We firmly believe that black athletes, including those in Boxing, are rising stars in US sports. Claressa Shields exemplifies this, breaking records left and right.
Let’s look at a brief history of Shields and PFL
In November 202, Shields originally agreed to a three-year deal with PFL.
She was then allowed to compete as a lightweight in non-tournament mixed martial arts. Shields went 1-1 in two fights. This was during her 2021 season.
Her TKO victory over Brittney Elkin was her first MMA bout. She showed this dazzling performance to the world on June 10, 2021.
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Shields agrees to a Multiyear Contract for MMA Return in 2024
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Now, the undisputed middleweight boxing champion is going back to MMA in 2024. On Wednesday, Shields announced that she had signed a “seven-figure deal” with PFL.
Peter Murray, the PFL CEO, issued a statement about the re-signing.
Murray said that re-signing Shields is a privilege for PFL. She is the “most dominant women’s boxer in the world.” The new multiyear agreement proves that both PFL and Shields share similar values. And those are fighter-first, merit-based values systems to take on the world.
The return of the GWOAT to PFL and MMA is indeed a moment of pride for all of them.
What does the future hold for Shields?
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The new deal continues to prove a positive trend for PFL as the league lands marquee stars. Previously, Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, signed a multi-fight deal. The promotion in May also gave him the ability to pursue boxing fights.
In the past, Shields signed a three-year deal with PFL. This was done in November 2020.
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With this agreement, she was allowed to compete as a lightweight in non-tournament mixed martial arts bouts. After her victory over Brittney Elkin, she lost her second fight three months later. This was done by a split decision with Abigail Montes.
Now the 28 years old boxer has had three boxing matches ever since the start of 2022. Shields recently defeated Maricela Cornejo. The victory resulted in a unanimous decision on June 3 in order to retain the undisputed middleweight title.
In her whole career, Claressa Shields has a 14-0 record as a boxer. She has also won two Olympic gold medals, in 2012 and 2016, as a middleweight.
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Now the two-time Olympic gold medalist is ready for another round of MMA fights. Shields expect to enter the cage in 2024 at 158 pounds. When she went 1-1 in the 2021 PFL, Shields was regarded as a top-pound-for-pound female boxer.
Shields proudly announced in her social media post that she signed a great seven-figure deal with PFL.
Peter Murray has already shared his satisfaction with re-signing Claressa Shields. But that only proves that PFL continues to sign some of the most dominant women’s boxers in the game.
A week earlier, PFL announced the signing of Amanda Serrano. The undisputed featherweight boxing champion has a 2-0-1 MMA record. She scored both her wins by submission.
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One win and one defeat
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Shields has one win and one defeat in MMA. She is by far undefeated in her 14-bout boxing career.
After losing to Abigail Montes in MMA in 2021, Claressa Shields cannot wait to return to the Smart Cage. Her most recent bout against Maricela Cornejo proved that her boxing titles and goals remain defended.
She hopes to be the first athlete to hold championships in both MMA and boxing simultaneously.
Shields believes that she has tremendously grown since her first MMA fight. She cannot wait to put her skills on display for the whole world to see.
Shields is widely regarded as the “best women’s boxer of all time.” She made her MMA debut in 2021. First knocked out Brittney Elkin and then lost to Abigail Montes.
Now she is set for undefeated action in the PFL. The new multiyear deal with PFL fulfills her goal to continue competing in MMA.
Shields has already fought twice under the PFL banner in MMA. Shields is a dominant player in her own field. And has become the first-ever boxer to gain an undisputed status in two weight classes.
Claressa Shields currently holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles at middleweight and light middleweight. She has also won belts at super middleweight previously. As well as gold medals at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016.
Conclusion
Let’s see if this new opportunity continues proving that Shields is a dominant force in boxing. She has the potential to become a top contender in MMA too, and she is going to prove it.
With the new deal, Shields will carry on her PFL career. And potentially compete in the future for a championship. Let’s see who the PFL will match her up against in her next fight.
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