Molly McCann has laid down the gloves following a quick defeat at UFC London.

McCann was dragged to the canvas early on and never escaped the hold of Brazil’s Alexia Thainara, who made her submit.

UFC star Paddy Pimblett, who trains with McCann in Liverpool, was fighting back tears as she made the announcement.

The referee called a stop to the contest at 4:42 in the first round due to a rear naked choke.

“I started this sport at 24…I’ve give you all my heart and soul,” an emotional McCann told Michael Bisping after her defeat.

“That performance wasn’t good enough. The UFC deserves more and you all deserve more.

“Thank you so much to the little girls at home…look at what I managed to do.”

McCann is a former Cage Warriors champion and has fought in the UFC since May 2018.

She shot to fame after racking up wins in Dana White’s promotion and securing back-to-back spinning elbow knockouts in 2022, which were both in London.

McCann now boasts a professional MMA record of 14-8 and a UFC history of 7-7. 

She trains out of Next Generation MMA under the guidance of Paul Rimmer and has made a name for herself with her never-back-down attitude inside the Octagon.

Her best friend and training partner Pimblett takes on Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 next month.

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