What’s Next For Claressa Shields?

Claressa Shields is no longer interested in MMA, as we take a look at her possible plans. 

Shields is the current Undisputed Heavyweight Champion after defeating Danielle Perkins in her last bout. The win put her down in history, as it was the third weight class she had become undisputed in following that feat at 154 and 160. Shields will box Lani Daniels in July for her homecoming. 

However, she had also been flirting with MMA under the PFL banner. Shields has three MMA fights under her belt, with a mixed record. She debuted against Brittney Elkin in 2021, getting a third-round stoppage win. Her next bout was not so successful, as she came out second best to Abigail Montes in a decision loss. While Shields recorded a win against Kelsey DeSantis in her last MMA fight in 2023, her PFL days are over. 

Shields On MMA

“I was offered one more fight with the PFL and it would have been against a girl who was probably on my level. MMA is done, sweetheart. I don’t enough time to train for it. It takes six months, eight months to just get ready to defend takedowns. I got a lot better, I put in time, I got my arm broken twice.

“It was fun and I enjoyed every fight. I did. My family never wanted me to do it. I did it because I wanted to prove a point and I proved that point. I got in my new relationship, and he can’t even handle me boxing. He’s going crazy when I’m fighting, even when I’m dominating. We had a talk and he was like ‘I can not handle MMA.’ He was like ‘can you please not do that anymore.’ I was like ‘Ok,” Shields said

Shields could turn her attention towards a Cris Cyborg boxing fight. The latter called her out after stopping Precious Harris-McCray in the first round. Cyborg remained  5-0 in her boxing record, her third win since 2024. A Cyborg-Shields fight could only happen if a compromise over the weight class exists. Cyborg has boxed at junior middleweight, while Shields is currently at heavyweight. It would take a lot for either fighter to move up or down, meaning there would have to be a catchweight. 

Options

Alternatively, there is the chance to face off against Savannah Marshall in a rematch. Shields beat Marshall in their 2022 clash, as she became the Undisputed Middleweight Champion. After the loss, Marshall would beat Franchon Crews Dezurn to become undisputed at 168. She then signed with the PFL and beat Mirela Vargas on her debut. Marshall has spoken about a trilogy, as she recently signed with Jake Paul’s MVP promotions. That fight could play out if the terms are right. 

There is also an opportunity for Shields to face off against Franchon-Cruz. The latter is the WBC Super Middleweight Champion, as she beat Shadasia Green for the vacant belt. Franchon-Cruz will face Citlalli Ortiz in her next fight, as she is on good terms with Shields. A win makes Shields a champion in another weight class, adding to her list of accomplishments. Shields has serious plans for this year. 

“I want to fight two more times this year. I want to fight against Franchon-Cruz, I want to do a rematch with Hanna Gabriels. [And] I want to bring Savannah Marshall to the US and tap that a—s again. It’s always on the table if Cris Cyborg or Laila Ali want to fight,” Shields stated