PFL vs Bellator: Boxing icon Claressa Shields defeats Kelsey DeSantis on MMA return

Claressa Shields, boxing’s record-breaking fighter, made her return to the MMA cage, and guess what happened? The women’s boxing icon and champion defeated Bellator’s Kelsey Desantis via split decision after a two-year hiatus from cage fighting.

The experience of being undefeated in boxing helped Claressa Shields once again showcase her versatile combat sports. Fans were anticipating how Claressa’s return would be after she faced a defeat in her last match-up against Abigail Montes at PFL 10 (2021).

Claressa Shields beats Kelsey DeSantis

Shields and Desantis went toe-to-toe right from the first round, with both 165-pound fighters showing no intention of backing down. Claressa Shields emerged victorious against Kelsey Desantis on the night of the February 24th event.

The Olympic Gold Medalist kicked off the round with a powerful right overhand and undefended combinations. The bout displayed perfect boxing technique in this women’s super-lightweight clash between PFL and Bellator.

According to MMA fighting‘s live coverage, Kelsey DeSantis did manage to stop her combinations with a clinch, dragging her to the fence. But Claressa Shields took down her easily, and at the last minute of the round, Desantis managed to mount. Kelsey DeSantis, with superior MMA skills, managed to perform a nasty armbar on the boxing icon, but Shields didn’t give until the bell rang. Despite Desantis’ efforts to bring down the 28-year-old boxing champion, Shields managed to get back on her feet.

In the last round, Claressa Shields showcased her boxing endurance skills when she flurried the punches on her body and face with improved accuracy. The whole scenario of the fight was that Claressa got the advantage over Kelsey’s overall MMA skills.

Claressa Shields rips Cris Cyborg

Following the fight, Claressa Shields was interviewed about her performance, during which she addressed comments made by Bellator’s featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg. Cyborg controversially suggested that Shields could win the fight without throwing a single punch, implying that defeating Kelsey Desantis required minimal effort on Shields’ part.

In reply, Claressa Shields said, “I don’t give a damn about Cris Cyborg. Cris Cyborg can’t beat me in a fight. She can’t beat me in boxing. Why is she worried about my weight class and what I fought at? I’m not the only catchweight fighter on the card. But Cris Cyborg is mad because she turned down a fight against Larissa Pacheco, the PFL champion, because she’s supposed to be fighting here.”

Cris Cyborg was supposed to be featured in the PFL vs. Bellator match-up, but she turned down the offer. Fans were expecting the former UFC champion to once again show her dominance on the biggest stage. So, Claressa Shields took a subtle jab at Cyborg, highlighting the irony of her comments considering her absence from the event.

Do you think Claressa Shields will challenge Cris Cyborg in the future?