MMA's Latest Dual Threat Melissa 'Statick' Balic Signs With The PFL
There's a new dual threat in the mixed martial arts world and her name is Melissa "Statick" Balic. The 26-year-old is getting a ton of attention after signing a multi-fight deal this week with the PFL.
Unlike Paige VanZant, Sammy-Jo Luxton, and many of the other dual threats before her, she signed with a major promotion without making her professional debut. She's 3-1 as an amateur in MMA and currently holds the Flex Fight Series amateur women’s flyweight title.
Balic, who is also 3-0 as an amateur kickboxer, is expected to make her professional/PFL debut this summer. She told MMA Junkie that she expects to debut on June 13 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
"It kind of made sense to me because I knew something really good was coming," Balic said after signing with the Professional Fighters League. "I could feel it. … With PFL now, I’m very excited to make my debut. From there, let’s just see where the path takes me. I’m interested."
An injury forced her to miss her professional debut, which was scheduled to take place back in January. It turned out to work in her favor. The PFL knew they had a talent both in and out of the cage.
"Was like, ‘Why is this happening right now? Are you kidding?’" Balic said of the injury that forced her to miss her pro debut. "Then something way bigger and better came along. That’s why. That needed to happen."
Melissa Balic Is Making The Most Of Her Professional Opportunity
Bigger and better is one way to put it. Balic is quickly approaching 100k followers and will have a lot of extra eyes on her when she finally steps into the PFL cage.
That added pressure isn't going to get to her. She's put in the work to be a title holding amateur and that's going to continue as she works towards her pro debut.
Balic is expecting good things to come her way. She told MMA Junkie, "I don’t necessarily thrive off the pressure, but I do embrace it. I’m embracing all of this, so I’ll be ready when the time comes."
So Melissa Balic doesn't have any professional fights on her resume yet. She does have the mindset of a pro and all the skills necessary to become an Instagram star while she navigates becoming a professional fighter.