Shields vs. Marshall MMA Fight Considered – ‘It’s Great For The Sport’

Donn Davis, the Chairman of the PFL, wants to make the Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall MMA bout. 

The pair faced each other in their boxing bout for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship. Shields won that fight to solidify her position as the best fighter. While Marshall got the better of Shields in the amateurs, she was not able to replicate that in the pro ranks. The two fighters then signed a deal with the PFL. Shields defeated Kelsey DeSantis on the PFL vs. Bellator Champs card.

Marshall made her PFL debut against Mirela Vargas as she came out with a win. This was after she had become undisputed at 168 in boxing. Given what Shields and Marshall have achieved in boxing, there is a narrative to run things back in MMA to decide who is the better fighter. Davis is confident he can get this fight over the line, as he talked up a potential fight.  

Shields Vs. Marshall

“It’s hard to top 2024, it was our biggest year in PFL ever. But 2025 we’ll do bigger fights, more fights, and we’re going to make sure we do it. I think it would be interesting to see Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall in MMA. I’m very realistic, I thought it [Marshall’s debut] was ok. I think it would be interesting because both of their debuts were only ok.

“I’d like to see two of them work a little bit harder on their craft and then fight each other. They’re so accomplished in boxing, and it takes so much out of you to learn another discipline. Will both do that? Will both fight in MMA? I don’t know, that’s up to them, but I’d love it. I think it would be great for them, great for the sport and we’re here to help facilitate that,” Davis said 

Will It Happen?

The PFL has been criticized for not keeping fighters active. Patricio Pitbull was one of those fighters who was vocal about this before the PFL released him. The PFL has also reduced their yearly $1 million tournament prize by half. This has created the perception that the PFL is struggling for money. Dana White has also been vocal on this, as he mocked their ticket sales.

He also ruled out a co-promotion with the PFL after suggestions that they wanted to make the Francis Ngannou fight with Jon Jones. This may force the PFL to focus on fewer, more quality fights. One of those could be the Shields-Marshall fight. However, Marshall also has plans to rematch Shields in boxing as the latter prepares for her heavyweight fight against Danielle Perkins on February 2. She was not against doing it at heavyweight.

“Size-wise, I’m probably the biggest out there anyway, height, frame-wise. The pool’s so shallow, with competition. I could carry light-heavy, heavyweight. It’s not really an issue. I am [bigger than her]. And hopefully it will slow her down a bit! So that’s a plus,” Marshall stated