Multiple Time Boxing World Champion Claressa Shields Believes Covid Complications Contributed to Amanda Nunes’ Loss

Boxing and MMA are two different combat sports that barely ever crossed over in the past, but the modern era has changed a lot of things. After Conor McGregor had a boxing match and boxing world champion Holly Holm became a UFC champion, more fighters began crossing over. Now, boxing world champion Claressa Shields is also hoping to carry her boxing success to MMA.

As she has competed in the cage, she often gets asked about other fighters and fights. Speaking with Fight Hype, she shed light on the UFC 269 co-main event between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena.

The G.W.O.A.T. said, “I think Amanda hadn’t recovered from Covid yet. To be honest. I think that, yes, her test came back negative but when you catch Covid, it can do a lot to your respiratory system and stuff like that. I think that she was still kinda battling with that, and that’s why I think she’s confident in the rematch.”

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“Amanda won the first round. You know, I just think that she kinda, you know, gassed out. Because she had been sick and all the other stuff. But I think Amanda Nunes is gonna come back and win her title back. But congrats to, what’s her name, Julianna.”

Claressa Shields will return to boxing at the start of 2022

Shields is among the few boxers in the world who has ever dared to step into the cage. The world champion boxer, who has a 1-1-0 record, is still signed with PFL. However, the 26-year-old has clarified that she is stepping away from MMA to defend her titles in boxing.

‘T-Rex’ will look to retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles against Ema Kozin on February 5.

Meanwhile, Nunes will look to prove that her UFC 269 loss was a minor blip. It will be interesting to see if Shields’ point of view comes true and ‘The Lioness’ lives up to her words in the rematch. Should the UFC featherweight champ beat ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’, it could open the door for crossover bouts, with ‘T-Rex’ being a prime candidate.

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What do you think about the current state of the UFC women’s bantamweight division? Do you think Nunes will regain her title in 2022?