Boxing great Claressa Shields will continue her experiment in MMA.
Shields (1-1 MMA, 1-1 PFL), a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three division boxing champion, has re-signed with the PFL in a multi-year agreement, the promotion announced Wednesday. Widely regarded as one of the best women in boxing, Shields has competed twice in MMA competition under the PFL banner, and will look to continue her career in the cage in 2024.
“The GWOAT” (The Greatest Woman of All Time), is undefeated in boxing with a 14-0 record. In 2020, she decided to begin training MMA and made her debut in 2021. At 2021 PFL 4, Shields recorded a third-round TKO over Brittney Elkin to win her first professional MMA bout.
🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗪𝗢𝗔𝗧 will be making her return to the SmartCage 👊@Claressashields re-signs with the PFL pic.twitter.com/39JrbWeMD6
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 9, 2023
“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” Shields said in the press release. “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.”
The second pro bout of Shields’ MMA career did not go in her favor, dropping a split decision to Abigail Montes. Since then, Shields has picked up three unanimous decision wins in boxing, defeating Ema Kozin, Savannah Marshall and Maricela Cornejo.
