Julija Stoliarenko dismisses fan theory of Molly McCann easily succumbing to armbar defeat at UFC London

Molly McCann loses to Julija Stoliarenko via armbar submission at UFC London.

Molly McCann experienced a disappointing defeat in the first round by armbar submission against Julija Stoliarenko at UFC London. Stoliarenko, known for her expertise in armbar techniques, presented a clear challenge for McCann, who aimed to keep the fight on her feet.

Despite McCann's efforts, Stoliarenko quickly closed the distance and took her down against the cage within a minute and a half of the fight. Although McCann vigorously defended against a rear-naked choke, she ultimately succumbed to a slick armbar and tapped out immediately.

Fans who witnessed McCann's previous bout against Erin Blanchfield, where she was dominated, believe she should have taken more precautions to avoid being taken down by Stoliarenko. However, Stoliarenko disagreed with this notion and credited McCann for displaying impressive takedown defense for as long as she could. Following her victory, Stoliarenko shared her thoughts during the post-fight media scrum, stating:

"I managed to grab her. She did try to get back on her feet... Her takedown defense was quite solid. So, I adjusted my plan slightly to execute the takedown, and I succeeded."

McCann gained attention in the past year, partly due to her friendship with UFC star Paddy Pimblett. Although she achieved consecutive victories with spinning elbow knockouts, some believe her association with Pimblett is her sole claim to fame.

After her one-sided loss to Erin Blanchfield, which ended her three-fight winning streak in November, McCann faced harsh criticism from fans. When asked about how she handles the negativity, McCann revealed her approach in the lead-up to her fight against Julija Stoliarenko:

"It's mentally easier when you avoid reading the comments and don't engage with them. Because, as you know, being involved in the sport, you see the comments that come through. When Valentina Shevchenko lost to Alexa Grasso, she received so much hate, and she's one of the best fighters in the octagon. When Amanda Nunes lost to Julianna Pena, she didn't hate her. She was just confused. But the internet is currently filled with negativity, whether it's about sports, politics, or life in general. So, I choose not to engage with it."

We can only hope that McCann refrains from checking the comments section this time, as fans are unanimously celebrating her defeat.

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