Paddy Pimblett says that Molly McCann’s mixed martial arts legacy will be long remembered after the Liverpool native announced her retirement from the sport in the cage in London last Saturday night.

Former Cage Warriors champion McCann removed her 4oz gloves following a first-round submission defeat to Alexia Thainara in the English capital last weekend, saying to UFC commentator Michael Bisping immediately afterwards that her recent performance had not been “good enough.”

“The UFC deserves more,” she explained. “I deserve more. You all deserve more. Thank you and good night, UFC.”

And paying tribute on social media to the fighter to whom Pimblett is most linked due to their close friendship, he said that McCann’s actions in the cage have confirmed her status as a “legend” of the sport.

“Heartbreaking night last night watching my big sister retire. Been there with her from the start and will always be there. This may be the end of her fighting career but it’s far from the end of mine and her friendship. That’s till death do us part,” he wrote on social media.

“UKMMA women’s legend. First English woman to get a win in the UFC and has one of the best knockouts in women’s UFC and combat sports history.

“Her legacy will live on forever emotional isn’t even the word for last night but even when I was crying the meatball will never fail to make me laugh when she said “’haven’t done bad for a lesbo who was working in Subway have I.’

McCann steps away from the sport with a professional record 14-8 and having won just one of her final five fights. However, she will be fondly remembered for the energy and enthusiasm she brought to her fights, and in particular successive spinning elbow knockout wins over Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy.