The UFC has been my goal since I started in MMA, I've spent 5yrs working towards it...

Fighter Shauna to make dream debut in 02

- EMMA MCMENAMY

UFC fighter Shauna Bannon is paving the way for other women to compete in the sport as she vowed: "I'm going all the way to the top."

The 29-year-old, from Tallaght in Dublin, will make her UFC fighting debut against Brazilian Bruna Brasil on July 22 at the O2 in London.

Shauna, who is trained by Paddy Holohan, will become the second Irish female to enter the octagon and the first since Aisling Daly, aka Ais The Bash, in 2015.

The fighter, known as Mama B, is the third Irish fighter on the bill on a night of action featuring Conor McGregor and Ian Garry.

The mixed martial artist, who started kickboxing at the age of three and turned professional just last year, said she wants to make her two-year-old son Jayce proud.