Shauna Bannon will make her official debut against Bruna Brasil in a women’s strawweight contest during the ESPN+ prelims at UFC Fight Night 224. She has a history of performing in other combat sports but is now part of the MMA community.
Even though the transition has been relatively smooth, things are about to get serious on Saturday. So, continue reading to find out what Bannon has to say about this transition and balancing combat sports with motherhood.
Bannon currently trains with veteran UFC fighter Paddy Holohan and has two Invicta wins on her résumé ahead of her UFC debut at The O2 in London. “Mama B” expressed that the pressure on Saturday is something she thrives on. She mentioned that every fight comes with overwhelming pressure, and she believes that feeling such nerves and butterflies in her stomach is entirely human. According to her, these emotions are what drive her to perform at her best. Without them, she wouldn’t be able to deliver her optimal performance. This is what defines her as “Mama B” in the world of sports.
Bannon is also encouraged by the backing of a fellow Irishman, Conor McGregor. Although he is not on her gym squad, he is on squad Bannon, which gives her confidence. So does the prospect of winning for her son, Jayce, and reaping the benefits of spending as many full days as she can with him while training for her fight.
Bannon mentioned that her schedule is indeed quite busy. After her morning training session, she often feels worn out and exhausted. However, coming back home to see Jayce, her child brings a positive change to her day. Jayce serves as her motivation and rejuvenates her spirit, encouraging her to go on with her second training session of the day. Bannon believes she has the advantage of experiencing the best of both worlds. While some people work regular 9-to-5 jobs and miss spending the entire day with their kids, she gets the opportunity to be with Jayce, which she values greatly.
In her daily routine, Bannon explained that she drops off Jayce in the morning and then proceeds with her morning training session. After completing her training, she returns home to spend the entire afternoon and evening with her child. This arrangement allows her to have quality time with Jayce before her evening training session. She feels fortunate to have the best of both worlds – the opportunity to pursue her athletic ambitions while also being able to witness Jayce’s growth and development at each stage of his life. Although the schedule is undeniably exhausting, Bannon finds it fulfilling and cherishes the moments she shares with her child.
But what fans are really anticipating is her debut performance. What are your predictions about her upcoming fight? Let us know in the comments.
