Molly McCann tapped out with 28 seconds remaining of the first round in her bout with Alexia Thainara, who twerked in the middle of the octagon seconds later in celebration.

Shorty after her submission defeat, McCann announced her retirement from MMA, ending a 10-year professional career in which she boasted a 14-8 record.

The Everton supporter, who won over fans due to the heart-on-the-sleeve nature of her performances and heartwarming friendship with fellow Liverpudlian UFC star Paddy Pimblett, fought a total of 14 times in the UFC.

She won seven of those bouts, the most recent coming in February last year before back-to-back defeats by Bruna Brasil and Thainara.

Thainara was riding on a nine-fight win streak heading into Saturday's bout, which she stepped into on less than two weeks notice. 

Having just won in Dana White's contender series, the Brazilian extended her dominant run, beating McCann via a rear-naked choke.

In her excitement after the fact, Thainara leaped into the air and landed on her side in the middle of the octagon, before twerking on the ground as McCann was attended to by the referees while she fought to stay conscious.

Once McCann rose to her feet, she announced her retirement, emotionally taking to the microphone to say: 'Thank you and good night, UFC.

'UFC, Dana, Gunther, Mick, f***ing hell, all of you. I started this sport at 24, I walked into that gym with these three boys and I have given you all my f***ing heart and soul.

'But tonight, with that performance with someone on a week notice, it's not good enough, I'm not coming in here just for the pay day. The UFC deserves more, I deserve more, and you all deserve more. 

'So from this little girl from Norris Green who has got to fight in these arenas, thank you so f***ing much.

'To the little girls at home, look at me, look what I managed to do, just two hands and two elbows and I had a good go. UFC Europe, UFC PI, the UFC, thank you so much.

'And Dana, if you ever need an ambassador to fly around Europe, I'm good on the ale.'

The likes of White, Pimblett and Jose Mourinho were in attendance at the O2 Arena to give McCann a round of applause as she announced her retirement, aged 34.