As she stands on the precipice of her next great adventure, Amanda Serrano, one of the most esteemed female boxing champions to ever grace the sport, has declared her intent to venture back into the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) before she draws her illustrious career to a close. In doing so, she’s taken a monumental step towards fulfilling that desire. Serrano’s previous stint in MMA, though brief, was impactful – with an undefeated record of 2-0-1. Her last MMA bout saw her reign supreme over Valentina Garcia in the iKON Fighting Federation match that took place on June 11, 2021.
Carrying a prodigious boxing record of 44 victories, 2 losses, and 1 draw with 30 wins by knockout, Serrano’s exploits within the boxing ring have been nothing short of extraordinary. She has claimed nine major world titles across seven different weight classes, etching her name into the annals of boxing history. Endearingly dubbed as “The Real Deal,” Serrano is currently the holder of the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring featherweight championship belts. Fans eagerly await her upcoming fight as she is set to defend these undisputed belts this coming Saturday in a highly anticipated rematch against Heather Hardy. This thrilling match-up will serve as the co-headliner for the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz event, to be held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Serrano’s tenure in MMA may have been short-lived, but it was certainly not short of excitement. She made her maiden appearance in the sport in April 2018 in the flyweight division, where she fought valiantly to a unanimous draw against Corina Herrera. She followed this up with a victory over Erendira Ordonez in October 2018, ending the bout with a first-round rear-naked choke. Returning to the ring in June 2021, she transitioned to the strawweight division and executed a swift 60-second guillotine choke submission to defeat Valentina Garcia.
One particularly noteworthy highlight in Serrano’s career was her participation in the 2022 Fight of the Year bout with Katie Taylor, which has the unique distinction of being the first-ever women’s boxing match to headline New York’s Madison Square Garden. The event has been widely recognized as the most important women’s boxing match of all time. Despite her valiant effort, Serrano suffered a narrow split-decision loss to Taylor.
In the realm of MMA, Serrano has demonstrated her formidable prowess, securing victories in both of her wins by submission, spanning the flyweight and strawweight divisions. Beyond boxing and MMA, she also boasts an impeccable 5-0 record in no-gi submission grappling, with her most recent victory being a unanimous-decision win over Erin Finkeldey in New York City in 2019.
“Although my name is primarily associated with boxing, I’ve always nurtured a deep love and respect for MMA and Jiu-Jitsu,” Serrano said, reflecting on her multi-disciplinary background in a press release heralding her new venture. “I’ve always believed that acquiring skills across these disciplines would add to my overall prowess in the ring. The PFL’s dedication to promoting gender equality and providing equal opportunities for female fighters has played a major role in guiding my decision.”
She went on to say, “The prospect of returning to the cage fills me with excitement. I’m eager to put on a show for MMA fans around the globe, promising thrilling performances and unforgettable moments.”
The PFL’s Super Fight division continues to strengthen its lineup, having recently signed other combat sports luminaries such as Francis Ngannou, Kayla Harrison, and even Serrano’s promoter, the controversial Jake Paul. As such, the PFL’s Super Fight division is shaping up to be a formidable force in the world of combat sports. With Serrano’s addition, it is sure to become an even more electrifying spectacle.
