Molly McCann’s strawweight debut was successful – and violent.
Saturday at UFC Fight Night 235, McCann (14-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) torqued Diana Belbita’s left arm in the wrong direction for a tap at the 4:59 mark of the first round. The bout was the featured prelim at the UFC Apex.
The armbar submission was visually and audibly gruesome. Belbita (15-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC) screamed in pain as the pressure was applied. As McCann celebrated, Belbita still struggled with her injured limb. Medical staffers rushed to support her, as did McCann after a lap around the cage.
IN THE FINAL SECONDS OF ROUND ONE!
Molly McCann wins in her strawweight debut 💪 #UFCVegas85 pic.twitter.com/C5Rnz0ayRl
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 3, 2024
The bout was a rematch of an October 2019 fight, which McCann won by unanimous decision. The victory snaps a two-fight skid for McCann, while it sends Belbita into a two-fight skid.
Prior to the bout, Belbita revealed recent considerations of retirement.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 235 results include:
- Molly McCann def. Diana Belbita via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:59
- Charles Johnson def. Azat Maksum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Themba Gorimbo def. Pete Rodriguez via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:32
- Jung Gyeong Lee def. Blake Bilder via unanimous decision (30-27 30-27, 30-27)
- Luana Carolina def. Julija Stoliarenko via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 4:52
- Marquel Mederos def. Landon Quinones via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jamal Pogues def. Thomas Petersen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 235.
