NEW YORK – “You can blow up and then you can blow up.”
Molly McCann admits the past few months have been a challenge. Her life has changed drastically after all.
As much as McCann (13-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) wants to give everyone the time and attention they deserve, the sudden spike in success and popularity has made that nearly impossible. But some recent advice from former UFC double champion Conor McGregor has eased her a bit as she nears her UFC 281 fight Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
They met for a pint at McGregor’s pub, Black Forge Inn, and continued dialogue over the days that followed. His advice? McCann called it “poetic.”
“I messaged him going, ‘How do you handle this? Because you can blow up and then you can blow up. I just couldn’t quite get my head around how some people are with you,'” McCann told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 281 media day. “(McGregor) was just like, ‘When you’re in the gym, it’s just the gym. Don’t let no one else in. Keep everyone outside. Always remember it’s just fighting. You’re a cage warrior. That’s what we are. We’re Cage Warriors champions.’
“He said some mad things about, ‘Valentina is going to get a Mac spanking’ and all these things. It was so poetic, and it was so lovely. My partner, Ellis, printed it off and put it in a sign at MSG. It’s in my front room. So every day, if I’m struggling or I’m feeling good, I don’t get ahead of myself, get a big fat head, and walk around with ego. It’s to stay grounded and realize that I’m just here to win. The rest of it, the external factors mean f*ck all.”
It wasn’t a linear path to stardom. McCann had six fights under her belt before she really took off. A recent three-fight winning streak, two spinning elbow knockouts, a sponsorship deal with Barstool Sports, and her friendship with budding star Paddy Pimblett have grown her fanbase exponentially. She’s finally taking it in stride.
“It’s been absolutely disgusting, to be honest,” McCann said. “Post-fight, I’ll enjoy an ale, enjoy doing the media with everyone. Then, when you get home, it absolutely kicks you in the face, because you’re not normal any more. I can’t just walk a little Frank and Patty down the streets anymore. So what I’ve had to do is leave a private life, because my life is not private anymore. That’s been something that not everyone has had to deal with. When we start fighting, I think we start to just win a belt. We don’t start for fame. We don’t really start for the money. It’s about the prestige and the honor of winning that belt.
“I’m very fortunate. I suppose that people want to know and that I’m that approachable. But it’s weighed heavy. I’ve just learned how to handle it now. Do you know like me, I never want to not give everyone every a bit of time I’ve got. I want to make everyone feel special. But when you’ve got hundreds of people a day that can drain your energy. I’ve learned to lay boundaries, be respectful to the people when they want to speak to me. But if I ain’t got time, it’s not the end of the world if I say no. That’s been the hardest thing, but I’m learning.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.
