Shauna Bannon Highlights Growth of Women in MMA Landscape

UFC star Shauna Bannon has recently discussed the significant evolution of female participation in mixed martial arts (MMA). Reflecting on her early experiences, Bannon noted that when she began her journey in kickboxing and MMA, opportunities for women were scarce, forcing her to train predominantly with men. Today, the landscape is markedly different, with a growing number of female fighters and training partners.

From Isolation to Inclusion

Bannon’s journey began at the age of three in her father’s kickboxing gym, a time when female representation was minimal. “There weren’t a lot of girls. My main training partners for the majority were men,” she shared during an interview with RSVP Live. “I’m only training more so with girls in the past year.” This shift has been crucial for Bannon, who emphasized the differences in training dynamics between male and female partners.

“Some men are really good training partners, while others may hold back or go too hard due to their egos,” she explained. “With girls, it’s an equal balance.” Bannon highlighted that in her father’s gym there are now more female competitors than male, a stark contrast to her early experiences.

In disciplines like jujitsu, Bannon noted that the number of women training has surged. “There’s so many girls on the mats every day,” she stated, pointing out the importance of having female training partners. “When you’re training with men, they have more testosterone and are naturally bigger and stronger, so it’s beneficial to train with females as well.”

Bridging the Gap in Female MMA

Reflecting on her early days in Irish MMA, Bannon recognized a considerable gap between amateur and professional female athletes. “When I started female MMA in Ireland, there was a gap,” she recalled. “There were people that were pros, but there was no one really starting off.” Bannon, who had prior kickboxing experience, faced challenges in securing fights as an amateur, often needing to travel abroad for competition.

“I think I had one fight in Ireland. Now there’s so many more girls on the scene and it’s constantly growing,” she noted, underscoring the increasing opportunities available for female fighters.

As she progresses in her career, Bannon addressed the added pressures that come with age and additional responsibilities. “A 20-year-old might not have as many worries. As you get older, there’s other things that come into life,” she explained. Bannon, a mother, highlighted the balancing act of personal and professional commitments, saying, “You can’t really focus too much on the negative. You have to try to think of the positive.”

With her last fight bringing financial stability, Bannon feels a sense of relief but understands the challenges that come with her dual roles as an athlete and a parent. “Whatever appears, appears and you go with it when it comes,” she concluded.

The landscape of MMA continues to evolve, and Bannon’s insights reflect a broader trend of increasing female participation and representation in the sport. With more women entering the arena, both as competitors and trainers, the future looks promising for female athletes in MMA.