Claressa Shields returned. What’s more, she returned with a big bang! It wasn’t that her comeback took place in a squared circle. But rather, she walked into history in an octagon. Shields won the first women’s mixed martial arts fight staged in Saudi Arabia. No wonder a who’s-who of names made a beeline over social media to congratulate her.

It’s not that the undisputed middleweight champion is new to the MMA world. Under the Professional Fighters League (PFL), she fought her first mixed martial arts bout three years ago, on June 10, 2021. She won the match but lost the subsequent one on October 27. Thereafter, her sole focus stayed on boxing. Already an undisputed light middleweight champion, she moved up a division in 2022 to embark on title unification, finally culminating in her becoming an undisputed champion a second time on October 15, 2022, as she defeated archrival Savannah Marshall. Claressa Shields defeated Kelsey DeSantis at the inaugural PFL vs. Bellator: Champs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Time to celebrate! Claressa Shields Achieves Another Milestone in Her Illustrious Fighting Career

The main card at the event, broadcast live through ESPN and DAZN PPV, featured, among other bouts, a heavyweight clash between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader. A light heavyweight fight saw Yoel Romero defeat Thiago Santos. Then the early cards, made available on ESPNews and ESPN+, showcased matches between Biaggio Ali Walsh, ‘The Greatest’ Muhammad Ali‘s grandson, and, of course, Claressa Shields.

Shields defeated the former United States Marine DeSantis by a split decision, 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28. A few hours ago, she took to her Instagram account and wrote, “TONIGHT I BECAME A MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST 🥹🥹 CONGRATS TO ME 👸🏾🤩👑🤼‍♀️🥊 THANK YOU TO GOD, SAUDI ARABIA & @pflmma! One step closer to the big picture!!! #Claressashields #GWOAT #PFLMMA.”

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Soon, a bevy of compliments made headway. Former undisputed light welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron wrote, “Congratulations.” Two-time Olympic gold medalist Judoka and former PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison, who joined the UFC last month, said, “Congratulations, @claressashields! Shine on.” Shields’ friend and debuting opponent in boxing, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, also joined, “Keep being fearless girl. Love this for you.”

For a long time, it was thought that Claressa Shields would fight her third mixed martial arts bout against archrival Savannah Marshall. She has been seeking a rematch with the British boxer, who incidentally became the super middleweight undisputed champion after defeating Franchón Crews-Dezurn on July 1 last year. Shields famously barged into the post-fight presser, calling out for a rematch.

More so, last August, Marshall also joined PFL. Thus, it led to speculation about the two undisputed champions meeting in an octagon for their rematch. Fans would be eagerly looking forward to exciting news on their highly anticipated showdown.

“If ‘I Can Do Anything’ Was a Person”: Claressa Shields Teases MMA Comeback as She Aims to Become PFL Champion; Fans Excited

Between Savannah and Shields, who will be your pick for the win if they face off in an octagon?

Claressa Shields Reveals Her MMA Goal Ahead of PFL Comeback