UFC’s Molly McCann to make Polaris debut

UFC prospect, Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann, is set to make her Polaris debut.

Polaris 26 will take place at Southampton Central Hall, UK, on 4 November 2023.

During her last two performances on the UFC, Molly McCann saw herself get submitted twice; once via armbar and the other via Kimura.

McCann is yet to show her grappling prowess within MMA as, primarily as a boxer, she prioritises the stand-up game which is understandable.

However the grappling that MMA fans have seen in the cage hasn’t been the best, but it was against two high level back belts, so it’s good to see her sharpening her toolkit and improving on the aspects of her MMA game she isn’t as strong at.

At the next Polaris, Liverpudlian, McCann will face judoka, BJJ purple belt and Polaris veteran, Julia Scardone.

Scardone is Brazilian but is based in Hull and runs Carlson Gracie Hull with her partner Owen Livesey who also has a strong judo background and is signed to Polaris.

Scardone lost her last two performances on Polaris via submission, against MMA prospect Shanelle Dyer via omoplata/wristlock and Melissa Hill via armbar, so Scardone will be gunning even more for the win this time around. Presumably, both Scardone and McCann are hoping for a third time lucky.

One thing we can guarantee is a throw from Scardone (or so we hope) however this match up truly is a wild one. The last time McCann partook in a professional grappling show was on Grapplefest 7 in 2019 against Abbie O’Toole, where the two earnt themselves fight of the night, with McCann taking the win via decision.

However it has been a long while since she’s taken part in any Jiu Jitsu tournaments or professional shows so, unless she’s been training like a BJJ beast, no doubt she will have some cobwebs to brush off against an opponent like Scardone.

What to expect: judo throws, double legs and a lot of top pressure.

With both fighters looking for their next match to be a win, a redemption, who will reign victorious? The UFC fighter or the judoka Polaris veteran? All will be revealed on 4 November, 2023.

Also on this Polaris card are match ups from the biggest names in the sport such as Craig Jones Vs Gerald Meerschaert, Owen Jones Vs Bart Dubbledam and Kendall Reusing Vs Leticia Cardozo with more match ups to be announced soon.