Two-time Olympic boxing champion Claressa Shields is far from done with MMA.
The three-weight professional boxing world champion, who fought twice for the PFL in 2021, has signed a multi-year deal with the promotion and will continue to compete in both boxing and MMA in 2024 and beyond.
Shields signed for the PFL in 2021 and fought twice inside the SmartCage, defeating Brittney Elkin via third-round TKO on her pro MMA debut in June 2021, then losing a split decision to Abby Montes four months later.
Following that defeat, Shields competed three times in the boxing ring, as she defended her WBC, IBF and WBA middleweight titles against Ema Kozin in February 2022, then outpointed Savannah Marshall in October to unify the middleweight titles and become the undisputed women’s middleweight champion of the world. Most recently, she outpointed Maricela Cornejo in June to defend that undisputed crown.
But now, Shields has inked a new contract with the PFL that will see her return to MMA action in 2024.
“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” said Shields, via press release.
“My goal remains unchanged. I will be the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”
PFL CEO Peter Murray was delighted to secure Shields’ signature, and said he was looking forward to watching boxing’s “GWOAT” compete under MMA rules when she returns to the SmartCage in 2024.
“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,” he said.
“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.”