Claressa Shields Believes She Has “Potential to Be Champion” After First Three MMA Fights

For years, Claressa Shields has ruled the boxing world with unapologetic dominance. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed world champion in multiple weight classes, Shields has never lacked confidence. But after just three professional MMA fights, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time) is now setting her sights on a new mountain — and she believes the summit is within reach.

“I definitely have the potential to be champion,” Shields said recently, reflecting on her early journey in mixed martial arts. It’s a bold claim — but then again, bold has always defined her career.

Transitioning from boxing to MMA is no small task. The sweet science focuses on hands, footwork, and defensive mastery above the waist. MMA, on the other hand, demands proficiency in wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kicks, submissions, and ground control — disciplines that can humble even elite strikers.

Shields entered the MMA world knowing she would be tested in areas outside her comfort zone. Her first three fights offered exactly that: moments of promise, flashes of power, and hard lessons learned.

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While her world-class boxing translated immediately — her hand speed and combinations remain a major weapon — opponents quickly tried to drag her into grappling exchanges. It was there that Shields faced the steepest learning curve.

Yet instead of discouraging her, the challenges fueled her.

In those early bouts, fans saw a fighter evolving in real time. There were moments where Shields had to dig deep, defend takedowns, and survive on the mat. Each fight exposed gaps — but also revealed improvement.

Training relentlessly with wrestling coaches and jiu-jitsu specialists, Shields has embraced the grind. Insiders say her dedication mirrors the work ethic that made her a boxing superstar. She’s not dabbling in MMA for novelty; she’s chasing greatness.

“Every fight I’m getting better,” she explained. “I’m learning how to stay calm on the ground, how to use my strength differently, how to mix everything together.”

That blend — elite boxing paired with developing grappling skills — is what fuels her belief in championship potential.

The Power That Changes Fights

One thing that hasn’t changed is Shields’ power. Even in a sport filled with diverse skill sets, striking remains a fight-ending weapon. And few women in combat sports carry the punching authority that Shields does.

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Opponents know that standing with her for too long can be dangerous. If she continues sharpening her takedown defense and submission awareness, she becomes exponentially more dangerous.

In MMA, evolution is everything. And Shields believes she’s evolving faster than critics expected.

Doubters and Determination

Of course, skepticism remains. Some critics argue that three fights are far too few to justify championship talk. Others question whether a boxer can truly master the complexities of MMA in a short time.

But doubters have followed Shields her entire career — from her Olympic days to her rise as undisputed champion in boxing. Each time, she answered them the same way: by winning.

Shields understands that becoming an MMA champion won’t happen overnight. The division is stacked with well-rounded fighters who’ve trained in multiple disciplines for years. But she’s playing the long game.

The goal isn’t just participation. It’s domination.

If her progression continues — tightening her ground defense, improving positional awareness, and integrating her striking seamlessly — the conversation around her championship ambitions could shift from hopeful to realistic.

For now, three fights in, Shields sees something others might miss: untapped potential.

And if her career has proven anything, it’s this — when Claressa Shields believes she can do something, she usually finds a way to make it happen.

Explosive Interview: Claressa Shields Goes One-on-One – Nothing Is Off Limits on Michigan Matters in Michigan!

Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medal-winning boxer who is undefeated as a professional (17-0), is about to defend her heavyweight title at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 22, which she talks about on Michigan Matters.

Shields, who hails from Flint and is known as the GWOAT (Greatest Woman (Boxer) Of All Time), talks about giving back to the community and her efforts to increase equity for women in sports.

Then, John Walsh, president and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, talks about how the industry — the largest in the state — is faring.

Walsh also talks about the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is slated to open in early 2026, and many manufacturers will use it to transport goods in the coming years. President Trump surprised many earlier this week when he talked about possibly holding up the opening while he negotiates with Canada. The bridge is jointly owned by the state of Michigan and Canada.

Walsh also discusses the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers across Michigan and how tariffs have been affecting companies.

(Watch Michigan Matters at its new time: 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and 9:30 a.m. Sundays on CW Detroit 50 WKBD).

“I’ll Gladly Welcome It” – Claressa Shields Opens the Door to a Blockbuster Showdown With Lauren Price

Rematch Fans Are Obsessing Over: Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn

Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn It is a rematch almost ten years in the making. A 2016 fight that saw the two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields make her professional debut over four rounds against former foe Franchon Crews-Dezurn at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Both were making their maiden ring walks in the paid ranks. Old amateur rivals, Shields had won every time they had fought. The former dual Olympic champion emerged victorious once again. Shields won 40-36 on the cards. Normal service resumed. Shields earned a reported $50,000, Crews-Dezurn an apparent $10,000. On February 22nd in Detroit, they will do it one more time. They will earn significantly more this time. A rematch with a lot on the line. Undisputed status and the battle for personal supremacy.

The undisputed world heavyweight titles will be on the line when Shields fights Crews-Dezurn for the second time as a professional. Shields is now unbeaten in seventeen fights and has gone undisputed in three different weight divisions. More than arguably, Shields is the best female fighter on the planet. The odds indicate she will once again turn back the challenge of her old amateur rival. At 1/25, Shields is odds-on to beat Crews-Dezurn again. If you fancy the upset, you can get around 10-1 on a Crews-Dezurn victory.

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But do those overwhelming odds in favour of Claressa Shields really reflect reality? Crews-Dezurn has only lost twice as a professional. The debut loss to Shields, and she gave Savannah Marshall an uncomfortable night before losing on points over ten hard rounds in Manchester in a big world super-middleweight unification showdown in 2023. Marshall was expected to win, but in a much easier fashion than how it turned out. Even in defeat, she doesn’t do so quietly. Or easily.

Crews-Dezurn has rebounded from that defeat to Marshall with two good victories. A victory over Shadasia Green in the fight after Marshall beat her looks even more impressive now than it did at the time. Green has since beaten Marshall. The form line carries plenty of credence. Shields deserves to be the betting favourite, but those wide odds might be a little off.

Both fighters are true pioneers of the modern era of female fighters. Shields has grabbed much of the limelight. Or more accurately, earned it. Crews-Dezurn has suffered somewhat in comparison. But you underestimate her at your peril.

Both are much better fighters than they were in 2016. Shields, especially, as grown in so many ways. Many lingering doubters would have been extinguished on that famous night in London in 2022. Shields got her revenge on Savannah Marshall for her one and only defeat inside a boxing ring.

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Inside and outside of the ring, Shields acted and fought like a superstar. She took it to the supposed big puncher and beat her British rival in comprehensive style over ten incredibly fast-paced rounds. Shields was crowned the undisputed middleweight champion that night at a sold-out O2 Arena in London on an iconic all-female card.

Shields has won four fights since and has now landed and settled in the heavyweight division. But weight is unlikely to be the deciding factor. Crews-Dezurn weighed 166½ lb last time out in a world super-middleweight fight; Shields was only eight pounds heavier in a heavyweight title fight against Lani Daniels last July. The weight differential is likely to be minimal in Detroit. Skill will decide the winner, not weight.

Crews-Dezurn knows the odds are firmly stacked against her, but revenge and belief can sometimes be the difference. Shields, who will probably start to drop back down to the lighter weights and look for big fights against the likes of Mikaela Mayer and Lauren Price, wants to end the rivalry in definitive fashion. “I plan on putting Franchon Crews on her back and leaving with the KO,” Shields says. “Franchon is elite, but I am super elite.”

Claressa Shields won on points in 2016. This time, she wants something more. Franchon Crews-Dezurn has never beaten Shields. She desperately wants to stop the rot in Detroit. Those in attendance at the Little Caesars Arena are unlikely to be disappointed with what they see. Another fight and another night that will undoubtedly showcase everything that is special about women’s boxing.

Claressa Shields has slammed the door on a possible rematch with Savannah Marshall, insisting she is “way past” that.

The American star had a fierce rivalry with Britain’s Marshall, dating from a 2011 amateur contest, which culminated in their 2022 undisputed middleweight showdown.

Claressa Shields won in style and now the two-time Olympic gold medallist has risen all the way to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion in women’s boxing.

The unbeaten fighter from Flint dismissed Marshall as a possible challenger at heavyweight.

“The way that I beat Savannah, unanimous decision,” Shields told Sky Sports. “I’m way past a fight with Savannah.

“I think that there’s better competition out there, like a Mikaela Mayer, like a Lauren Price, who is an Olympic champion from Great Britain. I would love to fight against those girls.

Claressa Shields Fires a Bold Challenge at Price, Teasing a Blockbuster Showdown Fans Didn’t See Coming

Three-weight world champion Claressa Shields has called out Lauren Price for a blockbuster fight at middleweight.

The American issued her challenge in response to the Welsh fighter saying Shields “would have to come down” in weight, but what a “great fight” it would make.

“I’d love to do a two-fight, three-fight [deal], it’d be amazing,” Price told Betfred.

Shields – a five-division champion and one of the greatest female boxers of all-time – responded to Price on social media platform X.

“We both won Olympic gold medals at 75kg aka 165 pounds. I’d gladly welcome a showdown with you at 165 pounds,” said the 30-year-old.

“And I’ll show you why I was able to win back-to-back golds and you weren’t.”

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Despite Price’s Olympic gold at middleweight, she has only fought professionally at welterweight, becoming a world champion in the division.

The 31-year-old former Wales footballer will defend her unified welterweight world titles against Puerto Rican challenger Stephanie Pineiro Aquino on Saturday, 4 April at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena.

Shields has never fought below middleweight in a career in which she has won world titles spanning five weight divisions.

Her most recent contest was a win over Lani Daniels in July when she retained her undisputed heavyweight crown and remained unbeaten after 17 bouts.

No Belts Left to Hide Behind: Shields’ Heavyweight Throne Under Serious Threat

Claressa Shields will defend her undisputed heavyweight championship in Detroit on February 22 against Franchon Crews-Dezurn; Shields, 30, is undefeated in her 17 professional bouts

Claressa Shields will defend her undisputed heavyweight crown against Franchon Crews-Dezurn at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit early next year.

Shields, 30, is undefeated in her 17 professional bouts and became the first undisputed champion with a win over Danielle Perkins in February.

She signed an $8m multi-year deal with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records in November, which the promotion company called the richest contract in women’s boxing.

Shields, a two-time Olympic champion, who goes by the moniker GWOAT [greatest woman of all time], has crossed paths with Crews-Dezurn before, beating the 38-year-old by unanimous decision in 2016 in what was both fighters’ professional debut.

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“I plan on putting Franchon Crews on her back and leaving with the KO,” Shields said. “My last few fights, I was dealing with injuries, but now I’m 100 per cent. Franchon is elite, but I am super elite, and I plan on proving that come fight night.”

The undisputed women’s heavyweight and five-division champion beat Lani Daniels in Detroit at the home of the Red Wings and Pistons last summer in front of 15,000-plus fans to defend her heavyweight belts.

Meanwhile, unbeaten British welterweight world champion Lauren Price has repeatedly expressed hope of taking on fellow Olympic champion Shields in the future.

“The way I look at it, she’s always been in the back of my mind that I’ll box her one day,” Price told Sky Sports. “I’d love that fight. I want to become undisputed first and then obviously think about that.”

Both Shields and Price were Olympic gold medallists in the same division, and the Welsh star believes they can fight in future at middleweight.

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“I’ve always thought I’ll be a multi-weight world champion. Obviously there’s talks to happen in regard to weight and what I go up to.

“When you’re driven and you’re motivated, you want to be involved in the biggest fights as well.”

Price is confident that not only can she get the fight with Shields but that she can beat her too.

“She’s a great fighter. I think it’s the best fight out there. It’ll be a tough fight but it’s a fight I believe I can win as well,” Price said.

“I think I outbox her with my speed, if I’m honest. I’m just too quick. She’s fast. She has got very fast hands, but I’m quicker.

“Before she said she would do me and [Natasha] Jonas on the same night,” Price added. “Then I boxed Jonas and she said she was impressed, this, that and the other. And now she wants the fight. I must have done something right!”

The Knockdown Everyone’s Talking About: Claressa Shields Takes Perkins in Ten-Round Thriller

Claressa Shields once again reminded the boxing world why her name sits at the very top of the sport. In a ten-round heavyweight showdown that delivered both drama and dominance, Shields dropped Danielle Perkins and went on to secure a clear decision in a fight that was far more compelling than the final scorecards suggest.

From the opening bell, the tension inside the arena was unmistakable. Perkins, undefeated and confident, came in determined to use her size and physicality to disrupt Shields’ rhythm. Shields, meanwhile, looked calm, sharp, and calculated — the posture of a fighter who has been here before and understands exactly how to take control of a fight round by round.

The moment that changed everything came midway through the contest. As Perkins attempted to press forward, Shields timed her perfectly, unleashing a clean combination that sent Perkins crashing to the canvas. The knockdown drew a roar from the crowd and instantly shifted the momentum. It wasn’t just the fall itself — it was the message behind it. Shields had found her opening, and she wasn’t about to let it slip.

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To Perkins’ credit, she rose quickly and showed heart. She steadied herself, survived the round, and continued to push forward, refusing to let the knockdown define her night. That resilience added another layer of intrigue to the fight, forcing Shields to stay disciplined rather than reckless in her pursuit of a stoppage.

What followed was a masterclass in ring intelligence. Shields didn’t chase a highlight-reel finish. Instead, she used superior footwork, sharp jabs, and well-timed counters to keep Perkins off balance. Each round told the same story: Perkins trying to impose her strength, Shields calmly dismantling those efforts with speed, precision, and composure.

As the rounds wore on, the gap in experience became more apparent. Shields controlled distance, dictated pace, and consistently landed the cleaner shots. Perkins had moments of success, particularly when she managed to close the distance, but they were fleeting. Shields’ defense and conditioning ensured that any momentum Perkins built was quickly shut down.

By the championship rounds, the outcome felt inevitable.

The knockdown loomed large over the fight, not only on the scorecards but in the psychological battle. Shields looked confident, relaxed, and fully in command, while Perkins was forced to take greater risks in hopes of turning the tide.

When the final bell rang, there was little suspense. The judges’ decision confirmed what most in attendance already knew: Claressa Shields had done enough — and more — to earn a decisive ten-round victory. Yet the fight was anything but forgettable. It was competitive, physical, and defined by a single, pivotal moment that fans will be replaying for a long time.

For Shields, the win further cements her legacy as one of the most complete fighters of her generation. Her ability to adapt, capitalize on openings, and remain composed under pressure continues to set her apart. For Perkins, the loss may sting, but her toughness and refusal to fold under adversity showed that she belongs on the big stage.