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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 02: Claressa Shields works out during a pre fight media workout at the Downtown Boxing Gym on October 02, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 02: Claressa Shields works out during a pre fight media workout at the Downtown Boxing Gym on October 02, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Former boxing champion, Claressa Shields has made a move to MMA recently. Shields is currently competing under the PFL MMA banner. Having competed at the highest levels of boxing and now also in MMA, she knows a thing or two about training for both sports as well.
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But according to her, training MMA is way tougher than that of boxing. “I’m sorry boxing, but MMA training is way harder than boxing training. Yeah, it is because there’s so many different mixed martial arts you know, in boxing I bought for 15 years and I’m one of those boxers who don’t smoke and don’t drink right so I’m going to be in shape for my life but it’s like, you know, boxing after the conditioning,” said Shields.
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Shields says boxing is a repetition kind of training with repeated practice of the same drills. However, MMA training is much different than that. This requires the learning of various new trends as well. She even mentioned that she was training five times a day ahead of her pro-MMA debut.
“But in MMA I was training five times a day to get ready for these last fights. You know, I’m doing jujitsu wrestling, had no records for the boxing and kickboxing and then added on to my strength conditioning,” Shields added.
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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – APRIL 13: Claressa Shields reacts after defeating Christina Hammer (not pictured) and becoming the women’s undisputed middleweight champion at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on April 13, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Shields also mentioned that going from fighting 2 minute rounds in boxing to 5 minute rounds in MMA brought a change to his training methods. She had to adjust her endurance and conditioning accordingly.
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Can Claressa Shields become a UFC fighter in the near future?
Shields currently trains at the famous Jackson Wink MMA gym alongside the likes of Holly Holm, Michelle Waterson, and more. So, she has got a great company and team around her, to say the least. And as she is training the sport for a short amount of time only, one can expect her to get better with time.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 21: Gold medalist Claressa Maria Shields of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women’s Boxing Middle (69-75kg) on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro – Pavilion 6 on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Also, considering her prowess in the boxing department, being in the UFC in the near future seems to be a very realistic idea for her. How quickly she can make that move, only time will tell.
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