Claressa Shields Reveals Her MMA Goal Ahead of PFL Comeback

Claressa Shields seems to have taken a hiatus from boxing and is fully focused on her MMA career. ‘The Goat’ Shields will go toe-to-toe with Kelsey DeSantis on February 24 in her PFL comeback fight after losing to Abigail Montes in October 2021. In a recent pinch, however, the undisputed boxer revealed her ultimate goal in MMA. 

DeSantis and Shields will be the only female fight in the PFL vs. Bellator event scheduled to be held in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. On her flight to the country of sand, Shields found herself with free time to answer some questions from her fans. So, taking advantage of the rare opportunity today, one fan probed Shields about her goals for MMA on social media.

Claressa Shields claims this is all she wants from MMA

Taking to Instagram, Shields shared a story on her account, where a fan had asked, “Do you plan to reach UFC one day?” Contemplating a dominant win over DeSantis a few days from now, Shield responded by claiming she wants to be the Professional Fighting League world champion. “My goal is to be @pflmma World champion, that’s all I really want from MMA,” Shields wrote. 

Shields made her MMA debut back in June 2021 against Brittney Elkin and won the fight via third-round knockout. However, she could not replicate the result in October of the same year against Montes and went on a two-year-long hiatus from MMA. However, as she gears up for her return, Shields has more than one potential opponent beyond DeSantis. 

A foe from the past wants a rematch

With Claressa Shields’ comeback to PFL, Savannah Marshall is eyeing a rematch with Shields in the cage. The pair fought in amateurs and then went toe-to-toe in a boxing title fight in October 2022. Like Shields, Marshall transitioned into MMA and is calling for a rematch 0even though she lost to Shields via unanimous decision in  boxing.

Both fighters are signed with the Professional Fighting League, so arranging a fight wouldn’t be impossible. In a recent media report, Marshal said, “I’m going to be there cage side, having a look, sizing her up. I’m under no illusions why they’ve signed me. They haven’t looked at me and thought she’ll be a brilliant MMA fighter. They’ve signed me because there’s potential for me to fight Claressa in the smart cage.”

Also Read: MMA Is Harder Than Boxing? Claressa Shields Makes Startling Confession Ahead of MMA Return

Like Claressa Shields achieved nearly everything in boxing, she aims to conquer the MMA world. However, Kelsey DeSantis stands in her path to glory! So, on February 24, Shields will have to prove whether she can achieve her goals in MMA. Will you be watching her MMA fight? Do you think Shields should fight Savannah Marshall in an MMA rematch?

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