Claressa Shields boasts an unbeaten boxing career and at 26 years old, she showcased her potential in MMA by securing a victory with a third-round TKO over Brittney Elkin on Thursday night.
Headlining a Professional Fighters League event, Shields faced adversity in the initial rounds but staged a remarkable comeback, culminating in a decisive right-hand blow at 1:44 into the third round to clinch the win. Reflecting on her performance, she credited her powerful right hand for turning the tide in her favor, stating, “My right hand has never let me down.”
Having delved into MMA training since December last year in preparation for the lightweight contest against Elkin, Shields has already made waves in boxing by claiming titles in the light middleweight, middleweight, and super middleweight divisions. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the fastest boxer in history, regardless of gender, to secure world championships across three weight classes and has also garnered gold medals in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL, revealed that Shields will partake in another fight this year before determining her eligibility for the 2022 season. A potential highlight for the upcoming season could feature a showdown between Shields and two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison.
