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British world champion boxer to make MMA debut with fighter tipped to face former rival in new sport

British world champion boxer to make MMA debut with fighter tipped to face former rival in new sport

She will make her MMA debut on June 8.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

World champion boxer Savannah Marshall will make her MMA debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in June.

Marshall, who holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring female super-middleweight titles, will fight under MMA rules in her next outing.

She hasn't fought since beating Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win the female super-middleweight belts last July.

The 32-year-old has opted to compete in MMA, having begun training last year.

Marshall's first MMA contest will take place at a PFL Europe show (opponent TBC) on June 8 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.



In a statement, PFL CEO Peter Murray said: "The Professional Fighters League prides itself on having the best athletes in the world on its roster and on June 8, PFL welcomes boxing world champion and combat sports Icon Savannah Marshall to the SmartCage for her MMA debut, where she will compete in front of her hometown fans in Newcastle."

Marshall's sole blemish on her professional boxing record is a unanimous decision defeat to Claressa Shields.

And a rematch against Shields, who earned a split-decision victory over Kelsey DeSantis at PFL vs. Bellator, has been mooted - but in MMA.

The American scored a points victory over the Hartlepool fighter in a boxing bout back in October 2022.

On Shields vs Marshall 2, Murray added: "Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought, and now with Savannah’s MMA debut, the two are on a collision course for a rematch wearing four ounce gloves and settling the score in the PFL SmartCage."

Shields made her MMA debut back in June 2021 as she beat Brittney Elkin at PFL 4.

But she lost her next MMA outing, suffering a split-decision defeat to Abigail Montes at PFL 10.

The 29-year-old returned to the win column with a victory over DeSantis last February.

Should Shields come out triumphant in her MMA debut, then she could run it back with Shields in an MMA bout under the PFL banner.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: UFC

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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@NasJabbar