seen it, two standout knockout of the year contenders last year, both at the O2, both by Molly McCann. My money’s on a treble here, another spinning knockout, come on!”

Make sure to catch the full episode of UFC Fight Week on discovery+.

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