The PFL have made a huge signing with boxing’s undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano joining their ranks.
Serrano will join the PFL’s PPV SuperFight Division. It will see the star swap the squared circle for an MMA cage, something which is not completely new to Serrano.
Serrano made her announcement in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour and was beaming with excitement at the prospect of a return to MMA:
“I am officially signed to the PFL company. I am proud to be a part of great talent in the company as well as Jake Paul. I’m excited to be part of the PFL family.”
When asked by Helwani what the motivation was to make a switch back to MMA, Serrano had this to say:
“MMA is an amazing sport you know. I have so much respect for MMA fighters. Actually doing it, coming from boxing I said “Wow”. To me, I was like, leave me in boxing. Boxing is so much easier. But I love the challenge of MMA, I love that I get to do different things and challenge myself.”
Quotes credited to combatsportsuk.co.uk
Who is Amanda Serrano? – Boxing.
For those purely in the MMA world, Amanda Serrano may not be a name that fully crosses over.
Serrano is quick, powerful and spiteful in her attacks and has become one of boxings must-see attractions (not only in the women’s division but as a whole). With a record of 44 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, over a 47-fight career Serrano has picked up 30 knockouts, something which is an impressive feat when fighting over two-minute rounds.
Amanda Serrano was one half of a game-changing, all-female headliner at Madison Square Garden against Irish legend, Katie Taylor in April last year. Serrano was on the wrong side of a split decision loss, in an incredibly close fight which many felt Serrano was unfortunate to lose.
The fight itself was a spectacle and was a fight of the year contender across the sport of boxing as a whole (not just in the women’s divisions).
Serrano has been chasing a rematch with Katie Taylor but her plans were scuppered when Taylor fell to a defeat against fellow undisputed champion Chantelle Cameron.
Who is Amanda Serrano? – MMA.
When Amanda Serrano gloves up for her PFL debut, it will not be the first time Serrano has stepped inside a cage.
Serrano has completed in grappling tournaments and has a record of 5-0 with 4 submission finishes. As for the cage, Amanda Serrano has competed three times in mixed martial arts and has a record of 2-0-1 with both wins coming by way of submission.
These wins, admittedly were at a certain ‘level’ of MMA but Serrano has certainly proved capable when the fights hit the ground. It will be interesting to see who Serrano is matched up with on her PFL debut which Helwani stated was likely to be the end of this year or early in 2024.
PFL PPV SuperFight Division.
Serrano will make her debut in the PFL with their PPV SuperFight Division. This will be completely separate to the PFL’s league format and is likely to consist of fairer matchups for the likes of Serrano. Serrano has stated that she is most likely to compete in the flyweight division of MMA, this will be a mirror image of her boxing featherweight weight class of 125lb.
Amanda Serrano becomes the third fighter signed to the PFL’s SuperFight Division and follows in the footsteps of her manager Jake Paul and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
What’s Next for Amanda Serrano?
Amanda Serrano is in action on Saturday night in her more natural squared circle. Serrano will be putting her undisputed featherweight title’s on the line against Heather Hardy in a ten round championship bout in Dallas, Texas.
Serrano has insisted that despite her switch to the PFL, she will continue to defend her titles in boxing alongside her MMA ventures. In a move similar to that of undisputed middleweight boxing champion Claressa Shields, Serrano will certainly be keeping active as she fluctuates between the two sports.
Who would you like to see Amanda Serrano face in her PFL debut? Let us know in the comments section below.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
