Former UFC star signs unexpected contract with Matchroom Boxing following MMA retirement

In a twist that’s rattling the usual scripts in combat sports, former UFC standout Molly McCann, widely known as “Meatball,” has thrown her gloves into a brand new arena — professional boxing. Just months after bidding farewell to the unforgiving Octagon, McCann inked an exclusive deal with Matchroom Boxing, a shocker for those who thought once a UFC fighter, forever a UFC fighter. This move revives the age-old debate about crossover careers in combat sports. From the explosive UFC cage wars to the squared circle’s glitz and glamour, McCann’s switch isn’t just a career pivot; it’s a fresh page in the playbook of MMA athletes chasing new challenges and bigger paydays.

Matchroom Boxing, led by the promotional wizard Eddie Hearn, isn’t exactly the underdog in fight promotion. The company’s track record of spotlighting top-tier talent — not to mention its savvy marketing machine — makes this signing more intriguing. For McCann, who retired at age 35 with a reputation for electric finishes and fan-favorite grit, boxing is the next battlefield. One could argue the timing’s impeccable, riding the wave carved out by big names like Francis Ngannou and Holly Holm, who’ve already blazed the path from inside the cage to center ring under the bright boxing lights in recent years.

The move might catch fans off guard, but it’s a logical leap when you crunch the numbers behind MMA’s competitive landscape and the burgeoning allure of professional boxing. McCann’s not alone; other elite fighters from the mixed martial arts shadows have tested their mettle on boxing’s canvas, adding fuel to the hot discourse about athlete contracts and sports management realities in today’s combat scene.

Molly McCann’s UFC Career and Fan Favorite Status

Molly McCann’s UFC tenure wasn’t the fairy tale of dominance, but it was packed with moments that made fans sit up and cheer. Those spinning elbow finishes weren’t just flashy moves; they were fight-night fireworks that made “Meatball” a household name in the Women’s Flyweight division. Between her debut loss to Gillian Robertson in 2018 and her final bow in early 2025, McCann demonstrated relentless heart and a knack for entertainment.

Her career stats? A rollercoaster with ups and downs: three consecutive wins that resurrected her trajectory, a few setbacks reminding everyone that MMA is as brutal as a tax audit, and a solid fanbase who adored her gut-punching style and nothing-to-lose attitude. When she earned four post-fight bonuses, it wasn’t luck—it was the reward for putting on shows worth watching. Her resignation from MMA came swiftly after a submission loss to Alexia Thainara, but as many sports fans know, retirement from one arena is just the opening bell for another.

Year	Fight Result	Opponent	Method	Bonus Awards
2018	Loss	Gillian Robertson	Submission	0
2019	3 Wins in a row	Various	TKO, Decision, KO	2
2024	Win vs Diana Belbiţă	Decision	Decision	1
2025	Loss vs Alexia Thainara	Submission	Submission	0

As the MMA world watches McCann transition, questions pop up: Will her striking basics hold under boxing rules? Can her notorious spinning elbows translate to the squared circle where gloves are king? If McCann’s jab and footwork match even half her octagon tenacity, expect fireworks—and a fresh chapter that’s set to shake sports management assumptions for all athletes eyeing a post-MMA career.

Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn’s Role in MMA Conversions

If there’s one name synonymous with big-money fight promotions, it’s Eddie Hearn. Under the Matchroom Boxing banner, Hearn has consistently poached fighters from various combat sports, turning them into headliners with pay-per-view punching power. Matchroom’s strategy of signing former MMA champions or contenders isn’t just a gamble; it’s business acumen meeting showbiz spectacle.

Why the sudden interest in MMA stars? Because fans demand thrilling narratives, and nothing amps up boxing vibes like fighters with octagon scars. Plus, the cross-pollination boosts boxing’s reach beyond its traditional fanbase, tapping into a younger, digital-savvy crowd that grew up bingeing UFC bouts. Case in point: the megafights staged by Jake Paul, who’s virtually rewritten the athlete contract playbook by leveraging notoriety and crossover appeal to pull huge numbers for Matchroom affiliates and partners.

• Matchroom Boxing’s proven foothold in staging major bouts worldwide.
• The calculated appeal of MMA athletes crossing over to boxing.
• Eddie Hearn’s vision to expand combat sports audiences beyond silos.
• Boxing’s evolving athlete contract landscape shaped by crossover market demands.

Promoter	Notable MMA-to-Boxing Conversions	Boxing Debut Year	Fight Promotion Style
Matchroom Boxing (Eddie Hearn)	Molly McCann, Francis Ngannou	2025	High-profile events, global marketing push
Other Promoters	Holly Holm, Cris Cyborg	2013 – 2024	Legacy-driven, selective fight cards

For McCann, joining Matchroom means entering a machine that buffers every jab, every hook with media frenzy and fanfare. The question now is not just how she’ll perform in her new digs but how this deal will influence athlete contract trends and further blur the lines between mixed martial arts and boxing’s often rigid boundaries.

Boxing’s Growing Appeal to Former MMA Champions and Contenders

Boxing is no longer the grumpy grandpa of combat sports, resentfully eyeing MMA’s flashy rise and digital dominance. It’s reinvented itself as the playground for former MMA champions eager to monetize their fighting pedigree in matches that slap harder on the paycheck. The lucrative athlete contracts on offer in boxing, the global reach of promotions, and the simpler scoring system make switching over a tempting prospect.

Take Holly Holm — the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion — whose return to the boxing ring after a decade away has turned heads. Just last weekend, she dismantled Yolanda Vega on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. event. Holm’s case is special because she’s a genuine boxing legend with an International Boxing Hall of Fame induction. Yet her transition underscores the lure of boxing’s spotlight and paydays as MMA veterans age or reevaluate their future.

• Less grueling fight schedules in boxing versus MMA.
• Potential for bigger financial gains per fight in boxing.
• Simpler ruleset reducing injury risk relative to MMA.
• Expanded global audience and stronger broadcast deals.

Fighter	Last MMA Fight	Boxing Debut	Performance Highlights
Holly Holm	2020	2025	Quick victory, expert footwork displayed
Cris Cyborg	2024	2023	3 boxing wins, dominant striking
Molly McCann	2025	Upcoming	Explosive UFC runs, spinning elbows

Still, the transition isn’t a cakewalk. Boxing demands different conditioning, sharper punching, and an unforgiving scoring system that could eat an MMA fighter alive if they don’t adapt fast. McCann’s got the crowd on her side, but if her jab is half as slick as her octagon footwork, Matchroom’s got a star in the making.

Challenges and Opportunities for MMA Fighters Switching to Professional Boxing

When an MMA warrior switches to the sweet science of boxing, they’re not just switching gloves; they’re stepping into a new world with fresh rules, techniques, and an entirely different pace. Some fighters charge in thinking their octagon toughness guarantees boxing wins, only to find their defense is as reliable as Wi-Fi at a busy coffee shop—sometimes working, often not.

The biggest hurdle? The stance and striking methods. MMA fighters generally employ an open stance, mixing kicks, punches, and takedown setups. Boxing demands a narrower stance and an emphasis on hand speed, accuracy, and head movement. McCann’s signature spinning elbows won’t find a home in boxing—her right and left hooks have to carry the weight. Conditioning also shifts focus from a cardio-spiked three-round octagon sprint to a marathon of up to 12 rounds, each needing precision and strategy.

• Adapting stance and footwork from MMA to boxing’s ring.
• Mastering pure punching technique without kicking or grappling crutches.
• Learning defensive nuances specific to boxing—slipping, ducking, and clinching.
• Enduring longer bouts demanding different cardio and pacing.

Challenge	MMA Approach	Boxing Approach
Stance	Open stance, kicking and punching	Narrower stance, punching focus, foot pivot
Defense	Mix of grappling, striking, evasive footwork	Slipping, parrying, head movement
Cardio	Explosiveness in 3-5 round bursts	Endurance for up to 12 rounds
Techniques	Varied strikes, kicks, submissions	Pure punches and clinching tactics

But here’s the kicker: those same challenges can morph into opportunities if tackled with the right mindset. McCann’s aggressive striking and fan-favorite style could translate well if she masters boxing’s rhythm and range control. With Matchroom’s punchy promotional machine behind her, her boxing debut isn’t just an event — it’s a testing ground for a new breed of combat athletes blurring the lines of mixed martial arts and boxing.

Pure class from @bivol_d in defeat 🤝#BeterbievBivol | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/WOV3GlsQA1

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 12, 2024

Impact of Molly McCann’s Signing on Combat Sports Industry and Athlete Contracts

Molly McCann jumping from UFC retirement into a Matchroom Boxing contract isn’t just a personal career twist—it’s a seismic ripple in the combat sports ecosystem. Athlete contracts and fight promotions are evolving fast. No longer are fighters just ‘MMA guys’ or ‘boxers;’ they’re flexible athletes aiming to maximize their brand and paycheck across multiple platforms.

This shift challenges traditional sports management norms that boxed fighters and MMA athletes into silos. With McCann’s deal, Matchroom signals a new era where promotions chase crossover appeal and bigger audiences, leading to more dynamic athlete contracts that factor in multi-discipline potential. It’s a lesson in survival: adapt or get sidelined as the landscape morphs.

• Expanding contracts beyond single-sport limitations.
• Attracting fighters with multi-sport capabilities to boost marketability.
• Boosting fan engagement by offering fresh matchups across combat sports.
• Increasing pressure on MMA promotions to innovate athlete contract terms.

Aspect	Traditional MMA Contract	Emerging Multi-sport Contracts
Exclusivity	Restricted to MMA fights only	Allows boxing and other combat sports participation
Revenue Streams	Mainly fight purses and sponsorships	Additional income from boxing pay-per-views and endorsements
Promotion & Marketing	Primarily MMA-centric	Cross-platform combat sports branding
Fanbase	Niche MMA audience	Expanded fan engagement across sports

In the bigger picture, McCann’s shift nudges organizations like the UFC to rethink athlete management and promote a flexible contract structure, or risk lagging behind in a world where stars like Francis Ngannou and others (read more on evolving fighter deals at Dana White MMA Contract) keep pushing boundaries. For fans hungry for electrifying matchups and fresh narratives, this could mean gold—more than just punches, but stories that redefine combat sports.