Marshall stops Vargas in electric MMA debut

Savannah Marshall stopped Mirela Vargas successful nan first information of an electrical MMA debut successful beforehand of her location fans astatine PFL Europe successful Newcastle.

The 33-year-old undisputed super-middleweight boxing champion was taken down aggregate times but roseate to overwhelm her Brazilian force pinch an onslaught of punches astatine nan Utilita Arena.

Following nan bout, Marshall was joined by semipermanent boxing adversary Claressa Shields successful nan cage, pinch nan brace group to proceed their rivalry successful nan PFL.

"Thank deity I tin punch. I've only been doing this 9 months, but I've loved it," said Marshall.

"Now, where’s my pal Claressa?"

Marshall has made nary concealed of her desire to conflict Shields nether MMA rules, pinch nan Hartlepool autochthonal revealing a large facet down her move to nan PFL was to prosecute a conflict pinch nan 29-year-old American.

Shields, who avenged her conclusion astatine amateur level to hit Marshall successful 2022 and go boxing’s undisputed middleweight world champion, made her PFL debut successful 2021 and has won 2 of her 3 fights successful nan organisation.

Marshall started MMA training 9 months ago, citing a lack of challenges successful boxing, and her quality connected nan large screens early successful nan nighttime astatine nan Utilita Arena brought large cheers from fans.

Marshall had been training pinch UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall successful mentation for her MMA bow, and cameras showed nan Manchester combatant giving her immoderate last words of encouragement arsenic she wrapped her gloves.

Walking retired successful a Newcastle United shirt, Marshall looked focused earlier entering and side-stepped astir nan cage to a rousing ovation.

The information provided non-stop action from nan doorbell arsenic Marshall's consecutive correct manus stung nan 26-year-old Vargas, earlier nan location favourite was wobbled by a limb kick.

Marshall was past taken down by Vargas successful nan first grappling speech of nan fight.

Pundits had cited grappling arsenic being nan imaginable downfall of Marshall pursuing her modulation to MMA, but nether nan tutelage of Aspinall and his begetter Andy - who were successful her area - she showcased nan activity she has done successful jiu-jitsu by getting backmost to her feet.

With nan crowd now besides opinionated and successful afloat voice, Marshall began her barrage of punches, rocking Vargas pinch consecutive near aft consecutive right, but nan Brazilian would unafraid different takedown pinch a hopeless dive astatine nan debutant's feet.

Marshall looked successful problem concisely arsenic Vargas attempted an limb triangle submission, but arsenic nan crowd drew successful breath, she showed fantabulous protect skills erstwhile much to get backmost to her feet.

For nan 2nd time, Marshall past unloaded pinch piston-like strikes, forcing Vargas to screen up pinch small offence, and pinch nan stats showing a 31-4 punch advantage, nan referee stopped nan contest.

"These MMA fighters, you’ve sewage to beryllium a small spot crazy to do this," said Marshall.

"I've loved it, conflict week, nan training, nan MMA organization has welcomed maine pinch unfastened arms. It’s a reliable athletics and I return my chapeau disconnected to immoderate 1 who does it

"Mirela is simply a bully opponent, kickboxing world champion, adjacent play to her for coming over. There's only 3 rounds, boxing you tin return your time, but present they're connected you from nan first bell."

Marshall past shared a infinitesimal of respect pinch Shields, arsenic nan smiling brace fist-bumped and agreed to conflict nether MMA rules successful nan PFL astatine a later date.

But erstwhile asked if Marshall would beryllium a regular successful nan PFL cage, she hinted that a return to boxing mightiness beryllium imminent if promotor Ben Shalom makes nan correct offer.

"I don't know. Ben Shalom's here, I told him you're going to person to get your purse retired now, get nan cheque-book out," added Marshall.

Elsewhere connected nan paper location were awesome wins for Britain's Jack Grant, who back-suplexed Charlie Leary earlier ending nan title pinch crushed strikes, and compatriot Shanelle Dyer, who knocked retired Mariam Torchinava pinch a spectacular caput kick.

The PFL besides announced British erstwhile UFC combatant Marc Diakiese has signed a statement pinch nan organisation.

The 31-year-old won 8 of his 15 fights crossed 7 years successful nan promotion and is group to make his PFL debut later this year.