Boxing champ Claresa Shields signals with PFL for non-tournament light fighting

Olympic gold medalist and world champion boxer Claressa Shields is the latest addition to the PFL list.

The PFL Shields have signed a multi-combat deal that will see the decorated pugilist compete in non-tournament MMA competitions at the lightweight, after the signing knowledgeable man from MMA Fighting after the initial report MMA Junkie. The Shields begin the 2021 season of promotion.

Shields, the current WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO middleweight (160 pounds) champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist boxer, has repeatedly flirted with the transition to the MMA. Eleven months ago, she attended UFC 245 Hoping to negotiate a deal to fight the two-division champion Amanda nuns In the octagon; The nuns promised Shields’ “wrestling”, But an agreement did not materialize.

Shields deal with PFL reflects promotion for another Olympic gold medalist Judoka Kyla Harrison, He converted to the MMA and fought several non-tournament fights at 155 pounds before creating a lightweight division of promotion. Harrison easily won the next $ 1 million tournament.

In February, Shields revealed her interest in starting an MMA career, releasing a training video She showed leg kicks. She trained with the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones Prepare to fight with the nuns. In 2017, she worked with former UFC and current Warrior Champ Chris Cyborg, Who also Volunteered to prepare her For the cage.

The transition to the Shields MMA came amid a stall in her boxing career. She recently appeared in Square Circle in January, winning the vacant WBC and WBO light heavyweight titles by a unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin, extending her unbeaten career winning streak to 10.

PFL will return in April 2021 after a third season delay due to the coronavirus epidemic. The promotion offered monthly stipends to inactive warriors, although many went elsewhere to fight; Harrison recently made his featherweight debut at Invicta FC.