Claressa Shields Re-Signs with PFL, Targets 2024 for Next MMA Bout

Claressa Shields still plans on making on impact in mixed martial arts.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-division world champion boxer has re-signed with Professional Fighters League, the organization announced on Wednesday. According to a release, Shields expects to return to the PFL sometime in 2024. Terms of the multi-year contract were not disclosed, though Shields called it a “great, seven-figure deal” in a video message on social media.

“My goal remains unchanged; I will be the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously,” Shields said. “I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”

Shields fought twice under the PFL banner in 2021. After scoring a third-round technical knockout win against Brittney Elkin in her pro debut, she dropped a split verdict to Abigail Montes in October 2021. Since then, “T-Rex” has gone 3-0 in boxing, most recently earning a unanimous decision triumph over Maricela Cornejo on June 3.

🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗪𝗢𝗔𝗧 will be making her return to the SmartCage 👊@Claressashields re-signs with the PFL pic.twitter.com/39JrbWeMD6

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 9, 2023