Claressa Shields, the acclaimed boxing champion, has officially announced her retirement from mixed martial arts following a brief run of three professional fights.
Known as a dominant figure in boxing with an undefeated 16-0 record and often referring to herself as `the greatest woman of all time,` Shields made a notable transition to MMA in 2021, surprising many in the combat sports world.
Her stint in MMA began with a come-from-behind TKO victory in her debut fight, but she then suffered a split-decision loss in her second outing.
Her final appearance in the cage took place in February 2024, where she secured a close victory against Kelsey DeSantis, who held a 2-2 record at the time.
Claressa Shields Announces MMA Retirement
Earlier this year, the two-time Olympic boxing gold medalist had already given an indication of challenges regarding her continued participation in MMA.
Claressa Shields had suggested that the demanding training required to compete at an elite, world-champion level in mixed martial arts was consuming too much of her time.
Confirming her decision on Monday, the 30-year-old athlete candidly admitted to Ariel Helwani that MMA proved to be “too hard,” marking her official retirement from the sport.
“MMA is done, sweetheart,” Shields stated. “It was fun, but I don’t have enough time to train for it. It takes eight months just to get ready to defend takedowns.”
She reflected on her efforts, noting she “got a lot better and put in the time,” but also highlighted the physical toll, stating she “broke my arm twice.” Despite enjoying her time in the cage, Shields revealed her family had always been against her competing in MMA. She pursued it “because I wanted to prove a point,” which she feels she successfully did.
Shields emphasized the extensive training commitment needed for MMA, explaining that reaching an elite status would require “at least three to four years” of consistent dedication, time she cannot allocate while maintaining her boxing career. Although she once harbored ambitions of becoming a PFL MMA world champion and potentially fighting opponents like Kayla Harrison or Larissa Pacheco, she concluded, “I did really good in MMA. It was fun, but it was too hard.”
What`s Next for Claressa Shields?
With her focus returning solely to boxing, Claressa Shields is scheduled to face IBF light-heavyweight titleholder Lani Daniels on July 26th.
Shields most recently became the undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing by defeating fellow American Danielle Perkins via unanimous decision in February.
She will put these heavyweight titles and her undefeated professional boxing record on the line against Daniels at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Gareth Pendleton