Claressa Shields Moves To MMA, Signs With PFL

Undisputed middleweight boxing champion Claressa Shields is set to transition to Mixed Martial Arts according to a report from MMA Junkie.

The Olympic gold medallist has today inked a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) solidifying her transition into a new sport. Shields will take one-off fights for the promotion at the start of her MMA career.

Shields has longed been talked about in MMA circles and has often been linked to fights with dual-weight UFC champion Amanda Nunes and Bellator featherweight queen Cris Cyborg. However, many had expected the two MMA fighters to cross over into boxing in order to make a mega-money bout with Shields.

The 25-year-old has not competed since beating Ivana Habazin by unanimous decision in January. Shields stretched her perfect record to 10-0 with that win. Since then video footage has emerged of ‘T-Rex’ training her kicks for the first time, adding fuel to speculation about her future in boxing.

Shields will likely compete in the lightweight division (155lbs) for PFL. Fellow Olympic gold medallist Kayla Harrison is the current champion having won the PFL tournament in 2019 – the win earned her $1 million.

Do you think Claressa Shields will be successful in MMA?