Latest news with #ShaunaBannon
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shauna Bannon: "With the good and the bad days, I still have my son"
Irish UFC fighter Shauna Bannon has cited her son Jayce as her biggest motivator as she pushes for success in the UFC strawweight division. "Mama B" is 7-1 in professional MMA, with the 31-year-old's only loss coming in her UFC debut against Bruna Brasil. She told the Irish Mirror: "I thought I was motivated before I had him, but now it's just on a different level. I could be having such a bad day, a bad training session, or I'm injured or whatever, and I still get to go home and he's there, making me laugh and joke. "I remember when I lost my debut, I felt like s***. And then I got to go home to him, and he just put a smile back on my face. "With the good and the bad days, I still have him, and that's huge to me." While providing for her son is now Bannon's biggest motivation, it was her father who sparked her love for kickboxing. "Only the other day, my main kickboxing gym, Tallaght Martial Arts, my Dad's gym, was moving to a new location and clearing up, and I was looking at the collages on the walls of photos from all over the years. "I actually got so emotional seeing those photos. I was crying because I was thinking that I don't know where I'd be today if my Dad had never got me into kickboxing. "Normally young girls go into dancing or singing or something completely different. So, I'm so grateful that my Dad put me on that journey, and it led me to the path that I'm on now. "I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't do kickboxing. I literally get to live every day doing what I love. And I couldn't imagine it being any different. "My Dad is still in my corner now when I fight in the UFC and it's really special to have him there." Bannon is unsure whether kickboxing or jiu jitsu is her main discipline, as she practised so much jiu jitsu during her early career that she is now used to both styles. She explained: "When I first started, I soon realised that I needed to learn how to do jujitsu, because I had no background in it. I'd never even watched it. So, it wasn't like I even had a slight idea about it. I had to learn everything from scratch. "I remember my first sparring session, I was like, kick, kick, kick, and I just got double-legged [a jiu jitsu takedown]. And then I was on the ground and I didn't know what to do there. "So, I spent a good chunk of the first, probably year and a half, just doing jujitsu. I actually stopped doing striking completely. "Sometimes I'd take a half day from work to make the lunchtime class. I was sometimes doing jujitsu three times a day, because I just felt like I really needed to catch up. But now, to be honest, if you had to make me choose, and I got paid the same for striking or jujitsu, I'd probably do jujitsu." She revealed that by the time she turned pro, the Dubliner had a multitude of suitors for promotions, before settling on Invicta Fighting Championships, which is an all-women's series. She said: "I had one from Ares, I had one from Cage Warriors, I had one from Oktagon, I had one from KSW. And then I had one from Invicta. And there was PSL [as well]. "I had to do the pros and cons, and I wrote out. It wasn't even about the money at that stage because I had to think long term, you know, I was offered more money with different promotions. "But I went with Invicta because I did see it as the stepping stone to get into the UFC. And luckily it worked out. "I was originally offered an opportunity for the Contender Series, and then they actually just contacted me again, said they watched more of my fights and they wanted to sign me straight away. "Then they had an opponent for me and then I fought on the UFC London, so it all happened very, very fast. "There wasn't a lot of time to kind of digest it, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity that the UFC has given me and Invicta because they were an amazing promotion to fight with as well. Bannon thanked OnlyFans for the ability to pursue a fighting career as funding can be limited without sponsorship, especially at lower levels. "The sponsorship that I have with OnlyFans has given me that financial security because fighters don't get paid a lot, especially at the start. "And since my last fight and the partnership with OnlyFans, I'm financially secure, which takes a huge weight off my shoulders because I'm a single mother. I still have bills to pay. "It's a good way of getting closer to my fans as well because sometimes on other platforms, I wouldn't be able to connect with them in that way. "So it kind of gives that other connection with the fans as well that you're not normally able to give." She is hoping for two more UFC fights before the end of the year. "I'm hoping to fight again this summer. I'm just waiting on confirmation. And then if I do fight in the summer, I'd love to fight again before the end of the year. "I like to keep the momentum going and be active, as active as I can." OnlyFans has a huge range of sport creators offering exclusive behind the scenes content and insights into their training, including boxers, tennis stars, and MMA fighters. Fans can check out Shauna Bannon's OnlyFans at:
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Shauna Bannon on her 'whatever it takes' moment at UFC London after Puja Tomar's head kick
LONDON – Shauna Bannon beat Puja Tomar with a second-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 255 at The O2 in London. Take a look inside the fight with Bannon, who picked up a $50,000 bonus, the first of her UFC career. Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar Result: Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 3:22 Updated records: Bannon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Tomar (9-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) Key stats: Bannon's submission was the first of her career and first stoppage since her second pro fight. Bannon on the fight's key moment 'I was just thinking whatever it takes (after I got dropped with the head kick). I knew I got dropped and I was on my back, but I'm quite comfortable on my back. I've spent hours there in jiu-jitsu drilling and stuff, and the armbar is my thing. When I had the arm, but she wasn't tapping, I could feel it in her. She was kind of giving up, and then I just inverted under and I had the arm and the finish was there.' Bannon on activity increase 'I understand (staying active for better mental health). I really do understand that. I think sometimes people find that they don't know what their identity is other than being a fighter. But I am kind of grown from that because I'm a mother, as well. There's a lot more going on in my life. But I do understand that mentality. I'm 31, so I want to give it a good go for the next couple of years and make a run for it. I don't want gaps in between. That's more my purpose of wanting activity.' Bannon on what she wants next 'I would love (to get into the rankings). I would love to fight another three times this year – start of the summer, September and December. That would be the dream for me because I think I work well with momentum. My first 12 professional fights were in the space of five months. I like when I don't kickbox and I competed every other weekend. I work well with that. Having a year gap in between was obviously out of my control, but that that's not something that I would prefer. I prefer to keep going and stay active. Activity is something I'm looking at this year.' 'Everyone thinks I'm a kickboxer but I'd like to think I'm a mixed martial artist now.' Shauna Bannon (@ShaunaBannon5) stops Puja Tomar via armbar at #UFCLondon to earn her first-ever submission win. Results, Interviews & More ➡️ — UFC News (@UFCNews) March 22, 2025 To hear more from Bannon, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Fight Night 255 takeaways: Can Carlos Ulberg beat Magomed Ankalaev or Alex Pereira?
What mattered most at UFC Fight Night 255 from The O2 in London? Here are a few post-fight musings … * * * * What many pinpointed as the bathroom break of the undercard ended up being the highlight of the prelims when Shauna Bannon staged a remarkable comeback against Puja Tomar in their strawweight bout. No matter what happens throughout the remainder of the year, Bannon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will at minimum be an honorable mention in the 2025 Comeback of the Year discussion. She was left for dead on the canvas after Tomar floored her with a perfect head kick, but then somehow turned the tables and snatched up an armbar to win the fight. This result was certainly a product of the combined skill level involved. Superior fighters would've either finished it after the head kick, or avoided getting tapped from the armbar. Regardless, it was much-needed excitement amid a slow start to the event, and for that, both women deserve praise. UFC Fight Night 255 video: Shauna Bannon turns tables on Puja Tomar with Round 2 armbar Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos After derailing a potential heavyweight on the rise with a unanimous decision victory over Mick Parkin, longtime octagon veteran Marcin Tybura revealed he is now a free agent after finishing his promotional contract. With 22 appearances and 14 wins, Tybura finds himself all over the divisional record books and has been a mainstay of the weight class for years. He's a known commodity, but it depends if the UFC brass find him to still be serviceable at this point. Tybura (27-9 MMA, 14-8 UFC) hasn't landed a standing knockdown in his entire UFC career, and although he has submission and ground-and-pound ability, it's rarely pretty. He can be a good test for someone like a Tom Aspinall on the rise when they met in a main event, but how useful is it to the UFC when he beats Parkin the way he did? These are real questions to ponder. If the UFC cares about having the best in the world regardless of fighting style, then Tybura should be locked up to a new deal quickly, because he's still clearly top 15. Unfortunately, it should surprise no one if, despite all his service and getting his hand raised here, his next fight ends up elsewhere. Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos5: Best photos Molly McCann announced her retirement from MMA after a first-round submission loss to newcomer Alexia Thainara, and honestly, her reasoning was sound. McCann (14-8 MMA, 7-7 UFC) could not resist the ground arsenal of Thainara and found herself tapping to a rear-naked choke in the opening frame. Not only was it a loss, but it was a loss to a far less experienced foe who accepted the fight on just eight days' notice. McCann craves greatness, and said it's hard to justify continuing what felt like a definitive setback. Even though she never reached championship level, McCann did contribute something meaningful during her nearly seven-year window under the UFC banner. She became the first British female to win inside the octagon and achieved a level of notoriety both inside and outside her own country that most in the sport could only dream of. Perhaps most importantly of all, McCann did it the right way. She always treated people around the sport kindly, and she should exit with her head held high. UFC Fight Night 255 video: Molly McCann retires from MMA after Alexia Thainara's quick win Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos Carlos Ulberg's winning streak continued to build against his most noteworthy opponent yet. He got the unanimous decision victory over former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, but it wasn't exactly the most memorable fight. Ulberg (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and Blachowicz spent the better part of 15 minutes peppering each other with leg kicks with the occasional striking exchanges. The commentary team was on the verge of begging them to commit to riskier exchanges, but then time ran out, and Ulberg was the winner. He called for a title shot against the Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch winner, but the temperature from that fans on that seems low. The streak looks nice on paper if you forget about how the actual fight looked, though, and that's to Ulberg's advantage no matter how things play out. Can Ulberg get a title shot after this fight, or one more win? Certainly. Did this fight against Blachowicz have anyone thinking he's the division's prominent threat to the belt? He's got some work to do in that regard. UFC Fight Night 255 results: Carlos Ulberg outpoints ex-champ Jan Blachowicz for 8th straight win Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos Sean Brady is deserving of all the praise for stepping into the main event and becoming the firs tot finish Leon Edwards in MMA with a fourth-round submission, but the real story after the event is the former champion. Edwards' (22-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) fall from grace in the welterweight division has been rapid. He was the champion roughly nine months ago, but a lackluster showing in his title fight loss to Belal Muhammad, followed by a performance against Brady that had few redeeming qualities, is a tough pill to swallow. Given it took a 10-fight unbeaten streak and a lot of breaks in his favor for Edwards to get his first title shot, it's hard to look around and see the positives if he wants to climb back to gold. Moreover, it seems he's lost of a lot of the faith of his British fans after back-to-back flops on home soil, and it's going to take some work to rebuild that sentiment, as well. Edwards has overcome much in his life and bigger obstacles than this. But in terms of his fighting career, this is a prominent moment of adversity that he will have to dig his way out of. UFC Fight Night 255 results: Sean Brady dominates, submits ex-champ Leon Edwards 'How good is Belal?': Fighters react to Sean Brady's finish of Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255 Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Fight Night 255 takeaways: Can Carlos Ulberg beat Magomed Ankalaev or Alex Pereira?
USA Today
23-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 255 bonuses go to the only four finishers in London
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card – one to each fighter who got a stoppage win. After UFC Fight Night 255, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in London. Check out the winners below. Performance of the Night: Shauna Bannon Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 3:22 Shauna Bannon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) pulled off a stunning finish when she forced Puja Tomar (9-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) to tap to an armbar in the second round. It came not long after Tomar landed a huge head kick that sat Bannon down and nearly had her finished. But the Irish prospect rallied and lit up The O2. Gallery Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos View 37 photos Performance of the Night: Chris Duncan Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:42 Chris Duncan (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) didn't care about the odds when he stepped into the cage against 3-1 favorite Jordan Vucenic (13-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC). The Scotsman tapped him with a brilliant second-round guillotine choke, then called out Terrence McKinney for a fight at UFC 314. Gallery Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos View 43 photos Performance of the Night: Alexia Thainara Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:32 Alexia Thainara (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) took her UFC debut against Molly McCann (14-8 MMA, 7-7 UFC) on just 10 days' notice. Then she made a noteworthy and lengthy cage entrance that was longer than it took for her to submit McCann in front of her home British fans. McCann announced her retirement after the loss. Gallery Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos View 35 photos Performance of the Night: Sean Brady Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 4, 1:39 Sean Brady (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) left virtually no doubt he has the chops to challenge for a UFC title when he dominated former welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC). Brady made easy work of Edwards with his wrestling for the first 15 minutes, then masterfully choked him out in the fourth. Gallery Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255: Best photos View 45 photos For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 255 video: Shauna Bannon turns tables on Puja Tomar with Round 2 armbar
LONDON – Shauna Bannon was in deep trouble before rallying to score her first UFC finish. Just moments after getting dropped by a clean left high kick, Bannon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) was able to whip up an armbar off her back and submit Puja Tomar (9-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at the 3:22 mark of Round 2 in their strawweight prelim bout at UFC Fight Night 255 on Saturday at The O2 in London. Check out the replay of Bannon's finish below (via X): WHAT A COMEBACK 😱 #UFCLondon@ShaunaBannon5 gets our first finish of the night! Watch our prelims LIVE NOW on @UFCFightPass 📺 — UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 22, 2025 After dropping her UFC debut to Bruna Brasil, Ireland's Bannon has now won two straight bouts. India's Tomar saw her five-fight winning streak snapped. Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 255 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
