Boxing Champion Claressa Shields Extends MMA Journey with PFL Re-Signing.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-division boxing champion, Claressa Shields, is set to continue her foray into the world of MMA. Shields, with a current MMA record of 1-1, has recently re-signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in a multi-year agreement. The PFL made the announcement on Wednesday, underlining Shields’ commitment to exploring new horizons in combat sports.
Widely celebrated as one of boxing’s finest female athletes, Shields has already tested her skills in MMA on two occasions under the PFL banner. With her renewed contract, Shields aims to further solidify her presence within the MMA landscape and looks forward to making her mark inside the cage in 2024.
“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” Shields said. “My goal remains unchanged: I will be the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”
Affectionately known as “The GWOAT” (The Greatest Woman of All Time), Shields remains undefeated in boxing with an impressive 14-0 record. Her journey into MMA began in 2020, with a debut appearance in 2021. Notably, Shields secured a convincing third-round TKO victory over Brittney Elkin at the 2021 PFL 4 event, marking her successful initiation into the world of professional MMA.
In her second professional MMA bout, Shields faced a setback as she fell to Abigail Montes via a split decision. However, Shields quickly rebounded by securing three consecutive unanimous decision victories in the boxing ring. Notably, she triumphed over Ema Kozin, Savannah Marshall, and Maricela Cornejo, showcasing her versatility and determination across both combat sports.
