As per a press release, the PFL Europe card taking place in Newcastle on June 8th is a certified banger. Headlining the card will be boxing world champion, Savannah Marshall, who will make her professional MMA debut having signed for the promotion last year. We now know that her opponent in Newcastle will be Brazil’s Mirela Vargas, who will also be making her PFL debut. Vargas (1-2) has never seen a second round in her career as the 26 year old has a finish within 12 seconds and two losses in the first round. With that being said, both of her losses have come to the same girl.
The event will also mark the kick off of the 2024 PFL Europe Season which gives participants the chance to win $100,000. Newcastle will see the beginning of the bantamweights and women’s flyweight tournaments.
If that wasn’t enough, there are also a handful of showcase fights taking place in the north of England.
Women’s Flyweight Tournament
One of the hottest prospects in UK MMA, Shanelle Dyer takes on the far more experienced, Mariam Torchinava (9-2). Dyer is 4-0 with three finishes as well as a victory on Polaris 24. Her opponent on the night is enjoying a five fight winning run, including four finishes, however, hasn’t ever made the step-up to a decent level. Expect a Dyer win with ease.
Viral sensation, Sammy-Jo Luxton will finally make her PFL debut and will finally have a game opponent. Although she’s 2-0 with two finishes in under 20 seconds, the Manchester Top Team prospect has never fought anyone who warrants a reasonable opponent. Lizzy Gevers will be standing across from her in Newcastle with a record of 3-1. No Flow‘s only loss came via split decision to Valentina Scatizzi, last year’s finalist.
SAMMY JO LUXTON! 🏴 #FCC37 pic.twitter.com/zEPuJ5M74Q
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) March 9, 2024
Scatizzi returns herself to take on France’s 43 year old veteran, Marie Loiseau. This all European affair sees Loiseau as the far more experienced woman with a 6-4 record as opposed to Scatizzi’s 2-2.
Rounding out the female flyweight tournament is Ireland’s Dee Begley, who sports a record of 4-5 (including being 1-4 in her last five fights). The SBG Ireland prospect takes on undefeated Polish 25 year old, Paulina Wisniewska. Although she’s only 2-0, she has a long amateur record of 18-6.
Men’s Bantamweight Tournament
Veteran of the English MMA game, Dean Garnett will look to extend his four fight winning run in his PFL debut as he clashes with Belgium’s Ayton De Paepe.
Elsewhere, Frans Mlambo of South Africa looks to bounce back from his PFL Europe 2023 loss in the final when he takes on England’s Luke Shanks. Shanks, in recent times has only lost to the best on the national scene. The UFC’s Jake Hadley and Caolan Loughran both hold wins over Shanks, as does Sam Creasey (who defeated him for the CageWarriors flyweight title before losing in the rematch).
Last year’s champion, Khurshed Kakhorov looks to make it two tournament victories on the bounce as he kicks off his campaign against Bondo Kikadze.
Other Fights on the Card
Fan favourites, Kane Mousah and Dylan Tuke clash in what promises to be an exciting clash in the co-main event. The welterweight season begins with experienced UK fighters Jack Grant and Charlie Leary meeting to begin the 170lbs tournament in style.
Fan favourite, Lewis McGrillen looks to bounce back from his only career loss, however, his opponent is yet to be named.
We also have:
Alexander Luster vs Alperen Karabulut (135lbs)
Ben Woolliss vs Maher Belkhadir (145lbs)
Mark Ewen vs Mathias Poiron (155lbs)
Ibragim Ibragimov vs Josh Reed (145lbs)
