On Wednesday, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced that two-time Olympic gold medalists and three-division boxing champion Claressa Shields will return to the PFL SmartCage with a multi-year agreement. Shields is regarded as one of the top combat sports athletes in the world.
According to PFL, Shields will return in 2024.
Shields, 28, began her MMA training in 2020 under the tutelage of Roberto Alencar. The PFL continues to bolster its roster with some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul, Shane Burgos, Cedric Doumbe, and Amanda Serrano.
“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to The PFL SmartCage,” said Claressa Shields. “My goal remains unchanged; I will be the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”
Shields(1-1) made her PFL debut in June 2021, winning her first fight by TKO over Brittney Elkin. In her second fight in the cage, in October 2021, Shields lost to Abigail Montes by decision.
