Why did Claressa Shields‘ victory stir the pot? Fresh from her PFL victory in Saudi Arabia, Shields made headlines. She triumphed over Kelsey De Santis in a three-round match with a split-decision win, marking a historic moment. But it wasn’t just the win catching eyes. Cris Cyborg’s critique of Shields’ performance sparked controversy.

Cyborg doubted Shields, hinting at an unimpressive win. Yet, Shields’ response was anything but predictable. She hit back with harsh words of her own. What could possibly make a victorious fighter lash out?

Tweet storm: Claressa Shields calls out Cyborg’s dual faces

Immediately following her triumph, Claressa Shields didn’t shy away from addressing Cris Cyborg’s disparaging remarks head-on. In a post-fight interview, Shields boldly stated, “I don’t give a damn about Cris Cyborg. She can’t beat me in a fight. She can’t beat me in boxing.” She accused Cyborg of harboring resentment for turning down a fight against Larissa Pacheco, the PFL women’s featherweight champion.

Shields’ assertiveness underscored her frustration, “But Cris Cyborg is mad because she turned down a fight…because she’s supposed to be fighting here.” The GWOAT didn’t hold back during the interview, delivering a scathing message directly to Cyborg: “Get off my coattails and worry about yourself. That’s why you lookin’ how you lookin’ now, stupid.” 

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Claressa Shields also took her rebuttal to Twitter, amplifying the feud further. “Cris Cyborg is a damn hater, trolled me all week leading up to my fight! But in my inbox saying she team Gwoat & wish me the best of luck. She weird,” she tweeted.

This transition from verbal to digital confrontation highlighted the intensity of their rivalry. Shields’ words painted a picture of Cris Cyborg’s conflicting behavior—publicly criticizing while privately supporting. But her words were not only confined to Cris. She made sure to let everyone know how grateful she was for the win.

Shields reflects on her hard-fought win

Claressa Shields, the undefeated boxing champion, ventured into the MMA arena with determination, marking a historic win in Saudi Arabia. At 28, Shields showcased her resilience, securing a split decision victory over Kelsey De Santis. Reflecting on her journey, Shields shared, “I had such a hard camp… I almost got my arm snapped in the freakin’ armbar. I had to fight out of that.” Despite the adversities, including days she spent in tears, contemplating quitting, her perseverance shone through.

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“There was days in camp where I was literally in tears. I was not considering going back to the gym because it was so hard but I forced myself to go back,” she admitted. This win not only improved her MMA record to 2-1 but also highlighted her unwavering spirit and dedication to conquering challenges across combat disciplines.

What limits, if any, can constrain a determined athlete’s ambitions? How will Shields’ journey inspire the next generation of athletes, and what new challenges will she conquer next?

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