Claressa Shields, the world’s top pound-for-pound female boxer, signs a multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to pursue a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Read more about her bold move into MMA and her goal to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously.
Claressa Shields Makes Bold Move into MMA
Flint’s three-division world champion, Claressa Shields, has set her sights on conquering a new sport. After dominating women’s boxing, Shields has signed a multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to compete in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). ESPN.com reports that Shields, the two-division undisputed boxing champion, will make her return to MMA in 2024.
Shields, who made her MMA debut in 2021, is determined to become the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. She expressed her excitement about joining the PFL and returning to the PFL SmartCage, stating, "My goal remains unchanged. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display."
ESPN ranks Shields as the top pound-for-pound female boxer in the world. With two Olympic gold medals and the undisputed women’s world middleweight boxing championship under her belt, Shields is a force to be reckoned with.
PFL CEO Peter Murray expressed his enthusiasm about re-signing Shields, stating, "It is a privilege to announce the PFL has re-signed the most dominant women’s boxer in the world, Claressa Shields, to a new multi-year agreement. Claressa and the PFL share a fighter-first, merit-based value system and take on the world attitude. We are proud to welcome ‘The GWOAT’ back to the PFL and the sport of MMA."
The terms of the contract have not been disclosed at this time.
