Molly McCann has vowed to "punch the head off" Erin Blanchfield if she tries to "wrestlef***" her in their fight at UFC 281.
McCann, 32, faces one of the toughest challenges of her UFC career this Saturday in 23-year-old wrestling standout Blanchfield, who is unbeaten in the promotion. 'Meatball' was on the brink of being cut from the UFC after losing back-to-back fights, but has since become a household name thanks to consecutive spinning elbow knockouts in London this year.
Blanchfield is the betting favourite over McCann and many fans think her wrestling will be too much for the Liverpudlian, who has previously won amateur titles in boxing. McCann feels Blanchfield will try her best to wrestle her in their fight, but she will ultimately suffer the same fate as her last two opponents.
"I can’t wait to get in there and for her to try and wrestlef*** me," McCann said. "I’m going to absolutely punch the head off her for trying. My last two opponents have tried to grapple me when it’s got to deep waters and it’s not come off for them. I don’t see any difference in this, I feel like when she takes a lick [punch], she will absolutely come for me.
"I’m training with some of the best grapplers I spent a good four weeks doing a lot of wrestling and jiu-jitsu before my training camp. I’m excited, but I’m not going to lie there are fights I’ve gone into against grapplers like ‘oh my f***ing god it’s going to be a long night’ but I’m not scared, I’m ready to go."
Who wins at UFC 281 - Molly McCann or Erin Blanchfield? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below!
McCann brought over American wrestler Victoria Anthony to her gym in Liverpool to help her prepare for Blanchfield. Anthony won several college national titles and has taken part in two World Championships, with McCann adding that Anthony's strengths are very similar to Blanchfield's.
"Bringing Victoria out was massive, she's been around the world and has done it a million times. Victoria’s strengths lie in Erin’s strengths," McCann added. "Their trips and throws are very similar. Victoria comes from a judo and wrestling background, she was excellent. She's a little bit lighter than me, so I was able to really get a feel for it and my self-belief has absolutely risen. I’ve started rounds against the cage in every s**** position that I could be in and I’m getting up then knocking people down."
