UFC fighter Molly McCann was captured in a recent video gifting UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya a signed Everton shirt.
Both fighters will be in action at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden this weekend. In a video posted on McCann’s Instagram, the Evertonian was shown gifting Adesanya a Toffees shirt before they embraced and the champion thanked her.
McCann is seen explaining to Adesanya the meaning of the EFC logo and adding Alex Iwobi’s name is printed on the shirt. The Everton playmaker is a fellow Nigerian which is something Adesanya takes great pride in. This was clear when McCann explained who had signed the shirt for the 185lb’er.
Toughest fight yet
Gifts aside, ‘Meatball’ is in for her toughest fight to date as she attempts to make her way up the flyweight rankings.
The Scouser faces 12th-ranked Erin Blanchfield on the biggest stage in the world. The 23-year-old opponent has a lot of attention going into this bout and McCann plans to derail the hype train.
This will be the first time the flyweight will have fought without teammate Paddy Pimblett on the same card since he signed with the UFC. Following back-to-back finishes on both UFC London cards, McCann will hope to keep up her winning ways in the Big Apple.
Adesanya, who is the main event of UFC 281, is in for a familiar challenge. ‘The Last Style Bender’ faces former foe, Alex Pereira, in a rematch that has been in the making for years.
Suffering two defeats to Pereira during his kickboxing days, things are now personal for the dominant UFC champion. Undefeated as a middleweight, Adesanya expects an all-out war during this main event that will be his sixth defence in the UFC.
Global superstar
McCann has been mixing with the stars inside and outside of MMA leading up to this fight. The 32-year-old has claimed rapper Drake will be in attendance for her bout this weekend. And former Everton and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney sent McCann a message of support.
