Claressa Shields’ MMA Journey: A Glimpse into Her Dual Pursuit of Greatness
Claressa Shields, the undisputed middleweight champion renowned as the ‘GWOAT’ (Greatest Woman of All Time), is not content with just reigning supreme in the boxing world. Her latest endeavor sees her stepping up to the light-heavyweight division, challenging Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on July 27 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. A victory would mark her as a five-division world champion, cementing her place in boxing history. However, amid these exciting developments in the boxing ring, questions loom over the future of her mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
Shields’ Ambitious Dual Pursuit
Despite her monumental success in boxing, Claressa Shields is determined to make her mark in MMA as well. After securing a “seven-figure deal” with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) last year, Shields has continued her foray into mixed martial arts with undiminished enthusiasm. The PFL CEO, Peter Murray, expressed the organization’s pride in re-signing Shields, highlighting her dominance and the shared values of both Shields and PFL: a fighter-first ethos and a relentless drive to excel.
In 2021, Shields entered the SmartCage for the first time, making an immediate impact by defeating Brittney Elkin via a third-round ground-and-pound. However, her subsequent fight against Abigail Montes ended in a split decision loss, causing many to speculate about her commitment to MMA. Shields herself addressed these concerns, emphasizing her dedication to both sports.
Murray stated, “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.”
View this post on Instagram
Balancing Boxing and MMA
The notion that boxers cannot transition successfully into MMA has long been debated, and Shields is determined to shatter this stereotype. In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani, Shields revealed her ambition to become the PFL world champion, countering the skeptics who doubt the crossover between the two disciplines. “I’m the GWOAT in boxing, and now I want to be the GWOAT in MMA,” Shields stated. “If I become the PFL world champion, I want everyone to recognize that boxers can indeed excel in MMA.”
Her commitment to MMA has not waned despite her boxing commitments. Shields returned to the SmartCage in early 2023, defeating Kelsey De Santis by unanimous decision. This victory was a testament to her
“I’m the GWOAT in boxing, and now I want to be the GWOAT in MMA. So, I feel like to be the GWOAT in MMA — if I become PFL world champion, nobody should say nothing else to me, about, ‘Boxers can’t do MMA, and MMA fighters can’t transition’,” Shields remarked.
View this post on Instagram
The Path Forward
Shields’ return to boxing after a thirteen-month hiatus is a strategic move to achieve undisputed status for a third time, yet it does not signal the end of her MMA journey. Her recent performances and continued contract with the PFL indicate a dual focus on both sports. The strategic planning and rigorous training required to excel in both fields highlight Shields’ dedication and resilience.
In an interview discussing her future, Shields emphasized that the loss to Montes was a valuable learning experience. “I would like to do MMA again,” Shields said. “We are in talks with PFL now, trying to see what the plan is. But I would like to be given the right amount of time to train and to learn the craft.” Her commitment to furthering her MMA skills suggests that while her boxing career remains a primary focus, her ambition to succeed in mixed martial arts is far from over.
