Two-time women’s undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields made her way into the octagon for her MMA debut in a 3-round against Brittney Elkin in the Professional Fighters League. She would be successful in her debut winning the bout by stoppage in the third and final round.
Known in boxing circles as the “GWOAT,” Claressa Shields is one of the most accomplished women in boxing history. She is 11-0 in her boxing career having won world titles in three different weight classes and undisputed champion in two weight classes.
The 26-year old first became world champion in her fourth professional fight when she defeated then-undefeated Nikki Adler in August 2017 to become the new unified WBC and IBF Super Middleweight champion.
After winning the WBA title with multiple successful title defenses, Shields got an opportunity to become undisputed middleweight champion when she fought Christina Hammer in April 2019. She would go on to secure a unanimous decision win to become undisputed champion.
In doing so, she became the first fighter in boxing history to become undisputed champion in less than 10 fights. Two fights later, this past March, she became undisputed at super welterweight following a unanimous decision win.
In November 2020, Shields signed a three-year deal with the Professional Fighters League and began training with former UFC Bantamweight champion Holly Holm.
Her MMA debut did not begin very well spending much of the first two rounds on succumbing to takedowns and grounded attacks in mount from Elkin. Although was able to defend herself and make it out of the round, she needed to make adjustments if she wanted to come away with the win.
In the final round, Shields did just that successfully defending against a potential third takedown and gaining side control. She overwhelmed Elkin with a barrage of punches causing the referee to call off the fight.