Sammy-Jo Luxton’s journey from Muay Thai to MMA has been marked by both triumph and tragedy.
What began with a car break-in in early 2024 paled in comparison to the challenges that followed.
Amidst the exhilaration of an 18-second knockout victory and signing with the PFL, Luxton endured the heartbreaking losses of her grandmother and father.
The 26-year-old then faced a life-threatening medical crisis: emergency surgery for ovarian cysts led to sepsis—a potentially fatal response to infection, external—following post-operative complications.
This ordeal prompted Luxton to consider retirement.
However, after a period of healing and reflection with her loved ones, she now views 2024 as a transformative experience, embracing future challenges with renewed determination.
“It’s shown me I can overcome anything. It was like getting hit, standing up, getting hit again, and getting back up,” Luxton told BBC Sport.
“I treated it like a fight – if someone knocks me down eight times, I’ll get back up nine.
“Now I’ll bring that mentality into the ring. Nothing can affect me mentally or physically after what I’ve been through.”
Luxton was recruited by the PFL.
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Luxton, a Devon native, began Thai boxing at age 10.
After a brief stint in boxing, she relocated to Manchester and dedicated herself to MMA, training full-time.
Following two consecutive professional victories—culminating in a March 2024 win—Luxton signed with the PFL.
However, her June debut was cancelled.
The cancellation stemmed from her father Adam’s hospitalization following a heart attack, coinciding with Luxton’s own need for emergency surgery; she was hospitalized on the ward below him.
Post-surgery, she spent two days with her father before his passing in April—two months after her grandmother’s death.
“When my dad died, I considered retiring from the PFL tournament—I couldn’t go on,” Luxton recalls.
“But he’d be furious if I quit. He devoted countless hours to my career, preparing meals and helping with weight cuts—it wouldn’t have been for nothing.
“I’ll do this now, for his legacy.”
Upon returning to training, Luxton experienced unusual fatigue, initially attributed to rigorous training.
Within two weeks, her condition worsened dramatically, culminating in intense pain, chills, sweating, and uncontrollable shaking at the gym.
Luxton’s partner rushed her to the hospital where a sepsis diagnosis revealed a body temperature of 42°C (107.6°F), a life-threatening situation.
“My body shut down completely; everything was a blur,” she says.
“That wiped out my year, so it was about rebuilding my strength gradually.
“I prioritized time with friends and family, focusing on physical and mental recovery.”
Now fully recovered, Luxton is preparing for her PFL European tournament debut.
She faces Scottish flyweight Gemma Auld in Belfast this Saturday in an all-British matchup.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m grateful to the PFL for their support during difficult times,” Luxton adds.
“It’ll be pure excitement. My last two fights lasted under 30 seconds—I hope the PFL fighters give me a more challenging fight.”
Luxton, nicknamed ‘Ghetto Cinderella,’ sees the potential rewards of the PFL Europe.
In 2023, Manchester’s Dakota Ditcheva, 26, won the tournament, progressing to the global bracket and becoming Britain’s first female MMA world champion.
“Dakota and I fought on the same shows,” says Luxton.
“Dakota paved the way. She’s shown the financial success possible; she’s set her family up for life, and that’s my goal—to support my family.
“Hopefully, I can emulate Dakota’s success.”
Luxton (right) and Scotland’s Gemma Auld are the only female fighters on the Belfast card
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