Claressa Shields Talks MMA Scene's Reception, Being 'Floyd Mayweather Of Women's Boxing'

Claressa Shields stressed a few things about mixed martial art (MMA) and boxing fans, including how she is similar to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

After becoming a multi-division boxing champion, Shields now vows to take over MMA as well. However, she is also well aware that her decision to make a switch doesn’t please all fight fans.

In a recent exclusive interview with “The Hit List” podcast hosted by Nissi Icasiano and Santino Honasan, Shields revealed that the MMA world has welcomed her with “super open arms” and she plans to go “undefeated” in the sport too.

For her “doubters,” Shields pointed out that people should just appreciate the fact that someone who already has an established name in boxing is brave enough to test the waters of MMA.

“I really don’t have to prove anything, but the fact that I actually signed a contract and I’m actually getting inside the cage and have an actual fight, people should be celebrating that,” Shields said.

In 2017, Shields’ fellow undefeated pugilist Mayweather beat UFC star Conor McGregor in a professional boxing match. However, “Money” never tried to compete in MMA professionally.

For Shields, the scenario is quite the same apart from the fact that she is serious about winning a world title in MMA the same way she did in boxing.

“I’m the Floyd Mayweather of women’s boxing,” the Michigan native emphasized. “(But) Floyd never fought against him [McGregor] inside the cage, so I think that they’re happy that there’s finally somebody who’s willing to try it on the other side, to give it a full shot.”

“This is not a publicity stunt, this is not for followers, this is real life,” she added. “I’m gonna do my best and give MMA what I gave boxing.”

In the same interview, Shields also bared that she was often asked about how a boxing match between her and former UFC star Ronda Rousey would play out.

The 25-year-old admitted that despite being a huge Rousey fan, she felt “offended” because they were never on the same footing.

“People are always asking me, ‘could Ronda Rousey beat you in a boxing match?’” the champ remembered. “I always just feel offended because she can’t box, she couldn’t box.”

“I respect her as an MMA fighter, but she can’t beat a two-time champion in boxing, and I’m 30 pounds bigger than her,” she explained. “That just shows how powerful MMA was. Like she was known as the woman who could probably knock out Mike Tyson and she was 30 pounds smaller than me.”

Training under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Shields is set to make her maiden MMA appearance in the Professional Fighters League next year.