Alexia Thainara is set to make her UFC debut against Molly McCann at UFC London, aiming to showcase her skills and resilience by taking the fight on short notice with just a week to prepare and cut weight.
Alexia Thainara is determined to crash the English celebration at UFC London this Saturday. Her plan? To make a memorable debut by defeating Molly McCann in the octagon.
Just last Friday, in Varginha, Brazil, “Burguesinha” was wrapping up a training session. Out of the blue, her manager rang team leader Marcelo Ribas with a question: Was the Contender Series veteran prepared for a short-notice fight?
Without hesitation, Ribas replied, “Of course. She’s ready.”
Moments later, the phone buzzed again. The fight was on! Thainara had just two days to leave Varginha, head to Sao Paulo, and catch a long flight to London. Oh, and she needed to shed seven pounds in just one week.
“We were expecting a high-profile fight already,” Thainara shared with MMA Fighting. It had been seven months since her Contender Series appearance. “It’s a good fight, a tough fight,” she continued. Clearly, they recognized her as a formidable fighter. No half-hearted matches here—it’s all about putting on a show!
Thainara’s journey to the UFC began with an impressive victory over former teammate Rose Conceicao on the Contender Series. That win took her record to 11-1 as a pro.
Meanwhile, McCann is no stranger to the octagon; this will be her 14th UFC bout. With seven wins under her belt, “Meatball” has the experience advantage. But Thainara believes she’s ahead in other aspects of the game.
“I’ll beat her with my best—my heart—by being aggressive and versatile,” Thainara declared. The key? Not allowing McCann to rely on her boxing skills.
“And let’s not forget my jiu-jitsu background,” she added with confidence. Five submissions in a row speak volumes: tap or sleep.
Before signing with the UFC, Thainara had quite the streak on the Brazilian circuit. Between 2021 and 2023, she secured five consecutive submissions, including two lightning-fast eight-second finishes. True, her opponents weren’t top-tier—both were 0-1—but “Burguesinha” views UFC London as her grand entrance.
“I’m still unknown in the UFC,” Thainara admitted. But she’s certain this opportunity will change that. After all, taking a fight on seven days’ notice isn’t something everyone does. It only proves that their team is always ready for action.