Claressa Shields is feeling the urge to step back into the MMA cage after dominating the women’s boxing division and emerging as the undisputed champion. Shields has been actively involved in professional boxing for the past 8 years, and she is now embarking on her 9th year in the sport.
However, Claressa Shields did take some time to demonstrate her mixed martial arts prowess in the cage in between her title defense. Shields has also made a big announcement recently after making serious threats to the culprits who were trying to share her clip of getting knocked down.
How good is Claressa Shields MMA resume?
In 2021, Claressa Shields demonstrated the relentless dedication of a combat sports athlete who is determined to compete wherever the opportunity arises. On March 5, 2021, she defended her WBC and WBO super welterweight titles while simultaneously securing the IBF and WBA titles in the same bout, along with the Ring female light middleweight titles. Following her victory over Marie-Eve Dicaire, Shields expressed a desire to explore other facets of her skills in subsequent fights, leading to a significant decision later on.
Shields decided to compete in an MMA cage without the big gloves. It was the first time she was entering the arena for a professional match-up. On June 10, 2021, Claressa Shields made her debut in an MMA cage for PFL 4 against Brittney Elkin. And no surprise, the debut match-up went in favor of the boxing champion as she beat her opponent via TKO at Round 3.
Then, within 5 months, she got ready again to show the world that she was prepared to make quick bouts in MMA as well. But this time, on the night of PFL 10, dating October 27, 2021, Shields missed the margin by some scoring points as it went in favor of Abigail Montes as she won the fight via split decision.
Claressa Shields is making a comeback after a three-year break, and she will be stepping back into the MMA cage. With three more championship defenses till June 3, 2023, Claressa declared she would raise her winning score to 14.
Who is Claressa Shields’ opponent at the PFL vs. Bellator event?
In August last year, Claressa Shields once again decided to wear 4-ounce gloves. She re-signed the contract with the Professional Fighters League, ensuring her fans that she wouldn’t give up her desire to fight in an MMA cage fight.
🥊 Announced: Claressa Shields will return to MMA (where she is 1-1) and face Kelsey DeSantis on the PFL vs Bellator event, Feb 24th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 16, 2024
On February 24th, 2024, the PFL vs. Bellator event is all set to take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be a champs vs. champs bout where Claressa Shields has decided to make her comeback in a multi-year deal with PFL.
In the early cards, Claressa will be competing against Kelsey Desantis in the women’s lightweight division. If she wins the bout, then there will be bigger challenges like Kayla Harrison, former UFC champ Cris Cyborg, and Larissa Pacheco waiting for the boxing champ to test her real skill in the lightweight division.
What are your thoughts this time? After successfully defending her boxing title three times, do you believe Claressa Shields will sustain her winning streak and astonish the world with another spectacular performance in the cage?
