Mirela Vargas Believes MMA Experience Gives Her an Edge Over Savannah Marshall

SAVANNAH’S MMA DEBUT OPPONENT IS SET! 👊

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Savannah Marshall vs. Mirela Vargas 🇧🇷 @Savmarshall1 makes her MMA debut in the PFL SmartCage on Saturday 8th June at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England!

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The undisputed world champion boxer makes the transition to mixed martial… pic.twitter.com/R8ItF86oqf

— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) April 26, 2024

Despite Savannah Marshall’s impressive boxing pedigree, Mirela Vargas believes her mixed martial arts experience will give her an edge over the Englishwoman in their upcoming fight.

Marshall (0-0) and Vargas (1-2) are scheduled to headline PFL Europe 2 on June 8 at the Utilitia Arena in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England. While the bout will mark Marshall’s pro MMA debut, the undisputed female super middleweight boxing champ is being considered a sizeable favorite.

However, Vargas plans on showing the world that elite boxing skills may not be necessarily be enough for an MMA fight. The Brazilian who is also making her PFL debut, expects to have an experience advantage over Savannah with three pro MMA bouts already to her name.

“I have a feeling I come in with an upper hand, given the fact that I have MMA experience,which is something she doesn’t,” Vargas said through a translator during a PFL media day. “And, her fans seem to think that she can beat me with her boxing game, but I'm coming out there to Newcastle on June 8 to show people that in order to be an MMA fighter: your kicks must be up to date, you need to be able to use a cage, you need to be able to grapple, you need to be able to submit people and do a whole lot more than you were able to do in boxing.”

Vargas made her pro debut with a 12-second knockout win over Ariele Ribeiro in 2021. However, the 26-year-old has since suffered back-to-back stoppage losses against Daiane Silva, both in the first round.

Meanwhile, Marshall is coming off her undisputed super middleweight boxing title win over Franchon Crews Dezurn in July 2023. “Silent Assassin” has held titles in two weight classes, and finished 10 of her 13 career wins, only dropping a decision against renowned women's boxing icon and current PFL talent Claressa Shields.