Claressa Shields has officially retired at MMA after a three-fighter run in the sport.
The 16-0 boxing super star, who believes that she is 'the greatest woman of all time', sent shock waves by crossing the combat sports world to MMA in 2021.
Claressa Shields gathered to achieve a TKO victory in her debut before he fell at a Split Decision defeat next time.
In February 2024 she eliminated 2-2 Jager Kelsey Desantis in what turned out to be her last MMA outing.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty images
Claressa Shields withdraws from MMA
Earlier this year, the two-time Olympic gold medal winner offered a gloomy update about her MMA career.
Claressa Shields suggested that she does not have enough time to train at the level needed to become a hunter at world champion level.
On Monday, the 30-year-old admitted that MMA is 'too hard' because she officially retired from sport.
“MMA is ready, sweetheart,” Shields told Ariel Helwani. “It was fun, but I don't have enough time to train for it. It only takes eight months to get ready to defend Takedowns. I got a lot better and stopped the time, I broke my arm twice. It was fun and I enjoyed every fight I did.
“My family never wanted me to do it. I did it because I wanted to prove a point, and I proved that point.
“It takes a lot of time to train for MMA, time I don't have. I did have aspirations to be a PFL MMA world champion and to fight with Kayla Harrison or Larissa Pacheco one day. I did have those dreams and ambitions, but I just don't have enough time.
“I am already great in boxing, and to be so great in MMA, I would have to train consistently for at least three to four years. I was really doing well in MMA. It was fun, but it was too difficult.”
Claressa Shields shares She will no longer compete in MMA:
“Oh no. MMA is ready, sweetheart. It was fun … I was a lot better. I have submitted time. I broke my arm twice.
It just takes a lot of time to train for MMA that time I don't have … I really did well in MMA. It was … pic.twitter.com/qgpzufksxs
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) 19 May 2025
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What is the next step for Claressa Shields?
Claressa Shields returns to the boxing ring against IBF Light-Heavyweight Titleholder Lani Daniels on July 26.
Shields became the undisputed heavyweight champion with a unanimous point victory on colleague -Marican Danielle Perkins in February.
She will risk those titles and her perfect record against Daniels in the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.