Savannah Marshall begins MMA journey with hope for Shields rematch

Forward of her professional MMA debut, Savannah Marshall little doubt is concentrated on who’s immediately in entrance of her.

However don’t assume for a minute she’s not big-picturing her transition to MMA with a watch on the one girl to beat her within the boxing ring: Claressa Shields.

Marshall (0-0) subsequent month has her professional debut in opposition to Mirela Vargas (1-2) to headline PFL Europe 2 in Newcastle, England. And if she will be able to get by means of that, effectively, she’ll discover herself conveniently in the identical PFL promotion as Shields (2-1), who outpointed her in a 2022 boxing match.

However first, she has to only make a clean crossover to a brand new sport.

“Coaching has been onerous – actual onerous,” Marshall advised PFL Europe. “It’s been a large change, however one I’ve actually loved. I’m having fun with studying new expertise and having fun with the changes I’ve created from being a boxer. I’ve been doing it for about 9 months now and I’m actually excited. This can be a chapter I by no means thought I’d have, so that is all a little bit of a bonus for me.”

Marshall, who turned 33 on Sunday, will likely be preventing in entrance of her dwelling followers in England. She just lately advised MMA Junkie she considered MMA greater than a decade in the past, however on the time determined it wasn’t what her journey must be.

However quick ahead to 2024, and Marshall might need put herself into an ideal state of affairs to attempt to avenge the loss to Shields some day.

“I’ve seen Claressa Shields’ fights within the cage, and I can see how she would possibly battle with sure issues,” Marshall stated. “Clearly, what would profit me within the boxing ring doesn’t actually profit me in MMA – I’m speaking about stance-wise. I needed to actually change how I stand. I’ve by no means actually taken something from any of the women preventing within the PFL as a result of everyone seems to be totally different, and I’m going to adapt otherwise. All I can take from Claressa’s combat is that I can level out what she struggled with.”

However earlier than she will be able to hone in on Shields, she has to get by means of Vargas. Almost a 12 months after her most up-to-date boxing win in July 2023, that’s what she’ll attempt to do after an undeniably profitable boxing profession with a number of titles.

“All I wished to be was undisputed and have all of the belts, and that’s what I’ve accomplished,” Marshall stated. “This can be a new journey for me. This can be a new guidelines. This can be a new set of targets, and it’s actually thrilling. That is new, and it’s the unknown, and it’s actually obtained me pumped up. That is one thing I’ve been lacking for a very long time in boxing.”