MOLLY MCCANN’s surge up the flyweight division came to a screeching halt at Madison Square Garden.
Meatball locked horns with the highly-rated Erin Blanchfield early on Sunday morning on the prelims of a stacked UFC 281 at MSG in New York.
GETTYMolly McCann locked horns with Erin Blanchfield on the UFC 281 prelims[/caption]
GETTYThe Liverpudlian looked to stretch her octagon win streak to four at MSG but was quickly taken down[/caption]
APBlanchfield’s grappling was too much for McCann, who she put in a mounted crucifix[/caption]
GETTYA dogged and determined McCann was forced to submit to a crushing kimura in the first round[/caption]
The Liverpudlian entered the bout in the form of her octagon career following spectacular stoppage victories over Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy.
But she was stopped in her tracks by surging 125lb prospect Blanchfield – who made it four wins on the bounce with a submission victory courtesy of a nasty kimura.
An elated Blanchfield said of silencing the pro-McCann crowd: “It felt really good [ to shut it down].
“And I think that was worth 50k.”
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There was no glove touch to kick off the eagerly-anticipated flyweight showdown.
McCann put the pressure on early and looked to land her powerful straight right hand.
It didn’t take long for Blanchfield to shoot for a takedown, which she got thanks to a beautiful level change after perfectly timing a right hand from McCann.
The American moved into side control and began dropping short strikes as she looked to advance her position.
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Advance position she did as she trapped the Evertonian’s arms in a mounted crucifix.
Crushing blow after crushing blow began to rain down from Blanchfield, although the ref showed no interest in stopping the contest.
McCann tried her best to buck the top-heavy Blanchfield off but had little success.
GETTYErin Blanchfield celebrates her biggest win inside the octagon[/caption]
Blanchfield soon opted to change tack, spotting an opening for a kimura attempt.
McCann bravely, and perhaps dangerously, refused to tap to the bone-snapping submission.
But she was forced to a few moments later when Blanchfield stepped over and put even more crushing pressure on her shoulder.
Blanchfield, 23, said of the finish: “I was definitely surprised he [the referee] didn’t stop it I was throwing so many punches.
“She was still moving, but she wasn’t fully there. But I think it could’ve been stopped earlier.”