For Shawna "Junglee" Ram, the long wait has come to an end.
Ram (0-0) is set to step into the octagon for the first time as a professional this Friday, facing American fighter Chelsea LaGrasse (0-2) in a women's atomweight matchup at Mamba Fight Night 5.
The 32-year-old fighter admits she'd been itching to turn pro for several fights now, though her trainer talked her out of it until now. With the timing finally right, she can't contain her excitement to begin this next chapter.
"I just knew it was the right moment. My amateur career was going well," Ram shared during an interview.
"There are so many more opportunities out there now. It was really hard finding 105-pound fights when I was an amateur."
Despite compiling a solid 4-1 record in the amateurs back home, Ram — who trains out of Maple Ridge, British Columbia — explained that her amateur experience never let her showcase the full range of skills she developed in training.
Her coach's Muay Thai roots meant she rarely got the chance to deploy the techniques she'd spent countless hours perfecting, but she's thrilled to finally have that opportunity.
"I kind of felt held back during my amateur career," Ram recalled.
"I'm really excited to finally be able to utilize my tools, elbows and knees. It's going to be fun."
Even though atomweight suits her frame, all five of Ram's amateur fights took place at 120 or 125 pounds.
That history of battling larger opponents has given her a major boost of self-belief as she steps into this lower division.
"Stepping into a smaller weight class, I have the confidence that I'm going to be able to take the fight where I want it to go, and really dictate the pace of the fight."
LaGrasse Coming off Big Promotion Appearances
LaGrasse, 27, brings her own brand of self-assurance into this matchup, having tested herself against high-level competition in her previous two professional outings across two major organizations, Titan FC and Rizin.
Coming from events that draw thousands of spectators down to a much smaller venue, she noted, will help her zero in on the fight itself without the usual distractions getting in the way.
"There were roughly 30,000 fans inside the stadium when I fought for Rizin," LaGrasse told us during an interview.
"Experiencing that massive atmosphere first, then stepping into something more manageable, definitely gives me a better sense of how to handle myself. I won't have to worry about the crowd size, the lighting, or anything else besides the fight."
Beyond the confidence that comes from competing in larger organizations, LaGrasse, who trains out of Lancaster, OH, explained she feels two pro bouts already in her record will put her ahead of the curve.
She predicted Ram would carry the weight of both her professional debut and performing before her hometown supporters.
"We've both been in the cage the same number of times, but the professional level is a completely different beast. The stakes are higher," LaGrasse said.
"Plus, fighting in her own city means she'll have to perform in front of family and friends—that's another layer of pressure to consider."
Having wrapped up her amateur run undefeated, LaGrasse is still looking to secure her first professional victory.
Though she'd prefer her debut to end with a finish, she's absolutely ready to battle through all five rounds against a tough challenger in Ram.
"I'd love to close it out in round one," LaGrasse said.
"But I'm more than willing to go the distance—I've trained for it and my conditioning is ready."
Ram's Shoutouts
"I want to give a special shoutout to my coach/husband. He puts up with a lot and has literally taught me everything I know, and I want him to know I appreciate him. I also want to say thank you to my friends and family, especially my children."
LaGrasse's Shoutouts
"I want to thank my manager, Gary Brown. I want to thank my family, my boyfriend, Troy, and my daughter, Jasmine, for supporting me and sticking with me. I also want to thank my sponsors Never Tap, Fighter Alias, Punch Gunk, Boomkinis, and everybody that's helped me get to this point."
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