The thrill of victory could not have been more evident on the face of Claressa Shields’ MMA debut, especially after having spent the preceding two rounds facing potential defeat.
Shields admittedly entered the final round believing she was down on the scorecards though refusing to taste her first loss in any combat sports medium.
“I never doubted myself in a boxing match in my life. MMA is something like, it’s possible I can lose this first fight,” Shields admitted during her post-fight interview.”
“I don’t want to lose but all I could do was just try not to lose.”
“I just had a never quit attitude every round. Whatever you do, I didn’t care if she got me in an armbar, I didn’t care if she got me in a triangle, do not quit.”
Shields (11-0, 2KOs in boxing; 1-0, 1KO in MMA) showed composure in the face of adversity throughout the bout, which served as part of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with whom she signed a multi-fight contract last fall.
“I feel like I am dreaming. This is crazy! This was hard,” noted Shields.
“Every time I sat down in the corner, I was like ‘Damn, I lost another round.’ Came out for the second round, lost the second round. Then came the third round, coach said to not get taken down.”
“She got me on the ground but she never hurt me. None of her punches hurt me. None of her armbars—nothing. When that third round came, I was there to destroy her. I went crazy after that. I was not losing.”
