The Professional Fighters League announced two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shield’s re-signing on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
According to the press release, the three-division boxing champ signed a multi-year deal guaranteeing her return to the PFL SmartCage.
“It is a privilege to announce the PFL has re-signed the most dominant women’s boxer in the world, Claressa Shields, to a new multi-year agreement,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said. “Claressa and the PFL share a fighter-first, merit-based value system and take on the world attitude. We are proud to welcome ‘The GWOAT’ back to the PFL and the sport of MMA.”
Shields began her MMA career in 2020, learning under the guidance of four-time No-Gi World heavyweight champ Roberto Alencar.
“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to the PDFL SmartCage,” Shields said in a statement. “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 also took to her Instagram to share her excitement about her return.
“The GWOAT is back! I can’t wait to dominate MMA with the @PFLmma the same way I’ve dominated boxing my whole career! I’ll see you in the Smartcage!”
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In addition to Shields, the PFL has some of the biggest names in combat sports on their roster, like Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano and Cameroonian-French MMA fighters Francis Ngannou and Cédric Doumbé.
The Michigan native will make her official PFL SmartCage return in 2024.
PFL is gearing up for the 2023 PFL Playoffs on Aug. 18 and 23 at The Theater at MSG in NYC. Viewers can watch on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
