Read about Claressa Shields’ triumphant return to mixed martial arts in her first fight since 2021. Shields secured a split decision win against Kelsey DeSantis at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champs event in Saudi Arabia.
|Claressa Shields emerged victorious in her return to MMA, defeating Kelsey DeSantis via split decision.
|The fight took place on the preliminary card of the PFL vs. Bellator: Champs event in Saudi Arabia, marking the first women’s MMA bout in the country.
|Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in boxing, transitioned to MMA in 2021 and has defended her undisputed 160-pound belt three times in boxing.
|She dominated the stand-up exchanges but struggled on the ground, with DeSantis coming close to submitting her.
|Shields plans to continue working hard and has not decided whether her next fight will be in MMA or boxing.
Claressa Shields’ Triumphant Return to MMA
Undisputed middleweight boxing champion Claressa Shields made a successful comeback to the world of mixed martial arts. In her first MMA fight since 2021, Shields emerged victorious against Kelsey DeSantis, securing a split decision win (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The highly anticipated matchup took place on the preliminary card of the PFL vs. Bellator: Champs event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This historic bout marked the first-ever women’s MMA fight in Saudi Arabia, adding another milestone to Shields’ already impressive career. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in boxing, initially transitioned to MMA in 2021. While she won her debut fight by TKO, she faced a setback in her second bout, losing by a split decision. Following this defeat, Shields took a break from MMA to focus on her primary sport of boxing. During this time, she successfully defended her undisputed 160-pound belt three times.
For her latest fight, Shields returned to her hometown of Flint, Michigan, after previously training at the renowned MMA gym Jackson-Wink MMA. Throughout the match, Shields showcased her dominance in the stand-up exchanges, delivering powerful punches against the fence. However, she encountered difficulties on the ground, reminiscent of her previous MMA fights. DeSantis came close to submitting Shields with an armbar in the first round and managed to achieve full mount on multiple occasions.
In a post-fight interview, Shields expressed her emotions, acknowledging the challenges she faced and the hard work she invested in her MMA journey. Despite the obstacles, she emerged victorious and vowed to continue pushing herself in the gym. As for her future, it remains uncertain whether Shields will pursue her next fight in MMA or boxing.
On the other side of the octagon, Kelsey DeSantis, a 35-year-old fighter from Miami, experienced defeat, bringing her professional record to 1-3.
| Fight Results |
|---|
| Claressa Shields (W) |
| Kelsey DeSantis (L) |
