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‘This Is Pretty Exciting’- Jon Jones Pumped up Ahead of Claressa Shields’ PFL Debut

Published 12/05/2020, 7:30 AM EST

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Olympic gold medalist and three weight class boxing champion Claressa Shields is set to make her MMA debut for PFL. It seems that former light-heavyweight UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones is very excited about the boxer’s transition into MMA.

The boxing star trains at the same gym as Jones, and he is also helping her sharpen the MMA skills ahead of her debut. “Bones” recently posted a video on Twitter of Shields honing her skills in the gym.

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Jon Jones and Holly Holm will be great guides for Shield

The former women’s pound-for-pound No. 1 boxer has set a goal of fighting twice in PFL in 2021. She is also looking to take part in the 2022 PFL season format. Holly Holm has previously transitioned from being a boxing champion to the MMA world. “The Preacher’s Daughter” is also a teammate and training partner of Jones; she will serve as a wonderful guide to Shields.

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Jones seems to have taken Shields under his wings. In the video of her sparring, there is an uncanny resemblance of her style to that of Jones’s. She can be seen using some of the former light heavyweight champion’s signature moves such as the “Oblique Kick.”

PFL currently has one of the best women’s fighters in the world in undefeated Kayla Harrison. Now, with Claressa Shields arriving in the promotion, there are serious possibilities of a super fight between the two elite women’s combat athletes. Although, as of now, it will take time for Shields to get ready for top-level competition.

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For the time being, Shield will be looking to follow Holm’s footsteps, though. Holm had a kickboxing background and transitioned into MMA as a 32.-year-old. At 25, Shields has time on her side as she aims to become a two-sport world champion.

With a champion like Jones guiding Shields, she certainly has the best mentor there is. Jones is the most successful fighter of all time and has a great team around him. Shields couldn’t have asked for a better guide. How do you think Claressa Shields will do in her MMA career? What do you expect from the boxing champion?

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Written by:

Apratim Banerjee

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Apratim Banerjee is an MMA author for EssentiallySports and has been writing professionally for almost a year. Before his current gig, Apratim worked as a UFC writer for Sportskeeda. A long-time MMA fan, Apratim has developed a critical eye for the sport that has helped him transfer his vast knowledge to his copies and give hardcore and casual readers a detailed insight into the fights and fighters.
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