Current WBC and WBO super welterweight champion Claressa Shields is all set to make her MMA debut next year.
She signed a contract with Professional Fighters League last week that will see her talents being utilised inside the cage as well as the boxing ring.
While the news of Claressa Shields has been making rounds in the MMA world, she is already a big name in Boxing, having won two Olympic gold medals and being the fastest fighter to win world titles in three different weight classes.
She is currently training at Jacksonwink MMA gym in Alburquerque, New Mexico. She is training alongside UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“I’m a little nervous because I have to start seriously training, but it’s a good nervous,” Shields said in an interview with Bleacher Report.
Claressa Shields will also have the guidance of former boxer turned UFC champion, Holly Holm. ‘The Preachers Daughter’ was a professional boxer like Shields before making a transition to MMA.
Claressa Shields is taking her training seriously and has been enjoying her session at Jackson Wink MMA.
“I’m really good at the wrestling part now,” she said of her training. “I know how to defend a single-leg [takedown], a double-leg. I know where to position my head, my legs.
“I actually enjoy wrestling more than anything else. Jiu-jitsu still kind of confuses me a little bit, and the kicks. I need to get my flexibility in my hips, so I’ve been doing some yoga, doing small things just to make the transition easier.”
Claressa Shields: “MMA fans need to bow down and kiss my feet”
The reason behind making the transition to MMA is to establish herself as the greatest female fighter of all time.
“MMA fans need to bow down and kiss my feet and throw rose petals because I’m actually making the transition,” she said. “I’m not just saying it. I’m actually doing it. So give me my props. Never say that Claressa Shields is scared of nobody.
“I could just stay in boxing and make my money,” she added. “But before I turned pro, I read this quote and it said: ‘If your dreams don’t scare you a little bit, they’re not worth dreaming.’
“When I read that, it’s what made me sign a contract to turn professional in boxing. That’s why I turned pro, and I did exactly what I said I would: I’m the greatest woman of all time [in boxing]. I aspire to do the same thing in MMA.” (H/T – Bleacher Report)