Shannon Clark is riding high off of an LFA title defense in Brazil that will give her momentum to take on a combative compatriot from South America as Clark embarks on her first effort with the Professional Fighters League.
Clark appeared on MMA Canada ahead of her PFL debut on June 27th as part of the Smart Cage encroaching into San Diego when the Canadian combatant clashes with Ilara Joanne. When touching on the mindset tied to her first fight with one of the biggest MMA promotions on the planet, Shannon Clark said [via MMA Canada],
“The usual feeling. [laughs] I mean it goes up and down. I would be lying if I’m always like woo. But up and down emotions. I think my last fight in Brazil and other fights I’ve had has given me the opportunity to at least know what to expect. Like for media-wise and for the week leading up and it’s not just the usual fight itself anymore. So I think I’m at least prepared that way whereas in the past I haven’t been. So at least that’s given me the opportunity and understanding a little bit more which has helped a lot mentally.”
Defending her LFA title last time out against Beatriz Consuli imparted a lot of big takeaways to the Lethbridge-based athlete heading into her next bout this Saturday, as Shannon Clark stated [via MMA Canada],
“Oh yes. It was crazy. It was like they rolled out the red carpet for you being the main event. It was insane. It was awesome. It was like the whole week leading up. We did media stuff in the evening and at night when it’s dark. Like you spent so much time with her which is crazy before a fight. Luckily she didn’t speak very much English so we didn’t have to talk [laughs]. Thank goodness cuz I don’t know how I’d fight a friend. She seemed like a very nice person. Afterwards it was just so cool. I had so many people want to take pictures and talk.”
“I gave everyone that I could my belt to hold and everything. Because I’m just like, “Oh, thank you for even coming and supporting us. Like, yes, you didn’t want me to win, but now you’re talking to me, so thank you so much.” I’m just trying to get to know everyone. We had our translators out and we’re trying to talk to each other and it was Oh, it was such a cool thing. I will forever remember one of those nights. Such a good memory.”
Shannon Clark recognizes “huge test” in Ilara Joanne at PFL San Diego
As she faces another Brazilian fighter here, someone in Ilara Joanne who is a very tenured person on the Bellator MMA circuit and has fought a lot of big names there. But also within PFL, Joanne has clashed with names like Liz Carmouche, Taila Santos. When giving her thoughts on her looming PFL fight vs. Joanne, Shannon Clark quipped [via MMA Canada],
“She’ll be so experienced. She has more wins than I have fights, more losses than I have fights, right? She’s so experienced that no matter what practicing, I will never get to her level. That’ll be a huge test, right? Doesn’t matter how many rounds you do in training like she’s been in the cage for so many more minutes than I have. So that’ll be one of the biggest tests I’d say is how developed she will be.”
