Savannah’s MMA debut opponent has been decided! 👊
🏴♀️🏴♀️🏴♀️🇧🇷 Savannah Marshall vs. Mirela Vargas 🇧🇷 @Savmarshall1
I will be making my MMA debut in the PFL Smart Cage at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, UK on Saturday, June 8th!
The undisputed world champion boxer turns to mixed martial arts… pic.twitter.com/R8ItF86oqf
— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope)
April 26, 2024
Despite Savannah Marshall’s impressive boxing pedigree, Mirella Vargas believes her mixed martial arts experience will give her an advantage over the British woman in upcoming bouts.
Martial (0-0) and Vargas (1-2) are scheduled to compete in the headliner of PFL Europe 2 on June 8th at the Utilitia Arena in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England. . The bout will be Marshall’s professional MMA debut, but the undisputed women’s super middleweight boxing champion is considered a heavy favorite.
But Vargas intends to show the world that elite boxing skills aren’t always enough for an MMA match. The Brazilian, who will also be making his PFL debut, already has three professional MMA fights under his belt and expects to have an experience advantage over Savannah.
“I feel like I have an advantage going into the fight given the fact that I have the MMA experience, and she doesn’t,” Vargas said through a translator at PFL media day. “And her fans think she can beat me in boxing, but I’m going to Newcastle on June 8 to show people that to be an MMA fighter, your kicks have to be up to date. You have to be able to use the cage, you have to be able to grapple, you have to be able to make your opponent submit and do a lot more than you can in boxing.”
Vargas made his professional debut in 2021 with a 12-second knockout victory over Ariel Ribeiro. However, the 26-year-old Vargas has since suffered back-to-back stoppage losses to Diane Silva, with both losses coming in the first round.
Meanwhile, Marshall will be looking to secure the undisputed boxing super-middleweight title against Franchon Cruz-Dezurun in July 2023. “The Silent Assassin” holds titles in two weight classes and has finished with 10 of her 13 career wins, with only one decision coming against a well-known female boxer. Claressa Shields, an icon and current PFL talent in her own right.
