Molly McCann admits concern over next UFC's opponent past weight issue

28 May 2023 , 11:45

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Molly McCann admits concern over next UFC's opponent past weight issue

UFC star Molly McCann will be "fuming" if Julilja Stoliarenko doesn't make weight for their fight amid her past issues on the scale.

McCann, 33, makes her octagon return when she faces Stoliarenko at UFC London on July 22. 'Meatball' hasn't fought since she was decisively beaten by Erin Blanchfield at UFC 281 last November, with the Scouser recently admitting the one-sided nature of the loss made her ponder retirement.

Stoliarenko makes her flyweight debut against McCann, a weight class change that raised eyebrows given her previous weight issues at bantamweight. The Lithuanian fighter passed out twice on the scale when weighing in for her fight against Julia Avila in March 2021 and despite making the bantamweight limit, the fight was scratched for concerns over Stoliarenko's health.

Who wins at UFC London - Molly McCann or Julija Stoliarenko? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below

McCann has urged Stoliarenko to not repeat her past mistake and make the 125lb limit safely, stating: "I've asked every single person I can 'Is this legitimate?'. I would have been given 19-weeks by the time this fight comes around because we were supposed to fight in June, so if she doesn't make weight I will be f****ng fuming.

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"Don't accept a fight on a big stage if you're not going to make the weight, please make the weight safely. A month out if you don't think you're going to make weight, tell and we'll get someone else in. I'm dying to fight and I'm giving everything I've got to make this fight."

Molly McCann takes on Julija Stoliarenko on July 22 (Zuffa LLC/Getty)

McCann insisted that Stoliarenko is a tough match-up for her given the Lithuanian's accomplished grappling background. The Scouser will take confidence from her past fights at The O2 arena heading into the clash, as she picked up consecutive spinning elbow knockout wins in the English capital last year.

"I respect my opponent, a bantamweight dropping down," she added. "Black belt in jiu-jitsu and a style that any striker would struggle with. Size and grappling ability I am somewhat giving up to make sure this is an entertaining fight that could end both ways. I'm doing all I can on my side so please come in on weight."

UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs Tybura tickets go on sale from 10:00 a.m. BST on Friday, May 26 via AXS and Ticketmaster.

Harry Davies