Two-time Olympic boxing champion and multiple-division pro boxing champion Claressa Shields has suffered her first-ever combat sports loss.
The American got beat by Mexico’s Abigail Montes at PFL 10 event that took place yesterday in California, US. Even though Shields was considered by many to be the betting favorite in the bout, she lost via SD to Montes after a grueling 15 minutes in the cage.
Claressa Shields gets up but she may be down 2 rounds heading into the 3rd round#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
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🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/GhEWaMR6lF— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
It was the wrestling and grappling skills that secured Montes the victory. Shields was relying way more on his boxing skills, but her wrestling defence was nowhere to be found and she allowed too many takedowns.
ABIGAIL MONTES UNLOADS!#PFLChampionship LIVE NOW
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🌍 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/Iisiou7yci— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 28, 2021
Shields didn’t looked like she was getting hurt by the ground-and-pound, but the strikes Montes was landing was enough for her to get the W.
Montes improved her record to 3-0, while Shields is now 1-1 in MMA.