MMA-Shields to make PFL debut on June 10

Scworx

14/04/2021 18:43

April 14 (Reuters) - Double Olympic boxing champion Claressa
Shields will make her mixed martial arts debut with the
Professional Fighters League (PFL) in June when she faces
Brittney Elkin, organisers said on Wednesday.
     American Shields, the first undisputed boxing world
champion in two different divisions in the four-belt era, signed
with PFL in December with the goal of becoming the "greatest
two-sport athlete of all time".    
    PFL presents MMA in a format where individuals compete in a
regular season, playoffs, and championship for a million-dollar
prize, although Shields's debut will not be part of the
promotion's season-long competition.
    "I am very excited to cement my legacy as the Greatest Woman
of All Time," the 26-year-old said. "I cannot wait to step into
the PFL cage for the first time on June 10 and show the world
that I never back down from a challenge. 
    "I have shown I am the best boxer in the world and
eventually I intend to do the same thing as a mixed martial
artist."
    Shields, the middleweight gold medallist at the 2012 and
2016 Olympics, turned professional after the Rio Games and has a
perfect 11-0 record. She unified the four major light
middleweight titles with victory over Canada's Marie-Eve Dicaire
in March.
    After being cancelled last season due to the COVID-19
pandemic, the PFL returns on April 23 in Atlantic City.

 (Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
 ((Arvind.Sriram@thomsonreuters.com;))