Savannah Marshall talks transition to MMA, grateful to be headlining PFL Newcastle on June 8

Savannah Marshall is set to headline PFL Newcastle on June 8, 2024, in her hometown of Newcastle, England, in what will be her mixed martial arts (MMA) debut. Professional Fighters League (PFL) recently announced that Marshall will headline the event in a Lightweight fight opposite Mirela Vargas.

Marshall — current WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring female Super Middleweight boxing champion — recently revealed that the transition into MMA hasn’t been easy, but she is enjoying the process.

“Training has been hard, real hard,” she said during a recent media conference call. “It’s been a massive change, but one I’ve really enjoyed. I’m enjoying learning new skills and enjoying the adjustments I’ve made from being a boxer. I’ve been doing it for about nine months now and I’m really excited. This is a chapter I never thought I would have so this is all a bit of a bonus for me.”

Marshall — who has a record of 13-1 with 10 knockouts — says headlining an event in her debut in her hometown is something she doesn’t take for granted.

“It’s been amazing for me,” she explained. “I am extremely grateful for PFL for giving me this opportunity. I remember a couple of months ago when they were talking about my debut and I remember saying I don’t mind fighting abroad or in someone else’s backyard. But, they offered Newcastle, and I thought, ‘Wow, what an honor.’ I’ve headlined the Utilita Arena three or four times now as a boxer, and to headline it in my mixed martial arts debut is a dream come true.”

Marshall’s lone loss in boxing came against Claressa Shields, who is 2-1 inside PFL’s Smart Cage. Always looking to learn from other people, “The Silent Assassin” says even though she is going to do her own thing — her own style in the cage — she can’t help but to notice where Shields has struggled.

“I’ve seen Claressa Shields’ fights in the cage, and I can see how she might struggle with certain things, and obviously, what would benefit me in the boxing ring doesn’t really benefit me in MMA,” she explained. “I’m talking about stance-wise, and I had to really change how I stand.

“I have never really taken anything from any of the girls fighting in PFL because everyone is different, and I am going to adapt differently,” Marshall concluded. “Like I said, all I can take from Claressa’s fight is that I can point out what she struggled with.”

PFL Newcastle will also feature a Lightweight co-main event between Kane Mousah (14-6) and Dylan Tuke (7-4).

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