@jzosports
Cris Cyborg renewed her callout of Claressa Shields during PFL Tampa fight week, saying Shields turned down a $2 million boxing offer after previously speaking about their sparring history.
Cyborg faces Ketlen Vieira in the PFL Tampa main event on Saturday, August 22, with the card scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The fight also gives Cyborg a chance to become the first women’s MMA fighter to reach 30 professional victories.
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 19, 2026
Cyborg Questions The Shields Fight Delay
Cyborg pointed directly to the proposed purse when discussing why a boxing bout with Shields has not happened.
“If you are really 100% sure you beat me in that sparring, that you did so good in that sparring, okay—then why run away from $2 million? For me, it is supposed to be an easy fight for you then. Why are you running around? Why are you running? So if you guys listen to me, just think about it. If you just say, ‘Oh, I beat her in the sparring,’ cool.”
“Her last fight she made $500,000, you can see it on the commission. So why are you running from $2 million to fight me, somebody you already beat in sparring?”
“Sounds very weird. She can find a lot of excuses to avoid this fight, or just say, ‘Okay, let’s do this fight.’ I’m not saying it is going to be an easy fight for me, but I love a challenge. If you know my career, I don’t step down. I’m not scared, and I’m excited for sure. I’m gonna train my butt off for this fight and do the best for the fans. Because I love what I do. So just think about what I’m saying, just think, guys.”
The challenge arrives after Shields stopped Kaye Scott in round six to regain major titles, months after her 2027 Lauren Price timeline became part of the boxing title picture. Cyborg’s immediate MMA business is still Vieira, who enters Tampa after her UFC exit led into a PFL title opportunity.
PFL Tampa Stakes Keep Cyborg Busy First
Cyborg said she was not focused on the 30-win milestone until her team brought it up during fight week.
“I don’t check this all the time, you know. My team say, ‘Cris, you are number one, all-time female title defenses, the biggest and the most victories in your career,’ but I don’t stay checking all this. I believe when you love what you do and put in the sacrifice and do your best, you’re giving 100% everything like I do. I think this is the consequence.”
She also credited Vieira’s resume before the main event, pointing to former UFC champions on Vieira’s record.
“She’s top 10 in the sport. She beat a lot of legends in the sport (Holly Holm, Miesha Tate). I think it’s a great test, a great challenge, and I love challenge. If I win the fight, it’s gonna be my 19th championship fight with victory. I know Ketlen is a tough girl, she has a lot of experience, and it’s going to be a tough fight.”
Cyborg is 41 and has repeatedly said a retirement decision is possible, but she framed that more as a reminder to appreciate the moment than as a final declaration.
“For over three years I’ve been saying maybe this can be my last fight, because I’m 41 years old—not because I feel old. I know my body, I know how to make weight. It’s 21 years of experience. Every last three years my team say, ‘Cris, enjoy every single moment, enjoy going to the hotel, enjoy your training camp, enjoy the people around you, enjoy the fans, because this is gonna finish one day.’ So I don’t want to be surprised.”
Cyborg also connected the Shields callout to the wider PFL and MVP picture, with Jake Paul’s boxing company moving into the same business orbit. Vieira enters the matchup after calling her UFC release unbelievable before the Cyborg fight.
“I always support MVP. I went to almost all the boxing fights. I always support Holly there too and Serrano, all the girls fighting. I believe what he did in the sport is nice, he made a difference in the boxing world for the females. If PFL and MVP come together, I believe it is great to make the sport bigger, like Jake Paul said. If you are free, if your contract finishes, come to me—I really want to help the fighters get paid better. So let’s see what’s gonna happen after this merge.”
“But I can say that now, with MVP merging with PFL, I’m the first athlete to be a champion in boxing and a champion in MMA at the same time. They have women’s boxing, and I don’t know, but if we’re going to be better, I believe fighters need more events for sure and more opportunities. This opens the door for negotiation and for getting paid better. When you have a place to go, I think it’s nice. Fighters need a place to fight and keep getting better.”
