Claressa Shields, a three-division boxing champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, is making waves once again. The Professional Fighters League (PFL), recognized as the most innovative and rapidly expanding sports league, has proudly announced that Shields will grace the PFL SmartCage for several more years, following a new multi-year agreement. Often dubbed one of the globe’s elite combat sport athletes, Shields’ talent is undebatable.
A Champion’s Journey
Shields embarked on her MMA adventure in 2020, under the skilled guidance of Roberto Alencar. Since then, the PFL has been consistently enhancing its team, roping in prominent names from the combat sports realm, such as Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul, Shane Burgos, Cedric Doumbe, and Amanda Serrano.
Peter Murray, the esteemed CEO of the Professional Fighters League, expressed immense pride and honor in this re-signing. “Claressa and the PFL resonate on the same frequency, cherishing fighter-first, merit-based values. Welcoming ‘The GWOAT’ back to MMA and the PFL is an honor,” he remarked.
Sharing her enthusiasm, Shields said, “Joining a fighter-first league again thrills me. My aspiration remains: to simultaneously reign in boxing and MMA. Given my exponential growth since my MMA debut, I eagerly anticipate showcasing my refined skills.”
The boxing sensation plans her PFL SmartCage comeback in 2024.
PFL: A League Apart
The current PFL Playoffs will proceed on August 18 and 23, broadcasted live from The Theater at MSG, New York City, available on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.
The PFL has set itself apart from the crowd. As the fastest-growing MMA company and ranking second globally, the PFL is unique with its sports-season structure. Fighters are challenged in a regular season, playoffs, and finally, a championship every year. This “win and advance” model is akin to other major sports. Over a quarter of PFL fighters are globally recognized, ranked in their weight class’s top 25.
Moreover, the PFL is at the forefront of tech advancements in MMA. Their PFL SmartCage integrates real-time betting and offers a next-gen viewing experience.
About Professional Fighters League
PFL stands tall as a pioneer and leader in the sports league arena. Besides being globally renowned, the league is celebrated for its sports-season format where fighters clash in regular seasons, playoffs, and championships. The league flaunts several global live fight franchises, including the PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV Super Fights, and PFL Europe.
Internationally, the PFL is broadcasted to 140 countries, in collaboration with leading media entities like DAZN, Stan Sport, Viacom18, and others. Supported by top-tier investors and endorsed by leading brands like Anheuser-Busch, GEICO, and Bose, PFL continues to rise.
With MMA rapidly gaining momentum this decade, boasting 600 million fans worldwide, the future seems brighter than ever for the PFL and its fighters.