Bannon puts pen to paper on dream deal with UFC

SHAUNA Bannon has turned dream into reality by signing for the UFC, with the life-long martial artist expected to make her debut this summer.

Having battled her way to a 5-0 record in her first year as a professional mixed martial artist, the Tallaght native put pen to paper on a deal with the premier organisation in the business.

The Holohan Martial Arts competitor made the announcement on Wednesday, June 7, that she has realised her dream, some 25 years after starting her journey in Tallaght Martial Arts.

“I can finally announce I am now a UFC fighter,” Bannon announced on social media.

“So grateful for everyone who had a part in me getting here over my 25 years in martial arts.

“We have had many ups and downs lots of highs and lows and I am now reaching a huge milestone in my career!

“I may be doing this a long time but believe me when I say this is only the start.”

The former St Mark’s Community School student jumped into fight camp this past week to prepare for her debut at UFC Fight Night London on the Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura undercard.

Scheduled for July 22, Bannon’s competitor has not yet been announced.

When Shauna was born, her father Martin Bannon founded Tallaght Martial Arts out of the hall in St Mark’s National School and she soon became fully engaged in the art of combat.

Martial arts is in her DNA.

Shauna competed at a very high level in kickboxing, being crowned WAKO World Champion five times and WAKO European Champion six times.

In 2018, Bannon started training under former UFC fighter Paddy Holohan after trying a jiu jitsu class and it started a new chapter as a mixed martial artist for the Springfield athlete.

Before turning professional, Bannon stormed to a world gold medal at the 2021 IMMAF World Cup and recorded impressive TKO victories over Catherine McFadden, Charlie Burke, and Shanelle Dyer.

After making her turn to the professional ranks in April 2022, Bannon wasted no time and started with a huge TKO win over Kerry Isom ay Cage Legacy 15.

Bannon puts a full range of disciplines on display every time she steps into the cage, while drawing on her kickboxing heritage.

When facing Minna Grusander at Invicta FC 52 in March, she flexed her fight IQ to outclass her Finnish counterpart across the board.

Over the course of Bannon’s fight with Grusander, it was the left kick which provided much of Mama B’s success on the feet.

The 29-year-old mostly throws her hands from orthodox, but switches stances constantly, particularly when teeing up the devastating left kick from southpaw.

Bringing all of her mixed martial arts knowledge together, Bannon uses her left leg to deliver sidekicks, pushing teep kicks and damaging swinging liver kicks to damage her opponent and set traps.

Most notably in that last fight, which took place in Denver, Colorado, Bannon remained patient and successfully worked her way out of a locked-in knee bar – such is her development on the mat.

Last June, Bannon released a video about her life-long martial arts journey and predicted she would be signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2023.

“Even in the top rankings, I’m confident going in there against all them girls,” Bannon said.

“I have so much experience in martial arts, I’m literally doing it nearly three decades.

“I have the confidence and belief in myself that I will be in the UFC by the end of next year and I will be UFC champion within two-years after being signed.”

Exactly a year after the videos released, Bannon announced she had penned a deal with the UFC.