Did Claressa Shields quit MMA? Exploring if the boxer will step inside the cage again

Claressa Shields is heralded as one of the greatest female boxers ever. As an amateur, the Michigan-born fighter captured a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics. While she hasn't quit MMA, she did become a three-division world champion when she transitioned to professional boxing.

Shields made her professional MMA debut against Brittney Elkin in a lightweight bout at PFL 4 in June 2021. 'GWOAT' (Greatest Woman Of All Time) emerged victorious, defeating Elkin via third-round TKO. Shields then lost to Abigail Montes via split decision in their lightweight bout at PFL 10 in October 2021.

Following the defeat, Shields stayed away from professional MMA competition for a few years and focused on her boxing obligations instead. Her third and most recent MMA fight was a 165-pound bout against Kelsey DeSantis at PFL vs. Bellator in February 2024, which Shields won via split decision.

On the other hand, Shields' most recent professional boxing match saw her successfully defend her undisputed women's middleweight championship by defeating Maricela Cornejo via unanimous decision in June 2023.

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Did Claressa Shields quit MMA?

Following Claressa Shields' MMA defeat in Oct. 2021, speculation abound that she'd refrain from competing in MMA and potentially denting her brand with MMA defeats. Shields subsequently shut the rumors down.

On The MMA Hour in 2023, Shields highlighted that she didn't regret her MMA venture, adding that the loss was a learning experience. She alluded to her willingness to continue training and competing in both boxing and MMA. 'GWOAT' stated:

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"I don't regret doing MMA."

Watch Claressa Shields address the topic below (24:22-27:15):

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Claressa Shields re-signed with the PFL MMA organization in 2023. Moreover, on The MMA Hour in Feb. 2024, Shields outlined her ambition of holding boxing and MMA world titles simultaneously. The 29-year-old aims to be the boxing and MMA 'GWOAT' in the coming years, Shields said:

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"I'm the GWOAT in boxing, and now I want to be the GWOAT in MMA. So, I feel like to be the GWOAT in MMA -- if I become PFL world champion, nobody should say nothing else to me, about, 'Boxers can't do MMA, and MMA fighters can't transition.'"

Check out Shields' comments below (1:08):

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Claressa Shields has consistently maintained that she'd like to continue competing in MMA and reach its pinnacle. Shields was cage-side for her longtime boxing rival Savannah Marshall's MMA debut. Marshall defeated Mirela Vargas via first-round TKO in a 160-pound bout at PFL Europe 2 in June 2024.

Marshall and Shields later cordially faced off inside the 'PFL SmartCage.' Marshall won their amateur boxing encounter, whereas Shields beat her in their rematch in the professional boxing realm. As seen in MMA Fighting's Instagram post below, Marshall signaled that she'd be open to their trilogy taking place in MMA.

Taking to the Instagram post's comments section, Shields warned that she possesses better street fighting skills than Marshall and would beat her in any form of combat.

Presently, Shields is booked to move up in weight and fight reigning WBC women's heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the latter's title on July 27, 2024. 'GWOAT's' next MMA bout hasn't been officially announced as of yet.

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Check out a screenshot of Shields' comment below:

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Screenshot of comment [Image courtesy: @mmafighting on Instagram]

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