Wed May 21 11:30:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Claressa Shields Announces MMA Retirement, Cites Grueling Training and Family Concerns**

**[CITY, STATE] –** Boxing icon Claressa Shields has officially announced her retirement from mixed martial arts after a brief but impactful stint in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The undefeated, multiple-weight undisputed boxing champion cited the intense training regimen required for MMA and her family’s reservations as key factors in her decision.

Shields, 30, accumulated a 2-1 record in MMA since 2021. Although the “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time) achieved a points victory in her last bout against Kelsey de Santis, the challenges of transitioning from boxing proved too demanding.

“It was fun, but I don’t have enough time to train for it,” Shields told [Media outlet]. “It takes six to eight months just to get ready to defend takedowns. Even though I got a lot better and put in the time, I broke my arm twice.”

While Shields admitted to initially harboring ambitions of becoming an MMA world champion, she acknowledged the significant time commitment required to reach the same level of dominance she enjoys in boxing.

“I’m already great in boxing, and to be great like that in MMA, I would have to train consistently for at least three to four years,” Shields explained.

Another significant influence on Shields’ decision was her family, who never fully embraced her venture into MMA. “My family never wanted me to do it,” she said. “I did it because I wanted to prove a point, and I proved that point to myself three times, though you could say twice because I won twice.”

Shields will now refocus her efforts on her boxing career, where she recently added the undisputed heavyweight title to her impressive resume. She remains undefeated in 16 fights and has secured world championships in five different weight classes.

Shields has made history in the past with her boxing fights taking place in Saudi Arabia. The fighter is as tough as flint.

Details about Shields’ next boxing match will be released soon.

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