McCann kept Taylor family tie quiet to avoid coat-tails claim

Molly McCann says she and Katie Taylor deliberately kept their family relationship private for years. The UFC flyweight revealed the pair are related but stayed quiet to protect both their reputations.

“It was the best kept secret in combat sport because Katie doesn't speak much and I didn't want to look as if I was riding off her coat-tails”

— Molly McCann, via BBC Sport

What Molly McCann said

McCann has built her own following in mixed martial arts while Taylor became a two-weight undisputed boxing champion. The family connection between the Liverpool fighter and the Irish legend was not widely known until McCann addressed it publicly. Both women compete in combat sports but have pursued separate career paths.

What it moves

McCann's decision to speak now suggests she feels secure in her own MMA standing. Taylor rarely discusses personal matters in media, consistent with McCann's description. The disclosure adds context to McCann's career without changing either fighter's competitive picture.

Source: bbc.co.uk. Full Molly McCann fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.