VIDEO: Claressa Shields Overcomes Early Adversity to Earn a Third Round TKO Win in Her PFL Debut

Published 06/11/2021, 1:11 AM EDT

Follow Us

Boxer turned PFL fighter, Claressa Shields won out in her MMA debut at PFL 4 via a third-round TKO due to ground strikes. ‘T-Rex’ Shields put forth a comprehensive display of her athleticism and training to earn her first win in the cage. Shields landed a barrage of strikes in the last round, leaving the referee with no choice but to wave off the fight.

Heading into the final round, Shields was down 2-0 as Elkin overwhelmed her with takedowns, earning a significant amount of control time. However, the tide turned towards the end of round 2 and Claressa Shields showed her championship mettle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Claressa Shields vs Brittney Elkin: A debut showcase

The three-division boxing champion has gotten her MMA career off on the right foot. She will be keen to continue her winning momentum. What’s more, she proved that she can weather the storm put forth by her opponent and bounce back stronger. The MMA community reacted to Claressa Shields’s performance and there were plenty of things to say.

Despite picking up the victory, Shields‘ win against Elkin has given pause to the notion that she can take on Kayla Harrison next. While it’s certainly a blockbuster super fight to make, the general consensus is that Claressa Shields needs more time to hone her skills.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

It’s clear that her time at Jackson Wink has gone a long way in helping build a sound game plan. Training with the likes of Jon Jones and Holly Holm has given Shields the fast-tracked preparation she needed. MMA fans will be excited to see her continue to put in the work as she embarks deeper into her MMA run.

As for Brittney Elkin, she’s now 3-7 as a pro and her record has fallen below the fifty split margin. She was out of her depth on her feet and didn’t respond too well to the relentless ground strikes landed in round three. However, the takedowns and control time against the cage will certainly be a positive takeaway.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story: Top 5 Biggest Rivalries In the History of the UFC

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Darryl Pinto

2,138Articles

One take at a time

Darryl Pinto is a senior MMA writer at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Mass Media (with a specialization in Journalism) out of Xavier’s College and has a year's experience in his current role. Darryl specializes in predictions, reporting, and covering UFC events live.
Show More>