IMMAF Gold Medalist Shauna Bannon Wins Cage Legacy Flyweight Title in Final Amateur Fight

Image Credit: Bloody Shamrock / Stephen Towers

Shauna Bannon capped off a successful amateur MMA career yesterday evening, winning the Cage Legacy flyweight title in the main event of Cage Legacy 14 at the Pillot Hotel, Ashbourne.

Rounding out an undefeated 2021, Bannon secured a hard-fought third-round TKO over highly-decorated Muay Thai standout Shanelle Dyer. The Holohan Martial Arts fighter dropped Dyer in the first round with a beautifully-placed head kick. Bannon followed Dyer to the mat, and almost finished the fight with some heavy ground-and-pound against the cage, but somehow Dyer survived.

The second round was much more competitive, with Dyer getting the better of the striking exchanges overall. Bannon wore some heavy shots well, and continued to return fire, but it was a clear Dyer round.

With everything to fight for in the final round, Bannon’s heart and fight IQ were on full display. After some initial exchanges on the feet, Bannon tactically timed a level change to lock Dyer up against the cage. From there, Bannon took the fight to the deck, progressing from full guard to half guard and finally mount before unleashing a barrage of strikes that forced the TKO stoppage and sealed the title for the Tallaght native.

The win marks an end to an incredible year for the 28-year-old fighter. In November 2020, Bannon gave birth to her son, Jayce. Since returning to MMA competition in July, “Mama B” has pitched a perfect 5-0 year as a mother, winning the IMMAF world cup in Prague back in August, and now finishing a whirlwind 5 months as Cage Legacy champion.

In her pre-fight interview with Ian O’Neill, Bannon asserted that Cage Legacy 14 would be her last fight as an amateur, signaling her intention to move up to the pro MMA ranks. The newly-crowned champion reaffirmed that statement in her post-fight interview with Andrew McGahon.

With women’s MMA on the rise in Ireland, Shauna Bannon is one to keep an eye on!