Claressa Shields Returns to MMA in February: Who Is Her Opponent in PFL vs Bellator Event?

In August 2023, Claressa Shields revealed that she signed a multiyear deal with the PFL and would return to MMA in 2024. In this context, while she is set to step into the PFL SmartCage this year, ‘T-Rex’ hopes to win a championship in the MMA and display her improved skills. The CEO of PFL announced they were privileged to welcome “the most dominant” Shields.

On February 24th, in an event titled ‘Seize the Throne’, PFL champions will square off against Bellator champions in the cage. In one of the undercards of the event, Shields has been confirmed to feature. She will compete against a fighter out of Miami, Florida. Here is all you need to know about Shields’ upcoming fight.

The Professional record of Claressa Shields’ upcoming opponent

As Claressa Shields returns to MMA in the Lightweight division, she will face Kelsey DeSantis. While Shields is 1-1 in MMA, DeSantis is 1-2-0. DeSantis made her professional debut in March 2013 against Al-Lanna Jones; losing the fight via split decision, DeSantis stayed away from the cage for a decade. Then in September 2023, she returned against Amanda Bell to lose the contest via unanimous decision.

Following the loss to Bell, in October, DeSantis faced 28-year-old Kathleen Nelson who was only making her professional debut. Likewise, with someone as inexperienced as Nelson, DeSantis won the match via KO in the first round. On the other hand, Claressa Shields has had only two fights in the cage. In June 2021, Shields won in a 3rd-round KO against Brittney Elkin who arrived with a 3-fight losing streak. However, in the same year, when Shields faced younger fighter Abigail Montes, ‘T-Rex’ lost via decision.

Anyway, given the records of the fighters, on paper DeSantis, 35, doesn’t seem to be a very tough opponent for Shields. Meanwhile, being 7 years younger than DeSantis, Shields, 28, will certainly have an advantage on February 24th.

“Excited” Claressa Shields hopes to hold championships in boxing and MMA

Claressa Shields hopes that on returning to PFL SmartCage this year, she will win a title in MMA. As per ‘T-Rex’, her goal is to become the first athlete to “hold championships in boxing and MMA simultaneously.” In her opinion, she has grown a lot since her initial fights in the PFL. As a result, the 28-year-old finds herself excited to display the skills she has acquired over the years. “I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” said Shields in August 2023.

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Hopefully, Shields, the no. 1 on ESPN’s pound-for-pound list, will be able to offer her fans the show they desire this February. Anyway, what do you think of Shields’ upcoming opponent DeSantis? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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