Gemma Auld’s background was in semi-pro rugby, but she also trained in Dutch kickboxing for eight years. She then succeeded on the amateur MMA scene, going 6-0 and capturing a flyweight championship. The striking specialist then made her professional MMA debut with the PFL Europe card last September, scoring a first-round finish of Weronika Pietruszka.

 

Sammy-Jo Luxton is a striking prodigy, as evident by her Muay Thai success. A WBC champion in the discipline, she went 43-5 in Muay Thai, a run that included a silver medal at the IFMA World Championships. She clinched the WBC Pro Muay Thai World Title in 2022 and the WMC Intercontinental Title in 2023. After a year away from professional MMA due to health challenges, Luxton now looks to take her 2-0 record (with two first-round finishes) and build upon it with her PFL debut tonight.

 

Which of these two up-and-coming striking specialists will come out on top?

 

 

Round 1

 

Kick from Luxton to start. Some trading early on. Combinations from Luxton. Auld pressures, but Luxton escapes. Luxton with another combination. Luxton is landing. Auld goes for a takedown, but Luxton pushes her off. Another combination from Luxton. Low kicks from Auld. Luxton with a front kick. A right hand from Luxton. Auld tries for a body lock, but Luxton escapes. Luxton landing a lead right. Luxton landing to the body. One-two from Luxton. Low kick from Luxton. Left hand from Auld. One-two from Luxton. Luxton with another combination to the body. Auld finally grabs a hold of Luxton and presses her into the fence.

 

Auld with a body lock, looking for a trip. Auld trying to get Luxton to the mat, but Luxton trying to stick to the fence. Luxton landing elbows from behind. Auld tries to get Luxton’s legs out from under her, and she does so. Luxton right back to her feet. Auld trying to land knees to the thighs. Auld with a takedown. Luxton scrambles to the feet, but Auld has her back as they’re against the fence again. Luxton landing to the head despite Auld’s grasp. Auld looks for another takedown, but Luxton fights it off. Auld goes for another takedown and gets it. Luxton gets back up, Auld brings it back down, and Luxton gets back up. Hammerfists to the side from Luxton.

 

 

Round 2

 

Auld on the outside. Luxton throws a kick but it’s blocked. Low kick from Luxton. Low kick from Auld, but Luxton answers with a combination. Strong right hand lands for Luxton. Left hand and a body kick from Luxton. Another combination by Luxton. Luxton landing the left hand multiple times. Auld’s bleeding now. Two shots to the body and one to the head. Auld with a body lock, but Luxton works out of it. Combination from Luxton. Auld grabs a hold and gets Luxton to the fence again. Auld works a trip, but Luxton is back to the feet. Auld scoops Luxton up and gets the takedown – and this time it looks like Luxton is staying down.

 

Auld landing a few shots and getting to Luxton’s back. Auld appears to be sinking hooks in. Now Auld is in the mount and landing punches! Auld looks for a choke. Luxton tries to tuck her chin. But the choke is in, and there’s the tap!

 

 

Gemma Auld takes a bit of a beating on the feet, but her grappling efforts end up paying off in a submission victory!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Gemma Auld defeats Sammy-Jo Luxton by 2nd round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:42) in a women’s flyweight showcase bout.

 

Auld moves her undefeated career record to 2-0, with both wins coming by finish (1 knockout, 1 submission)

 

Auld represents Scotland and is 34 years old

 

Auld was undefeated as an amateur as well (6-0)