EXCLUSIVE: Meet the rising British star who's just signed to the PFL

Meet the rising British MMA star who’s signed to the PFL, trains with UFC legends and starred in TWO documentaries

  • Shanelle Dyer became the latest star to sign with Professional Fighters League 
  • The 22-year-old fighter gained notoriety with his impressive amateur record 
  • Just 2-0 as a professional, Dyer remains confident she can claim glory in the PFL 

There aren’t many 22-year-olds who train with UFC legends, star in documentaries and are signed with one of the biggest mixed martial arts companies in the world.

But then again, most 22-year-olds aren’t like Shanelle Dyer. The rising British prospect recently became the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) newest recruit and it’s clear to see why.

With an impressive 8-3 record as an amateur and ‘over 150 Muay Thai’ fights under her belt, there is reason to be optimistic about the English fighter’s arrival. 

And Dyer, similarly to PFL chiefs, is brimming with excitement after signing with the organisation – which she revealed exclusively to Mail Sport.  

‘I think for me, personally, it’s such a smart decision,’ Dyer explained. ‘What I really like about the PFL is that they structure it so well for people just starting up. 

Shanelle Dyer (left) has become the latest rising British star to sign with the Professional Fighters League 

The 22-year-old stands with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre (left) after a training session

There is high optimism over the rising British star – who boasts an impressive amateur record as she heads to the PFL

‘I’m 22-years-old and 2-0 – I’m so early in my career! What I love about the PFL is that I can grow within the promotion, they’re not just going to throw me in the deep end.

‘They’re going to work with me and build me up so I can be the best fighter I can be. It’s such a great promotion to level me up.’

PFL Europe’s Head of Fighter Operations, Dan Hardy, agreed with Dyer’s sentiments and claimed the 22-year-old has ‘all the potential in the world’.

‘Just what she’s achieved so far, it speaks for itself. I’ve seen her train, seen her fight and I know what she’s capable of,’ ex-UFC star Hardy said.

‘I don’t think she’s been tested yet and by joining the PFL we’ll be able to ensure she gets the right match-ups. I think she’s going to impress people everytime out. 

‘She’s got all the potential in the world to take this sport right to the top level and I don’t think people are quite realising the extent of her capabilities.’ 

Dyer will arrive in the PFL with a 2-0 professional record after stunning KO victories at the start of 2023, but Hardy insists there’s more to her game than elite striking.

‘People know what to expect with Shanelle, with her striking being so strong,’ Hardy explained. ‘But that means, most likely, they’re going to underestimate her wrestling and jiu-jitsu. 

PFL Europe’s Head of Fighter Operations, Dan Hardy, insisted that Dyer has ‘all the potential in the world’

The 22-year-old stands with Liverpudlian UFC star Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann (left)

‘She’s working with closely with Brad Pickett and Ash Grimshaw – they’re going to instil only the best and most useful techniques into her. 

‘Pickett was one of the best wrestlers in MMA that we’ve ever had out of the UK and I know that he’s passing on that information and I know Shanelle is absorbing the information like a sponge.’

Dyer has enjoyed a fruitful career in MMA despite being just 22-years-old and it’s seen her rub shoulders with some of the sport’s biggest names. 

After working with UFC legends such as Pickett, Georges St-Pierre (GSP) and Molly McCann, Dyer admits she’s trying to ‘absorb’ as much information as possible.

‘I think, especially as a young fighter, you need to absorb as much as you can. You need to travel, fight and spar the best fighters that you can get your hands on. 

‘That’s why I went to Canada, spoke to GSP and got inspiration from him. I sparred Molly McCann… there’s so many inspirations – especially in my team. Simeon Powell, he fights for PFL, he inspired me to sign with PFL as well. Brad Pickett is a legend in the game.

‘Brad’s been at the top of MMA and he has so much stuff that I can work on. And he’s so selfless. He’s literally been at the top of MMA and he’s training us guys and pushing us to be the best.’ 

Dyer starred in two documentaries last year that focused on mixed martial arts in the UK

While her move to the PFL while cast a new spotlight upon Dyer’s career, it won’t be the first time that the British prospect has become the centre of attention. 

In recent years, Dyer has starred in the BBC documentary ‘Inside the Cage: The Rise of Female Fighters’ and the Sky Sports documentary ‘The Good Fight Club’ – which both cast a light on the UK’s mixed martial arts communities. 

‘I think starring in those two documentaries did a lot for my image,’ Dyer said. ‘A lot of people, especially in MMA, they look on Instagram and they look at your fights and they see you at your peak. 

‘But I think those documentaries gave people an insight into who I actually am as a human being. And it inspired the younger generation as well.

‘I really want to aspire the young people coming up. I came from the same area where they came from and look at me now. 

‘I’m literally on the biggest stage in the world. There’s different paths but we can all be great if you just put your mind into one thing.’

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