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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

The Rock backs UFC star Molly McCann to win title after borrowing trademark move

Molly McCann has credited The Rock 's 'peoples elbow' for her last two UFC wins - and the actor is backing 'Meatball' to become a champion in the promotion.

McCann, 32, has been on top form in the octagon of late, winning her past three outings. She scored one of the best knockouts of the year in March by stopping Luana Carolina with a spinning back elbow to earn a $50,000 performance bonus. Just four months later, McCann used the same move to finish Hannah Goldy at UFC London and cash another bonus for the win.

After her latest win, McCann jokingly asked The Rock - real name Dwayne Johnson - if she could continue to use his 'peoples elbow' for her next fights. "Excuse me Mr Rock, but can I keep borrowing the peoples elbow. It’s doing me bits," she wrote. The 'peoples elbow' was one of The Rock's signature moves during his WWE career and he replied: "From the electrifying People’s Elbow to the devastating People’s Meatbow. Its all yours! Keep kicking a** and having fun, champ! Much respect, Mr Rock."

Do you think Molly McCann can win a UFC title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

The Rock has now backed McCann to become a UFC champion in the future, as he wrote: "Strong chance we’ll hear 'and new' connected to Meatball Molly's name in the future," accompanied by the hashtags 'peoples elbow' and 'meatball elbow'. McCann looks for her fourth consecutive win on November 12 at UFC 281 as she faces 23-year-old Erin Blanchfield, who is unbeaten in the promotion.

Molly McCann's last two KO wins have come by spinning elbow (REX/Shutterstock)

McCann was on the brink of being cut by the UFC going into her fight against Ji Yeon Kim last September, having lost back-to-back decisions to Taila Santos and Lara Procopio. The Liverpudlian rebounded after her losing skid by outpointing Kim to kick off her current unbeaten streak. If McCann does want to eventually challenge for the flyweight title, she will likely need to get past current champion Valentina Shevchenko.

'Meatball' admitted that she isn't ready for a fight with Shevchenko at this point in her UFC career, stating after her latest win: "I never call anyone out, that's not for me to do. When you talk about legacy, prestige and honour, who's the best in the game? Valentina, but am I Valentina ready yet? No." Shevchenko is one of the UFC's most dominant champions and is unbeaten in her last nine fights, recently outpointing Santos at UFC 275 in June.

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