Brett Okamoto, ESPN Group of workers Editor
Claressa Shields, broadly thought to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound female boxer in the world, goes again to MMA in 2024.
Shields, 28, has signed a brandnew multiyear trade in to compete in MMA for the PFL, the fighter and group collectively introduced Tuesday. The undisputed middleweight boxing champion debuted in PFL in 2021 and went 1-1 in two appearances.
“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” Shields mentioned in a excused remark. “My goal remains unchanged. I will be the first athlete to hold championships in boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”
Backup phrases of the trade in weren’t disclosed.
Shields won her MMA debut by TKO upcoming following her opponent to the grassland and completing her with moves there. She lost her second appearance by split decision. Later the two-fight soar to MMA, Shields returned to the hoop and defended her middleweight titles 3 times in 16 months. ESPN ranks Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) the most efficient feminine boxer in the world.
The PFL has been aggressively signing conventional and nontraditional skill in recent times, together with the whole lot from former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to skilled boxer/social media influencer Jake Paul, and PFL president Ray Sefo not too long ago showed talks are ongoing relating to a possible merger with or acquisition of Bellator MMA. The PFL is composed basically of a common season plus playoffs layout however is within the means of increasing into pay-per-view.
“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,” PFL CEO Peter Murray mentioned. “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.”
