Under Maintenance

We deeply apologize for interrupting your reading but Vendetta is currently undergoing some important maintenance! You may experience some layout shifts, slow loading times and dififculties in navigating.

Sports Media

Will Molly McCann find success in the UFC strawweight division?

Molly McCann UFC Strawweight division UFC London
(Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports)

Will Molly McCann find success in the UFC strawweight division?

Molly McCann has announced that she will be competing in the UFC women’s strawweight division. The drop from flyweight to strawweight comes after suffering a first-round submission loss to Julija Stoliarenko at UFC London. Will the change help McCann find success in the UFC or is her career doomed? Let’s find an answer.

The Positives

The most important aspect of McCann’s drop in weight is that she is a natural strawweight. At 5-foot-4, she is fairly undersized in the flyweight division. In nearly every fight, she was staring down a height and reach disadvantage. Now, she should be the bigger fighter in upcoming matchups.

A size advantage will do wonders for McCann based on her aggressive, boxing-oriented style. If she is the bigger fighter, her strengths will be pronounced while her weaknesses are disguised.

On the feet, McCann is a powerful boxer. At strawweight, her power should be impactful. Additionally, she can use raw strength to assist in covering up her grappling deficiencies. Obviously, her BJJ is not UFC-caliber at the moment and that has to improve, but a physicality advantage can help her perform better on the ground.

The Negatives

The first concern regarding McCann’s decision to drop weight is the weight cut itself. The first step to dropping weight is remaining healthy as you enter your new weight class. That is hard to predict. Although, many fighters have accomplished tougher changes. This question should be answered the first time she attempts to make the strawweight limit.

The one important aspect of McCann’s weight class switch is that the strawweight division is the deepest and most talented female division. The overall quality of the fighter that she will compete against will be much better. Essentially, McCann is opting to fight tougher fighters while holding a size advantage.

McCann will also be at a speed disadvantage at strawweight. The speed disparity between the two divisions is massive. That will limit McCann’s ability to land big combinations on the feet.

The Verdict

It is difficult to accurately predict how much success McCann will find at strawweight because it is impossible to know exactly how the UFC will match her up. In the past, I thought McCann would go on a run at flyweight.

Admittedly, I overrated her skills, but I assumed the UFC would provide her with favorable stylistic fights to help her find success. In her next fight, she fought Erin Blanchfield which was an awful matchup. Will she get layups at strawweight or will she be thrown in the gauntlet? That greatly affects her long-term results.

Ultimately, I think McCann will struggle to crack the strawweight rankings. The division features a lot of unranked talent that will give her problems. The one major difference is that she will now have to deal with strikers that can outstrike her and not just grapplers that will submit her. Still, it would not be a surprise to see McCann get a few solid victories over low-tier fighters.

***

CLICK HERE for more of our UFC/MMA content

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Popular Past Stories

recommended stories

Jonathon Brooks

Should Dynasty Fantasy Football Owners Give Up On Jonathon Brooks After Another Knee Injury?

Should Dynasty Fantasy Football Owners Give Up On Jonathon Brooks After Another Knee Injury? If you are a Jonathon Brooks…

Read More
Ilia Topuria UFC

Ilia Topuria Desires Move To Lightweight Division

Ilia Topuria Desires Move To Lightweight Division UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria does not plan to stay at his current…

Read More
Max Fried

Max Fried signs eight-year deal with Yankees

Max Fried signs eight-year deal with Yankees The New York Yankees have signed left-handed starter Max Fried to an eight-year,…

Read More
The Simpsons Funday Football

An Honest Review On The Simpsons Funday Football Broadcast

An Honest Review On The Simpsons Funday Football Broadcast No beating around the bush for this post. Let’s just get…

Read More