Claressa Shields Says ‘Million Dollar’ Prize Caught Her Attention in MMA

Three-division boxing world champion, Claressa Shields has now officially signed with Professional Fighters League. The ‘GWOAT’ is all set to make the switch from boxing to MMA. News broke on Twitter when the PFL announced that the super-star boxer had signed with them. Since then, Shields has spoken on why she took up the challenge.

PFL CEO Peter Murray shed light on ‘T-Rex’s’ MMA debut and promised that she would continue to defend her boxing belts. He said, “Claressa will continue to box professionally as she embarks on her multi-year PFL MMA career. Fans will get to experience her professional MMA debut in 2021, which can be seen across the United States via ESPN, as well as in 160 countries all over the world.”

Shields, who previously expressed his dismay at not having a fight, explained why she made the switch to PFL.

She said, “They give a woman a chance to fight for a million dollars. That’s what really caught my attention. And also, too, how like, it’s just fair, the women get to do the same thing as the men and they also get paid the same and they fight the same. Everything is equal”. 

However, Shields assured fans that she will still box. She said, “I’m not retiring from boxing. I’m just really adding another career to my life so, I’m still going to continue boxing.”

‘T-Rex’ also addressed her long-term goals in the sport and said, “My long-term goal is to be MMA champion at a hundred and fifty-five pounds. That’s my overall goal.”

READ: “Women’s Boxing Isn’t Treated Equally”- Claressa Shields Explains Why MMA Shift Happened

What is Professional Fighters League? Can Claressa Shields conquer it?

The PFL is a season based MMA league wherein fighters compete in a regular-season and play-offs championship system for the ultimate prize. The season usually begins in April. This will give Shields enough time to learn all the different aspects of MMA.

The ‘GWOAT’ herself is confident of becoming the champion and keeping her belts in boxing. Her aim is to create history and become the first woman to hold boxing belts and MMA titles simultaneously. It will be very interesting to see how Claressa Shields pulls this off.

Do you see Shields reigning as a simultaneous MMA and boxing champion?

READ: Female Boxer Claressa Shields Says She Would “Beat the Hell Out of Jake Paul”